A picture perfect inn in Virginia Beach that is romantic enough for a couple’s getaway but still pet-friendly enough to include a dog park on premises? Yes, please! Learn how one TravelingMom fell in love with Founders Inn and Spa.

There are tons of perks of traveling off season, but when it comes to beach destinations, the best by far is being able to enjoy gorgeous resorts without the all of the nuttiness from the crowds.

That’s why, during a short romantic getaway my husband and I decided to go for a visit to Virginia Beach in January. The hotel of choice for this weekend couple’s trip was Founders Inn and Spa.

Originally we had planned to travel with our puppy “Alpha.” So that was one of the reasons why I chose this luxurious hotel, as they are pet friendly. But the international regulations are a bit complicated and we didn’t have enough time to prepare everything to allow her to travel with us.

However, the photos of the hotel looked amazing. The reviews of it were equally amazing. So my husband and I decided not to cancel our reservations there.

What We Found When We Got To The Founders Inn and Spa

When we got there, the inn didn’t disappoint. The place is gorgeous! Plus it made me really miss my puppy. Out of all of the pet friendly places that I have visited, this had to be the friendliest by far. I mean, how many hotels do you know with their own dog park?

You are allowed everywhere in the hotel with your pet, but having a special place for pets to play around freely is a nice bonus.

The whole look of the place is impressive. When we first walked in, the decorations made us feel as if we were back in the Colonial Era. It is amazing how careful they were with details.

Then we were taken up to our room and it didn’t disappoint. It was a spacious and luxurious place with a similar theming to that of the public areas. Bonus – ours even came with a fireplace. At first I thought it was a bit pointless to have one. I mean, we were there in January. However, it got a bit chilly at night, so I took the opportunity to enjoy a fire.

The day after our arrival was spent relaxing in the gardens, using the gym and enjoying the lovely indoor pool.

What we loved most about Founders Inn and Spa

The first thing on my list is definitely going to be the Southern hospitality. This is not a joke!

From the minute we entered, we were greeted by Brandon, the front desk receptionist. (It was really easy to memorize his name because it is the same as my oldest son’s). This guy was a true star. Seriously. I don’t know about everyone in the staff, but Brandon was so attentive, helpful and made sure our stay was better than expected. I would have definitely made him employee of the month.

After a whole day of relaxation, we had dinner at one of their two restaurants. Because I wasn’t feeling like getting super dressed up, we headed to the Hunt Room, which is the more casual and bar-like restaurant. We were told that the menus in both restaurants are similar. About the food, all I can say is yummy!

Then for breakfast we did go to the main restaurant, the Swan Terrace Grill. It was a delicious southern style buffet. The service was also amazing. I would definitely go back whenever I’m in the region. The hotel also gives you the option of the breakfast being included in your hotel room fee or to decide there if you want to eat it.

It is worth a little less than $15 per person – trust me, it’s worth every bite.

We spent the rest of the day having a blast exploring the gardens, the gym, pool and restaurants. But our favorite part was simply sitting outside, enjoying the place and watching the other guests.

NOTE: There are three buildings in the lodge. The York River Lodge is where the pet-friendly rooms are.