Awards
TAKING PRIDE IN OUR HOSPITALITY AND RESTAURANT AWARDS
Our success depends on pleasing the thousands of guests, owners and diners we serve every year. We are grateful when our guests and peers recognize our associates for their exceptional performance with well-deserved awards and recognition. Below are a few of our honors and achievements.
Bruce thompson named Hotelier of the Year 2023
Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association
Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort receives Smart Stars Award 2023
Smart Meetings
Cavalier Resort weddings receives multiple recognitions in Coastal Virginia Best of Weddings Contest 2024
Coastal Virginia Weddings Magazine
Embassy Suites Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort receives new build Award 2023
Hilton Americas Development Awards
Bruce thompson named virginia business person of the year 2021
Virginia Business
Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort recognized as best Hotel Opening of the Year 2021
Marriott International
Becca Restaurant named #15 of the top 25 most romantic restaurants in America
2019 Food & Wine Magazine
2019 Gold Medal - Certified Craft blended spirit
American Distilling Institute to Tarnished Truth Distilling Company for their 9 Year Straight Bourbon Whiskey
U.S. news and world report rankings
Hilton Norfolk The Main ranked #1 Hotel in Norfolk
2019 Platinum Medal - Small batch bourbon
International Spirits Competition 11th Annual SIP Awards to Tarnished Truth Distilling Company
2019 planning commission design award
Presented by the City of Virginia Beach for Renovation and Restoration of The Cavalier Hotel
Engineering News Record Mid-Atlantic Award of Merit, Renovation/Restoration category.
Awarded to WM Jordan in 2018, Best Projects Award for the restoration of the Cavalier Hotel.
2018 Chef of the year -
Virginia Restaurant Lodging Travel Association
Awarded to Hilton Norfolk The Main Executive Chef, Fabio Capparelli
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMUNITY LEADERS AWARD - 2015 URBAN LEAGUE OF HAMPTON ROADS
Awarded to CEO Bruce Thompson for improving the quality of life for others, exemplifying community service.
ARDA ACE AWARD FOR PROJECT OF EXCELLENCE
Ocean Beach Club's newest addition, the Oceanaire Tower, earned the distinguished Project of Excellence Award at the 2013 ARDA World Convention. The international award is presented to the premier new resort that demonstrates excellence in architecture and amenities and benefits the local community.
HONOR AWARD FOR HILTON GARDEN INN, LAGER HEADS, 34TH STREET STAGE
City of Virginia Beach Planning Commission, 2014
MERIT AWARD FOR THE CAVALIER HILL - "BEST MASTER PLANNED"
City of Virginia Beach Planning Commission, 2014
MERIT AWARD FOR GOLD KEY PHR CORPORATION HEADQUARTER - BEST INTERIOR
Planning Commission Design Award Program, 2014
TOP 25 MEMBERSHIP PRODUCING COMPANIES WORLDWIDE
The Chairman's Club, 2013, 2014
OFFICIAL TRUSTEE MEMBER
American Resort Development Association, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014
POWER LIST
Inside Business Magazine, 2013
ROARING 20 FASTEST-GROWING COMPANIES
Inside Business Magazine, 2013
DISTINGUISHED ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD
Old Dominion University, 2013
ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE
Inside Business Magazine, 2013
BEST OF 2013 HOTEL MANAGEMENT
Virginia Beach Award Program, 2013
MERIT AWARD FOR 31 OCEAN - "BEST MASTER PLANNED"
Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate
HONOR AWARD FOR THE OCEANAIRE - CREATIVE INNOVATION IN STRATEGIC GROWTH AREAS"
Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005-2012
CORPORATE PARTNER
ALS Association, 2008
MERIT AWARD FOR THE OCEAN BEACH CLUB - "OUTSTANDING MIXED USE DESIGN"
City of Virginia Beach Planning Commission, 2007
EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DESIGN AWARD - OCEAN BEACH CLUB TOWER
Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate, 2005
EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DESIGN AWARD - OCEAN BEACH CLUB RETAIL
Hampton Roads Association for Real Estate, 2004
MERIT AWARD FOR THE HILTON
City of Virginia Beach Planning Commission, 2004
HONOR AWARD FOR THE BOARDWALK RESORT HOTEL AND VILLAS
City of Virginia Beach Planning Commission, 2002
BRUCE THOMPSON SELECTED AS 2012 FIRST CITIZEN OF VIRGINIA BEACH
The Virginia Beach Jaycees chose hotelier and civic leader Bruce Thompson as their 2012 Virginia Beach First Citizen
ARDA ACE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) recognized Gold Key Resorts with its coveted ACE award for outstanding community contributions for its work and dedication to the creation of JT's Grommet Island Park and for our contributions to stem cell research and ALS patient care.
PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE AWARDS
Best Industry Leader 2011: Bruce L. Thompson, CEO
Media
virginia business
distinction magazine
matador
ENR MidAtlantic magazine
maxim online
southwest the magazine
CHECK IN: THE CAVALIER HOTEL
Southwest: The Magazine
usa today
VIRGINIA BEACH'S CLASSIC CAVALIER HOTEL SHINES AGAIN
Ninety-one years after its debut, The Cavalier Hotel reclaimed its well-deserved reputation as a luxury destination in Virginia Beach when it reopened its doors earlier this year.
Built over the course of 13 months from 1926 into 1927 to a tune of $2 million, The Cavalier was so-named as a result of a local newspaper contest, and it quickly became the place to be upon opening. Its private train depot welcomed guests non-stop from Chicago, and limousines ushered guests from the rail station, as well as from arriving steamer ships. READ MORE.