Colonial Williamsburg Hotels

[ChattaDIS]

We are starting to plan a trip to Colonial Williamsburg in October with our DDs 8 and 4. We are trying to figure out our hotel and wanted to get some input or suggestions. What is everyone's opinion for best places to stay, especially with younger kids. Would you recommend staying within or near Colonial Williamsburg or away from colonial Williamsburg? Also any suggestions of things to do or things not to miss.

 

[luvmy3]

We took the train down there (never again!) and did not have a car so we stayed right there at the Williamsburg Woodlands hotel. It was a nice walk to Colonial Williamsburg but if we had to do it again I'd make sure we had a car and probably stay off site if I was staying for more than 3/4 days.

 

[dpswift]

DH and I stayed at the Country Inn and Suites last year. It was a good basic room with a free breakfast. It was very close to Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg.

We did a fun ghost tour while we were there. Unfortunately parts of the tour would have made me uncomfortable with my kids, however one family did bring kids and they did not seem bothered.

If you want something deluxe there is a Great Wolfe Lodge a little further away.

 

[ChattaDIS]

We took the train down there (never again!) and did not have a car so we stayed right there at the Williamsburg Woodlands hotel. It was a nice walk to Colonial Williamsburg but if we had to do it again I'd make sure we had a car and probably stay off site if I was staying for more than 3/4 days.

How was the woodlands? We were looking at that. We will have the car but being able to walk around seems appealing.

 

[luv2sewtjr]

We stayed at a villa at Kingsmill and loved it.

http://www.kingsmill.com/

There are some deals and packages available and they also run shuttle service to Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.

We used to live in Norfolk, VA and October is a great time to go to Busch Gardens. It is open on weekends only, but the weather is fantastic and there are no lines.

Colonial Williamsburg is fun but it's not too active on Sunday.

I don't care much about shopping so I can't advise about that.

 

[luvmy3]

How was the woodlands? We were looking at that. We will have the car but being able to walk around seems appealing.

It was nice, the room was very clean and quiet (we were there during Spring Break). The grounds are pretty, you are right near the welcome center.
They have a nice pool and a nice breakfast spread in the mornings. There is also a restaurant right there so you dont have to go out to eat. That was nice for us since the restaurants in CW weren't the best options for kids IMO. (Not meaning the atmosphere, just the food selections). The only reason I wouldnt stay there again is because I think once you stay at CW for almost a week with kids there isnt a reason to stay again. Dont get me wrong my kids liked it, but by the end of the week they were pretty bored. We did visit Yorktown and Jamestown too but we didnt do anything else so they had had enough history! I forgot, we did go to Busch Gardens but my thrill seeker ds was too short to go on the big rides and my older ds just doesnt like them so we did alot of waiting for my dd and dh to do them. They were too old for the little kid rides, and there wast a to for them to do in between. Now that they are a few years older, I think they'd get more out of BG.
I'd definitely visit CW again because I loved it but I think I'd stay off site and find other things to do with the family.

 

[PlutoPony]

The easiest way to see the restored areas of Colonial Williamsburg is drive to the Visitor's Center (ample parking, at least in the off season) and take the busses from there. So it's not necessary to stay "on site", and most of the hotels aren't a long drive from the Visitor's Center especially in October when the tourists aren't out in full force. There is very little if any parking available adjacent to the restored areas....."downtown" Williamsburg has a few pay lots but in my experience getting a parking place there is a challenge.

The website for Colonial Williamsburg is pretty good. You might want to check the schedule of what days of the week things are open in the restored area before you schedule your dates, not everything is open 7 days a week as I recall.

Also, when you go to the Visitor's Center for tickets, ask there which places have programs specifically for the kids and when they are scheduled for. I remember one of the houses had games for the kids (maybe it was the Putnam house?) like hoop and stick..... my son had a blast with that.

 

[coachb]

There are many nice timeshares in Williamsburg. Most have full kitchens and rent at a reasonable rate....Williamsburg Plantation, Kings Creek Plantation, Marriott Manor Club etc.

 

[antmaril]

We stayed in a one bedroom condo at Kingsmill Resort. We loved having the space and the resort is lovely -- pools, spa, golf, racquet ball, tennis, bicycles and restaurants. It is very close to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA and less than ten minutes from Colonial Williamsburg. I can highly recommend.

 

[cheerky]

We like to stay at the Historic Powhatan Resort. They have one and two bedroom condos. The resort always has activities planned for the kids and breakfast with Martha Washington. You can book through hotels.com. It is close to colonial Williamsburg and not far from BG. Our favorite time of year to go to BG is in the fall, but be warned, as soon as the sun goes down it is not child friendly. The ghouls and psychotic clowns come out and can be terrifying for young children!

 

[ArwenMarie]

We stayed at Kingsmill. Busch Gardens was so much fun, didn't make it to the colonial stuff (shame!). The Yankee Candle store is really cute too.

 

[momtotwins]

we stayed in a condo so I do not have any advice about hotel but I want to suggest the bounce pass for entertainment. this pass included unlimited entry into colonial Williamsburg, busch gardens and the waterpark for 7 days. parking is included. best part if your 4 year old is free. I have 5 year olds and it came out much cheaper then any other option.

 

[tjosmith]

I take my 5th graders there each year. We've tried many off site hotels and this past year we stayed on Colonial Williamsburg property at the Woodlands Hotel. It was really nice. Off site I would recommend Hampton Inn & Suites Central. It's new and has an indoor pool.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

Our family of 5 stayed at Hampton Inn & Suites Williamsburg-Central. It was very close to the visitors center, had larger rooms and a hot free breakfast. We like it so much in 2011, we went back in 2012

 

[kimnmiah]

We always stay at the Powhatan. It is a time shareable they try to sign you up for a time alot for their presentation. Web always decline and they leave us alone. We have gotten a 2 bedroom full condo for $76/night before. The grounds are great. The have tons of kids activities at the resort. Indoor pool and hot tub. We love having the full kitchen.

 

[writersblock42]

I just got back from Colonial Williamsburg yesterday. I would definitely recommend the Woodlands Hotel. It is right next to the visitor center which is very convenient. The hotel has an awesome breakfast (bacon, pineapple, eggs, all kinds of pastries and make your own waffles) and when we went they had activities planned every day including pool parties and lawn games (some were better than others. I wish the activities directors were more enthusiastic though). The rooms are decent and clean. They have some really cheesy mini golf and shuffleboard. The hotel is not meant to be a resort and it doesn't have resort prices. Hotel guests get discounts on tickets and also get a free night program.
If you are going to Colonial Williamsburg some of the sites are more suited to kids than others. The Governor's Mansion has a long 30 minute tour that will bore the children. The Powell House has kids activities all day long and is a good option for kids. The kids can play in the mud at the Brickyard. They also have kid's activities at the Museum The kids can join the army at the encampment and some kids think it is really funny but my dd almost cried because the drill sergeant called her a maggot (all in play of course but a 5 year old didn't understand). Kids also love the Gaol (jail) The Rev Quest is a fun game but it takes a really long time and not really geared to younger children-they will probably lose interest. They do have a kids map and the kids can five places punched and get a free dessert at Huzzah's located at the hotel. The food there is not fine dining but a great option for kids. Another big tip is dinner reservations are required at the restaurants in Colonial Williamsburg but not required for lunch and lunch is half the price. Stephano's at the Merchant Square is another excellent option for kids. If you leave the immediate area there are all kinds of options like Subway, Chili's, Applebee's and all your normal chain restaurants. I think for kids, two days at Colonial Williamsburg is a good amount of time. The place closes at 5 pm. You can get an all inclusive ticket and do everything that includes Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.

 

[ChattaDIS]

Thanks for the tips. We actually came across what appears to be a pretty good deal at the Mariott resort at Fords Colony where you can get a villa with kitchen for about $95 a night. It looks like it has good reviews on Trip Advisor. I think we are going too late in October for Busch Gardens as we will only be there on weekdays.

Does anyone have any neat dining suggestions for the kids. I figured one of the days we would do a tavern for either lunch or dinner followed by the ghost tour.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I think it's unfair to suggest the Governor's Palace tour will bore children. We visited CW when our daughter was 8 years old. She loved all aspects of Colonial Williamsburg, including the Governor's Palace tour.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[quentina]

Just a few weeks ago, a "condo" was listed on hotwire for 65$. I bid and got the Powaton (sp??). Once checked in, we had a very nice 2 bedroom/2 bath villa. We stayed for a few nights....I would watch hotwire

 

[snoopy5386]

We have stayed at all 3 Wyndham timeshares there and they are all very nice! You can get them on eBay or through vrbo.com for around $100 a night.