Exchange to Williamsburg VA - Anyone?

[MCazer]

We have traded a week in a one bedroom @ OKW for a week in the Marriott Manor Club Sequel @ Ford's Colony, Williamsburg, Virginia.

It cost us 172 pts. We are going July 6-13 next year.

Anyone have any information on this resort, it seems to have very good ratings, and its a Marriott, they seem to be very good.

Would love to hear anything about this place and the Williamsburg area.


Thanks,
Margaret

 

[Werner Weiss]

Good choice!

We haven't stayed at the "sequel" (newest) phase, but we've stayed twice at the original phase of Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony -- at the end of March 2000 (for 9 nights), and again a year later (for 2 nights). It was a wonderful place to stay, and we'd gladly stay there again. We didn't use DVC. (We also own at a Marriott Vacation Club and are members of Interval International.)

The drive from Marriott's Manor Club to Colonial Williamsburg was about 15-20 minutes each way. The location in the midst of the exclusive Ford's Colony residential development is lovely, but it's isolated from Williamsburg's attractions and restaurants. This isn't a problem, but it's something you should be aware of.

I was surprised how much time we spent at Colonial Williamsburg. My kids (8 and 10 at the time), wife, and I really got into the many historical tours and presentations each day and the extra-cost evening programs. Seriously consider annual passes. They're dirt cheap compared to WDW, and you can come and go all week. If you're an AAA member, buy them at AAA ahead of time to save money.

Spend some time at http://www.history.org/ so you'll know what's available in Colonial Williamsburg and what requires advance reservations.

Dining at Christiana Campbell's, Chowning's, King's Arms, and Shields -- the historic taverns of Colonial Williamsburg -- was fun, and we were surprised how good the food was. You dine by candlelight, with no electric light bulbs in sight. Entertainers in period attire might sing to you. The menus are inspired by the cuisine of 230 years ago, but the recipes have been adjusted for modern tastes. Three of the taverns require advance reservations.

We also made it to Jamestown and Yorktown. Each offers a historic site operated by the National Park Service as well as a living history site and muesum that's run by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. See http://www.nps.gov/colo/ and www.historyisfun.org/

We never made it to Busch Gardens, nor to the attractions of Richmond, nor to the Virginia Coast.

Because you'll have a kitchen and a car, you'll undoubtedly want to buy some groceries. Marriott's Manor Club is served by two Food Lion stores within few miles -- but they were both very disappointing. Ask the Marriott front desk to point you to Ukrop's market. It's about the same distance as the Food Lion stores, but it's hidden away from the main roads. It's a beautiful store with a huge selection of prepared foods.

Have fun!

 

[MikeScott8]

Werner,

Thanks for the info on Manor Club. We are taking a few days after our wedding in November and using the special deal there for 3nights for $159 for sitting throught their sales pitch.


I had checked out thier site, and the info from the owner there who referred me to get the deal was pretty high sales pitch. His emails were loaded with pictures and quotes from and links to magazine articles. but those were mainly timeshare industry and nothing meaty about the resort. Nice to hear first hand info.

Margret,

Thanks for the info on the trade. If we like the place we may go back with a trade during summer. It's nice to know we would not have to use full points for the year to trade in there.

One question: did you do this trade trough MS or on your own?

Mike

 

[MCazer]

Werner,

Thank you so much for all the information, and so fast! I am printing out your post and saving it in my vacation folder! I just love having one of those. I hate when you go on vacation and come home and don't have anything brewing for the next one. Now I do!


Mike,

I transfered points through Member Services. They said that they used those points this year even though our stay is in July next year.

When we go, our ages will be:

Me (39)
DH (39)
DD (7)
DS (5)

I do hope that they will appreciate all the historical sites.

Thanks,
Margaret

 

[Dean]

MC is a great place and I think the Sequel is a great choice. The pool there is closer and much better than the other side. It is a ways out and a little inconvenient if one wants to spend a lot of time in Colonial Williamsburg. I think exchangers get free Golf or it may be for Marriott owners only.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Dean
I think exchangers get free Golf or it may be for Marriott owners only.

I used an II Getaway (low cost rental for II members of a surplus week) plus two cash nights for our first stay at Marriott's Manor Club. I was given the card for free golf when I showed my Marriott Vacation Club owner card at the Activity Desk. I didn't use the free golf because I'm not a golfer. The course looks beautiful. It wouldn't hurt to ask, but I wouldn't count on free golf if you don't own at a Marriott.

 

[Joe T.]

The Manor Club is a super Resort. The Sequel is just across the tennis courts from the original resort. Ford's Colony has three courses - all within walking distance from the resorts. There are two restaurants in the club house. One compares to V & A - very expensive. It is something we have done once, as we did V & A, but we're not likely to do again. There are lot's of restaurants in the area in addition to the historic taverns in Colonial Williamsburg. A fine Italian Restaurant with moderate prices. reasonably close to Ford's Colony, is Giuseppe's at 5601 Richmond Rd. We visit Williamsburg 2 or 3 times a year, and that is a "must do" for us.

There are many fascinating exhibits and shows. Try to see anything featuring Thomas Jefferson.

Feel free to email me if I can answer any questions.

 

[NCRedding]

I second the recommendation for Guiseppe's--it is in a strip shopping center near McDonalds--out enar Busch Gardens--excellent wait staff, great food, and reasonable prices. If your party is just adults, consider the Trellis which is in Merchant Square near Colonial Williamsburg--the chef is the author of "Death by Chocolate" Good restaurant, but not kid-friendly.

 

[Doctor P]

This is a resort we will consider in the future, so thanks for all the great info.