Williamsburg Hotels

[diskids2]

I have used the search engine and got a great deal of info from all of you regarding trips to Williamsburg, so before I even go on - THANKS!

I'm wondering if anyone has ever stayed at Kingsmill Resort. We are trying to decided between Kingsmill (seems nice, higher end, shuttles to BGW and Water Country - which we'll go to at least 3 times), Embassy Suites (can get a goverment rate and a suite), Four Points Sheraton (can get a government rate and points on starwood for next disney trip), and Great Wolf Lodge - coming in the Spring (has a great water park indoors).

I'm figuring that Great Wolf will cost me the most money, followed by Kingsmill, then Embassy, then Four Points. Cost is somewhat of a factor (when is it not!), but I would stay at the more expensive hotel, if it was worth it.

So any thoughts or feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

Oh, and any other info about the attractions would be great too - like Pirates Cove mini golf, or the GoKarts place, Haunted Evening Dinner Theater, or the Ghost Tours, and did anyone go on a sunset cruise? LOL, I guess I have loads of questions.

 

[GEM]

I really don't know about any of those places, but we spent 10 days in June in a two bedroom villa at the Greensprings Resort and it was fabulous! Everything was absolutely beautiful and it all looked brand new. It was all decorated so nicecly and the jacuzi in the master bath was HUGE! The pool and recreation were great. There were swings and barbecue grills right outside our unit. My mom and sister are still raving about this place. We will definately stay there next time we head back that way. We can't say enough good things about it.

We did pretty much everything in Williamsburg, plus Jamestown and Yorktown.

Pirate's Cove is fun, just like in Orlando. We really loved Minigolf America, though. It is an absolutely beautiful little course with the most incredible landscaping and TONS of flowers. DH and I are sort of minigolf freaks, and we both thought this was one of the prettiest courses we ever played. There were lots of huge shade trees, too.

We did lots of the tours and special things in Colonial Williamsburg. By far the neatest thing was "Cry Witch", a program that was a re-enactment of an actual witch trial that took place in Williamsburg. The acting was wonderful and the atmosphere (in the old capitol at night by candlelight) was just so neat! We enjoyed all the other tours and things, too.

Busch Gardens was great fun and we loved Water Country USA. We thought Busch Gardens was one of the prettiest parks we have visited - great landscaping and tons of huge trees.

My biggest advice is to see Colonial Williamsburg in several shorter visits. Don't try to do and see it all in one day or you will miss out on so much! Get a multi day pass and break it up
some.

Also, try to eat in one of the historic taverns. It is such a cool experience. We had dinner at Christina Campbells and it was one of the highlights of our trip!

For info. on Colonial Williamsburg, www.history.org has tons of great info.! Have fun!! We really enjoyed it there.

 

[tar heel]

I also recommend seeing Colonial Williamsburg in shorter visits if you have children b/c they will be less likely to complain of boredom. We went four times during our week-long trip but were usually only there three-four hours. We liked the tours (which are not included with the basic ticket). The best shop by far was the blacksmith, so make sure not to miss it.

I was disappointed in our very expensive dinner at Kings Arms Tavern, so I would recommend doing lunch if you want to eat at one of the colonial taverns. Don't get me wrong -- it wasn't bad, just not a $200 meal. I enjoyed our lunch at Shields Tavern much more. Chownings was also fine, but it's counter service.

Two things about CW: It closes at 5 p.m., which felt really early to us. Refillable mugs are available but there are not many places to refill them.

At Busch Gardens, the German restaurant is surprisingly good and the barbecue place in New Canada is just average. Seasons Restaurant near William and Mary is excellent and has a very diverse menu. I would not recommend eating at Captain George's on Richmond Road -- mediocre buffet seafood at a high price.

We stayed at Springhill Suites and were pleased with the accomodations -- two doubles and sofa bed and breakfast each morning.

 

[diskids2]

The minigolf place did look really nice, so we will most likely try that out. Thanks for the info on the hotels.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I think all of the hotels in the Kingsmill area (as opposed to the historical district) are very nice.

Avoid the Fort McGruder Radisson at all costs. It was hands-down the worst chain hotel we ever stayed in.

 

[snoopy]

Whatever you do, don't stay at Powatan Plantation. That place was nasty, we were just there about a month ago, and had to leave early. Gave me the heeby jeebies.

I'll second tar heel's recommendation of Germany in Busch Gardens for someplace to eat though. DH got this massive corned beef sandwich, while I had a fresh carved turkey, the kids got pizza, and we were all happy campers. We also went to Seasons, restaurant.com has discounted coupons ($25 coupon for $7) so we went there twice. Very good food. We also had dinner at the Trellis, and while it was good, it was overpriced for the quantity of food, which wasn't much.

 

[orvilleair]

Some misc stuff on our trip to Williamsburg in 2003

1. The Ghost Tours in Williamsburg were sold out.
2. Busch Gardens has won awards for it's theme park food, and I've eaten at Germany. The Festhaus was a great break from the hot day, and even caught a show while eating there. I've heard Ireland has a Riverdance type show that is fantastic.
3. Agree with a previous poster on Christina Campbells Tavern in Williamsburg. The staff dresses in period costumes and the lunch menu was affordable. The waitress will "name drop" some of the other Williamsburg characters.
4. My young kids (2 and 5 at the time) did not have a good time at Williamsburg. They might like it better when they're older.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Pirate's Cove? Where is that?

 

[diskids2]

Has anyone ever stayed at Kingsmill or at any of the Great Wolf Lodges. Thanks for the advice on dining and which hotels to avoid.