Williamsburg, VA advice?

[LtlTee]

We're planning about 5 days in Williamsburg and want to do the usual -- Busch Gardens, Water Country, and Colonial Williamsburg. Does anyone have any advice on hotels? I was on the Busch Gardens site looking at packages they have in conjuction with local hotels, but it's so hard to pick anything site unseen and not really knowing the layout of the area. I did go to Trip Advisor and checked out some reviews, but I'm looking for any other opinions.

We have a family of 5, so I would like a suite. I want to be close (don't have to be right next door, but I would like to be within 5-7 miles of the attractions.) I'm looking for something in a mid-range price.
So far, I'm considering the Hampton Inn and Suites and the Country Inn and Suites (Park Inn), and SpringHill Suites by Marriott. Anyone have any comments on these, or have any other suggestions? Thanks!!!

 

[tar heel]

We stayed at Springhill Suites and it was fine. We'd stay there again no problem. At least when I looked, booking individually was cheaper than packages. I got lucky on the hotel, however. I booked it on line and the next time I looked it was llike $30 a night more. I THINK we paid $119.

The cheapest Busch Gardens tickets I could find were at my AAA office.

My DH had very fond memories of Colonial Williamsburg and wanted to do a lot there. My kids (two teens, 9-year-old) found it mostly boring. Even I didn't think the guides were as good as last time I was there. We had bought annual passes (with AAA discount it wasn't much more than a day pass -- can't remember exactly), which worked out really well b/c we spent half-days there. One thing that's really different from Disney is that except for the taverns, everything is closed at 5 p.m.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We stayed at the Springhill suites for a few nights last summer. I wasn't fancy, but was a good place overall. Breakfasts are better than some of the free breakfasts and we found enough to eat every morning. They have a small indoor pool--nothing fancy, but we weren't there for the pool.

We didn't go to Colonial Williamsburg, but we spent 3 days at Busch Gardens/Water Country (one day at each and then one split between the 2). We liked Busch, and had an especially fun time at Water Country.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I forget where we stayed--but remembered that the pool was shaded and too cold to swim in. Very quaint boutique. Unfortanetly the name escapes me

When we make it back there--we will stay at a walking distance hotel with indoor pool. If you do a package--where all of your tickets are included (williamsburg, jamestown, yorktown, BG and water country)...you can get a pretty economical vacation out of most any hotel.

 

[LtlTee]

Thanks everyone!

This is the package I'm looking at:

Busch Gardens and Water Country USA Adventure Package
Includes 2 or more nights lodging, plus a Busch Gardens and Water Country USA Vacation Pass, valid for unlimited admission to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA for up to 7 consecutive calendar days from date of first use. Package is available from May 13 through September 10, 2006.

I will price it out and see how it works out if I book and get my own tickets separately.

I would like to get to Colonial Williamsburg, but my 15-year-old has already rolled her eyes at that. Even if we can get a half a day there, I'll be happy.

 

[jennyL]

We went in October and stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge. My sister 11 loved Colonial Williamsburg. We spent two days walking around and looking at all the buildings. She loved the ones that had stories to go along with them. We ended up buying the season pass so we will be returning before they expire. She wants to take my step-father back and show him all that we saw. She also has a list of buildings that we didn't make it too.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm always surprised on different taste levels--at 15 I was excited to *finally* go. Okay--it may not have been fifteen--it was something-teen. But then again, I love travel and living history stuff much better than text books.

Sounds like a good package--though you will spend the whole day there. So much to see in the town just by walking around (and it is a walk). Do that before you go to Busch gardens that way---she does what you like and then you get to do what she likes.

I can't wait until we get back over there .

 

[LtlTee]

My husband and I went years ago, way before kids, and have been dying to go again. I do actually think my daughter will like it once she gets there, although I like your idea about doing Williamsburg first!

 

[Vavasmon]

Williamsburg is our favorite quick vacation get-a-way. We go 3 - 4 times per year.

We have stayed at the SpringHill Suites many times - it shares a parking lot with the Residence Inn - make sure to book the 2 queen bed pull out couch room to easily sleep 5. It is on 60 before the bypass and you can walk to a few restaurants there. I often book with AAA. Many hotels can be reserved early with AAA discounts.

The County Inn and Suites I believe is on the By Pass and was once another hotel. If staying on the bypass my one experience is try to stay at a hotel where you turn right to go to CW and BGW. Making a left out of some of those during peak times can take over 15 minutes.

Since we go often I habe BG platinum passes (2 years all their parks) and a CW annual pass. I would suggest looking at the vaction packages offered by willaimsburgvacations or the hotel/motel association. The BG ticket you are talking about is the old bounce pass now called the USA vacation pass. If you want to see CW avoid the 1 day ticket that does not include the Governors Place and Capitol (2 of the best buildings in the historic area). I have loved the historic area since childhood. There website includes their daily list of activites. Many of the trade sites are very interesting and teens seem to enjoy them (my DD is 10 but loves the area). Some buildings are just people talking, others have people of the past, and a few are more hands on. Please Pm me if you have any specific questions

 

[LtlTee]

Vavasmon,
Thanks for the info! I will check out the AAA discount, and I'm also going to check out williamsburgvacations.

 

[Straitlover]

If you just want to get a feel for Colonial Williamsburg, there is a lot you can see just by going over there w/o buying a ticket. I've never done the actual tour before (but want to do it sometime).

 

[PlutoPony]

Country Inn on the by-pass is on the "good" side of the road - you make a right to go to CW, etc. It looks like a fairly new place so should be OK. I like that location a lot but you will have to drive a block or so west for restaurants. Stayed at the SpringHill Suites a year ago. A little further from the CW and Busch but that shouldn't be a problem unless you're there in grid locked peak season. It's a good location for restaurants, rooms seemed a tad smaller than other SpringHills, but that could be my memory . I wouldn't go much further west than this tho, especially with trips to Busch which is on the opposite side of town. Might also consider something on the east side - Patrick Henry Inn is a good location but the pool's outdoor and don't think breakfast is free (2 deal breakers for us at this point).
If you have extra time, consider a trip to Jamestown Festival Park. The drive down is pretty, running alongside the water. We were a bit disappointed with Yorktown battlefields (not a lot to actually see) but the Victory Park is Ok and there's supposed to be a nice new area of shops and restaurants down by the water in Yorktown itself (very small town).
BTW, we've been pleased with the food at "Huzzah", the restaurant adjacent to the CW Visitors Center.

 

[tkd lisa]

We stayed at the Fort MacGruder Inn through Priceline about 18 months ago. It was actually when Hurricane Charley was going through the area. The hotel was older, but pretty nice, and had an indoor pool (good thing with the weather!)

One thing I'd suggest is booking an evening event. They have ghost tours, and the society has other evening activites. One happening while we were there was a witch trial. It was sold out, but we would have LOVED to go. That might get your Historical Fix without boring your teen.

Another tip is to pick up the travel books they have for their discount coupons. Good prices on dining. Pancake houses are BIG there, and we definitely had some good breakfasts! There's a really good BBQ place that's kind of a hole in the wall. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name, but maybe someone can. It was on the access road which paralleled the main highway.

Have a great time.

 

[hiwaygal]

There's a really good BBQ place that's kind of a hole in the wall. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name, but maybe someone can. It was on the access road which paralleled the main highway.

I believe you are talking about Pierces Pitt...I'm not sure I'd call it a hole in the wall, but it's definitely not 5 star dining! You are right that it's one of the best bbq places around here!

 

[LtlTee]

Thanks everyone!

I have been poking around on different sites a lot of the morning (not getting much work done!), and I think I have it narrowed down to 2 places -- SpringHill Suites and Hampton Inn and Suites. Both have gotten pretty good reviews on Trip Advisor and Yahoo travel (plus the feedback here on SpringHill), both have free breakfast, both have indoor pools, and price-wise they are within $40 of each other. I think they are pretty much in the same area also -- Marriott's site says SpringHill is 6 miles from BG and Hampton Inn is 7 miles.

Tkd Lisa -- that's a great idea about the ghost tours. I love that stuff, and so does my daughter. We did one in New Hope, PA and she loved it.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

If you end up staying at Springhill and like Mexican food, there is a pretty good Mexican restaurant on the same side of street as the hotel, a short walk away (basically in front of the hotel, but maybe down the street a little). Basic Mexican food, but it was pretty good and inexpensive. There is also an Olive Garden (my kids love that place and we don't have one close to us) not too far--we went one day during a mid-day break and got there at around 3PM and still had lunch prices and the soup/salad/breadstick meal that we like.

 

[jonestavern]

has anyone ever stayed at any of the Williamsburg properties?
I see where there are modern accommodations & also houses within Williamsburg itself, or am I misinterpreting here?

Thanks in Advance-
Jean

 

[hiwaygal]

has anyone ever stayed at any of the Williamsburg properties?
I see where there are modern accommodations & also houses within Williamsburg itself, or am I misinterpreting here?

Thanks in Advance-
Jean

There are rooms (probably more like suites) within the historic area, but from what I've always heard, they are pretty pricey! Wonderful, and truly unique!

In the old days (about 15 years ago) you used to book them through the Williamsburg Inn. Not sure if that still applies or not.

CW itself has several places "on property" to stay. The Williamsburg Inn being the ultimate (think ultra Deluxe at Disney), The Williamsburg Lodge is very nice too. And I think there's at least one more "value" type place.

The homes within the historic area are for employees of CW.

 

[Vavasmon]

has anyone ever stayed at any of the Williamsburg properties?
I see where there are modern accommodations & also houses within Williamsburg itself, or am I misinterpreting here?

Thanks in Advance-
Jean

I honeymooned at the old motor lodge (now torn down for the enlarged visitor center), the cascade suites (now woodlands suites?), the lodge, and twice in the historic properties in CW itself. The prices vary a lot with the seasons and beds you need. I took DD down for a 4 day weekend when she was off school in Nov. We stayed in the Chiswell Brooktrout house in a room with 2 twin beds for $99 a night (it was off season). Our last vaction before DD was born (Oct 1995) DH and I stayed in the Market Square Inn by the Magazine. The houses are interesting but not what I would consder 5 star. Also they are not "suites". Most were renovated during the CW buildout in the 1950's. They don't have great sound or cold insullation either. They are still run by the Inn and you are considered Colonial House guests. Reservations are made via the 1-800- HISTORY number. I would never stay in the historic props with a large family or when doing other Williamsburg things (BGW, Jamestown, Winery, etc.). Also, for the money you can often get better accomidations elsewhere.

No one has mentioned any of the hotels near Kingsmill - that is the area we often stay in when concentrating the trip at BG/WCUSA. Hotels there include the Mariott (they don't have suites), Courtyard, and a Quality Inn (2 Queens plus a rollaway will sleep 5) that has a nice indoor/outdoor pool. That area is near several restaurants and only a few minutes from BG/WC.

 

[lindalinda]

I just thought I 'd throw in...be sure and visit Jamestown settlement while you are there. Its not too big, not expensive and they have lots of interactive type exhibits. We liked it better than Williamsburg itself. Also a very fun thing to doin Williamburg is the Ghost tour. Well worth it.