Grcxx3

I am trying to find someplace to stay during our trip to Williamsburg this summer.

I looked at various condo-type resorts and they look okay, but don't really thrill me. We really prefer being in town and don't like the atmosphere of a big resort.

I looked at several of the various chain "suite" hotels, but the numerous bad reviews I read on tripadvisor really made be uneasy.

I would LOVE to stay at the Williamsburg Inn, but need to pay for 2 rooms (1 for us and 1 for kids and MIL) and just don't want to do that! The Colonial Houses are all booked except for the Queen bed rooms, but then I need to pay for 3 rooms!

So - I'm looking at either the Crowne Plaza or the Williamsburg Lodge. I like the room prices better at the Crowne Plaza , but I like the look and location of the Williamsburg Lodge.

So - a couple of questions for you Williamsburg experts...

Williamsburg Lodge -
1. Is there still a lot of renovation going on? Is that really a big problem?

2. Is there a restaurant for breakfast? Is that included it the room (the web site didn't mention anything)?

3. Is there parking?

Crowne Plaza -
1. Would we have to drive into CW?

2. Does anyone know about their suites or executive club rooms? Worthwhile or not?

3. Is breakfast included? Again, the website didn't say.

In short - this is what we would want (in the perfect world)...

- a place in town where we don't have to drive to dinner each night
- nice, comfortable rooms with some room to move around
- breakfast buffet or cafe
- a lounge for nightcaps (once kids and MIL are tucked in!)

Thanks for your help!

Gekko

Hands down, the Williamsburg Lodge is the better option, for the convenient location alone. You can easily walk to the historic area and the Lodge is on the bus route -- quick & easy.

Yes, there's construction going on, but as long as you're not surprised by it, it's very well-done in terms of guest safety & enjoyment.

Plenty of parking, including a parking garage beneath the Tazewell building. (The rooms in Tazewell are excellent, by the way.)

The last time I was there, in October, the main Lodge restaurant was closed due to the construction, but the golf club's grill restaurant was open for breakfast etc., and it's directly across the street from the Lodge (actually closer to my room than the lobby restaurant).

Enjoy Colonial Willimsburg!

Gekko

Forgot to say, I strongly suggest you call the Lodge directly with your questions. Renovations were moving quickly, so I'm sure there are frequent updates & changes to available services.

socialworker

Another vote for the Lodge. Just like staying at Disney, when one is at Williamsburg, being on site makes all the difference in how enjoyable the experience is!! Also, please forgive the comparison. In no way am I saying that the two are comparable, just the great experience of not having to get in the car is what I mean.

duncmom1

My husband,29 yr. old son and I were at Williamsburg Lodge over the Christmas Holidays. We loved it! The shuttle that can take you around Williamsburg with drop off points stopped just outside our wing of the lodge.
We ate breakfast across the street at the Golden Horseshoe, but for just about the same money, we had the best breakfast that I've ever had delivered by room service.
Theresa

Grcxx3

The Williamsburg Lodge it is! I made reservations last night.

The lovely lady helping me on the phone indicated that the renovations on the rooms should be complete by then, but the restaurant will still be closed. Closeby restaurants would be the at the golf club or at the Wm. Inn.

I had to just to focus on the fact that when we travel - we like to be in the center of town, within walking distance of places (shops, restaurants, tavearns, etc). And we have always felt the extra cost was worth it.

I know if we stayed at the Crowne Plaza and had to get in the car everytime we wanted to do something - it would drive my husband NUTS!

I am really looking forward to seeing CW and all the surrounding sights. Thanks for all your help. I think I knew all along that I wanted to stay at the Wm Lodge - I just needed some confirmation!

Gekko

Good choice! Be sure to check out the historic taverns and make reservations in advance for those that interest you.

For a "splurge" night, I highly recommend dinner at the Inn's Regency Dining Room. Gentlemen must wear jackets. I suggest you try a Virginia wine with your meal, perhaps the Barboursville cab.

Enjoy!

socialworker

We also had breakfast at the Inn's main--luxurious--dining room. It was 1976 and I *still* remember it as the most delicious and elegant breakfast ever!! It is a way to enjoy the dining room, if you decide that dinner is just too expensive. More recently, we were there in the late 90's and enjoyed the very civilized (complimentary) afternoon tea--along with live music-- that is served in the library of the Inn, I believe. If I remember correctly, all of the Inn's amenities are equally available to guests of the Lodge. I am glad you chose this option. You will not be sorry!!

Grcxx3

socialworker -

I think breakfast at the Inn is the way to go. The price for dinner won't put my husband off - but the jacket isn't happening!

We live overseas and return to the US each summer with a bare minimum of items - so that we can maximize our luggage limits with all the stuff we need to take back with us for the next year. I seriously doubt my husband will take a jacket with him for just one dinner! When we dine at our favorite places in New Orleans - a nice "casual" shirt is generally all he needs.

Thanks again for everyone's help! I was dreading this trip - but am now getting into it. My older son is studying the Revolutionary War now (as well as the British and French revolutions) - and my younger son will have it next year. Great timing!

socialworker

HI--I fear I may have led you astray...in checking the website, I am not sure the Regency Room still serves breakfast, as they did back in '76. They say there is Sunday brunch, but that requires a jacket as well...You will enjoy yourselves no matter, but I feel bad if I gave you input that may no longer be relevant.

Grcxx3

No worries......frankly, my kids would rather eat breakfast at McDonald's since that is something we don't get to do the rest of the year!

Birdie

There are quite a few restaurants within walking distance from the lodge. Aromas is a great coffee shop with casual breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. It is on Prince George St behind Merchants Square. Across the street is Blue Talon with good bistro food. There is also a new sandwich shop there I believe. On Merchants Square there are a number of restaurants for lunches and dinners. The Colonial Pancake house is about 1 mile from the Lodge. It is over the hill behind Christiana Campbells. Breakfasts there are great and will be cheaper than CW. Have fun!

Weespxx

Don't miss out on the Fat Canary for a lovely, creative meal. I lived in Europe for 7 years and now here in WB this is the only place I've found with the kitchen like the ones we were used to in Amsterdam. CW is great - there are lots of really neat programming ideas for kids and the tours they offer (the special programs) are really fun. If you can do Cry Witch, a Legends or Lanthorn, go for it. The original Williamsburg ghost tours are also really fun. Another fun place to grab a tasty muffin is the William & Mary coffee shop, the Daily Grind. Walking there from the Lodge is about 20 - 25 min. through the old campus. Saturday mornings in CW is the farmer's market. Also do yourself a favor and take the Scotland ferry across the James River to Sorry and visit Chippokes Plantation. There is so much to do in our area (my Dutch friends who come here love it!) - Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg, The Virginia Living Museum, ... Richmond. Enjoy! Weespxx

Grcxx3

Can anyone tell me how "bawdy" the show at Chownings (is that right???) gets? The CW site says "family fare" from 4-8 and indicates it gets a little raunchy after that.

My boys will be 13 and 14-1/2 when we visit.

Any thoughts on which show we should see?

Birdie

I haven't been to Chownings in awhile but when I did go the "show" consisted of wandering magicians and singers. The lyrics of some of the songs were a little suggestive. They are olde English tavern songs. Your kids may not even get the jokes implied.

obxgirl

Agree with Birdie that it's pretty mild sexual innuendo that your kids might not even get. They certainly see more explicit stuff in PG-13 movies.

Grcxx3

No worries then! We'll do the later show.

Can you make reservations or is it on a first-come, first-seated basis?

obxgirl

Hi Grcxx3,

I'm probably hair splitting a bit, but FWIW, the stuff at Chownings isn't really a show, but as Birdie mentioned, balladeers and entertainers wandering from room to room. The rooms are small enough that it's pretty hard NOT to pay attention to the music, etc., but some guests are only there to drink and socialize. It's a pub atmosphere, well heck, it IS a pub.

It's been a year or so since I've been but I'm fairly certain they don't take bookings. First come first served.

Grcxx3

obxgirl - gotcha!

I figured it was a pretty casual, ongoing type of entertainment. I was just trying to figure out if we needed to go before or after 8 pm - when the "show" because a little more adult-oriented.

Thanks for all the info! It's such a huge help

Grcxx3

that should be "becomes" not "because"......need to proof my posts a little better!