kwingy

In May of 2018 our 1962 UVa nursing classmates want to meet in Williamsburg for our reunion. For the last 50 years we have been meeting at Graves Mountain Lodge in the mountains of Virginia, but it's too steep now for many of us. We will plan to stay for 2 nights. We'd like accomodations for about 35 of us... with handrails available...and ....at Graves we had the use of a "hospitality room" where we would gather to talk.
This year many of our husbands came, too. We want individual rooms and baths.
Can any of you suggest places that we could consider? Two of us are very familiar with the major hotels/lodge/woodland/etc.....but we'd like to find someplace more suited to our needs.
Thank you in advance for any ideas you may have.

bachslunch

Just came back from a trip there recently. Williamsburg is a good choice for folks of advanced age because it's mainly flat, though if you plan to tour the historic homes in Colonial Williamsburg be prepared to climb plenty of stairs as they don't have elevators. CW is also fairly spread out and you'll have to walk it, though there is a free shuttle that runs around the periphery.

When picking a hotel, would recommend choosing one well served by the shuttle, assuming you're going to visit CW. One I would NOT recommend is Governor's Inn -- it's really cheap but you definitely get what you pay for (my room was not good and the breakfast, while free, was subpar), plus it has no elevator and it's not served by the CW shuttle. Spend a bit more -- it should pay off.

girlonthego

Williamsburg Inn is beautiful but expensive, but the lodge is more reasonable. Maybe you could call them? They are a Marriott brand now being an Autograph Collection hotel, so I would ask about handrails. Hope Birdie can chime in here as she is a Williamsburg resident and may have more local info. Congrats to you and your friends still meeting and getting together. My neighbor, a JMU girl still meets with her friends and roommates from back in the early 60s.

kwingy

Thanks so much. We have contacted several of the Williamsburg hotels to get some info. We were hoping to find a place similar to our accomodations at Graves where we would also have access to a hospitality room and breakfast. If it is a B&B, we would need elevators. We're starting in plenty of time to hopefully find a private place. Everyone would be on their own for excursions and other meals.
The shuttle is a good idea. Thanks.

Underhill

If there is any chance you might get a discount or be able somehow to afford it, stay at the Williamsburg Inn. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience of beauty and comfort, not to mention service. There are AAA and senior discounts.

kwingy

Thanks...I looked at the rates for a room there in May and, even with a discount, the cost would exclude many of our group. As beautiful as the Inn is, we won't be able to entertain it.

emalloy

Look also in Yorktown and the Jamestown area. They're a very short drive from CW.

kwingy

OK, thanks. Will do.

Birdie

Take a look at The Griffin Hotel. It used to be known as the Providence Hall Wing at the inn. It's off to the side of the Inn and you'd get a lot of the same amenities as you get at the Inn but at a lower price. The only problem may be the lack of accessible parking for that many people with mobility issues. I'm sure they can help you at customer service.

There aren't any hotels near Jamestown and there's only one hotel in Yorktown on the beach but I'm not sure it would have what you want. Most of the accommodations in Williamsburg are the typical chains you'd find elsewhere. There are also a lot of B&Bs but none that I can think of will be large enough or have elevators.

I think Williamsburg is a great choice for your reunion but keep in mind that May is a very popular time and you'll need to make sure you're not coming during W&M graduation. I'll try to come up with some other suggestions.

kwingy

Thank you so very much. I looked at the prices at the Griffin and they are reasonable for us. We're not locked into May. Our recent reunion was in October and it was fine. We want to avoid times that are high tourist times or, as you say, W&M times. What time would you recommend?
Many thanks.

Birdie

May and October are the peak times for visitors. Both offer the best overall chances for good weather with Oct normally dryer than May. One of my favorite times is the end of March when the bulbs are starting to come out in the gardens but it can be a little cool. Just stay away from Easter week and graduation and you should be ok. Spring may draw more school groups but that can be hard to predict. I would think that with your size of group, Colonial Williamsburg would assign a group facilitator to work with you. I'm glad to take a look at the parking again or give any other recommendations you may need.

kwingy

Thank you. I'm going to call them to see how many rooms are on the first floor and how many rooms total.
Early next year two of our group are going to physically visit the area to come up with recommendations for the whole class. My husband and I also plan to come and stay a night or two to give our opinion, too.
You are a big help.
When my husband and I come, would you be willing to meet with us if you're free? We'll have questions about the area in general as well.

Hobbert

Looks like William and Mary has spring break March 3-11 next year. Commencement activities begin on May 12. April would like be the best time to visit in the spring- lovely weather most likely and Virginia schools generally have spring breaks in March so you'd avoid all the K-12 kids, too.

kwingy

Hmmmm. thanks. We'll need to check the W&M schedule and the Va school schedule. We will definitely do that.
Many thanks, again.

motel123

Good morning:
I saw your post and I wanted to introduce myself. I am the GM of Americas Best Value Inn Williamsburg/Lightfoot. Va. We have comfortable and clean rooms, we are very reasonable and we have handicap. Please contact me at 757-565-1111 and I would love to work with your group. Ask for Darlene

kwingy

Thank you, Darlene. I'll give your info to the two who are going to come down and make recommendations.

bachslunch

Took a quick peek online. Looks like this place is about seven miles from Colonial Williamsburg. It also appears from pictures that it’s a motel, not a hotel, and may or may not have an elevator to the second floor area. Might be worth asking.

Prices do look low. Reviews seem mixed, ranging from an average of 2 to 3.5 stars out of 5 depending on the site.

Family_5

Hello, just wanted to chime in that we took our kids to Williamsburg years ago; and stayed at Williamsburg Lodge. We loved it! It is not grand like that Williamsburg Inn; but the price maybe more reasonable.

Another place that you may check into is KingsMill Resort: our family once went there for Thanksgiving. Great food & service and the price was more reasonable than expected. Also beautiful grounds.

Call them and since you have a large group; they may be willing to work with you. Tell them is it your special Reunion!

obxgirl

Thank you, Darlene. I'll give your info to the two who are going to come down and make recommendations.

I'd give it a pass.

Momof3boys

I second the suggestion of Kingsmill Resort if it's within your price range and meets your needs. They normally have a shuttle to Colonial Williamsburg. Williamsburg has lots of hotel properties and many chains may be better equipped if you need special rms w/ handrails, etc. Williamsburg is also use to working w/ conference groups and may be able to offer you a "hospitality room". I hope you find exactly what you are looking for!