Williamsburg, VA
 

My friend and I are planning a trip to Williamsburg, VA the first week of October. I have searched previous forums on hotel ideas and recommendations and found mostly restaurant suggestions. I am not looking to spend over $120.00. I would like something close to the historic area. I need to book ASAP as it looks like rooms are going fast. I am considering the Sheraton. Any suggestions? Thank you,
Audrey in NC

Do you mean the Four Points by Sheraton? If so, I ahve stayed there, a yr ago. Rooms are basic and nice enough four points rms, w/nice BIG indoor pool. Aside from regular rms, I have stayed it the converted apartments that they have next to the hotel (several quadplexes) that are 2 bedrm, w/living rm and full kitchen. Nice and big, but you are removed a bit from the htoel and that might be a secuirty concern for you; I was w/my kids and felt fine.

Wow, I see tripadvisor has some really bad recent reviews of this hotel though. We had a pretty good experience both times and I'd stay there again, but as I said our last visit was a year ago. The last 10 or so reviews on tripadvisor are awful; you might want to look at them.

If you will have a car, then any of the chain hotels on Bypass Rd should work. Next to the 4 points is Best Western Patrick Henry Inn, definately walking distance. A Days Inn on Richmond Rd (902?) is a safe walking distance, altho a little far, as is the Hospitality House (but HH might run over your $120.

Also consider Colonial Williamssburg's own "Governor's Inn", which is neither in the historic area nor at the visitor center, but have free transportation to both, and could be walked as well.

If you are staying on Oct 1 be sure to check "An Occasion for the Arts" in the Merchant Square vicinity.

The Sheraton had a lot of bad reviews on Expedia as well as hotel.com. Thank you for your ideas and suggestions!
Audrey in NC

Could I strongly suggest and recommend the Woodlands in CW. It's located next to the Visitor Center and obviously funds CW.It is a relatively new, 5 story building and an easy, free, bus ride or 15-20 minute walk to the Historic area. Without admission, rates are often available as low as $99.

Don't consider the Marriot. The room was about 150-200/night and it felt like sleeping in a stuffy basement. We went with the Marriot because we stayed at another Marriot before and was very satisfied. I guess not all Marriot hotels are the same.

I agree that if you have a car to drive into and out of Colonial Williamsburg, your best values will be in the periphery. We were there last Oct. and had no trouble with traffic or even parking. The whole area is easily navigated and nothing is very far away. Unless you want to immerse yourself in colonial life and stay entirely in CW, you will be driving around to restaurants anyway. I believe a chain hotel within 10 miles of CW is the most cost-effective choice. To add to the list of eateries, however, I recommend the cheese shop in the shops at Colonial Williamsburg and Sol's Italian restaurant in town.

I'm going to assume Bethmac was recommending "Sals by Victor" in the Williamsburg Shopping Center at the corner of Richmond Rd & Monticello. I go to Wbg frequently and never not have at least one meal there - I love the "Chicken Victor" - it's not a fancy place, but is a favorite of the locals and the students.

The Cheese Shoppe, in Merchants' Square, was another good recommendation. You might want to call in your order, rather than fight the crowds .. another good spot and it's great they've moved from Prince George St to D.O.G. Blue Talon, where they were previously located, is nice, but too pricy for my tastes, unless it were a special occasion.

There is a brand new Hampton Inn (called HI Historic District I think) on Capitol Landing Rd which is advertising rates around $100/night. This place is within a mile or so of the restored area, the Capitol Bldg/Busch Gardens end not the Merchant Square end.

I would suggest you stay at the Woodlands. I think it might be within your budget. I haven't stayed there since 1999 (but we have stayed in the Inn, Williamsburg Lodge and Providence Hall) but I loved it and they have since renovated. While it isn't within the historic area, it is very close and you could take the shuttle. If you hit the Colonial Williamsburg website you should be able to find all the information you need.
I second the Cheese Shop for good food and even with the people milling around it is fun. Rb travelerxATyahoo's suggestion of calling ahead it a good one. Last year, we called in our order, enjoyed the short walk to pick it up and went back to our hotel to enjoy our dinner al fresco with the great merlot we picked up there, too!
If you do choose a hotel further out and have to drive in, just give yourself enough time to navigate and be patient with the traffic.
If you up your budget, I would recommend staying in the Williamsburg Lodge. It has just gone through a major renovation I understand and it is just really steps from the historic area.
Don't forget a tavern meal, for nothing more than the atmosphere. Try Kings Arms, a little pricey but it's fun.
Hope you find what you are looking for. Enjoy!

Oops...I did mean Sal's. It has been a year and my memory has failed me. We were in Williamsburg for a week and ate there twice! I for one think miling around and looking at all the neat stuff they have in the Cheese Shoppe is half the experience. I also liked sitting in the window and watching the folks pass by. But different strokes for different folks. Have fun!