Williamsburg, VA May 2004
 

Two adults and two children (ages 5 and 7) headed to Williamsburg in May for three days (Fri thru Sun). We've never been to Williamsburg area before. Hoping to get to Jamestown and Yorktown as well. Thinking of staying at the Hampton Inn and Suites. Any comments on that facility?

There are 3 Hampton Inn facilities in Wmbg. In order of preference I would chose:

Hampton Inn/Suites Richmond Road
Hampton Inn Williamsburg Center
Hampton Inn Historic Area (a far third)

May I suggest that you stay in one of the official hotels of Williamsburg? There is a great ticket called FLEX (?) that will give you lodging, full tickets for Colonial Williamsburg, plus Jamestown, Yorktown, Water Park USA and Busch Gardens. I believe that still have the ticket, although you might have to call to get information on it right now. I don't think they will put it on the internet site until March. The ticket is great and you have free parking at all the parks. Haven't done the Water Park USA, but the Gardens is a must with kids, and the Yorktown and Jamestown are just enough interaction to keep everyone happy. We've been going for years and started when my daughter was 7. If it is hot, go to Gardens in the evening, and make Jamestown and Yorktown a day trip. The Woodlands is great, and with a walking distance via the new walkway from the Information Center. It's been renovated and added on to. The Williamsburg Lodge is closer (along with the high end Williamsburg Inn) and is only a few steps away the historic streets. All have pools and good dining. Grabs some bikes (We've grabbed bikes at the Lodge and toured the historic area that way!). Or just enjoy a cold glass of apple cider and play checkers in the Lodge lounge. All the hotels are great and I think yo couldn't go wrong by staying "in the park" so to speak. Have a great time and enjoy!!

I usually stick with Hiltons, but my Mom was buying on the Williamsburg trip. We found a coupon in one of those interstate books for the Sleep Inn. It was really a great family place, and 4 years ago I think we paid $40 a night. It was a very easy drive to Colonial Williamsburg and had a free breakfast like you would find at Hampton Inn. It had a nice indoor pool with lots of families kicking back after an arduous day of history at Williamsburg. At those prices, you could afford two connecting rooms.

Be sure you make it to Jamestown. We were there last summer and in some respects enjoyed it even more than Williamsburg. Also--reserve well ahead for any evening programs in Williamsburg. We wanted to do a ghost tour but waited too long and it was booked. Sorry, no feedback on the Hampton but we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn on Richmond Road, which was very nice.

We stayed at that same Sleep Inn last November for just under $40 with a coupon from the green interstate guides. It was a very nice hotel, well cared for, quiet, and set well back from the highway (ByPass Rd) I think that you can usually do better on your own than using the Flex tickets. The CW on-site hotels are nice, but I don't need, not want all the amenities. Most of the chain properties within three miles of CW usually have a decent price:value ratio. As Lpas posted, book evening programs earlier than your arrival if you can. I normally recommend the 18th Century play often schedule for Saturday nights, but not with children of ages 5/7. "Cry Witch" might be too much for them as well, but do look at the evening programs.