13 Best Hotels in Williamsburg and Hampton Roads, Virginia

Historic details and curated art add flair to this luxury downtown hotel, with views over the Elizabeth River. It’s within easy walking distance of more than 50 restaurants—though its three dining options will entice you to not step out the door.

It's hard to argue with a hotel that presents luxury in a great location. A marble-and-granite lobby with colorful couches, a fireplace, and views of the giant outdoor fountain sets the tone. Rooms have plush beds dressed in yellows and blues and comfort touches like high-speed Internet or flat-screen plasma TVs. There is a beautiful two-story piano room, great for hosting parties and wedding receptions. Marriott is walking distance to the City Center at Oyster Point, filled with open air shops and restaurants. A great central location means you'll have access to explore Williamsburg in one direction, Norfolk and Virginia Beach in the other.

All rooms in this classic motel face the water and are only a few steps from a sandy public beach on the York River. The furnishings include quilted bedspreads and reproduction wood furniture. The motel also has a swimming pool and a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch daily and dinner Wednesday–Sunday. It is an easy walk to the riverfront and its shops and restaurants. The free Yorktown Trolley stops right outside the hotel.

Conveniently located in Downtown Norfolk, this boutique hotel run by Marriott occupies a reimagined historic building dating from 1912 and showcases exceptional works of glass art (Norfolk once was famous for its glass production).

This light and airy hotel is within walking distance of a mall, restaurants, and movie theaters. One interesting detail is that the hotel features the latest in "ergonomic" furniture—designed for support and to reduce fatigue. Children will enjoy the heated swimming pool. Across the street is a multiplex movie theater and numerous restaurants. Cooked-to-order breakfast is included.

Halfway between Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia Beach, this complex of buildings stands on 13 beautifully landscaped acres. Some rooms overlook the indoor pool in the atrium while others have doors that open, motel-style, directly onto the parking lot. There was a complete renovation in 2013, including the indoor pool. There's free Wi-Fi, and rates now include a hot breakfast.

Located in the redeveloped downtown area, this hotel is near the Waterside Festival Marketplace shopping area, and it's close to Town Point Park, the site of many festivals. The handsome lobby, with wood paneling, a central staircase, silk tapestries, and Federal-style furniture, sets a high standard that continues throughout the hotel. Rooms are somewhat small, but outfitted with everything the business traveler could ask for—including two telephones, voice mail, and Internet access.

This former Ramada has everything you could want in a budget hotel: reasonable rates and a location convenient to all the museums, plantation houses, and business centers of Newport News, plus Fort Lee, NASA Langley, Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Busch Gardens. The rooms, decorated in dated paisley prints and mahogany furnishings, have refrigerators and microwaves. Don't overlook the free shuttle for Newport News Williamsburg Airport and the Amtrak station. Ask for a room in the "tower," the most recently renovated part of the hotel.

Yes, this is a hotel chain in the Marriott family, but it still stands out from the pack because all the rooms here are suites—outfitted with two flat-screen TVs, separate living area, and granite-counter-top kitchenettes. The rooms have bursts of color: red, blue, and yellow linens and carpets mixed with tropical art on the walls. Its location is close to events on the end of the boardwalk. From the balcony you can see fireworks (when launched) and free beach concerts. Breakfast is always included; the Belgian-waffle station is a standout. And parking is free—a rarity on the beach. Although it's a newer property, some of the rooms' carpets are showing damage. Ask to inspect a room before booking it.

An official Colonial Williamsburg property with contemporary furnishings, this 300-room hotel is adjacent to the Huzzah restaurant and the visitor center complex. You can enjoy the extensive free Continental breakfast indoors or on the large patio. There's gated free parking so you can abandon your car and walk to the free shuttle buses.

Away from the boardwalk, the hotel feels like a quiet getaway—rooms that do not face the ocean directly have either a partial view or overlook the swimming pool. The modern lobby has a skylighted atrium. The Surf Club Ocean Grill serves—predictably—seafood. Tuesday nights are great for kids with movie-night big-screen TVs outside by the beach.