Williamsburg Inn

Originally built by the Rockefeller family back in 1937, the Williamsburg Inn is operated by Colonial Williamsburg. This Colonial Revival mansion, which now sits on the National Register of Historic Places, makes a dazzling first impression showing off an elegant whitewashed brick facade with a front portico. The lobby is designed to look like a parlor, heaped high with regency-style decor such as antique wood furnishings, high-backed armchairs, crystal chandeliers, fireplaces, gold-framed paintings, and rugs and drapes designed to match the original pieces. The opulent inn has attracted aristocracy -- Queen Elizabeth II stayed here more than once -- though more often than not it's full of tourists visiting Colonial Williamsburg, including couples and families. These guests report getting the royal treatment right from the get-go: Doormen help with their luggage, valets whisk off cars, and guests are treated to a welcome glass of bubbly. 

It's near impossible to stay any closer to Colonial Williamsburg's attractions. The Williamsburg Inn is situated within the bounds of Williamsburg's historic area, just a two-minute walk from Duke of Gloucester Street, the main drag, which is lined with colonial-era taverns, shops, and houses. Another perk for colonial sightseers: The hotel offers free parking and free shuttle service within the historic area. But even those not Williamsburg-bound can find the location convenient. The property abuts the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club and is a five-minute walk from the Williamsburg Inn Tennis Clubhouse. Also in walking distance are The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary's campus, about 12 minutes on foot. Water Country USA is a 10-minute drive, and Busch Gardens is a 15-minute drive. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is a 25-minute drive. 

Guest rooms at Williamsburg Inn don't lapse on the luxury seen in public spaces. They are huge and individually decorated, with traditional decor awash in creamy beige and taupe hues. Furniture has a classic feel -- think brass-knobbed wardrobes, inlayed wood writing desks, and vanities with tri-fold mirrors. Wallpapered walls, gold frames, and valence drapes add to the spaces' rich elegance. Rooms start at a spacious 500 square feet and feature sitting areas with couches and high-backed armchairs and roomy bathrooms with marble dual vanities and separate showers and tubs. The rooms can sleep two to four guests, depending on the bed layout, and cribs and connecting rooms are also available. The largest Inn Resort Suite features 700 square feet of space for two guests and a separate living room.

While the decor is a throwback to another era, the amenities are thoroughly modern, and excellent -- minibars, Bose sound systems, free Wi-Fi, and Nespresso coffeemakers are all standard. Lavish robes, slippers, and high-end individual toiletries, including Gilchrist and Soames soaps add a flourish to the bathrooms. Flat-screen TVs are tucked into wardrobes, and rooms are also outfitted with umbrellas, safes, and irons and ironing boards. Service is appropriately high-end as well with nightly turndown service and 24-hour room service. 

Despite the colonial decor, Williamsburg Inn aims to please modern travelers with exceptional service and a wide range of extra property features, including charming restaurants and extensive wellness facilities. For traditional dining, there's the opulent Rockefeller Room, open daily for dinner and for brunch on Sundays. Expect classic American dishes, like American Heritage Duck Breast, Filet Mignon, and Virginia Crab Cake. For (somewhat) more casual fare, The Terrace Room serves up breakfast and lunch. There's also The Social Terrace, a bar and patio with happy hour deals and seafood appetizers. Breakfast is a la carte, and not included in the room rate. Room service is available 24 hours. Guests report free sparkling wine at check-in.

Another major draw for the property is access to The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, situated in a separate building a two- to three-minute walk from the hotel. (The facilities are shared with Williamsburg Lodge.) The spa has two outdoor pools, one of them heated, as well as an indoor lap pool. Guests can break a sweat here at the pleasant gym equipped with a plentiful and wide range of cardio and weight-lifting machines and participate in exercise classes free of charge; or they can visit the nearby tennis courts (at the Williamsburg Inn Tennis Club) and golf course (Golden Horseshoe Golf Club) that abut the property. Guests of the hotel get preferred reservations at the spa, tennis courts, and golf club, too. Bikes can also be rented through the spa to pedal around town. Those wanting to conserve their strength can take the hotel's free shuttle service around the historic area.

Along with features, the Inn offers the sort of attentive service guests expect from a luxury hotel: The doorman will assist with baggage, valet parking is on hand, and the concierge has extensive information about Williamsburg sights and events, not to mention discounted tickets. Any items purchased at Official Colonial Williamsburg stores can be delivered directly to the hotel, though guests can also shop the hotel's on-site store. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and 9,000 square feet of meeting and event space can be used for various gatherings. Parents will appreciate that babysitting is on offer (for a fee), and pet lovers are also allowed to bring their pup, for a nightly charge.