Hotels

Colonial Williamsburg Foundations Hotels

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation operates four hotels in all price categories: Williamsburg Inn (very expensive), Williamsburg Lodge (expensive), Woodlands Hotel & Suites (moderate), and the Governor's Inn (inexpensive). For advance reservations, call the Visitor Center reservations service (tel. 800/447-8679; www.colonialwilliamsburg.com). You also can make walk-in reservations at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center.

Just for Guests -- There are advantages to staying at one of the Williamsburg Foundation's hotels. For example, guests can purchase discounted Colonial Williamsburg admission tickets valid for the length of their stay (recently $29 adults, $15 children 6 to 17). They also get breaks on other fees and can use their room keys to charge Historic Area expenses to their hotel bill.

Like most hotels these days, room rates at the foundation's accommodations vary widely depending on the season and how many guests may be booked on a given night. Try to reserve as far in advance as possible for the busy summer season and for spring and fall weekends. You might get a bargain during other times, especially if business is slow. You also can make walk-in reservations at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center -- at discounted rates if the hotels have rooms to spare (don't expect to get a deal on weekends and holidays). Also be sure to ask about holiday, golf, family, and other package deals.

Colonial Houses

My favorite way to experience Colonial Williamsburg up close and personal is to stay in one of the foundation's Colonial Houses. In fact, they are the only way to actually stay in the Historic Area mere steps from the main attractions. Scattered throughout the Historic Area, the Colonial Houses are former laundries, workshops, small homes, and stand-alone kitchens that have been converted into one- and two-bedroom bungalows. Others are rooms in taverns, some of which have as many as 16 units. Some rooms are tiny; tell the reservation clerk precisely what size room and what bed configuration you want. For example, I recently stayed in a converted kitchen building with a downstairs living room and Pullman kitchen. A winding staircase led to a bedroom and bath. The sloping upstairs ceiling under a dormer roof was head-knockingly low on the sides.

Tastefully furnished with 18th-century antiques and reproductions, all the houses are variously equipped with kitchens, living rooms, and fireplaces -- and in some cases, sizable gardens. They all have air-conditioning, TVs, phones with dial-up dataports, and coffeemakers. The Williamsburg Inn, which manages the houses, provides room service, and guests here can use the facilities there. Each house has its own parking space. Rates range from $179 to $420. Reserve through the Visitor Center's reservations service (tel. 800/447-8679; www.colonialwilliamsburg.com).

Other Hotels & Motels

The area has more than 80 chain hotels and motels, the majority of them west of the Historic Area on Richmond and Bypass roads. None of them is within walking distance of the Historic Area, but you can take the local buses.

You can walk to the Historic Area from the Best Western Patrick Henry Inn, at York and Page streets (tel. 800/446-9228 or 757/229-9540), and the nearby Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 351 York St. (tel. 800/962-4743 or 757/229-1400), both on the eastern edge of the area. They also are within an easy drive or short bus ride to Busch Gardens.

Closest to Busch Gardens are the Marriott Williamsburg, 50 Kingsmill Rd. (tel. 800/442-3654 or 757/220-1500), and the Courtyard by Marriott, 470 McLaws Circle (tel. 800/321-2211 or 757/221-0700). Both are in an office park off U.S. 60 East at the entry to the Kingsmill complex.

Sitting on U.S. 60 between the Historic Area and Busch Gardens, the Crowne Plaza Williamsburg at Fort Magruder, 6545 Pocahontas Trail (tel. 800/333-3333 or 757/220-2250), draws lots of conventions and meetings but is also a good choice for families with children.

Bed & Breakfast Inns

In addition to those listed, Williamsburg has nearly 20 more B&Bs, including Williamsburg Sampler, 922 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185 (tel. 800/722-1169 or 757/253-0399; www.williamsburgsampler.com), a 1976-vintage replica of an 18th century plantation manse. The Williamsburg Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has a list.

Saving Money with a "Flex" Vacation

One way to save money on accommodations and admission fees is through a Williamsburg Flex Vacation package organized by the Williamsburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Call tel. 800/221-7165 or visit www.williamsburgflex.com for current packages.