The Best Resorts to Book in Williamsburg, Virginia

The Historic Powhatan Resort by Diamond Resorts offers a sense of old-world charm | Courtesy of The Historic Powhatan Resort by Diamond Resorts / Expedia

Tim Forster

6 December 2021

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Known for its strategic position in the Civil War, Williamsburg draws history buffs and families aplenty for attractions like the Colonial Williamsburg living museum and the James River plantations. But with numerous wineries and beaches within close reach – the city of Newport News is just a few miles down the road – there’s an abundance of reasons to visit, even for those who aren’t so jazzed on historical sites. Here are the best resorts in Williamsburg, all bookable with Culture Trip.

The Historic Powhatan Resort, for period atmosphere

The Historic Powhatan Resort exterior with lake and lawns

Courtesy of The Historic Powhatan Resort by Diamond Resorts / Expedia

Tucked in woodland just outside of Williamsburg is this family-friendly resort, centered around an 18th-century manor. It has self-contained apartments with up to four bedrooms for large groups, which effortlessly capture Williamsburg’s historic atmosphere, with vintage furnishings including lamps and bedframes. The resort also has plenty to keep you occupied, with a gym, badminton courts, an activity center and a casual bar-and-grill restaurant among the amenities on-site.

Cool amenities at Holiday Inn Williamsburg Resort

Period exterior of Holiday Inn Williamsburg Resort with pond, fountain and reflections in water

Courtesy of Holiday Inn Club Vacations Williamsburg Resort / Expedia

You’ll find the Holiday Inn just north of Colonial Williamsburg – the world’s largest living history site – with one-, two- and three-bedroom villas that are just the ticket for families and groups of between four and 10. The villas are filled with timeless furniture and textures that nod to the historic air of the area, without feeling stuffy. They’ve also got kitchens with all the works, and a signature suite is available with a spa tub and home-theatre system should you be looking for something fancier. It’s a family-focused spot, with the amenities to show for it – expect indoor and outdoor pools, a bowling alley, and mini-golf all on the property.

Parkside Williamsburg Resort, for swanky stays

Exterior of period building Parkside Williamsburg Resort on sunny day

Courtesy of Parkside Williamsburg Resort / Expedia

Some of Williamsburg’s accommodation options lean into the historic vibe, but not this sprawling resort – it has an array of villas that mix vintage furniture with bright paint schemes, and all the bells and whistles you need, including fireplaces, full-on kitchens and washers and dryers. The three-bedroom presidential houses are particularly swanky affairs, with exposed brick and cozy living spaces that’ll have the family bonding like a dream. Beyond the villas, Parkside doesn’t have as many amenities as some options around, but the Williamsburg Golf Club and Busch Gardens amusement park are both right next door.

Classy furnishings at Bluegreen Patrick Henry Square

Indoor pool with disabled access hoist at Bluegreen Vacations Patrick Henry Square, Ascend Resort

Courtesy of Bluegreen Vacations Patrick Henry Square, Ascend Resort / Expedia

Unlike most resorts in the area, Bluegreen Patrick Henry Square is in Williamsburg proper, along with the historic living museum Colonial Williamsburg, an Amtrak station and various restaurants and cafes. With polished wood floors and mahogany-tinted furniture, the various suites and villas have a distinctly classy air and are cozy, whether you pick a studio or a two-bedroom number. With a fitness center, outdoor fire pit and games room, the resort doesn’t stint on amenities – for us the pièce de resistance is the saltwater pool, in a glass-encased sprawling indoor space.

Greensprings Vacation Resort, for peace and quiet

Outdoor pool at the Greensprings Vacation Resort with plants and lawns

Courtesy of Greensprings Vacation Resort / Expedia

Could this be the finest resort in Williamsburg? It’s certainly one of the most relaxing, on a tranquil green plot of land just southwest of Williamsburg, towards the popular Jamestown Settlement, another living museum in the area. Its self-contained rentals come in two- and four-bedroom configurations, decorated in soothing muted color schemes, with balconies, kitchens and laundry facilities. The outdoor activity amenities are splendid: these include tennis courts, a year-round pool and mini-golf, while a major golf club is right next door.

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