I'd prefer a nicer resort all day long (even if a mile or two farther out) over some place that is closer but only mediocre at best.....
Williamsburg has a lot of average places that are not impressive at all.
Listen to Big Matt, that's his stomping ground and he knows!!!!
We are big Marriott fans and multiple owners, but we once stayed at Kings Creek and we enjoyed it a lot...
The villas are well laid out and very attractive and comfortable.
Everything around Williamsburg is relatively close anyway, so it's no big deal to drive 5 extra minutes!!!!!!
Everything around Williamsburg is relatively close anyway, so it's no big deal to drive 5 extra minutes!!!!!!
is a true statement, but I don't think Big Matt lives in Williamsburg.
I rented a condo to a short duration performer at Busch Gardens last week, he really wanted Bluegreen Parkside resort as he said
" this property appears to be across the street from Busch Gardens, where I’ll be working. " I couldn't get him the dates he needed at Bluegreen Parkside and he was disappointed because he thought the resort was right across a parking lot from BG. Well, it's right across a parking lot AND railroad tracks and TWO highways. It's 4.4 miles between the Bluegreen Parkside resort and the Pay-to Park entrance of BG, wherever they give employee parking would be about the same. Look at the map. The other factor that throws people off about Williamsburg is that Colonial Williamsburg occupies the whole center of town and there is no real direct route anywhere, you always have to go 'around.'
www.google.com
Big Matt, who is a good friend and with whom I've dined several times when we've met at Grande Ocean on different occasions,
is not from Williamsburg as you point out,
but he went to William & Mary and is in Williamsburg quite often. He's a big booster of W&M, still attends football games, and is an active alum.
He does live in Virginia, not too far away, but he is very familiar with the city.
We both share a love of Virginia and Manor Club in particular, and we visit the resort annually. We have a favorite villa or two and enjoy them when we're there.
We also share a love for several of the finest restaurants around Williamsburg, and he actually still has family that owns one particularly great restaurant.
He's taught me a lot about the "current" Williamsburg, even though I know a little bit because I've visited many times since I was a child (although not timeshares).
Our family (Mom, Dad, & 4 kids) used to stay in the various Colonial Williamsburg properties when we visited every few years, and always had a blast.
After my wife and I had children, we likewise took them to Williamsburg when they finally reached an age that would allow them to appreciate it.
We are now empty nesters so we spend a week during Thanksgiving
or Christmas annually, alternating whenever our children have commitments with the in-laws.
It's the old holiday swap thing we all face.
We're delighted that Williamsburg is relatively small and such a user-friendly city. Getting around quickly is quite easy. We bought Manor Club for only one reason---
it's the finest timeshare resort there, and one of the finest in the Marriott system. We have also stayed elsewhere....."closer in", as it were......
but we learned that it wasn't worth it to save a couple of minutes of driving time. That's just our take on it.
It's not to say that there are no other nice timeshares because there are, and we have stayed in a few and visited a few others, and enjoyed them all.
All give the owners and guests a wonderful experience in a fascinating and historic destination.
My main point was simply that the Williamsburg area is easily accessible within a few short minutes no matter where you stay.....much like all of Hilton Head Island
if you've ever been there.......only 12 x 5 miles in length/width.....so it's really no big deal like some purport it to be.