Which Williamsburg resort to choose?

[Pennytx]

I check in Friday to patriots place
I’ll update you

 

[Laurie]

Yes, we've stayed at VV Williamsburg a couple of times recently. We like it! They let you bring your dog for a fee. The dog-friendly units are all the way in the back, which is fine bc there's a nice green area there. We haven't done much in terms of the activities or anything, but we like the resort. If you're not bringing a pet, you would probably get a location closer to the front and the main building.

I assume you stayed there with a pet? If so, did you spend much time at Colonial Williamsburg and how many activities there could you bring your dog to? Was there enough of interest for better part of a week -- I assume anything outdoors, is that correct? I know we couldn't take her into any of the buildings. We don't travel with our dog and ever leave her back at the hotel, so looking for vacations she could enjoy with us, and we'd enjoy too. (We spent a week at Williamsburg once in the past in the winter and liked it a lot, but went to several indoor concerts and presentations.)

 

[wackymother]

I assume you stayed there with a pet? If so, did you spend much time at Colonial Williamsburg and how many activities there could you bring your dog to? Was there enough of interest for better part of a week -- I assume anything outdoors, is that correct? I know we couldn't take her into any of the buildings. We don't travel with our dog and ever leave her back at the hotel, so looking for vacations she could enjoy with us, and we'd enjoy too. (We spent a week at Williamsburg once in the past in the winter and liked it a lot, but went to several indoor concerts and presentations.)

We did indeed take our dog. He was about 18 months old, and he's small. You can do any of the outdoor activities at Colonial Williamsburg with a dog--walk DOG Street, attend any of the outdoor talks and performances. You just can't bring the dog into any of the buildings. I don't think you can take him on the shuttle bus either, although if the dog is small and in a carrier, it might be doable.

We did leave our guy back at the hotel in his pen when we went to the art museum and out to restaurants. (He's still young and he takes a big nap in the middle of the day.)

There are also a lot of dog-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating areas. When William and Mary is in session, they often have outdoor activities that are open to the public.

Just don't go in the summer. It is soooooo hot. We went once in July and the heat index was 120--we spent the whole time darting from one air-conditioned space to another. We went in April this time and the weather was already getting warm.

Edited to add: Colonies at Williamsburg also allows pets for a fee, but we've never stayed there.

 

[northern.pixel]

We stayed at Greensprings last fall and had a great experience — very clean, spacious units and quiet surroundings. It’s a bit more low-key compared to Powhatan, but if you're mostly out exploring during the day, it does the job well. Our kids enjoyed having some space to unwind at night, and check-in/check-out was smooth. If cleanliness is your top concern, I'd say Greensprings holds up pretty well. Bonus: it was more affordable than some of the other options without sacrificing comfort.

 

[pedro47]

Personally, I’m looking for a second option after The Marriott’s Manor Club for my relatives to stay for a two (2) weeks consecutive vacation.

Also, I’m using II .

 

[Laurie]

We did indeed take our dog. He was about 18 months old, and he's small. You can do any of the outdoor activities at Colonial Williamsburg with a dog--walk DOG Street, attend any of the outdoor talks and performances. You just can't bring the dog into any of the buildings. I don't think you can take him on the shuttle bus either, although if the dog is small and in a carrier, it might be doable.

We did leave our guy back at the hotel in his pen when we went to the art museum and out to restaurants. (He's still young and he takes a big nap in the middle of the day.)

There are also a lot of dog-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating areas. When William and Mary is in session, they often have outdoor activities that are open to the public.

Just don't go in the summer. It is soooooo hot. We went once in July and the heat index was 120--we spent the whole time darting from one air-conditioned space to another. We went in April this time and the weather was already getting warm.

Edited to add: Colonies at Williamsburg also allows pets for a fee, but we've never stayed there.

wackymother, thanks so much for this info. Glad you mentioned Colonies too. Did you attend any outdoor things at Colonial Williamsburg that required a ticket, which allowed your dog in? Their website seems to say otherwise, but I haven't been able to get anyone on the phone who really knows. We're leaning seriously towards doing an exchange with our pup, in either case. It does sound like they'll allow a dog onto the shuttle, according to somewhere I was reading.

If anyone has been to both Colonies and Vacation Village relatively recently and can compare, please chime in with your opinions. Three adults, one pup, no kids. TIA!

 

[Pennytx]

I just checked into patriots place Wyndham
Building 4
Updated unit
Very spacious
Monday free cookies
Tuesday margaritas
Wednesday wine tasting
Thursday root beer floats
Friday popcorn
Saturday muffins and mimosas
Lots of dogs
Great walking space

 

[elaine]

It does sound like they'll allow a dog onto the shuttle, according to somewhere I was reading.

If they do not, you can easily park near Merchants Square at Colonial Wllbg in several (now paid) parking lots and just walk over to the main area. CW is very dog friendly to walk around. They have a small farm with sheep, cows, etc. We used to take our kids for the day and have a good walkabout for a few hours. Merchants Square has several restaurants/cafes with dog-friendly outdoor seating, as do several side streets.
Agree July/Aug are very hot, humid. Mid-Sept-early Nov are nice. Oct is leaf season-very popular.

 

[wackymother]

wackymother, thanks so much for this info. Glad you mentioned Colonies too. Did you attend any outdoor things at Colonial Williamsburg that required a ticket, which allowed your dog in? Their website seems to say otherwise, but I haven't been able to get anyone on the phone who really knows. We're leaning seriously towards doing an exchange with our pup, in either case. It does sound like they'll allow a dog onto the shuttle, according to somewhere I was reading.

If anyone has been to both Colonies and Vacation Village relatively recently and can compare, please chime in with your opinions. Three adults, one pup, no kids. TIA!

Laurie, the shuttle has changed since our last visit a few years ago. It used to be run by CW itself; now it's run by the town bus service. We found it not as reliable as it used to be, and it only runs (at least in April) twice an hour, whereas before I remember it running more like every 15 minutes. It was crowded, too. Also now you have to pay to park at the visitors' center; it used to be free. It's not terribly expensive...I think $10 for the day?

We went to a show about the Montgolfier brothers (very fun) that was in an outdoor fenced-off area. I think they checked tickets, but we didn't have our dog with us that day, so I don't know if he would have been allowed in. I think he would have been.

If you exchange into Vacation Village, call and let them know as soon as you make the exchange that you are bringing a dog. They need to reserve a dog-friendly unit for you. There's also paperwork they need, including vaccination records.

I think some of the other resorts in Williamsburg allow you to bring dogs if you are an owner. We own at King's Creek, but they don't let owners or anyone else bring dogs.

 

[elaine]

So this post reminded me how much I liked Greensprings-I just snagged an RCI Extra Vacations for $529/week for a 2 bedroom over Christmas. Surprised to see week 52 there (and for $529). It makes a great base for us with adult kids now spread around VA/NC.

 

[Pennytx]

So this post reminded me how much I liked Greensprings-I just snagged an RCI Extra Vacations for $529/week for a 2 bedroom over Christmas. Surprised to see week 52 there (and for $529). It makes a great base for us with adult kids now spread around VA/NC.

Congratulations
Great score

 

[Pennytx]

Op
We are at patriots place Wyndham
Truly enjoying it fyi