DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg

The DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg is our mid-range pick, a dependable full-service hotel that suits families and Hilton Honors members who want good facilities without resort prices. It stands on Kingsmill Road on the eastern side of Williamsburg, which puts it close to Busch Gardens and Kingsmill, while Colonial Williamsburg is about a ten-minute drive away. Expedia rates it four stars. The hotel has both an indoor and an outdoor pool, which matters for a winter visit when most outdoor pools in the area are closed, along with a fitness center, an on-site restaurant and bar, room service and a buffet breakfast available for a charge. Families will appreciate the connecting rooms and kids menu, and everyone gets the famous warm chocolate chip cookie at check-in. Rooms are modern and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi, streaming entertainment and a digital key option through the Hilton Honors app. Self parking costs a modest daily fee with in-and-out privileges, which makes it easy to come and go between the historic sites and the theme park. It is a practical, good-value base for a Christmas Town trip or a Historic Triangle road trip.

Location and getting around: the hotel is at 50 Kingsmill Road, close to US Route 60, a few minutes from the Busch Gardens entrance and about four to five miles from the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center. You will need a car or rideshare: Colonial Williamsburg is about 10 minutes away, Jamestown about 20 minutes and Yorktown about 20 minutes via the highway or the Colonial Parkway.

Rooms: rooms are modern and practical, connecting rooms are available for families, and all rooms have free Wi-Fi and streaming entertainment on the TV. Ask for a room away from the elevators if you are a light sleeper.

Who it suits: families heading to Busch Gardens and Christmas Town, Hilton Honors members and road-trippers who want a full-service hotel with a pool at a mid-range price.

Good to know: check-in is at 16:00 and check-out at 11:00. Self parking is charged daily, with in-and-out privileges. Breakfast is a buffet for a fee rather than included. Pets are not allowed, and the hotel does not run an airport shuttle. All rooms are non-smoking.