Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection

The Williamsburg Lodge is the comfortable, all-round choice for staying right beside Colonial Williamsburg, and it suits couples and families equally well. Built in 1939 by John D. Rockefeller Jr. as part of the restoration of the town, it is now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection and is one of the official Colonial Williamsburg hotels. The style is warm Southern rather than formal colonial: interiors are inspired by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller’s celebrated folk art collection, and lanterns in the building were made by Colonial Williamsburg’s own tin plate workers. Its 323 rooms are spread across six guest houses around the main lodge, so it never feels crowded. Dining covers the whole day, with breakfast at Traditions, dinner and cocktails at Sweet Tea and Barley, which has live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and The Cupboard for grab-and-go breakfast and lunch. The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, rated Forbes Four-Star, is on site, with the fitness center, and there are indoor and outdoor family pools, a tranquility pool and a whirlpool. The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club is across the street, and the Historic Area and William and Mary are a short stroll away.

Location and getting around: the lodge is at 310 South England Street, across from the Williamsburg Inn and the Golden Horseshoe golf courses, on the southern edge of the Historic Area. The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg are close by, and you can walk to the Governor’s Palace, Duke of Gloucester Street and Merchants Square in a few minutes. Jamestown and Yorktown are 20 to 25 minutes away by car, and Busch Gardens is about 15 minutes east.

Rooms: rooms are spacious and calm, decorated in a relaxed Southern style with folk-art touches. Ask for a room in a guest house close to the main lodge if you want the shortest walk to the restaurants and spa.

Who it suits: couples, families and Marriott Bonvoy members who want an official Colonial Williamsburg hotel within walking distance of everything, with spa and pool facilities for the downtime between sightseeing.

Good to know: check-in is at 16:00 and check-out at 11:00, and the minimum check-in age is 21. Self parking on site is charged daily. Breakfast is not included as standard but is served daily at Traditions. Up to two pets are welcome for a fee per stay. You earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points here, and booking through Colonial Williamsburg sometimes adds admission tickets, so compare both channels.