Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites, an official Colonial Williamsburg Hotel

The Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites is our budget-friendly pick and the most practical base for families visiting Colonial Williamsburg. It is one of the official Colonial Williamsburg hotels and sits in the woods right beside the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, so you can walk to the ticket desk and the free shuttle bus into the Historic Area in about a minute, and the Governor’s Palace is around 15 minutes away on foot along a woodland path. The atmosphere is relaxed and geared to families, with activities for guests of all ages, mini golf and a playground on site, and in summer outdoor and children’s pools with a splash pad and waterslide. Rooms are straightforward and comfortable: standard rooms with two double beds sleep up to five, and Signature Suites add a sofa bed and more space for families. A continental breakfast is included every morning, and self parking is free, which saves a meaningful amount over hotels in town. Expedia guests rate it excellent, with especially high marks for staff and cleanliness. A daily resort fee covers the pool, shuttle service and sporting equipment, so factor it in when comparing prices. It is a simple, friendly and well-located choice.

Location and getting around: the hotel is at 105 Visitors Center Drive, next to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center. From there the free shuttle runs to stops around the Historic Area, the Art Museums and Merchants Square, so you rarely need the car during the day. Busch Gardens is about 15 minutes away by car, Jamestown about 15 to 20 minutes and Yorktown about 20 minutes along the Colonial Parkway, which starts nearby.

Rooms: standard rooms with two double beds are about 310 square feet and sleep five. Signature Suites with a king bed and a sofa bed are about 420 square feet and sleep four, and courtyard-view versions of both are available.

Who it suits: families, value-minded travelers and anyone who wants to be first in line at the Visitor Center in the morning.

Good to know: check-in is from 16:00 and check-out before 11:00, and the minimum check-in age is 21. Continental breakfast is served daily from 7:00 to 10:30. The outdoor pools close for the season from mid-September to early April, so they are shut in November and December. Up to two dogs are allowed for a fee per stay. Booking directly with Colonial Williamsburg has recently included Historic Area admission tickets, so compare offers.