Get ready for take-off! Announcing Forbes Travel Guide's Inaugural Verified Air Travel Awards. 
John D. Rockefeller Jr. opened Williamsburg Inn in 1937, as Virginia’s Colonial Williamsburg was being restored to its 18th-century era.
Situated across the street from the historic downtown, the hotel is steeped in the Regency style of early-19th-century England with large columns, iron railings and a portico entrance, a contrast to the predominantly simple colonial architecture of Williamsburg.
It’s designed to be more like a cozy country residence rather than a hotel. The lobby resembles an oversized, sprawling living room with multiple sitting areas. The inn boasts the fine-dining Rockefeller Room, casual Terrace Room restaurant, the Social Terrace, and Goodwin Room.
Walk from the inn’s back terrace to The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg for a swim in the indoor or outdoor pools, a workout in the gym or, of course, a relaxing treatment.
Situated across the street from the historic downtown, the hotel is steeped in the Regency style of early-19th-century England with large columns, iron railings and a portico entrance, a contrast to the predominantly simple colonial architecture of Williamsburg.
It’s designed to be more like a cozy country residence rather than a hotel. The lobby resembles an oversized, sprawling living room with multiple sitting areas. The inn boasts the fine-dining Rockefeller Room, casual Terrace Room restaurant, the Social Terrace, and Goodwin Room.
Walk from the inn’s back terrace to The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg for a swim in the indoor or outdoor pools, a workout in the gym or, of course, a relaxing treatment.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- As a guest of the Williamsburg Inn, you’ll receive preferred reservations for Colonial Williamsburg’s restaurants, spa and tee times at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club.
- You’d be remiss not to book a treatment at the inn’s 20,000 square foot spa. Indulge in historically based therapies like the 17th-century Detoxifying Herbal Wrap and Hot Stone Massage Spa Experience, which supposedly borrows period healing methods
- Adjacent to the spa is The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, which is home to three golf courses and an Audubon sanctuary.
- The property has historically been a respite for celebrities as well. Shirley Temple, Salvador Dalí and Betty White have all frequented the inn.
- In an effort to preserve historical authenticity, Williamsburg Inn’s interior designer worked closely with historians and archivists to replicate textiles, paint colors and wallpaper patterns throughout the property.
Things to Know
- Lining the walls of the historic hotel are John James Audubon prints of Virginia birds, most of which have been donated by generations of guests.
- Other historical notables in the inn include a 19th-century grandfather clock in the lobby, as well as vases and urns from Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller Jr.
- For art lovers, less than a half a mile walk down the road is the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum; and for the scholars, about a mile from the historic hotel is The College of William and Mary.
The Rooms
- Williamsburg Inn’s 62 guest rooms are decorated in classic and restoration styles and furnished with pieces made of rich Honduras mahogany.
- All bedrooms have handmade custom-made silk window treatments with tassels that have been in the hotel for decades, as well as upholstered chairs and (in some rooms) canopied beds.
- Historians and the inn’s onsite interior designer have replicated period window treatments, wallpaper, paint color, floor finishes and even furniture arrangements for authenticity.
- Bathrooms boast twin marble vanities, a soaking tub and an oversized shower as well as signature lavender-lemongrass bath products.
The Restaurants
- The Rockefeller Room is the inn’s contemporary fine dining restaurant serving dinner nightly.
- The Williamsburg Inn’s fine dining restaurant serves up seasonally changing Southern-inspired fare with a bit of historical flair. Think Virginia crab cakes with English cucumber remoulade or turmeric ginger shrimp and coconut rice grits.
- For a more casual dining experience, visit the Terrace Room overlooking the inn’s back patio and one of the Gold Course’s driving ranges.
- Lunchtime offers a slew of soups, salads and sandwiches, and afternoon tea includes tea blends made especially for the inn served with an assortment of scones, finger sandwiches, champagne and sparkling ciders.
Amenities
Babysitting services
Bar
House car
Indoor pool
Meeting rooms
Outdoor pool
Pet friendly
Restaurants
Spa
Getting There
Stories
