Friday, May 21, 2010

Howard Johnson Williamsburg Specializes in Affordable Comfort

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comThe Howard Johnson in historic Williamsburg Virginia boasts a great location and reasonable rates. Colonial Williamsburg its located just ½ mile away and Williamsburg attractions like Busch Gardens and Water Country USA are only 3 miles from this property. Specializing in affordable comfort, this hotel is an easy choice for travelers on a budget.

The Double Queen room I stayed in during my visit was furnished with a microwave, mini-fridge, small pub table and chairs, “27 TV and had a floral décor. The case goods were in average but efficient condition and the bathroom, though small, had a curved shower rod to create additional space. Plus, a new vanity was located outside of the bath, making it easy to get ready in the morning. All rooms at this property are interior corridor rooms.

The amenities at the Howard Johnson Williamsburg included a computer for guest use located in the lobby, a nice large sized indoor pool area in an atrium style enclosure with hot tub and plenty of lounge space, plus a medium sized breakfast room with flat screen TV, which is home to their hot breakfast with waffles, served each morning from 6:30am-9:30am. Free high speed internet is also available. In addition, the Howard Johnson is located on the Williamsburg Area Transport Bus Line so getting to attractions is very convenient.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Sleep Inn Williamsburg is Affordable, Comfortable & Convenient

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comThe Sleep Inn is conveniently located for Williamsburg vacationers, with Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens and Water Country USA just a few miles away. The hotel also had several restaurants, including Cracker Barrel, located within walking distance. Plus, the Sleep Inn Historic had a very modern design with several additional amenities to make guests feel at home.

The double queen rooms available at this property were very clean and had a modern décor featuring greens, blacks, browns and whites. A 27 inch television with remote, desk and chair, fridge, coffee maker, hairdryer, alarm clock and iron/ironing board also furnished the room. The bathroom area was divided, so the vanity was located outside of the bathing area. The bathroom featured a walk-in shower (no tub) and an upgraded shower head. All of the rooms also had new carpet as did the hallways.

The Sleep Inn Williamsburg had a large indoor pool in an atrium-style enclosure. A small but efficient fitness room with cardio machines and TV were also on-site, as was a computer with printing/fax capabilities. Free Wi-Fi service was available to guests throughout the hotel. A large breakfast area, with flat screen TV, was home to their free deluxe continental breakfast, which included waffles.

A stay at the Sleep Inn is affordable, comfortable and convenient.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Williamsburg Hospitality House offers Distinguished Charm, Great Location

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comThe Williamsburg Hospitality House is a charming, historic Inn featuring colonial style in the heart of Williamsburg. Their fantastic location – only two blocks from Colonial Williamsburg – puts visitors in the midst of Williamsburg’s rich history. This property, however, excels at combining the quaint appeal of the past with modern amenities guest relish in while on vacation.

During my visit, I enjoyed a stay in their Double/Double unit. Spacious and inviting, the room was decorated in blues, greens and whites. The case goods were all in splendid condition and added to the colonial atmosphere. The beds were comfortable and provided a good night’s rest, while the bathroom, with its dual vanities, made it easy to get ready in the morning. Plus, most of the guest rooms have a great view of historic downtown Williamsburg – a definite bonus.

Perhaps one the best elements of the Williamsburg Hospitality House VA are its added amenities. On the main floor on this Williamsburg hotel, there is a lavish lobby highlighted by the William and Mary Parlor, a great sitting area with fireplace and piano, as well as two restaurants – Papillon and 415 Grill. The Papillon Restaurant is a garden-style bistro open for breakfast seven days a week. The 415 Grill has a warm atmosphere and lounge area with games. They are open for lunch and dinner daily. Both restaurants also offer room service.

A medium sized outdoor pool, which is secluded nicely, offers plenty of lounge space. There is also a fabulous courtyard area with landscaping accented by the brick exterior of the hotel. It is a great spot to eat a meal from one of the restaurants or simply relax. Other amenities at the Hospitality House Williamsburg include a very large fitness center, open from 5am-11pm, equipped with six cardio machines, a universal weight machine and TV. A game room with five arcade games is also located on-site. A business center with two computers and print/fax capabilities is also available to guests. Wi-Fi is available at a charge of $10 a day.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Comfort Suites offers Modern Amenities, Upscale Design in Williamsburg

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comThe Comfort Suites Williamsburg was an excellent place to stay while I visited Williamsburg, VA. Opened just three weeks ago, the newness of the property was apparent from floor to ceiling. The location was also an added benefit, as there were several eateries nearby and attractions like Colonial Williamsburg were just minutes away.

When I arrived at the Comfort Suites, I was impressed by the modern design of the property. Flush with reds, blacks, grays and whites, the décor was vibrant and created an upscale atmosphere. The King Room I stayed in during my Williamsburg vacation was very spacious, with a frosted glass partition dividing the sitting area from the sleeping area. The sitting area was equipped with a pullout sofa sleeper, coffee table, mini-fridge and microwave, as well as a desk with chair. The bed, featuring luxury linens and pillows, was extremely comfortable and left me well rested. A flat screen television rounded out the modern amenities found inside my King Room. The nice-size bathroom had a black granite vanity, tile floors and curved shower rod. Double Queen Rooms at the Comfort Suites have the same design and room amenities.

This Williamsburg hotel also had hotel amenities that catered to guests as well. A well-equipped fitness center with cardio, weights and TV was open from 6am-11pm. A large game room with pool table, air hockey and arcade games was also available, as was a small sundry shop, guest laundry and business center with computers, copy and fax services. Free Wi-Fi is conveniently available throughout the hotel. The indoor pool, open from 6am-11pm, was also exceptionally nice and had a hot tub, water features and light features during the evening/night hours.

The Comfort Suites served a hot breakfast in the mornings, which was an added bonus. Waffles, bagels, eggs and bacon or sausage and hot coffee were served daily and was a delicious start to my day.

Clarion Hotel Williamsburg a Top Choice for Colonial Visitors

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comThe Clarion Hotel Williamsburg is an upscale facility offering a great location, spacious guest rooms and several amenities to make your Williamsburg vacation a great one. Situated within walking distance to Colonial Williamsburg and just a short two miles to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, this property is an easy choice for visitors. Plus, other attractions like Yorktown and Jamestown are nearby as well.

I was impressed with the Clarion Hotel for several reasons, the first being the comfortable room I enjoyed during my visit. The double/double non-smoking unit featured a nice, clean bathroom with a granite vanity, tile floors and curved shower rod for extra space. There was also a separate vanity, outside of the bathroom, which was very convenient. The room was elegantly decorated in beiges, blues and whites and the beds featured pillow top mattresses and fine linens, creating an oasis of comfort. New case goods, including a desk and chair for lounging, rounded out the very inviting guest rooms at the Clarion Hotel Williamsburg. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, so those on business travel will have easy access to the internet. An on-site business center is also available, with copy and fax services.

This Williamsburg, VA hotel also had added amenities that made my vacation even better. The Bourbon Street Grille offers breakfast and dinner to patrons, with lunch available Fri-Sun. It is richly decorated and provides an inviting atmosphere. When Bourbon Street Grille is closed, usually during Jan-Feb, the hotel offers a continental breakfast. I also enjoyed the pool area of this hotel, as it was equipped with an extremely large pool, perfect for swimming laps or simply splashing around. The atrium-style presentation was also inviting, as was the hot tub and lounge chairs.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Grand Country Inn Branson MO Provides Family Fun for All

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comThe Grand Country Inn Branson MO is a family-friendly complex that provides guests with a variety of amenities in one convenient location. The Grand Country Inn strives to be a full vacation experience and after visiting, I can say they have succeeded. With amenities like the Grand Country Inn Splash Country Waterpark, three shows on-site at the Grand Country Music Hall, a 36-Hole Indoor Mini-Golf Course, the Grand Country Buffet and Fun Spot, a two-story attraction featuring arcade games, interactive games, a small laser tag area, a comfy land for tiny tykes, an indoor jungle-gym area, a second blacklight mini-golf area plus a Pizza Buffet. With all of this located on-site, the Grand Country Inn is definitely the place to be for families.

The Splash Country Indoor Waterpark is a real draw, as it provides endless hours of fun with over 20,000 square feet of aquatic activity. The indoor waterpark, which is in a separate building not attached to the hotel, features a lazy river, a three-level tree house with interactive water features and a 1,000 gallon tipping bucket, two giant tube slides, a toddler area with jumping water features and a mini-slide, basketball play area and two extra large hot tubs. Plus, entry to the waterpark is FREE to Grand Country Inn Branson guests. The Mining Company Grill is also located at the waterpark and serves up tasty hamburgers, fries, hot dogs, nachos, pretzels and more. They are open Friday-Sunday, and offer expanded hours during the summer season. For guests not staying at the Inn, there is $15 charge per person for a waterpark day pass. A large indoor pool is also located near building #2 for guest use.

Rooms at the Grand Country Inn are standard throughout, although décor does change a bit from building to building, of which there are three total. The rooms feature two Double Queen Beds, moderately used case goods, 27” TV, café style table & chairs and a large granite vanity adjoining the bath area for guests convenience. Most guests spend little to no time in their rooms though – there’s too much fun to be had elsewhere!

The Branson Grand Country Inn is a great choice when it comes to Branson Hotels. It is a solid choice for families, no matter what time of year it is.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Medieval Times Myrtle Beach offers Knightly Fun

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comThe Myrtle Beach Medieval Times show is a spectacular production inspired by an 11th century feast and tournament. The Medieval Times castle (theater) is located near Freestyle Music Park, directly off of Hwy 501 in Myrtle Beach. Medieval Times encourages guests to arrive 90 minutes prior to show time to experience the extensive gift shop, full-service bar, museum of torture and observe the master falconer and his birds of prey up close. The cast will gladly pose for photos during this time.

When my party and I arrived, we were ushered to the crowning area where we were given our crowns, which signaled the knight we would be cheering on. Our pictures were taken in royal fashion before we entered the Hall of Arms, which is where the aforementioned gift shop, bar, museum or torture and dance area is located. My companions and I decided to tour the museum of torture at this time, which was small, but packed a punch with its medieval devices and historical information. This museum might be a bit frightening to children, but it is an interesting look into medieval society and worth your time.

Entry in to the arena at Medieval Times Myrtle Beach begins 15 minutes prior to show time. The fun begins at once as sections begin to cheer and boo for their respective knights. I was seated in the green section and cheered for the green knight, of course. The royal action begins right away, with King Phillippe and his daughter-in-law, Princess Leonore presiding over a four-course feast for their guests. The food is delivered right away by waiters, called wenches and serfs, and the feast consists of tomato bisque soup, spare rib, half of a Cornish hen, garlic roll, potato and apple pastry for desert. While dining on the feast, we watched as the knights of Medieval Times competed in the tournament for Battle of Champion. The tournament featured knights astride Andalusian horses competing in games of skill, such as arrow shooting, and tests of courage, like sword fighting and jousting. The action-packed event made cheering for your knight and jeering the other knights a lot of fun. The equestrian displays were also impressive, from the prancing to the dancing.

Notables: The pictures taken prior to show time are delivered mid-show and the guests can purchase them at this time. Another photographer also comes by during the show to photograph your party. This photo is also available for purchase prior to the shows conclusion. A tip is also recommended for the waiters and waitresses that serve you, as this is not included in the price of admission.