My family is having an exchange student over from France in April. We would like to take him somewhere. Our first choices were DC and Charleston, but he goes to DC with his class and Charleston was booked out for graduation weekend. Therefore, we think that Williamsburg and area + Busch Gardens would be fun. I am therefore looking for a hotel. Does anyone have any recommendations. Max about 150USD per night. I have no loyalty programs I care about except Hyatt which has nothing.

So far I have found:
Marriott
Embassy Suites (includes breakfast)
Edited to add: I also found a Crowne Plaza. Not sure how this compares as a chain or to the other two locations.

Any insight into these or other hotels would be greatly appreciated! Prices are all around the same, but the Embassy Suites includes breakfast (which is NOT important to me).

Thanks!
aa4ever

For a visitor from Europe, Busch Gardens/W'burg may be a bit kitschy, given their living history as a comparison to ours. Note that prior to 4/7 the park operates on a limited schedule (open the 1st and 2nd, closed 3rd - 6th), and only from 10:00. www.buschgardens.com

If you do decide to go, note that the weather is kind of iffy this time of year, with frequent rain.

Regarding hotels, this is one time I would pass on the miles and try to find a decent rate at one of the historic hotels in Williamsburg. Try www.colonialwilliamsburg.com and branch out from there. Even if you elect to stay at the other hotels, I would recommend dinner at one of the restaurants that serves meals based on food that was available during the settlement period.

Good luck.

I'd suggest avoiding Busch Gardens, but visiting Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. You can go to Ft. Monroe in Hampton (unless it was closed already due to BRAC - someone still down there might know more) and go to the Casemate museum. Likewise, in Newport News is the Mariners Museum. If you want to go to an amusement park, you might want to go to Kings Dominion outside of Richmond, instead of Busch Gardens. The roller coasters are better there.

If it's not too far from you, you might consider driving out to Bedford, VA to the National D-Day Memorial. They offer tours of it, explaining each feature, etc.

OK. Maybe I won't do Busch Gardens if it's not great...we're not amusement park people, but thought he might have fun doing it.

If Williamsburg isn't so great for people from Europe (I thought that it might not be, but I've never been and thought it might be decent), does anyone have any recommendations for places to go? As I said, he goes to DC with the school and Charleston is booked out.

thanks!

Savannah is a great place to visit and was one of the few southern cities not destroyed by the north during the Civil War. Boston and Philadelphia are great cities to see the beginnings of our country.

Can you give a general idea as far as a distance to travel, etc.? That would help.

Kipper reminded me that I should probably give distances I would like to travel.

I live in Raleigh, and want to drive - I don't want to have to fly, so Boston is out (although it would be nice). I would like to be within a five and a half hour drive. Philadelphia would be great, but it is a little bit far for the time period.

Savanah sounds like it might work.

Thanks
aa

You could do Bedford, Blacksburg, and Charlottesville. Depending on when in April your exchange student will be there, you might be able to go to the Virginia Tech spring scrimmage. Likewise, you could go to VMI. If you wanted, you could attend USMC boot camp graduation at Parris Island.

You could drive up to Baltimore, and visit the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry also.

I worked for Colonial Williamsburg for several years and spoke with hundreds of people a day, many of them from foreign countries. I found that Europeans were most appreciative of our Colonial history. After all Virginia was a colony ruled by England reflecting the values and society of that country. They were usually most interested in the men who spoke and met in Williamsburg, the men who were among the foremost leaders of the American Revolution....Thomas Jefferson, George Wythe and many others. Guests can visit the places and rooms where they formed the ideas that we as Americans have all come to know. Visit the George Wythe house and you will visit the house of a signer of the Declaration of Independence....it is original, just as many other buildings are. In fact they look no different than those houses in Charleston built in the same period. I was always surprised that Europeans admired the Palace when it is small compared to their standards....they also liked the Capitol and the College. Charleston has a sizeable area of 18th cent. houses, but most of it is 19th and the homes are interesting architecture as well as beautiful. As far as accomodation, chains are not very good there. Williamsburg properties are excellent at the high end... and I DO mean high. The Inn runs around $350 and up....the Lodge has just been renovated and is lovely....also costs much less. Colonial taverns great fun for meals, but don't miss the Trellis, modern restaurant near the historic area. I think your French student will gain so much more history from Williamsburg than Savannah, for example. And there is always Busch Gardens for fun. Philadelphia is a good choice however. Have a great time wherever you go!

CW is pretty good for the Europeans. My girlfriend lived in Williamsburg for a few years until she moved to Richmond last year. If anything it is a pleasant place to walk around! Also in Williamsburg that was pretty good for me as a European was Prime Outlets on Rte 60, yeah not exactly cultural but everything is pretty darn cheap compared to European prices

As for amusement parks I'd go with Kings Dominion too ^

Thanks, fbgdavidson...forgot about the Outlets...LOTS of people, but we enjoy taking a look every now and then....good prices on just about anything you can name and Europeans would think they had wandered into bargain heaven.
Thought I might give some help to the OP with respect to a place to stay. The Marriott at Kingsmill is good, not fabulous, but you will probably have a nice stay. Also you might want to enquire about staying in a colonial tavern....check with CW resevations. The Hospitality House is just across from the College and has a great location, but can be spotty. Have been to many weddings ( my children went to school there so this is a relatively young crowd we're speaking of ) where this was the place for wedding party and guests.

OK, thanks for the advice.

I think that the best place, considering the circumstances, would be CW.

Which of the above hotels is best?

Marriott
Crowne Plaza
Embassy Suites

I really would prefer not to be in one of the colonial hotels, especially since I don't really want to spend much money. I'm heiring towards the Marriott since it is the highest level (in terms of chains) of the three mentioned, and it has just been redone, according to the hotel.

I would reccomend the Embassy Suites of the three that you listed. I found the Marriott to be a little rough around the edges (dirty, tired, and poor service) when I stayed there about a two years ago. But if they have made improvements it might be worth a try. I also thought the Crowne Plaza was a bit sub-par. It was never a great hotel to begin with. Used to be a Radisson not too long ago and seems like its gotten worse IMO.

Of course a hotel can change a lot over the course of a couple of years or so. My advice might be outdated now.

Good luck.

I have not stayed at the Marriott for a couple of years but I know the property is definitely over 20 years old...used to be a Hilton. So I would check tripadvisor for reviews and then consider location. The Embassy Suites has a much better location for seeing Williamsburg, the outlets and access to LOTS of chain restaurants (also, and I'm guessing, more than 15 years old). It is right in the middle of town.....I don't mean the historic area, just the part where all the hotels and restaurants are. The Marriott is closer to Busch Gardens, but only a short ride into town. Location is in a more quiet setting with not so much hustle bustle. Would forget the Crowne Plaza. That's the most info I have and hope it helps.

Additional info just to clarify. I have been speaking of the full service Marriott at Kingsmill....less than a mile away in the same area is a Marriott Courtyard....I stayed there 12 years ago when it was relatively new (very nice), but have no knowlege of that property now.