My family spent a few days in Colonial Williamsburg last month on vacation. As an afternoon tea lover, I really wanted to have the Afternoon Royal Tea at the historic and luxurious Williamsburg Inn, which is located in the heart of the historic district.
Unfortunately, my visit to Williamsburg did not coincide when tea was being served at the Inn, which is served seasonally, Thursday through Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Goodwin Room. But, luck was definitely on my side, and I got a royal treat anyway.
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation gave my family a private tour of the Inn since they know that I'm such a luxury hotel lover. Many of these photos were also in my Instagram feed while we were in Williamsburg.
The Williamsburg Inn is Colonial Williamburg's landmark property, and opened to guests in 1937. John D. Rockefeller Jr., oversaw every detail, and made sure that the Inn provided "comfort, convenience, and charm." For luxury hotel history buffs, it was the first hotel in the United States to provide air-conditioning. Rockefeller wanted the absolute best for this Inn, and it has continued to maintain his standard, 75 years later.
Rockefeller and his wife, Abby Aldrich, felt strongly that the Inn should be as unlike a traditional hotel as possible, preferring the the furnishings and decor to have the ambiance of a gracious country residence. The Inn's Regency style of early 19th-century England was purposely chosen to contrast the colonial architecture of the neighboring Historic area.
The public areas of the Inn certainly remind you of a very rich aunt's home, who possibly could even be the Queen of England. This Inn is certainly suited for a Queen, and has hosted Queen Elizabeth II twice, once in 1957 and again, in 2007.
This is the suite where she stayed during her visit in 1957.
Staff at the Inn now call the staircase in the East Wing, the Queen's staircase. Her suite was at the top of the stairs, and she came down the staircase to a formal dinner, in honor of the 350th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown.
The Williamsburg Inn is intimate with just 62 guestrooms and suites. The Inn's guest rooms are decorated in three distinctive styles: floral, classic, and restoration. All rooms feature period furnishings, original artwork, and handmade silk window treatments that have been a Williamsburg Inn signature for decades.
The Williamsburg Inn, a member of the Leading Hotel of the World membership, is the only luxury-premium hotel owned by Colonial Williamsburg that has an evening turndown service with night spreads, slippers, robes, and an evening turndown tray. You will learn more about Colonial Williamsburg's other premium property, The Williamsburg Lodge, in my next "Pack-Your Bags" feature.
The Williamsburg Inn is also home to the elegant and formal restaurant, the Regency Room. This upscale restaurant celebrates classic American cuisine with traditional European roots. Just in time for Fall, Sunday brunch will resume at the Inn on September 8.
If you want to "Pack Your Bags" and stay in the Inn, rates for the Williamsburg Inn begin around $450 a night and up. Colonial Williamsburg has packages that include tickets, meals, golf, and spa treatments. The Inn is operated by the Foundation's subsidiary, the Colonial Williamsburg Company. All revenues support the Foundation's preservation, research and educational programs.
Since visiting Colonial Williamburg, I enjoy following the @Colonialwmsburg Instagram account I get to see things that I've already seen, and perhaps even make notes for a future trip. This particular Instagram photo caught my eye yesterday. Race Car driver Kyle Busch will be in the Revolutionary City on September 5. I thought it was really funny.
The IG caption said:
Take a look at the official rules on Skimbaco Lifestyle, but here are some important things to remember when linking your post.
Disclosure: My visit to Colonial Williamsburg was as a media guest on assignment. I received complimentary tickets to the Revolutionary City, and a combination of complimentary and special lodging rates while in the area. As always, my opinions are my own, and we had our own vacation expenses while in the area. I would like to thank Colonial Williamsburg and the DCI Public Relations team for all the media assistance they gave me before, during, and after the trip.
Unfortunately, my visit to Williamsburg did not coincide when tea was being served at the Inn, which is served seasonally, Thursday through Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Goodwin Room. But, luck was definitely on my side, and I got a royal treat anyway.
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation gave my family a private tour of the Inn since they know that I'm such a luxury hotel lover. Many of these photos were also in my Instagram feed while we were in Williamsburg.
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| The Williamsburg Inn Lobby. Floral design in the hotel is by floral designer, Clark Taggart. His team works to add elegance to every hallway and public space, reflecting the colors of the Inn and themes of the seasons. |
The Williamsburg Inn is Colonial Williamburg's landmark property, and opened to guests in 1937. John D. Rockefeller Jr., oversaw every detail, and made sure that the Inn provided "comfort, convenience, and charm." For luxury hotel history buffs, it was the first hotel in the United States to provide air-conditioning. Rockefeller wanted the absolute best for this Inn, and it has continued to maintain his standard, 75 years later.
 |
| This stunning room was site of an International Summit led by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. |
Rockefeller and his wife, Abby Aldrich, felt strongly that the Inn should be as unlike a traditional hotel as possible, preferring the the furnishings and decor to have the ambiance of a gracious country residence. The Inn's Regency style of early 19th-century England was purposely chosen to contrast the colonial architecture of the neighboring Historic area.
 |
| The Regency style of the Inn is evident in neoclassical architectural features ranging from interior cornices and chair rails to the exterior's pediments, arches and columns. |
The public areas of the Inn certainly remind you of a very rich aunt's home, who possibly could even be the Queen of England. This Inn is certainly suited for a Queen, and has hosted Queen Elizabeth II twice, once in 1957 and again, in 2007.
Staff at the Inn now call the staircase in the East Wing, the Queen's staircase. Her suite was at the top of the stairs, and she came down the staircase to a formal dinner, in honor of the 350th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown.
The Williamsburg Inn is intimate with just 62 guestrooms and suites. The Inn's guest rooms are decorated in three distinctive styles: floral, classic, and restoration. All rooms feature period furnishings, original artwork, and handmade silk window treatments that have been a Williamsburg Inn signature for decades.
The Williamsburg Inn, a member of the Leading Hotel of the World membership, is the only luxury-premium hotel owned by Colonial Williamsburg that has an evening turndown service with night spreads, slippers, robes, and an evening turndown tray. You will learn more about Colonial Williamsburg's other premium property, The Williamsburg Lodge, in my next "Pack-Your Bags" feature.
The Williamsburg Inn is also home to the elegant and formal restaurant, the Regency Room. This upscale restaurant celebrates classic American cuisine with traditional European roots. Just in time for Fall, Sunday brunch will resume at the Inn on September 8.
If you want to "Pack Your Bags" and stay in the Inn, rates for the Williamsburg Inn begin around $450 a night and up. Colonial Williamsburg has packages that include tickets, meals, golf, and spa treatments. The Inn is operated by the Foundation's subsidiary, the Colonial Williamsburg Company. All revenues support the Foundation's preservation, research and educational programs.
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| The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg is located next to the Williamsburg Inn. It is a full-service spa with 12 treatment rooms, a conservatory salon, indoor pool, lap pool, sauna, stream room, and fitness center. |
Since visiting Colonial Williamburg, I enjoy following the @Colonialwmsburg Instagram account I get to see things that I've already seen, and perhaps even make notes for a future trip. This particular Instagram photo caught my eye yesterday. Race Car driver Kyle Busch will be in the Revolutionary City on September 5. I thought it was really funny.
The IG caption said:
"Meet @rowdybusch and @samanthabusch in the Revolutionary City September 5! And enter our #HistoryMeetsHorsepower sweeps for the chance to win a VIP carriage ride with Kyle and tickets to a @NASCAR race @RIRinsider! Ends August 23, 2013. "
Hmmm, wonder where Kyle Busch will stay? Maybe the Williamsburg Inn. For more information on travel to Greater Williamsburg, visit www.visitwilliamsburg.com.
If you are a blogger, please join us in the Instagram Travel Thursday link-up. Take a look at the link-up rules below before linking, and please link back to a host so others can find everyone's links.
Take a look at the official rules on Skimbaco Lifestyle, but here are some important things to remember when linking your post.
Here are the Linky rules:
Link to a new Instagram travel post and use the permalink of your post, not the homepage URL.
Only new posts from the week of the linky and no giveaways, other linkys or sales pitches.
No links to your Instagram profile, only links to your blog.
Link back to one of the Instagram Travel Thursday hosts.
Visit a few other posts in the linky and show them some love (comment, tweet, Pin etc.).
Links that do not follow the guidelines will be removed.
Link to a new Instagram travel post and use the permalink of your post, not the homepage URL.
Only new posts from the week of the linky and no giveaways, other linkys or sales pitches.
No links to your Instagram profile, only links to your blog.
Link back to one of the Instagram Travel Thursday hosts.
Visit a few other posts in the linky and show them some love (comment, tweet, Pin etc.).
Links that do not follow the guidelines will be removed.
The Instagram Travel Thursday linky is posted on Thursdays at 1AM EST and the linky is open until the following Wednesday.
Be sure to follow me on one or more of my social media platforms. Twitter, Instagram ,Facebook, Pinterest, Google Plus or on Bloglovin, if you just want post updates. When traveling, I'm on Instagram the most. My personal family Instagram account is LeighPHines.Disclosure: My visit to Colonial Williamsburg was as a media guest on assignment. I received complimentary tickets to the Revolutionary City, and a combination of complimentary and special lodging rates while in the area. As always, my opinions are my own, and we had our own vacation expenses while in the area. I would like to thank Colonial Williamsburg and the DCI Public Relations team for all the media assistance they gave me before, during, and after the trip.
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