Kingsmill Resort

Located on 2,900 acres next to the James River, this sprawling resort has three 18-hole golf courses, 15 tennis courts, a small marina, and numerous walking trails. The rooms, suites, and cottage homes are scattered in different parts of the resort, so plan on waiting for a shuttle or walking to get around. Typical clientele are families, sports lovers, and couples.Style-wise, the lobby’s hardwood furnishings and brown leather chairs are easy on the eyes, but a bit dull overall. The decor throughout the resort varies from dated and traditional (the lobby and Eagles restaurant) to contemporary but plain (Elements 1010 restaurant) to somewhere in the middle (the rooms and suites).What the property lacks in breathtaking interior design, it helps make up for with beautifully maintained grounds. One of the most popular spots in the summertime is a huge outdoor pool on the waterfront with its own lazy river, artificial beach, waterslide, and food and drink service. An array of water sport rentals provides ample opportunity to explore the river, or guests can go golfing, fishing, biking, or even Segway-riding around the property.

Kingsmill Resort is located on 2,900 acres next to the James River, right off Route 199 on the southern end of Williamsburg. The immediate area is forested and residential, but a shopping plaza with a grocery store is a five-minute drive from the resort’s main parking lot. A free shuttle will take guests to Colonial Williamsburg, Water Country USA, and Busch Gardens.- Six-minute drive to Busch Gardens 

• Nine-minute drive to Water Country USA 
• 10-minute drive to Colonial Williamsburg
• 20-minute drive to Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown 
• 50-minute drive from Richmond International Airport      

From standard rooms to private cottage homes, Kingsmill Resort has units of nearly every shape and size. All lodging includes Keurig coffeemakers, bathrobes, and private balconies or patios with optional water views. Standard guest rooms are very basic, with plain cream-colored walls, white bedspreads, and no mini-fridges or microwaves. Starting around 800 square feet, the suites (one-, two-, or three-bedroom) are far more spacious and include fully equipped kitchens, fireplaces, sofa beds, laundry machines, and a homey mix of traditional and contemporary decor. All of the floor plans are slightly different, so expect some variation in each unit.

In additional to its three large pools, restaurants, and athletic activities, the Kingsmill Resort has plenty of great amenities and extras. A kids’ camp, artificial beach, and waterslide provide ample entertainment for children, while adults can take advantage of an enormous fitness center and full-service spa (fully renovated in 2014) with a beauty salon and outdoor decks. Other amenities include walking trails, a lobby gift shop, and a small marina with a shop, showers, and fuel dock. Free shuttles will transport guests to Colonial Williamsburg, nearby amusement parks, and around the resort.

Kingsmill Resort is overflowing with physical activities. Golfers can take advantage of three championship golf courses and a golf club with its own pro shop, restaurant, and bar. The resort also has 15 well-maintained tennis courts and a tennis pro shop. Sports rentals include kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, Jet Skiis, bicycles, sea cycles, pontoon boats, and fishing gear. Guests can sign up for fitness classes in the Sports Club (which is closer to a full-blown YMCA than a hotel fitness center) or take guided Segway tours around the resort.

The resort has three spacious pools, two outdoors and one indoors. The waterfront River Pool is the most active, with a lazy river, waterslide, artificial beach, and food service (it was unfortunately closed for the season during our visit). The other outdoor pool is located at the Sports Club; it also has bar service and is a quieter spot with fewer splashing kids. A few feet away is an indoor lap pool and hot tub. Primarily intended for exercising, the indoor pool doesn’t offer poolside food or drink.

Kingsmil Resort has three main restaurants. Located next to the lobby, Elements 1010 specializes in seafood and international cuisine and is open for breakfast and dinner. It features a bar and outdoor patio with nice sunset views overlooking the resort. For the best views of the water, James Landing Grille is perched on the river’s edge and offers seafood dishes for lunch and dinner, six days a week. Eagles Restaurant and Bar is located at the golf club and only opens for lunch and special events; it serves typical American dishes. A coffee shop, The Mill, and poolside café, Currents, also serve drinks and snacks.