The doctor says, take a few days and call me after Kingsmill
Golf, spa, food and family entertainment, what more could one ask for.
That's what you get, not necessarily in that order at Kingsmill Resort and Spa
in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Part of the Anheuser-Busch Companies, Kingsmill Resort and Spa is just what
the doctor ordered. A fantastic vacation destination which runs the gamut,
from children to adults, from luxurious accommodations to sensational dining.
Our trip begins with the ease of travel. Williamsburg, Virginia is just a few
hours from New York and the Northeast corridor by car and less than two hours
by air east of the Mississippi.
Upon arriving at the resort, you'll find a southern charm and ambience equaled
only by a few. The staff at Kingsmill treat you like one of their own and
family is what they are all about.
We have to start with the living arrangements. Recently renovated, the resort
features over 400 guest rooms and suites, beautifully decorated with a private
balcony or patio, some overlooking the historic James River. The two and
three-bedroom suites come equipped with a full kitchen and fireplace, not to
mention dining and living rooms and the ever popular, washer and dryer.
How about a little fun and games?
For the golfer, there are three championship courses at Kingsmill, highlighted
by the River Course, designed by legendary architect Pete Dye. Originally the
venue for the PGA Tour from 1981-2002, the River Course now hosts the LPGA's
best and brightest at the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill. The River Course,
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=golf-
m/misc/course_reviews/kingsmill_river.htm
is ranked as one of the top-10 courses in the state of Virginia.
The Woods Course is another gem created by Tom Clark and former U.S. Open
champion Curtis Strange.
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=golf-
m/misc/course_reviews/kingsmill_woods.htm
Playing to a par of 72, the Woods Course, like the River, has been ranked in
the top-10 in Virginia and when opened in 1995, was voted as one of the top-10
new public courses in the country.
Arnold Palmer's Plantation Course completes the trio of tracks. The easiest of
the three, the Plantation Course is very user friendly with only three par
fours over 400 yards from the gold tees. The Palmer course has been ranked as
one of the Top-50 Courses for Women.
Not to be ignored is the nine-hole, par-3 Bray Links, overlooking the James
River, a fun way to spend time with the family. The length of the holes range
from 54 to 109 yards, culminating with the island green ninth hole.
If you need to work on your game, Kingsmill Resort features a year-round Golf
Academy, with two- and three-day schools, as well as individual lessons from
the talented Kingsmill professionals.
Beyond the golf, it's Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country USA. Voted the
world's "Most Beautiful Theme Park" for 15 years running, Busch Gardens
features more than 50 rides and attractions, including four world-class roller
coasters. Water Country USA is just that, 35 slides and rides with just one
aim in mind, getting you wet! Open May through September, Water Country USA is
fun for the whole gang. A family of three can spend a whole day cruisin' down
Hubba-Hubba Highway or sliding down Malibu Pipeline for around $100.
For the history buffs, it's Colonial Williamsburg, with 88 original structures
from the 18th-century, houses, shops and more on over 300 acres of land. See
how people lived back in the 1700s, as Williamsburg appeared on the eve of
the American Revolution. Open year-round, Colonial Williamsburg features
historical staff in full period costume detailing the past.
The newest addition to the resort is the full-service Spa at Kingsmill.
Whatever your pleasure, the Spa is at your service. From full and half-day
experiences for the ladies or massages designed specifically for the golfer,
the Spa has it all. Even teens and mothers-to-be have specific treatments,
from facials to pedicures, from manicures to body treatments. The word
pampered never sounded so good.
Workout and fitness enthusiasts will love the Sports Club. In tuned with the
needs of the health conscious, the Sports Club includes a 2,200-square foot
fitness center, featuring 28 cardio stations, racquetball courts, fitness
classes, free weights, indoor and outdoor pools and a professional staff to
set you in the right direction.
But there's more. Tennis anyone? Ranked as one of the top-50 tennis resorts of
the world, Kingsmill offers 15 clay and hard courts, two lighted for evening
play and a camp with private and semi-private lessons for adults and juniors.
Let's not forget the Marina. Kayaks, paddle boats, Jon boats and tours along
the James River or fishing from the pier is available. If you come by boat,
just dock at one of the 70 marina slips. You even have access to room service
on your boat! How about a weekly 'smores roast down by the shore?
The bicycle, walking and running trails meander throughout the residential
area, so pick a cool evening and enjoy the scenery.
Another outstanding aspect of Kingsmill Resort and Spa is the Kid's Kamp. From
ages 5-12, children participate in a fun-filled day of swimming, water games,
beach activities, arts and crafts and playing in the game room. Best of all,
the key ingredient is the interaction with and making of new friends.
We would be remiss if we didn't mention the outstanding fare at Kingsmill.
From the culinary delight of Bray Bistro to the deep selections of meat at
Eagles or the sports-theme thrill of Moody's Tavern. Can you imagine starting
off with Chipotle-Apricot BBQ Shrimp, moving on to an Asian Spinach Salad and
feasting on a Horseradish Crusted Pork Chop? A taste sensation to follow could
be a Molten Lava Cake with Irish Creme Philly Ice or Mandarin Cheesecake with
a Chilled Tropical Sabayon. Just some of the treats to thrill your senses.
Oh, there's more. Kingsmill is a dream for the business-minded company or the
family hosting Dad's 80th birthday party. Conference facilities that can
accommodate groups up to 500 with 16,000 square feet of meeting space. Two
ballrooms, nine soundproof meeting rooms, 16 state-of-the-art conference
meeting rooms and extensive audio-visual equipment. The resort event planner
will organize and detail your program to your specific desires.
What makes Kingsmill Resort and Spa even more enticing are the amazing set of
packages available. Golf or Spa packages from as low as $179 per night, or how
about a family vacation package for four, including 4-days/3-nights for $999?
That package alone gets you accommodations, unlimited admission to Busch
Gardens and Water Country USA, breakfast daily, one lunch or dinner at Busch
Gardens per person, complimentary court fees at the Tennis Club, green fees at
the Plantation Course and transportation to and from the parks. Those are just
two of the many choices at Kingsmill. For more, go to
http://kingsmill.com/rates/index.asp.
Perfect for the guys rite' of passage, breaking the ice on the golf season.
The ladies will love the treatments at the Spa and the kids, well, plenty can
be said for wearing a bathing suit all day. Best of all, you never have to
leave the property!
Kingsmill Resort and Spa is the ultimate vacation spot on either coast. Forget
about South Carolina and Florida in March, or Arizona and California in the
winter, it's Kingsmill all-year round.