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I am planning a trip to Colonial Williamsburg later this month. I was wondering whether it would be better to stay at Patrick Henry or Parkside. I am looking at either the one bedroom with study or one bedroom premium. Thank you.
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In my opinion Parkside would be my first choice. It is the newest t/s in Williamsburg,VA. Great location to the latest shopping malls and to Busch Country. -
Busch Gardens is closed this time of year. The closest new shopping center has Penneys, Target and Kohls. Don't let Busch or shopping be your determining factor in February or March.Comment
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I think Parkside will be the better resort in a year or so, but right now it's getting terrible reviews on both RCI and TripAdvisor. Units not clean, units not fully supplied (as in no pillowcases or other missing linens, not people expecting hotel kinda perks and not getting them), etc. Lots of gripes, although it does sound like it's a beautiful property and once they get the kinks worked out it'll be great.
The worst I've heard on Patrick Henry Square is that the units are smallish. Patrick Henry Inn (the part that was there before Bluegreen bought it) has gotten some awful reviews, but most people seem to like Patrick Henry Square okay. So if you don't need a larger unit, right now it sounds like Patrick Henry is the way to go.Comment
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Patrick Henry
The units at Patrick Henry are rather small, but they are nice. If you are going to Colonial Williamsburg, you can't beat just walking across the street. I was at PH in December, and love the fact that you can just leave your car at the resort and walk.
TeresaComment
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Patrick Henry
I would definitely choose Patrick Henry this time of year. I stayed at PH in December and loved it's location in proximity to the historic district. We drove out an looked/toured at Parkside. BG was working on it then and I would wait a few months before staying there. It will be a good summer location close to Busch Gardens but not much else.
Patrick Henry rooms are small but even the studio we stayed in had a full size refrigerator, a 2 eye stove and sink, etc...and the rooms were clean and the staff was great.
KayComment
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We are going to PH this summer with kids ages 7 and 9. Do any of you have must see's/do's for us?? We have never been to this area and are looking forward to the trip, and I would like to start making plans for while we are there. Thanks!!Comment
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Thanks for the information everyone. I will definitely go with Patrick Henry.Comment
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We are staying at PH this week and I would also state that the rooms are somewhat small. We are in a 2 br unit and both bedrooms are very small and with the large furniture it is hard to open the doors all the way. The king bed we are in is very uncomfortable. The master bedroom is an inside room with no windows. We have four here and it is tight but the unit is appointed nicely with large screen TV's. The staff have been great and I would stay here again. You get a free continental breakfast but it consists of some sweet rolls, bagels, OJ and coffee. Not much but adequate if you don't want to go out for breakfast. Location is great.
We are using a sampler package and still trying to decide if we want to become an owner. If so, I will contact BocaBum Jim and deal with him.Comment
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Truly, it depends on what you are planning on doing while staying there. If Colonial Williamsburg is your reason for going, then you should stay at Patrick Henry Square. If you want kitchen facilities in your unit, you will want to stay at the Liberty building (I can't remember all three words but the first word is Liberty) as opposed to the Patrick Henry Inn. PHI only has hotel rooms or so I am told. I have not seen them but this part of the resort is the former Best Western Inn.
Bluegreen also bought property across the railroad tracks to build an indoor pool and perhaps additional units, etc. but it looks like those plans are on hold, due to the economy and in fact, I think part of that property is actually for sale but it is on a different street and it's difficult to determine how far BG's ownership goes down the street. These plans may also be on hold due to BG purchasing Parkside inventory.
If instead, you want to concentrate on other activities beyond the Historict District of Colonial Williamsburg, such as Busch Gardens when it is open or shopping, then I would almost suggest the Parkside. I think the units are brighter with more window visibility, at least in the unit I was allowed in. I did take pictures at the Parkside both inside the unit and outside if anyone would like to see them, I could e-mail them to you.
I only met one staff member at Parkside and she was not at all interested in getting off her butt and being helpful to us but did tell us which unit (model) was open and the code to get in and that we could go look at it. She said they weren't accepting reservations for the units yet at that time. This was in December 2009. It almost appeared that the economy caught the construction of the Parkside resort in a bad way and it stopped its progress of construction until Bluegreen came along and bailed them out partially--do remember this is a Bluegreen managed resort--not a Bluegreen owned resort. (I can't remember the actual name they applied to these new five resorts opening this year, but the implication is that it is BG managed, not owned.)
If it is an indoor swimming pool you are looking for, at this time, you are out of luck at both resorts. The lodge building at the Parkside was just nearing completion when we were there and was probably the hold up to having occupancy of the units, actually. When they had that set and ready to go, they probably felt they could start having occupancy which they probably are doing now.
Our guide at Colonial Williamsburg, by the way, told us the larger attraction of coming to Williamsburg now is not so much CW (Colonial Williamsburg) but rather the outlet shopping. Sad..........................
But you definitely cannot beat the Patrick Henry if you want to go to CW........you can drive to the further areas or walk to the closeby areas and for Grand Illumination, you definitely would want to walk to one of the three locations where they shoot off the fireworks as the streets to CW are all closed off and people park everywhere and if you were NOT already parked at PHI, then you would have to come in VERY early in the day to find a parking place somewhere along the road and then wait hours for the fireworks to start. PHI is the place to stay for Grand Illumination. Way to go Bluegreen on buying the Patrick Henry Inn.Comment
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We just returned from our stay at Patrick Henry Square and were very impressed with the resort. We had a 1bd/2ba w/ study and it was spacious for our family of three. All of the furnishings were well done and appeared new. The max capacity was listed as 6, but anything more than 4 would have been too crowded.
Upsides:
Smokefree
Walkind distance to CW
Very friendly staff
The downsides are few:
Small kitchen (2 countertop burners and a microwave/convection oven)
No free wifi (This is a constant complaint of mine)Comment
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