As part of our road trip from Washington, D.C, we spent three nights at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia — and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our journey. Nestled along the historic James River, Kingsmill feels like stepping onto a movie set: everything pristine, beautifully landscaped, and really welcoming. It reminded us of a perfect blend between Bluestone or Center Parcs in the UK, mixed with the golfing and sporting facilities of Celtic Manor or Gleneagles.
Long before it became one of Virginia’s leading family resorts, Kingsmill was steeped in American history. This site was once home to the Kingsmill Plantation, a sprawling 1,400-acre tobacco estate dating back to the 17th century. The remains of the original plantation structures still exist on the property, a quiet nod to its complex past.
Fast forward to the 1970s, and the landscape of Kingsmill changed dramatically when the Busch family of Anheuser-Busch acquired the land. Their vision was ambitious: create a master-planned resort community that blended luxury living with leisure and conservation. Alongside the development of Busch Gardens Williamsburg and a brewery, the family introduced Kingsmill Resort, a riverside escape complete with championship golf and scenic trails.
Kingsmill Resort isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a sprawling 2,900-acre destination with three 18-hole championship golf courses, a full-service spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service marina, multiple tennis courts, and several restaurants. It offers a rare combination of relaxed luxury and family-friendly activites, making it the perfect place for a few days for us to recharge after city sightseeing in DC and before a long flight back to London.
We arrived at Kingsmill on Easter Sunday, and the resort was bustling with families enjoying Easter brunch overlooking the James River. Although we missed the brunch itself, we were thrilled to take part in the Easter egg hunt on the lawns — a wonderful memory for the kids and such a lovely personal touch by the resort.
Check-in is at the main resort building, decorated with dark woods and colonial brass fixtures with views over the James River at the far end. In this building is a small store, large conference centre and River’s Edge Buffet, where we would enjoy breakfast during our stay.
Accommodation
Over the pretty 2900-acre site are 330 guest rooms and condos and 5 riverside cottages, so there are accommodation options for groups of all sizes.
For our stay, we booked one of Kingsmill’s 2-bedroom condos, and it was the perfect choice for our family. It can be best described as a little house, with our condo being on the ground floor with a resort setting view (other condos offer river views or deluxe upgrades), it felt peaceful and private, tucked among wooded areas with views of one of the golf courses.
The condo itself offered about 1,200 square feet of spacious living space, giving us so much more room than a traditional hotel room. Inside, we found a fully equipped kitchen — complete with oven, microwave, and dishwasher — plus a full-size washer and dryer, which would be ideal for longer stays or road trips. While we didn’t cook, we used the kitchen and the huge fridge/freezer to chill drinks and snacks, which was really convenient.
The large dining area and spacious living room, complete with its own fireplace gave us room to spread out after busy days. Outside, we had two private patios where we could sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings — one afternoon, we were even lucky enough to spot a groundhog strolling by!
Each bedroom came with its own private en-suite bathroom, which was perfect for getting ready without rushing or sharing.
The condo was also equipped with thoughtful extras like a hairdryer, in-room safe, 3 large screen smart TV’s, complimentary WiFi, and complimentary parking just steps away. It truly felt like our own home away from home set on the most picturesque American street, but with the added luxury and facilities of a full resort.
Resort Amenities
What I really enjoyed about our stay at Kingsmill was that you can be as relaxed or as active as you like. We made the most of the complimentary bike hire (included in the resort fee), exploring Kingsmill’s resort grounds and the adjoining neighbourhood of Kingsmill along the dedicated cycle tracks. Some of the private homes that we cycled past are absolutely stunning — it felt like cycling through a movie neighbourhood.
During one of our bike rides, we stumbled across Lake Windsong, another hidden gem on the resort grounds. Its peaceful, untouched beauty took us by surprise — and it was near here that we also caught a glimpse of The Estate at Kingsmill, the resort’s most luxurious accommodation.
This is an incredible A 7,000 square-foot private estate, in a setting overlooking the James River within the gated, manicured grounds of Kingsmill Resort. The original structure was built as a private mansion for the Busch Family (Anheuser Busch) but after a $3 million revamp, this home offers the ultimate in luxury accommodation at the resort.
We also gave the golf driving range a try (using our own golf buggy, another highlight that brought back memories of our Bluestone adventures!) and spent two mornings challenging each other at the impressive Kingsmill Tennis Club, which features 15 courts in total.
We were really lucky with the weather during our stay, with the temperatures nearing 30 degrees, and really enjoyed being able to relax in the sun and have fun at the outdoor pool.
Although the outdoor pool was a little chilly given the time of year, there’s also a large and impressive indoor heated pool nearby for those who prefer a warmer dip. In peak season, Kingsmill’s outdoor pool complex really comes alive with waterslides and a lazy river at their River Pool complex.
After all that activity, the onsite Spa at Kingsmill looked very tempting — but we didn’t get a chance to use this during our visit. We did more than enough steps during our visit to DC, but if you wanted to work out, there was a pretty impressive fitness centre in the sports club.
One of the things that really stood out to us at Kingsmill was how close to nature we felt. Whether it was spotting wildlife around our condo or simply walking along the riverside trails, the connection to the outdoors here is very real.
A particular highlight was walking down to the Kingsmill Marina, especially around sunset. The light over the James River was stunning, and although the marina’s watersports and restaurant here wasn’t open yet for the season, we could easily imagine how popular kayaking and paddleboarding here or dining here must be in summer.
Dining
Each morning, we kicked off our day at River’s Edge Buffet, located in the main resort centre. With large floor to ceiling glass doors and windows, the restaurant offers panoramic views of the James River, my favourite was its outdoor terrace.
There was a wide selection of breakfast items on offer, from fresh pastries and fruit to hot options like eggs, bacon, and pancakes, and set us all up for busy days ahead exploring this part of Virginia.
For quick bites, the on-site bakery and coffee shop, The Mill located next to the tennis courts, served up breakfast pastries, hot drinks and some delicious looking cakes. The small store here also sold drinks, chocolates and snacks which were pretty reasonably priced for a resort shop.
Most evenings, we found ourselves back at Eagles, the resort’s cosy sports bar and grill, and it quickly became a family favourite. The food was excellent, with a great choice on the menu. Some of our favourites were their delicious burgers to pizza — and the service was some of the best we have experienced on our travels. The relaxed vibe, with its open fire and sport made it ideal after a day of activities or exploring.
Although we would have liked to try some of the other restaurants at Kingsmill, they were closed during our stay as it was still slightly out of the main season. Luckily, Eagles more than made up for it, and we were perfectly happy returning there. After dinner on our first night, the kids loved spending time in the resort’s retro arcade, where they could play old-school games for free — a nostalgic and fun way to end the evening!
Local Attractions
One of the main reasons we picked Kingsmill was its close proximity to Busch Gardens Williamsburg — and saying it’s close is an understatement. It’s literally next door, less than a 10-minute drive from the resort. Yet once you’re inside Kingsmill, you’d never know it; the setting is peaceful and serene.
For our daughters, finding out that there was another Busch Gardens beyond the Florida version they knew was a dream come true. The park lived up to our expectations: incredible rides, beautiful landscaping, and much quieter than the Florida parks, making it even more enjoyable.
We also ventured into Colonial Williamsburg, just a short drive away, to soak up some of America’s rich history. Between the historic buildings, re-enactments, and charming streets, it was a fantastic change of pace from the theme park excitement.
And for a little retail therapy, the Williamsburg Premium Outlets were another hit — offering shopping every bit as good as Orlando, but without the crowds.
Overall
OverallWe really enjoyed our stay at Kingsmill Resort. From the spaciousness of our 2-bedroom condo to the excellent on-site amenities, stunning riverside setting, and the wealth of family activities both onsite and nearby, it ticked every box.
Virginia’s natural beauty, combined with Kingsmill’s welcoming feel, gave us the chance to truly unwind — something that’s hard to find when traveling with teens! Whether you’re coming for the golf, the history, the theme parks, or just a peaceful escape, Kingsmill Resort is a hidden gem on the East Coast that we can’t wait to return to.
How to Book:
Book directly through the Kingsmill Resort website for the best rates and package deals. If you’re planning to visit during the peak season, it’s worth booking early to secure your preferred room type, especially if you’re interested in river-view or deluxe condos.