WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — While a true vacation leaves travelers re-energized and ready to reconquer their world, a visit to Kingsmill Resort does that and more. It lets guests spend a day without an itinerary or a single demand on time, making it just as full or as peaceful as needed.
The true pleasure of Kingsmill Resort is taking in the beauty of the property, the riverside location and marina. Take long leisurely walks or a morning run beneath the mature tree canopy that lines the roads and walkways, or head to the James River marina where there is a beach for building sandcastles or napping on comfortable loungers.
Those who have physical energy to burn can take advantage of motorized watercraft or human-powered kayaks and paddle-wheel boats that allow for riverbank explorations.
The heart of the resort is its award-winning Ladies Professional Golf Association (LGPA) course, but you don’t need to be a golfer to enjoy it. Being careful to avoid golfers, walk the course’s periphery, sans golf clubs, to see the variety of wildlife on the ground and in the air.
Box turtles in the man-made cove with the putting green center and rabbits that wander the links are both too content to think about racing. Terns, eagles and seagulls swoop and call overhead, along with birds too numerous to identify, all drawn to the woods and water.
A pair of mallard ducks became an ad hoc welcoming committee, coming close to the room’s private porch, just 30 feet from the banks of the James River. That porch is the perfect final touch on a spacious, 840-square-foot, condo-style, river-view suite that includes a full kitchen, living room and separate bedroom featuring a king bed with cool, smooth linens to slide in between.
PHOTOS: Kingsmill Resort gallery
The bathroom includes a shower that is roomy, with strong water pressure and ample hot water. The kitchen features the basic necessities to create a home-cooked dinner or serve a take-out meal.
One small complaint is the Keurig coffee maker versus a more environmentally friendly drip pot. However, a quick call to guest services and that was quickly rectified.
Walking along the riverbank toward the marina one cannot help but notice The Pettus House. Once the summer cottage of the Anheuser-Busch family, this Georgian mansion has four master bedrooms and gracious living accommodations, including a large patio, with upstairs balconies, all with unobstructed views of the river.
Walking back along the river to the River Complex Pool, it is all about families as laughing kids and their parents splash and play, sliding down the water slide. Another large pool has, by happenstance rather than design, become a de facto adult pool, surrounded by a quiet space, comfortable lounge chairs and boasting clear water and plantings that attracted singing birds and floating mallards.
A successful rest and relaxation vacation can’t treat meals as an afterthought.
Executive Chef Justin Dallinger has been a member of the Kingsmill family for 14 years. He leads a culinary brigade whose job is to give visitors everything from casual fare to fine dining.
Kingsmill offers the “Study of Breakfast.” On the menu are farm-fresh eggs, seasonal fruits, house-made pastries baked daily in the Pastry Shop and locally produced Virginia ham, bacon and sausage.
Dinner at Elements offers choices from steaks and chops to pizza. The pastas vary from shrimp, scallops and sundried tomatoes to gnocchi in vodka sauce with shrimp, finished with Parmesan and basil.
Currents, a casual bar-side lunch spot located at the River Complex Pool, offers a full bar and moderately priced lunch menu that includes choices suitable for parents and kids. The clamoring, and mostly wet, kiddies seemed to love the virgin daiquiris and piña coladas. Their dads seemed to enjoy the variety of beers on tap; this area is craft beer and IPA (Indian Pale Ale) heaven.
There are also sangria, mojitos and other island-inspired cocktails, wines and non-alcoholic drinks.
The resort’s most comfortable dining spot is The James Landing Grille, which takes full advantage of the river. It is an absolutely glorious spot, particularly when the evening is cool enough for a light jacket, yet warm enough for a long-sleeved shirt.
The setting sun paints a riotous display of red, orange and pink layers along the horizon, with a cooling breeze coming across the river, creating the perfect al fresco experience.
This fan of the very cold, classic, dirty Grey Goose martini finds that the best are usually found in either steakhouses or golf clubs. The James Landing Grille did not disappoint. The martini was perfectly iced and presented right down to the four large, firm olives perfect for sharing.
Dinner starters are taken from the James River and served over a bed of ice. The Tommy Leggett and Rappahannock river oysters have less of a salty brine flavor than most, as the water they come from is brackish. They are also not for slurping, the preferred consumption method of most oyster fans, as the river is a mud river, meaning you can get more natural grit in the brine.
The surprisingly nice thing about James River oysters is their pleasant mouth feel. They stand up well to the red horseradish sauce and the traditional mignonette juice, a red-wine-vinegar-based accompaniment to oysters that unlocks their sweet, bright flavors.
Plump, tender shrimp dusted with Old Bay followed the oyster course and while not unique, they were firm, sweet and delicious.
Dinner was locally sourced Chesapeake Bay rockfish. It hid a delightful burst of crunchy salt and was served with an Asian flair over noodles and vegetable sauté, topped with a blue crab and sweet Thai chili vin blanc and hoisin sauce.
A crisp romaine Caesar salad with creamy house-made dressing accompanied dinner and provided a perfect palate-cleansing bite.
Unfortunately, Chesapeake Bay-area crab cakes are expected to be bright, crisp, thick pillows of sweet crab delicately seasoned and little else. The JLG crab cakes, while having a pleasant flavor, fell flat, offering more of a sandwich-style crabby patty than fluffy cake.
Stick with the locally sourced river fare for a true, James River-inspired meal.
A leisurely walk back to the condo in the evening air capped a perfect day on the James River. Starting with no expectations of doing anything, visitors will find there are plenty of things to do.
IF YOU GO
Where: Kingsmill Resort, 1010 Kingsmill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Price range: Kingsmill’s room rate starts at $159 per night. The rate rises depending on the package chosen; these include tours of Colonial Williamsburg, a spa experience, playing time on that amazing golf course, and a Kingsmill breakfast. Other packages that may appeal to families include local theme parks and historical tours.
Search the resort’s website for seasonal discounts and special rates. Rooms range from double and king standard guestrooms, three- and four-bedroom cottages, and one- and two-bedroom condominiums.
Website: www.kingsmill.com
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