Perfect Family Retreat!

Guest: KYCats (Kentucky)
Date of Stay: 03/28/09 Review Submitted: 04/08/09

Powhatan Plantation was absolutely beautiful and there were so many things for our family do while visiting. Whether we stayed on site and took advantage of all the amenities or ventured out into one the area's many adventurous locations, the family had a blast. We have 4 children under the age of 12, so keeping their interest and imagination piqued is saying something! The property was clean and well-maintained. The staff was accommodating. Spence, the owner, was terrific. He handled everything from start to finish. He provided us with many ideas of what to do while we were there to make our stay more enjoyable. We had so much fun that we already booked another stay to come back this summer.

Owner response:Great, I asm glad that you had such a good time!

Recommended for:Sightseeing, families with teenagers, families with young children.

A Perfect Place Of Our Own

Guest: backroadrider (Portland, Oregon USA)
Date of Stay: 03/23/11 Review Submitted: 04/06/11

Anticipating the arrival of a grandchild in Williamsburg, we reserved our stay 6 months ahead of time -- and we couldn't have chosen a more convenient location or more attentive owner. The reservation process was trouble free -- and responding emails came quickly. The one bedroom unit assigned to us was well equipped, comfortable and quiet though somewhat dated in design/amenities consistent with the very affordable price. As long as you aren't expecting flat screen TV's and a lavish kitchen, the unit was just fine for what we needed -- an affordable base to have space of our own nearby to our kids/new grandbaby. The 24 hour reception desk and amenities (free coffee/towel exchange) is consistent with time-share arrangements -- as well as the check-in enticements to "tour" this Diamond Resorts timeshare locations. We are more adept than most in easily claiming/"earning" a $100 Visa gift card for 90 minutes of our time -- but for those with weaker stomachs for such sales presentations, the "opportunity" could have been easily declined. One true test of our satisfaction with a unit and it's owner's communication is whether we would stay again -- and to this I can say that we've already been in touch with the owner to reserve a unit in the complex the next time we get to visit our kids/grandbaby in Williamsburg.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Historic Powhatan Resort

Guest: sushigirl30 (Washington DC)
Date of Stay: 11/25/10 Review Submitted: 12/07/10

Pros: The location was convenient to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, and the resort has a restaurant and convenience store on-site - making it a great "home base" for area sightseeing. The unit itself was very nice - 2 BR/2BA, LR, kitchenette, deck, plus an extra TV in one bedroom so kids and adults could both have separate spaces. Kitchenette was fully stocked with cooking/dining ware and utensils, coffeemaker, full-size fridge, oven, microwave, etc. Cons: This is a timeshare/rental, so be prepared for an overwhelming amount of paperwork at check-in, plus the obligatory sales push. Although the website says deposits are refundable, ours was kept, so once we'd penciled in a reservation, we were stuck. Minor glitches in maintenance were not repaired when reported: outlets in both bathrooms blew out, the shower door de-railed (we fixed it ourselves), and the headboard in the 2nd BR was detached from the wall and rattled whenever you turned over. We could also clearly hear the people below us, who were pretty rowdy late at night. The resort does *not* allow pets (I had to chase down a customer service rep over voicemail to find out, as their website doesn't list all the resort policies). Bottom line: Better for us than a hotel would've been, even with the minor annoyances - spacious, convenient, and comfortable. For what we needed - a central location for 2 families/kids, it fit the bill just fine.

Owner response:This is a completely unfair review by someone who appears not to have read anything I sent them, although they were happy to accept my great rates. They say "This is a timeshare/rental, so be prepared for an overwhelming amount of paperwork at check-in, plus the obligatory sales push." My first response email to them says that this is a timeshare resort and that they are under NO obligation to tour. There is no overwhelming paperwork to check in at the front desk, the resort takes the same info that a hotel would but provides much more info to the guest. They say "Although the website says deposits are refundable, ours was kept, so once we'd penciled in a reservation, we were stuck." I have no website, my first response email tells them that I am a private owner and that any reservation made through me is payable in full to make the reservation and that there is NO cancellation. There is no 'deposit' taken at all. They pay in full and I provide the reservation, it's as simple as that, been doing this for twelve years with very happy customers. They say "The resort does *not* allow pets (I had to chase down a customer service rep over voicemail to find out, as their website doesn't list all the resort policies)." My first response email tells them that the resort does not allow pets and also gives the names and phone#s of four local kennels. The front desk knows no pets are allowed, why they played phone tag with a CSR is beyond me. These people are not telling the whole story and took no heed of anything I sent to them, nor did they ask me any of these questions. What are my options? I don't think this review should be posted.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

5 days in Williamsburg, VA Condo

Guest: Holly & Roy (Nashville, TN)
Date of Stay: 03/30/09 Review Submitted: 04/16/09

Charles made the process of acquiring the rental agreement for our short stay in Williamsburg. Upon our very late evening arrival our reservation was ready and we immediately got settled in. The condo was spacious, clean, well stocked & beds, sofas chairs were all comfortable for large group gatherings. . We had family & friends over several times for lunches and dinners & really enjoyed our stay. We were centrally located to everything we needed and wanted to do. We would very much recommend this resort for anyone wanting to stay in the Williamsburg/Jamestown area.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/24/08

My friend and I stay at Powhatan the week of 11/9 to 11/16. Everything was great. Love the location. Spence was great to work with and we look forward to working with him in the future. Highly recommend. THANKS!!!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/08 Review Submitted: 10/30/08

We stayed at the Powhatan Plantation at the end of August, 2008. We had a very nice experience and it gave my family room to spread out as well as access to a lovely pool area (with a separate pool for the grownups!)for just a little more than the price of a hotel room. Good location, good value.

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Powhatan Plantation

Guest: Mary Ann (Marietta)
Date of Stay: 10/12/08 Review Submitted: 10/28/08

We enjoyed our stay at Powhatan Plantation. A couple minor problems but they were taken care of promptly. They could do a little updating, but it was nice. We would go back to that property if we were visiting that area again. Staff was pleasant and check in was easy.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/20/08

We stayed at the Powhatan Plantation in Aug '08. The condo was nice and working with Spence was great. Thanks for the great deal. Will recommend highly.

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Pohawtan review

Guest: dotw (Voorhees, NJ, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/09/08 Review Submitted: 08/25/08

We vacationed at Pohawtan from Aug. 9th-16th. Unfortunately this property did not live up to the descriptions and pictures supplied in the rental details. I would not recommend this property to family or friends. The grounds were shabby and not well maintained, dried out lawns, dead bushes, grills and grill area dirty. The outdoor pools were very nice and that was about it. The indoor pool area was dirty and actually looked like someone had vomitted next to one of the lounge chairs. That was our one and only visit to the indoor pool area. The entry into our condo was shabby, in need of a paint job. Our room while big enough, with nice furniture was again in need of refurbishment. The rug was old, worn and stained. The kitchen floor had been repaired with two different types of tile. We could not use the outside deck because there were nails sticking up and the stain and wood were chipped and splintering. The Pohawtan Grille was very disappointing. We were seated right away but waited about 15 minutes before anyone even came to take an order. What was served did not match the menu. The beautifully described 6 oz ground beef burger turned out to be a frozen square with a small piece of lettuce and tomato on a cheap bun. My son ordered the steak well done which was served rare in the middle. We sent it back and were presented with the second steak being even worse...almost raw in the middle. We sent it back and just asked for the check. The manager did do the right thing and waived the bill. While walking on the grounds I asked one of the workers for directions and was told that they didn't know where it was because they only worked there 3 days a week...I assumed by August the staff would know where things were. It has a great location in that it is close to attractions. However, should I visit the area again I would chose a hotel or another resort/plantation. For the money this was very much below our expectation. The place and the condo left you feeling not quite clean. Our limited experience with the actual owner leaves us believing he is not necessarily open to our comments. We did contact the front desk about our concerns. They did say they would try to find us a refurbished condo if one became available. At that time they also then tried to sell us on their other resorts to which I said, You're kidding right!...more of this... I don't think so!

Owner response:I'm truly sorry that you were dissatisfied. I have many happy renters with accommodations at this resort for half what the resort charges and they have been perfectly satisfied. Your phone message was cryptic but it was returned within 10 minutes. I reached your wife at the number you provided and she refused to speak with me. You never called me back, instead you wait two weeks to send a 'review' that doesn't agree with anything said about me or the resort in seven years. The front desk and management are available for any of your concerns, they are there 24 hours a day at your service. The resort has close to a thousand units and they're all in a constant refurbishment cycle. My correspondence clearly stated that the resort assigns your unit. I am sorry that you were unhappy, but you made no attempt to contact me after I returned your call. I spoke to the front desk manager who took care of you but you never returned my call.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 08/25/08

After a full summer of events, I'm now only having time to thank you for the opportunity of having a great time while we stayed at the Powatan Resort as your guest earlier in June. We have definately recommended your name and that particular resort to all of our family & friends. Sincerely, Barbara & family

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