Lodging & Accommodations

Growing up our family Christmas tradition was to descend on a relative’s house in mass for the days surrounding Christmas. As a child, I loved being around grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. However, as time passed, our family grew beyond what any house could handle. Cousins got married and had families of their own, and it got harder and harder to gather all together. In an effort to truly be able to gather and not have family spread out across town wherever we could find lodging for them.

Holly Cottage was the perfect fit for our family Christmas. It allowed everyone to have the privacy and accommodations (lots of bathrooms!) for individual family units. In addition to the lodging on the lower level of the cottage, there was an added benefit of a handicap-accessible room on the first floor. And for those who may need some space away from the rambunctious kids, Oakwood Lodge (hotel-style lodging) was just a few steps away. Those of us local to Williamsburg arrived ahead of the rest of the family on Christmas Eve to decorate Holly Cottage. We were able to put up an artificial Christmas tree, hang stockings on the staircase, and place other festive items around.

There was plenty of room to set up seating for meals, as well as ample seating in the living area. The kitchen was spacious and adequately stocked to cook Christmas dinner, although the cooks of our family did bring some of their own special tools to use. It was truly a marvelous time, and we were able to take full advantage of the winter amenities at WCRC. My cousins and I went running on the trails, we took family hikes, and even drove into town to see Colonial Williamsburg all dressed up for the holidays.

With limited technology, we didn’t do the normal family tradition of staring at screens- we played board games and connected with each other in ways that we hadn’t done in years. The whole family agreed that it was the best family Christmas in years, and hope to do it again. Holly Cottage any time around the Holidays is always a great idea!

The front door swings open as we greet the arriving girls, “Welcome! Come on in!” After everyone puts away their things we all meet on the sofas. The weekend was off to a great start, the natural light poured in from the windows, the wooded view bringing a sense of coziness. In the center of the room, the large table was all ready for meals to be enjoyed. Those preparing dinner were still able to contribute to the bustling conversation though the open wall, which also had the ability to roll down to hide the dirty dishes we would get to later.

After dinner, when the evening set in we curled up together on the sofas and shared about our lives. These discussions continued as we made our way to bed, popping in and out of the bathroom while others were sitting in bed. Such a sense of rest and peace in the rooms with views of the woods. Conversations carry on late into the night and in the morning we head back upstairs to enjoy breakfast while sitting out on the deck.

We carried on the weekend in a similar fashion, enjoying the pool, going for a walk through the woods, taking photos together, playing music on the piano, and doing puzzles from the game closet. It was a wonderful weekend that was only enhanced by our setting in the cozy Holly cottage.