Fife and Drum Inn — Hotel in Williamsburg

Late November 2024 was my last visit. (The most recent in my twice-a-year visitation over the past seven years.) As always, over the past seven or so years, everything has been top-notch. One would be very hard pressed to find a better situation. The staff have always been most gracious. Their location near the train station make taking the train a very viable option. They are adjacent to the restored area, so one can easily walk there. Multiple restaurants of varying price ranges and embiances are within a very short walking distance. Shopping, of course, is always present in a tourist destination. What more can I say? Why argue with success? (Plans are already booked for May and November of 2025.)

May 2022 had me returning for another lovely visit. Couldn't believe that my first visit was back in 2016. My twice a year visits continue. It is very comforting to know that Billy and Sharon are there--with a certain "reunion" element to my visits. Each visit presents additional facets to the whole Colonial Williamsburg experience. I'll be returning in November for my Fall visit. Clearly, when one finds a superlative lodging location and experience, why go anywhere else?

Another pleasurable return in May 2021, after an eighteen month hiatus--COVID-19 related--from my November 2019 visit. I was anxious to get back. As always, it is such a joy returning to see Sharon and Billy Scruggs. Both are such gracious hosts. They provide an excellent "intro" to Colonial Williamsburg for first time visitors. One can easily lose their perspective. The Inn is within a very short walking distance to the historic district. The more one chooses to visit CW, the more one appreciates all the advantages the Inn provides. Each of their rooms is unique and very tastefully appointed. Repeat visitors will probably develop their own "favorite."

Early June 2018: Back again for another wonderful visit to Colonial Williamsburg, a large part due to repeatedly staying at the Fife and Drum. Billy Scruggs and the housekeeping staff always makes one's visit special. Its location could not be better, as it is within easy walking distance from the AMTRAK station. While nothing definite, yet, I'm planning on a return visit later in 2018.

End March 2017: I just several more days there and had another wonderful experience. It was a repeat of my September 2016 visit; but, even better as a returning guest. There are many homecoming elements when returning to the same place. My favorite room was available. An excellent pied-a-terre when spending several days in the greater Williamsburg area.

Mid September 2016: I just spent almost one week at there and could not have found a better place. Both Billy and Sharon provide a most personable and welcoming atmosphere, which one would expect from a small place (nine rooms). Critical to me is it is within easy walking distance to the train station. They provide a hearty breakfast to help one get their visiting day off to a good start. The room is neat, clean, and include basic amenities. There is nice common room where breakfast is served and where guests can relax at the end of the day. Both hosts are long time local residents, so they can give excellent suggestions and recommendations. Their knowledge is most appreciative, as there is so much to see and do in the area. One can easily get overwhelmed. I am planning a return visit next Spring and will be staying...

We visit the Fife and Drum Inn at least three times a year. We have reserved different rooms and all have a distinctive decor and personality, so it's a delight to move around at each stay.

The Inn is outstanding, and the owners and staff work hard to make your stay perfect and to make guests feel at home. The location is superb, with The Blue Talon, Aromas, and Merchant Square shops and restaurants just a few steps or four minutes away. Mid-week stays are best, as Colonial Williamsburg is a little quieter on those days (except for major holidays), and you may have more selection in terms of rooms. It is also easier to make reservations in nearby restaurants mid-week.

Since our last visit in spring, several new shops and cafes have opened in the area. One that we recommend is located at the corner of Prince George Street, right under the Inn's rooms: it is called Kiln Kingdom -- a beautiful arts/crafts shop and also a Turkish Coffee Shop, offering excellent Turkish dessert bars, Turkish Delight, and other delicacies. You will find a wonderful welcome there, perhaps for a mid-morning or an evening coffee and to pick up wonderful gifts, before you return to the Fife and Drum to relax. Kiln Kingdom is open from 9:30 AM until 8 PM.

Your Fife and Drum Inn stay includes free or paid parking, and an open casual dining area with a small kitchen where you can procure light snacks, delicious cookies, Keurig coffees and fine teas, and hot chocolate, any time of the day or night. A continental breakfast is available and included in your room rate.

Rooms or Suites include four-poster beds, high-quality draperies, antique furniture, wonderfully comfortable pillows, and extra blankets, where needed. Wi-Fi and small flat-screen televisions are housed in large bird box design cabinets. The bathrooms are well-stocked with quality soap, shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel, for your shower. Also included are make-up remover pads, and hand-body lotion. Bathrobes and hair dryers complete the many offerings.

While rooms tend to be quieter at the rear of the Inn, the views from the front rooms are excellent and jolly, especially in fall and winter, where the street scenes around Prince George Street and the corner of Boundary, with historic style street lamps and college buildings, are reminiscent of scenes from a Dickens' novel.

The Fife and Drum Inn is usually fully booked, so if you wish to reserve rooms, please call or email well ahead of your planned visit. It is the perfect Inn and you will return often.

Nuala C. Galbari, FRSA David L....

If you want convenience to downtown Williamsburg and the historic city of Colonial Williamsburg, with the charm and service of a local B&B, this is your place! My husband & I just stayed with them for a 3rd time to celebrate our 8th anniversary! We stayed there for our honeymoon, and then a few months after our 1st anniversary when we got back in the area. I've been dying to go back because I love Colonial Williamsburg and the Fife & Drum is culmination of that atmosphere and I get to sleep there! My husband knew this and booked our stay as an anniversary gift.

They are definitely booking out further in advance than we've experience in the past, but it's worth it. We were in the Jamestown Room this time around and it was cozy and comfortable. We both really liked how the bathroom was laid out and the nice shower. The giant pillows are always my favorite if you want to sit up a little higher while lying on the bed to read, watch TV, or relax. Then you can move the large pillow off to sleep on regular ones. And the robes hanging in the wardrobe for you to wear are ALWAYS my favorite thing!!!! There will never be a time that I stay at the Fife & Drum that I don't don one of their embroidered robes!

And even if you check in a little later, they leave excellent directions for you in an envelope attached to the door. They have free reserved parking (parking pass in included in said envelope). They leave out some snacks in the lounge area and have a tea table in the hallway if you want to make some tea to bring back to your room.

Breakfast is simple, but always delicious and the staff is ever friendly and personable. The small things they include are also what impresses me so much. Not only can you watch colonial-themed movies in the lounge area, but there are several bookshelves throughout that have interesting books for quick reads. There's also a container of umbrellas for guests to use in case of rain. It's little perks like that, that really separate Fife & Drum from a boring hotel.

Not to mention, it's literally less than a 5-minute walk to the historic city, places to snack, shop, and eat practically right next door. I...