Why here?
History is everywhere in Virginia, from the reenactments at Colonial Williamsburg (pictured) to the exhibits at the American Civil War Museum in Richmond. Serving the legacy of days gone by are docents and actors, pubmasters and stablehands. Many venues throughout the state cater to private groups.
AROUND THE STATE
• The 336-room Westin Arlington Gateway has completed renovations of its more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel features the Pinzimini restaurant and a Starbucks.
• The 106-room Tides Inn, on the Rappahannock River east of Richmond, is now a member of Kindred Resorts & Hotels, a consortium of meetings properties. The hotel has 8,980 square feet of function space.
COLONIAL CANINE
A Briard puppy named Liberty has joined George Washington's entourage in Colonial Williamsburg. The pooch was chosen due to Thomas Jefferson's enthusiastic writings about the breed. Learn more at bit.ly/1FcKI2A.
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
Local Update
• The renovated restaurant at the 323-room Williamsburg Lodge debuts this fall, along with an upgraded courtyard with outdoor seating, fire pits and live music.
Meeting Hotels: Group properties in this historical town include the 323-room Williamsburg Lodge and the 300-room Williamsburg Woodlands.
To find and compare hotels, and send RFPs, visit mcvenues.com.
Airport Transit: Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, approximately 20 miles south of Colonial Williamsburg. Transfer cost by taxi, about $60
Richmond International Airport, about 25 miles northwest of Colonial Williamsburg. Transfer cost by taxi, $130
Taxes: Room tax, 5%; sales tax, 6%; city tax, $2 per room night; total tax on hotel rooms, 13% plus $2 per room night
Group Venue: The village features four outdoor venues perfect for special evening events. The Fountain Garden holds up to 200 people; the Oval Garden accommodates 800; the Virginia Lawn can be tented for up to 600, and the Colony Terrace holds 200. (757) 220-7600; bit.ly/1Lweo7C
Contact: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, (757) 220-7600
GO FISH
Hampton, at the very tip of the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, is an ideal launch spot for a half or full day with rod and reel. Among the proprietors is
Captain Hogg's Charter Fishing.
HAMPTON
Local Update
• The 173 guest rooms at the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina have been refreshed with new carpeting.
Meeting Hotels: Properties in the city include the 295-suite Embassy Suites Hampton Beach, 173-room Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina and the 149-room Hilton Garden Inn Coliseum Central.
To locate and compare hotels, and send RFPs, visit mcvenues.com.
Convention Centers: Hampton Roads Convention Center; exhibit space, approximately 320,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 33; (800) 800-2202; visithampton.com/hrcc
Hampton Coliseum; exhibit space, 84,827 square feet; number of meeting rooms, three; (757) 838-5650; hamptoncoliseum.org
Airport Transit: Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, about 14 miles north of Hampton. Transfer cost by taxi, about $45
Norfolk International Airport, about 16 miles south of Hampton. Transfer cost by taxi, $50
Taxes: Room tax, 8%; sales tax, 6%; city tax, $1 per room night; total tax on hotel rooms, 14% plus $1 per room night
Group Venue: The Apollo 12 command module is among the fascinating flying machines on display at the Virginia Air & Space Center. Guests can feel what it's like to be in space by climbing into the Apollo Lunar Excursion Module simulator or the MaxFlight simulator. Take over the whole facility for up to 2,000 people; the IMAX Theater seats 300. (757) 727-0900
Contact: Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau, (800) 800-2202
HORSING AROUND
At the 168-room
Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, about 50 miles west of Washington, D.C., the stallion barn has been renovated and a leadership event called Equi-Spective has been added to the group offerings. Also popular are Yoga in the Stable and Yoga on Horseback classes.
RICHMOND
Local Update
• The 250-room Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown is being transformed into a full-service Hilton hotel. The $11.5 million project is adding 10,000 square feet of meeting space, an enhanced 24-hour fitness center and a Hilton HHonors lounge.
• The 75-room Quirk Hotel, a Destination Hotel, opened on Sept. 17 with 3,000 square feet of meeting space. The property takes its name from the adjacent Quirk Gallery; a courtyard leads to the art space and can be used for small events. The hotel is in a 1916 Italian Renaissance building that was once the J.B. Mosby & Co. department store. Amenities include a coffee bar, a restaurant and a rooftop bar.
• The 26,760 square feet of meeting space at the 405-room Richmond Marriott has been renovated. Other property highlights include T-Miller's Sports Bar & Grill, a Starbucks and the Liberty Bar. The property is connected to the Greater Richmond Convention Center by skywalk.
Meeting Hotels: Properties include the 405-room Richmond Marriott, 361-room Omni Richmond, 298-room Crowne Plaza Richmond Downtown, 261-room Jefferson Hotel, 254-room Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa at Short Pump, 250-room Westin Richmond, 234-room Richmond Marriott Short Pump, 224-room Embassy Suites Richmond, and 183-room Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center.
To find and compare hotels, and send RFPs, visit mcvenues.com.
Convention Center: Greater Richmond Convention Center; total exhibit space, 180,000 square feet; total meeting space, approximately 80,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 38; (804) 783-7300
Airport Transit: Richmond International Airport, about 10 miles from downtown. Transfer cost by taxi, $20
Taxes: Room tax, 8%; sales tax, 5.3%; total tax on hotel rooms, 13.3%
Group Venues: Fresh seafood - particularly oysters - is the main draw at Rappahannock. From the raw bar or from the kitchen, the bivalves dominate the menu. Rent out the place for up to 90 people. (804) 545-0565
A couple of whites, a blush and a host of red wines fill tasting glasses at Saudé Creek Vineyards in Lanexa, about 35 miles east of downtown Richmond. Groups can gather in the tasting room, several scenic outdoor porches and grounds, or an amphitheater that seats up to 250. (804) 966-5896
Contact: Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, (800) 370-9004