Hotel Review: Williamsburg Marriott, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

In short, the Williamsburg Marriott takes full advantage of the fact that most guests are there simply to sleep after spending a long day at the very nearby family-fun amusement park, Busch Gardens.

Since the Marriott named hotels are routinely filled with comforts and luxury, it would be easy to assume that a stay in the Williamsburg Marriott would be just as pleasant as a stay in any other Marriott brand hotel - however, this time that assumption would be wrong.

While the hotel lobby looks to have been recently remodeled, the rest of the hotel is old, dingy and would remind guests more of a down-trodden Motel 6 than a fine, brand-named hotel.

A few "highlights," if you can call them that:

- The rooms are just ok- obviously old and damp and guests may have to play a few rounds of 'musical rooms' before finding one that does not let off a mildew-like odor.

- The mattresses are of Marriott-caliber, but at the same time it is obvious that they have not been replaced in quite some time.

- What the hotel passes off as dining for the night time experience is actually a sports bar. Now, VFC loves sports bars, don't get me wrong, but when you've got thirty dollar steaks and other high priced items on the menu, you hardly expect to eat at a wobbly cafeteria styled table covered by a sticky plastic table cloth.

Again, not what you'd expect from a Marriott.

The pool is decent enough - the half-inside/half-outside aspect is pretty appealing to the kids because you can swim from the inside portion to the outside portion; no need to exit the pool. And the hot tub is large enough to fit quite a few people - or just two or three very large Americans.

The breakfast buffet was reasonably priced and a pleasant wait staff work both the buffet and the sports bar, but none of the positives is overwhelming enough to consider a stay at the Williamsburg Marriott a worthwhile stay.

For Marriott rewards members, I suggest giving the Courtyard a try. It's just down the road, a lot cheaper, and probably a lot newer than the Williamsburg Marriott. You won't be able to eat a thirty dollar steak off a sticky plastic table cloth, but there are a few very good restaurants very close by - including a couple of Italian options and a Thai. The Thai food, especially, was fantastic. I haven't been to the Courtyard Williamsburg, so I can't vouch for it, but since you won't see any Marriott affiliated hotel as bad as the Williamsburg, at least you'll save a couple of bucks by staying at the Courtyard and still rack up some points.

For a brand that makes it's name by upholding standards, I'm very surprised that the Marriott has attached it's name to the Williamsburg edition. If you're considering a trip to Busch Gardens, save yourself the expense of staying at the Marriott - it's simply not worth it.

VFC rates this hotel TWO out of FIVE stars.

Maybe I'm getting a little carried away, but I expect more from the Marriott than what the Williamsburg offers. The Marriott can do well better than this, I was pretty disappointed.

Restaurant Review: La Chaumiere, Washington D.C.

Restaurant Location: 2813 M Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20007

Cuisine: French

VFC's Rating: Four 1/2 Stars

VFC's Review: Reservation advised.

The food is fantastic in this quaint and charming French restaurant that is tucked into one of the posh sections of Washington, D.C.- Georgetown.

Upon stepping into the entryway of La Chaumiere, you'll feel as if you've been transported across the Atlantic ocean to the middle of the European countryside. The walls and decor are are a splendid combination of both wood and brick, highlighted by a prominent wood-burning fireplace in the center of the dining area. It's only the chatter of the English language that will bring you back to reality and remind you that you are not, in fact, in France, but in the bustling streets of Georgetown.

(VFC's note: Don't ask them to light the fireplace unless it's winter time. They won't do it, no matter how much wine you've consumed.)

The menu is amazing, and quite complete.

You have options ranging from fresh seafood- which is served either plain or prepared in a variety of flavorful concoctions- to chicken, duck, beef, lamb, venison and veal. I admit that I did NOT try the calf's brain or calf's liver that is identified as an option on the menu, but to each his own if that's what you want.

Whatever your delicacy is, La Chaumiere is sure to serve it- and it'll be delicious.

The setting is more comfortable than it is fancy or romantic and you won't be out of place if you arrive dressed casually; dinner-dress casually I mean, not the shorts, flip flops and T-shirt that many Americans consider 'casual.'

The staff is polite and pleasant and the clientele is a collection of patrons who obviously enjoy food, wine and good company.

La Chaumiere is definitely a place to take the significant other and to meet friends, but I'd leave the kids at home; this place is bettered served as the start of a night out while the kids watch Spongebob with a babysitter.

Terrific food, terrific setting and terrific atmosphere- La Chaumiere is just terrific.

Only the fact that it is more of a 'comfortable fancy' than it is a 'romantic fancy', keeps it a notch below the best, but it depends on what you're looking for.

The food is easily five stars, and in the end, that is all that matters when you're dining out.

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Restaurant Review: Ristorante i Ricchi, Washington D.C.

Restaurant Location: 1220 19th Street N.W., Washington, D.C., 20036

Cuisine: Italian

VFC's Rating: Five Stars

VFC's Review: Ristorante i Ricchi provides the finest of 'fine dining' experiences.

From the food, to the setting, to the service to the wine; nothing is substandard at this authentic Italian Restaurant.

The food is amazing, as should be expected from an establishment that comes as highly recommended as i Ricchi, but it is the ambiance that puts this place above the rest.

From my experiences there, the staff goes out of their way to treat every customer like royalty; absolutely spoiling you to the point that you might get nervous as the waiter follows you to the restroom, until you realize that he is only, so kindly, just showing you the way.

If you're a fan of Italian food, you can't go wrong here. I Ricchi's is a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for without breaking the bank. It is perfect for impressing a significant other (if that's still possible in this day and age) with a romantic surprise, for someone looking to make a strong impression on a first date or for a casual evening with friends and business acquaintances.

The wine list is plentiful, but make sure you get what you ordered. During my first visit I noticed that the server brought me a higher-scale bottle than what I had ordered- only I noticed too late, when I went to pay the bill. Not that VFC didn't order a fabulous bottle of wine in the first place, but the bottle that I got was over a hundred dollars more expensive than what I had ordered. If I hadn't been gazing into the beautiful eyes of wifey, I would have noticed the similar, but subtle differences in the bottle as it was presented to me.

The restaurant also has an in-house bar that will leave you swaying side to side after enjoying a stiff Martini.

I suggest booking a reservation for somewhat early in the evening, when the place is not at full capacity. That ensures that you will receive top-notch service, to the point where you may have your own private server.

Dress nice. You'll be dining with D.C.'s elite.

There's nothing wrong with treating yourself to the good life, once in a while, and you're sure to find the good life here. Also located in a convenient and classy part of D.C., i Ricchi's is a perfect place to start a good night out on the town.

Five stars.

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