Return to Virginia Business - October 2004

Colonial Williamsburg modernizes to compete in 21st century

Virginia Business
October 2004

Colonial Williamsburg is renovating its hospitality facilities, bringing 21st century amenities and services to this 18th century landmark. The improvements are designed to keep Williamsburg competitive in attracting meeting and conference business. More options in rooms, meeting space and leisure activities are a direct response to the needs of today’s corporate meeting planners.

Overseeing the multimillion renovation is John Hallowell, a former senior executive with the Walt Disney Co. in Orlando, Fla., and a former hotel vice president at Colonial Williamsburg. In 1999 Hallowell returned as president of hospitality to direct hotel, restaurant and recreation operations. Virginia Business spoke with him about the project.

What changes are taking place here in Williamsburg?
The renovation project is very exciting. We are investing more than $100 million to upgrade the facilities and improve our ability to serve the business conference community. Our goal is to bring 21st century amenities to this historic landmark by building on what is already special about Colonial Williamsburg.

Our greatest challenge is to take what we have and make it better. We’re not changing historical buildings. We’re making our programs richer and more interactive. We’re also responding to guests’ needs, adding new features like high-speed Internet and a world-class spa to improve the amenities we offer.

This investment is no easy task considering that Colonial Williamsburg is run by a non-profit foundation. However, we are different in that we offer a truly unique experience as a living museum. This venue affords businesses an experience they cannot get anywhere else.

Tell us about the changes in your conference facilities.
In 2001 we completely renovated our signature property, the Williamsburg Inn. This historic inn was originally built more than sixty years ago by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and was in need of upgrading. Our challenge was to add modern amenities while maintaining the unique character of the Inn, which now offers 105 upscale rooms, 62 of which were enlarged. There is also 7,000 square feet of function space with ten meeting rooms.

We recently opened the Woodlands Hotel and Suites, a moderately priced property accommodating a range of group sizes. Williamsburg’s newest hotel offers 300 rooms and 13,000 square feet of function space with 12 meeting rooms.

Finally, we just broke ground on one of John D. Rockefeller’s original Colonial Williamsburg hotels, the Williamsburg Lodge, which has begun a remarkable transformation into a 21st century conference facility. The original main building, built in 1939, will be maintained, serving as a cornerstone to the hotel’s original architecture. However, there are a number of improvements and enhancements that will make the Lodge more competitive as a meeting location. An entirely new, state-of-the-art conference center will have 44,000 square feet of space with 32 separate meeting rooms. A new food preparation area is planned in the dining room, where a display/finishing kitchen will provide an interactive guest experience, offering a period menu of the region’s fish and game. The new restaurant will be in addition to the existing nine dining options currently available in Colonial Williamsburg.
The renovated Lodge will have 323 guest rooms designed for comfort and convenience, offering such amenities as high-speed Internet, as well as Colonial favorites, such as period décor and rocking chairs.
And soon to come will be a new luxury spa and wellness center that will complement our 45-hole golf course, The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club.

You worked here earlier in your career and then went to work for Disney. What brought you back to Colonial Williamsburg?
This is a very special place and I really believe in its mission. It is also a great opportunity in the hospitality business because there is no other place like Colonial Williamsburg. I also saw what they had planned (back in 1999 when I returned) and wanted to be part of shaping Williamsburg’s future — preserving this historic place for generations to come.

Return to Virginia Business - October 2004