They require you to telephone them prior to arrival in order to provide your credit card details for incidentals; otherwise, they refuse to provide the door code for the room. We were told by staff that the hotelier does not trust customers who book via third-party sites to not steal items from the room. It is very insecure to give details over the telephone in such a manner, and if this was a requirement, then this should have been made clear at the time of booking.
We had two rooms booked, and both were in need of some maintenance. We emailed the staff on the night of check-in, informing them that the balcony insect screen was torn in one room, plus a curtain was missing in the other room (making it awkward to sleep on the pull-out couch), but they did not reply.
The bed creaked every time one moved.
The balcony has no furniture, not even basic chairs to sit on in order to enjoy the views.
We were woken up at 07:10 am by the lawn being mowed outside. We messaged the hotel with feedback to say that the timing of such gardening activities should be taken into consideration as not to disturb guests who might be still sleeping. The hotel responded apologising; however, they stuck to a bizarre stance, claiming that mowing at this hour of the day actually causes the “least disruption”.
It is a shame as the location is wonderful, and the views magnificent.
![The plantation received its name because it was the location of Captain John Smith's "New Fort," built in 1609, located directly across the James River from the Jamestown colony. The fort was quickly abandoned due to dry rot and a rat infestation.[4] The same land was later given by Chief Powhatan to John Rolfe as a dowry for the hand of Pocahontas when Rolfe and Pocahontas married. Archaeological surveys of the property have revealed that a number of structures have existed on the property and the present, restored main house was built by Jacob Faulcon in 1751.[6]
Smith's Fort Plantation house, 2014
Preservation[edit]](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532661522/ce4eafd4-bded-46cd-b080-046ae9df89a4.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=115.61&rh=65.03&ra=fit&q=high)
