Published by Carl. Last Updated on August 5, 2024.
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We’ve visited some awesome hotels in North Carolina and wanted to share a few of our favorites so you can enjoy them, too. It can get tricky when narrowing down places to visit in this state, so we’ve narrowed things down a bit.
We’ve even mixed it up with traditional hotels, beds and breakfasts, houses, and even a campground.
So, whether you’re hoping for a weekend getaway in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the Piedmont and Sandhills of our Center, or along the Coast and Eastern NC, these are the hotels in North Carolina that we absolutely love to frequent as guests.
Read More: 18 Unique Luxury Resorts in North Carolina
Hotels in North Carolina (Western)
We start in the mountains with some of the most popular hotels in North Carolina.
Spacious Skies Bear Den (Spruce Pine)
Address: 600 Bear Den Mountain Rd, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
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We’ve been coming to Spacious Skies Bear Den for the past few years and enjoy its proximity to Linville Falls, but also the site’s exquisite camping spots, clean and comfy cabins, and friendly staff. While you’re staying there, the lovely towns of Spruce Pine and Little Switzerland are within a short drive.
During our most recent visit, we noticed considerable improvements to the swimming pond, offices, and hiking trails.
Read More: The Best NC Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes
Chetola Resort (Blowing Rock)
Address: 185 Chetola Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
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Blowing Rock is a cool mountain town we first stumbled upon while exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway. We liked it so much that we decided to keep coming back whenever we set aside a weekend.
There are some awesome places to stay in and around Blowing Rock, with spots ranging from right in town to far away in the mountains.
Chetola lives up to “haven of rest,” which is what the name means in Cherokee. At this amazing resort in Blowing Rock, natural beauty and world-class accommodations keep bringing people back for return visits. But don’t worry, because there’s room for you, too, as long as you book in advance.
Amazing food at Timberlake’s, fun indoor and outdoor amenities, and all the memories you’ll create here will have you ready for next time before you check out.
Read More: Day Trips from Boone
Engadine Inn and Cabins (Candler)
Address: 2630 Smokey Park Hwy, Candler, NC 28715
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About 20 minutes outside downtown Asheville, Engadine Inn and Cabins is a wonderful bed and breakfast that was once a wine-producing estate, and that’s just a part of the history you’ll find here.
The home and its surrounding cabins sit on a 12-acre property, surrounded by mountains and beautiful scenery all around. If you venture out to the area used as a wedding and event venue (pictured, top) around dusk, prepare for some epic scenes as the sun goes down.
Inside the inn, you have a variety of comfy rooms to choose from, and then there’s the breakfast. This two-courser will get you going for a day out exploring and then some.
We still fondly remember our meal at Engadine and even interviewed one of the owners about it.
Read More: Day Trips from Asheville
The Grand Eagle (Fairview)
Address: Fairview, NC
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The Grand Eagle is a luxury rental and everything you’ll want to host a crowd! Located in the secluded mountains right outside of Asheville, the 6,000 square ft home is where memories are made and relaxation commences.
This house sleeps up to 17 with 7 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. More incredible amenities include a Game Room, arcade, movie theater, chef’s kitchen, hot tub, and Wine Barrel Sauna.
Expect stunning views at both sunrise and sunset! Feel free to use our code NCTRIPPING22 for $250 off of any of Arcadian Ave properties!
Read More: 30+ Great Things to Do in Pisgah National Forest
Green Park Inn (Blowing Rock)
Address: 9239 Valley Blvd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
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Green Park Inn’s history alone will impress, but this cozy mountain getaway has tons of appeal beyond its backstory. Relaxing spaces greet you around every corner, plus you’ll find great food and excellent service throughout the hotel.
We included The Chestnut Grille among our favorite Blowing Rock restaurants, just so you know.
Then there are the rooms, which will take you away and help you recharge for days out in Blowing Rock or around the hotel, which you really don’t have to leave. We loved our stay there and will definitely come back for more.
Read More: Winter in Boone (20 Great Activities, Snow Tubing, and More!)
The Omni Grove Park Inn (Asheville)
Address: 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
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Of all the hotels in North Carolina, The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville is the most luxurious. This resort is really a home within a hotel, with comfy rooms, excellent service, and some of the best views in NC.
Pamper yourself at the subterranean spa with some time in the pools, the saunas, or with one of their many treatment options. Don’t forget that epic meals await at one of the property’s multiple fine dining establishments, including the Sunset Terrace.
Read More: 25+ Incredible Asheville Restaurants for Your Next Meal Out!
The Pines Country Inn (Pisgah Forest)
Address: 178 Tomfoolery Ln, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
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Technically in Pisgah Forest, the Pines Country Inn is a short drive from Brevard and in one of the most beautiful settings you’ll ever find. Spend some time getting to know the place and you’ll see that this is one of the best BnBs in Western North Carolina.
They’ll take care of you with awesome service and amazing food. Then, there’s the absolutely homey interior. You’ll fall in love with it as you catch a perfect morning view before chasing Brevard’s waterfalls and everything else that makes Transylvania County so special!
Read More: 25 of the Most Amazing Winter Hikes in North Carolina
Switzerland Inn (Little Switzerland)
Address: 86 High Ridge Rd, Little Switzerland, NC 28749
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Switzerland Inn sits right off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Little Switzerland, between Blowing Rock and Asheville. This is one of our places to stay in western North Carolina if not the whole state.
Along with comfy rooms that overlook the valley below, you’ll find a fun collection of shops and delicious on-site restaurants.
We think Switzerland Inn’s rooms are perfect for large groups and couples seeking a quiet spot.
Read More: The Best NC Mountain Towns
Hotels in North Carolina (Central)
Some of the best hotels in North Carolina are found in the center of the state, in some of our biggest cities.
Brookstown Inn Hotel (Winston-Salem)
Address: 200 Brookstown Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
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The Brookstown Inn Hotel was once the Arista Cotton Mill Complex and today, it’s an awesome historic hotel in Winston-Salem. It’s right around the corner from the historic town of Old Salem and when you stay here, you’ll find a mix of charm and legacy.
The rooms’ exposed wood ceilings and grand brick windows, with the original millworks still visible in many.
It’s one of the most beautiful places to stay in North Carolina, with 70 guest rooms adorned with 19th-century pine floors and antique furniture. Their poster-style beds are covered with hand-stitched quilts, and many suites are bi-level, featuring a decorative fireplace.
If you want to learn more about the Brookstown Inn Hotel, check here for prices and room availability if you’re already convinced this is the hotel for you.
Read More: Unique Things to Do in North Carolina
The Cardinal Hotel (Winston-Salem)
Address: 51 4th St E, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
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The Cardinal Hotel was one of the most interesting buildings we’ve ever encountered, but the people working there make it even more special. First, you’ve got the iconic and historic Reynolds Building and Kimpton, a brand who’s transformed a former tobacco headquarters into a uniquely designed hotel.
Plus, there’s the awesome food that’s being perfected at The Katharine Brasserie and Bar, a Southern French-inspired restaurant that puts on a show each time a meal is sent out to their very lucky customers.
It’s one of our favorites, and we love The Katharine so much that we had to include it among our favorite Winston-Salem restaurants.
Read More: Day Trips from Durham
The Dunhill Hotel (Charlotte)
Address: 237 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
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Charlotte’s only historic boutique hotel is The Dunhill, a historic and charming place to stay in the heart of Uptown. Its historic exterior and vintage vibe mix with modern amenities in one of the South’s most forward-thinking cities.
Step into one of their 60 lovely rooms (or the Penthouse!) and remind yourself that before and after your days out in Charlotte, you’ll need a place like this.
The Durham Hotel (Durham)
Address: 315 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
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The Durham Hotel opened in 2015 and is one of our favorite hotels in Bull City. With a huge focus on “local” throughout the hotel, we know a night (or more) at The Durham is your best bet for enjoying Downtown.
Since we live in Durham, we’ve dined and sipped cocktails there many times, attended events, and done much more than stay at The Durham. However, after a staycation at The Durham, my wife can attest to this place as one of the best relaxation spots in North Carolina.
Read More: Things to Do in Durham
Hilton Charlotte Center City
Address: 222 E 3rd St, Charlotte, NC 28202
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Hilton Charlotte Center City wowed us in so many ways and was the first hotel that showed us that hotels here are more than just places to stay. There’s a lot to do in and around their super relaxing rooms.
There’s also the wonderful food coming out of Coastal Kitchen, which you need to visit at least once. This place has it all, and we think it’s the perfect way to spend your weekend (or more) in Charlotte.
The Mayton (Cary)
Address: 301 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511
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Located in the heart of historic downtown Cary is the beautiful Mayton. This boutique North Carolina hotel has 44 unique rooms and suites, along with excellent dining options and an inviting and comforting atmosphere for all its guests.
A short drive from Raleigh, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and downtown Durham, the Mayton is excellent for travelers or for those looking for a romantic getaway.
One of our favorite features of this hotel is the on-site restaurant, Peck & Plume. Serving delectable dishes, we recommend enjoying a cocktail after checking in and staying for dinner. Dine on fluffy waffles after a restful night’s sleep and sip on local coffee.
Read More: Exploring the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary
Proximity Hotel (Greensboro)
Address: 704 Green Valley Rd, Greensboro, NC 27408
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Proximity Hotel is a special place to stay in Greensboro, thanks to its focus on sustainability, but much more than that. We enjoyed our homey rooms, wonderful service from all the staff, and delicious creations courtesy of Print Works Bistro.
It’s so good that we included Print Works in our guides to the best restaurants in Greensboro and our favorite brunch restaurants in North Carolina. Because of all these reasons, Proximity is truly a place that I know we’ll frequent again.
Stay here when exploring all the fun things to do in Greensboro, especially with kids!
Read More: Day Trips from Raleigh
Hotels in North Carolina (Eastern)
We finish our guide to hotels in North Carolina with a few of our favorites along the NC coast.
Courtyard by Marriot (New Bern)
Address: 218 E Front St, New Bern, NC 28560
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If you want to stay right on the water, I’d suggest a night (or more, of course!) at the Courtyard by Marriott. That lovely hotel is right next to Union Point Park.
That’s where you’ll see quite a few of New Bern’s most picturesque waterfront photos taken.
There’s also a pool outside for you to enjoy during the warmer months. Grab a Starbucks coffee or something delicious from the bistro in the hotel’s comfy lobby.
Speaking of food, Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant is nearby. This is one of our favorite New Bern restaurants, in case you need a recommendation.
Read More: 15+ Awesome Things to Do in New Bern
Hotel Ballast (Wilmington)
Address: 301 N Water St, Wilmington, NC 28401
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Before exploring all the things to do in Wilmington, you’d better book a stay at Hotel Ballast, right on the Cape Fear River, across from the Battleship North Carolina. It’s perfectly placed for your family-friendly weekend in Wilmington.
And while its Wilmington surroundings are impressive, the inside will blow you away with amazing decor, more-than-comfortable rooms with a view, and top-notch amenities.
The folks tending the on-site bar will make just about anything you ask for, even kicking it up a notch if you’d like. I know I’ve yet to find a better Old Fashioned than the one I enjoyed at Hotel Ballast.
Many of the hotel’s rooms offer views of the river and beyond. They’re also cozy and quiet, even during busy times.
For example, we stayed there during a massive military ball that was happening downstairs and barely noticed, except for all the nicely dressed people we saw in the elevator and throughout the spacious lobby.
Read More: Amazing Beaches near Wilmington
MacPherson House (Fayetteville)
Address: 701 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC 28301
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MacPherson House is a wonderful historic bed and breakfast in Fayetteville. It’s in an amazing spot on Hay Street between Downtown Fayetteville and the Historic Haymount District.
Popular Fayetteville attractions like the US Army Airborne and Special Ops Museum and the 1897 Poe House are within walking distance. Stay in one of The MacPherson House’s five luxurious rooms (or their cabin), and you may not want to leave, though.
Southern hospitality and a delicious breakfast complement those comfy rooms to make this one of our favorite places to stay in North Carolina.
Read More: 40+ Great Things to Do in Fayetteville
River & Twine (Rocky Mount)
Address: 24 E Elm St, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 (Actual location on the South side of the street about 600 feet Northeast)
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Of all the hotels in North Carolina that we’ve mentioned, River & Twine is the only one that is a collection of tiny homes. They’re located on the Rocky Mount Mills campus and remain one of only 12 tiny home resorts in the entire United States.
You can choose from 20 fully-furnished tiny homes, each named for a North Carolina river, and ready to accommodate up to four guests.
Read More: Things to Do in Rocky Mount
Sanderling Resort (Duck)
Address: 1461 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949
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Last but not least of our favorite hotels in North Carolina is Sanderling Resort in Duck, in the Northern Outer Banks. This amazing resort offers an excellent selection of accommodations, great on-site food, multiple pool options, a spa, and even more things that we love.
Sanderling Resort offers relative seclusion but is still a quick drive from the main drag of Duck Road and the nearby Village of Corolla to the north.
Read More: 40+ of the Best Things to Do in The Outer Banks (Food, Where to Stay, and More!)
Ready to Book One of These Hotels in North Carolina?
Now that you’ve got a few places to stay in mind, are you ready to visit North Carolina and explore our beautiful state? We hope these hotels in North Carolina help you enjoy the trip even more!
Ever spent time in one of these places? We’d love to know about your experiences in the comments section below!
