27 Best Hotels in The North Carolina Coast, North Carolina

Experience front-porch hospitality and mix with lively locals in this elegant 1830s home, complete with original details, such as the wood plank flooring. With only three remodeled guest rooms, each with some period furniture and two with whirlpool baths, you'll never feel crowded. This is a convivial place in a location convenient to the waterfront and historic sights in the town.

Reached by ferry from Southport, this beautiful 12,000-acre island resort is a self-contained, car-free community, complete with a grocery store, restaurants (Jules' Salty Grub, on the harbor, and AQUA, at the Shoals Club, are highlights), marina, a 50-room hotel, a 13-room B&B, two club complexes with restaurants and pools, and the gorgeous 18-hole George Cobb golf course. Walk out onto Cape Fear, the southern tip of the island where the infamous Frying Pan Shoals extend for 30 miles into the ocean, and you'll feel like you're standing on the edge of the continent—you are—and it becomes clear why so many shipwrecks have occured in these shallow, shifting sands. On the island, there are scores of rental properties, from shingled cottages to luxury homes. You can explore the semitropical island's maritime forest preserve and its 12 miles of deserted beaches on foot, by bicycle, or in a golf cart. Climb to the top of the quaint "Old Baldy" lighthouse, visit the neighboring Smith Island Museum to learn about the island's maritime history, watch the loggerhead turtles nest on the beach, or take a guided ghost walk. The 20-minute ferry ride costs $23 per person round-trip; for most of the year, it leaves Southport's Deep Point Marina on the hour and Bald Head Island on the half hour. Advance reservations are necessary for the ferry and resort.

The new owners of this impressive 1850 Greek revival inn (it lodged Yankee soldiers during the Civil War), formerly known as Harmony House, have spruced things up with attractive paintings and a decor scheme heavy on antiques but light on clutter. The licensed commercial kitchen produces terrific breakfasts and private dinners, and serves as a comfortable setting for occasional cooking classes.

This historic 8,000-square-foot home has a curious past—at one point, two brothers sawed the house in half to install a large Queen Anne staircase, making the house 9 feet wider and creating a neat double hallway upstairs, adding to the communal space.

The seven-story, 1960s-vintage Blockade Runner is pure class, from the large, modern rooms (upper floors have terrific ocean views) to the sparkling lobby, where cool blue drapes create the feel of waves all around you. The sizeable outdoor pool is adjacent to an inviting lawn, just behind the dunes from the beach. Approachable service extends to excursions offered by the resort, including kayak and boat tours. EAST Oceanfront restaurant is a destination in and of itself.

The Blockade Runner also offers a private Garden Suite and a two-story beach cottage for rent to families and groups, with 13 bedrooms and nine baths and access to all the hotel amenities.

This 19th-century Queen Anne–style B&B, with fascinating turrets and period details, is a companionable sister to the family of architectural beauties in Wilmington's 230-block historic district, putting it within easy walking distance of the city's riverfront shopping and dining. New owners in 2022 undertook a complete remodel of rooms and shared spaces, balancing the home's history with modern amenities, new beds, and stylish decor. Convenient off-street parking, huge porches, and strategically placed outdoor accent lighting make it a safe, welcoming property, even after dark.

At the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers within the historic district, this comfortable hotel—with marina facilities—has rooms and suites with terrific views of the city and waterfront. Rooms offer plenty of space and a restful color scheme, and those on the fifth floor have a balcony overlooking the river. A fitness center, business center, a restaurant and bar, and an outdoor pool along the waterfront round out the package of amenities.

Relax in a rocking chair on the verandas that encircle this classic, three-story, cedar-shingle inn (it's on the National Register of Historic Places) and admire the ocean views. Rooms have four-poster or canopy beds, handcrafted armoires, and English antiques, along with extras such as heated towel bars and English toiletries. The story of this landmark's near demolition, its rescue, and the move to the present site is told in framed photographs, letters, and news accounts lining the sunny dining room.

Even the name Graystone evokes an air of elegant sophistication, and entering this imposing 1905 mansion's stately formal areas and guest rooms feels like stepping back in time. For people that love antique formality, that's a good thing. The three-story home, which has been used as a set for several films, was built by the widow of a successful merchant, and she spared no expense when it came to architectural detail—rich ceiling coffers, columns, moldings, fireplaces, and other decorative touches. A covered veranda overlooks the gardens. Bedrooms are spacious, including the bathrooms in the three suites.

This reliable, seven-story mainstay sports a top beachfront location and a stellar and attentive staff, plus spacious rooms with fridges and microwaves. Two pools, including a large indoor pool with a wall of windows facing the dunes, make it a favorite for families. A large deck on the third floor, lined with rocking chairs, is an inviting spot to spend an entire afternoon.

Comfort and convenience are yours in these water-facing rooms, stocked with plenty of amenities like fiber Wi-Fi, individual climate control, refrigerators, and coffeepots. Suites have a generous sleeping area with pullout sofas, and some have whirlpool tubs. A continental breakfast, served in a charming waterfront room, is included in the price, and boat docking is free for guests. The inn also manages several rental cottages.

This luxury resort comprising three multistory buildings and five large rental homes spreads over 16 quiet acres of ocean-to-sound property that include two outdoor pools (one that's adults only), hot tubs, an indoor pool, firepits, and a boccie court. Grab a drink at the beachfront Sandbar, sign up for kayak tours, paddleboard lessons, and yoga classes, or just relax on your porch and watch the waves roll in. The elegant, dinner-only Kimball's Kitchen restaurant (open May to October) has a wall of windows overlooking Currituck Sound. The resort-casual Lifesaving Station, a restored 1899 former lifesaving station that was renovated in 2017, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner year-round.

This oceanfront, family-owned hotel is a bargain hunter's dream (at least by Outer Banks standards), with spacious, spartan rooms equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, and full-size coffeepots. On-site activities include a family game room, indoor and outdoor pools, beachfront access, and cabana services.

Rooms in this 1882 Italianate Victorian residence—priced very reasonably for the value—received a full update in 2021, balancing modern fixtures with well-curated antiques and reproductions, premium linens, and thoughtful amenities. Gourmet breakfasts are served in the formal dining room, where linen-covered tables with fresh flowers greet you. Across the street, an additional cottage houses two suites and a meeting room.

You'll feel like an honored houseguest in this casually elegant, full-service boutique hotel, with sweeping waterfront views, intuitive rather than intrusive service, and an indoor-outdoor fine-dining restaurant, Café Pamlico. Lounge by the pool or relax on an array of decks, balconies, and porches, all designed to maximize the sunset experience over the sound. Schedule an in-room spa treatment or kick up your heels by stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, or bicycling. There's a full-service bar as well and regularly scheduled live music.

The bright and spacious suites at this oceanfront inn feature wide private balconies, letting you idle close to home and soak in the view all day long. Of course, the beach is merely steps away when you do want some sand between your toes.

Room 9 is in the hotel's namesake lighthouse, a neat architectural feature with a wall of windows facing the sea.

Built in 1853 in the Italianate style, the 8,500-square-foot Verandas underwent a full renovation in 2019 after damage from Hurricane Florence, bringing the beautiful mansion to its original glory with elegant and magnificent—but functional—furnishings. While the decor is formal (brightened by attractive color schemes and high ceilings), the atmosphere is relaxed. Guests can socialize on the four verandas, stroll in the garden, enjoy nights of luxury in one of the eight beautiful rooms, or climb the winding staircase for a wonderful view from the roof-top cupola—the highest point in the neighborhood.

Owner Chuck Pennington is the consummate host—he taught hospitality at the college level and is a warm and welcoming ambassador for Wilmington.

This charming 19th-century-style waterfront inn would look perfectly in place on Martha's Vineyard and is just steps from shops, restaurants, and Roanoke Island Festival Park. Individually decorated rooms sport clean, classic lines and muted colors, though some furniture could use updating. The popular on-site restaurant, 1587, is known for inventive entrées.

Just up the street from Manteo's romantic waterfront, this B&B is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and meets all the criteria for luxury wrapped in serenity. Each architecturally unique room is furnished with antiques curated from family heirlooms or private collections, and rich linens, cushy bathrobes, and gas-log fireplaces reflect an inn designed for the pampered traveler. In addition to spa and concierge service, afternoon coffee, tea, and desserts are served, and the private gardens, verandas, and porches extend the hospitality outdoors.