We are thinking of doing a few days in Ocracoke in early May. Are there any hotels with luxurious amenities? what is the nicest place to stay on the island? What are the best restaurants?

Any beachfront accomodations? What area of island is best to stay at for relaxing at the beach and pool.

Sara, "Luxurious" is not a word I'd associate with Ocracoke. It's gorgeous, mostly unspoiled and peaceful. There are some very nice places to stay (Castle on Silver Lake comes to mind) but for an upscale resort/spa, I'd book at the Sanderling Inn in Duck.

The weather in early May will be warm but there's no guarantee you'll be sunning by the pool or on the beach.

Nothing is upscale in Ocracoke and that is the nice part. There is nothing on the beach but a few private homes in the village. The other 13 miles is upspoiled National Seashore. You will lucky (or should I say unlucky) if you even have a phone in the room. Now, some of the hotels are not like a "motel 6 on an Alabama backroad" but they are not 3, 4 or 5 star. That is the best thing about the place. No chains, nothing. Also, the only housing is in the village. The rest of the island is National Seashore.

Ah--Ocracoke--here's a great link:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/ocracoke.htm
Berkeley Manor is a lovely B&B near the Cedar Island Ferry landing. No beachfront accomodations. If you rent four-wheel drive (like an Explorer) you can drive out onto the beach and find your own piece of paradise. Everything else everyone has said is true! Kandi

It's been several years since our trip to the OBX and I don't recall the name of the motel but we had a suite on the 2nd floor. There was a king-size bed in a separate bedroom a large living area with sleeper sofa, kitchen, and the best part - a large hot tub on a deck/porch area. From there you had a view of the harbor. I don't think there was a restaurant but they had bagels and coffee in the lobby/office in the mornings.

Paige S.....Was it Silver Lake Motel/Hotel ?

I think that was it.

Sara, I don't believe there are any beachfront accommadations anywhere on Ocracoke, including cottages (at least no on the ocean side, may be some on the sound side) -- that's how they've kept the beaches protected and pristine.

This is a very quiet place, lacking any bells, whistles, chains, fancy trimmings -- the sort of place where many teens would say, "this is soooooo boring." But it's charming, low-key, and there are those incredible beaches (which you get to on bike or by car).