Deposits and Check-In Times

Most motels and hotels require deposits to hold advance summer registration. Policies vary, but the average deposit is 25 percent to 35 percent of the total reservation cost or one night's rate. Ask about specific provisions when reserving your room, and call to confirm reservations before leaving for the Outer Banks.

Many proprietors require the balance of your bill to be paid on arrival. Be prepared with cash, traveler's checks, or a credit card. Personal checks often are not accepted for this final payment. Again, ask when booking your room. Automated teller machines (ATMs) are available at most local banks.

Before making reservations, be sure to check on the cancellation or refund policies. If you are concerned a hurricane might brew during your visit, ask about refund policies in case of evacuation.

Check-in times vary; most places won't allow you into your room before 2:00 P.M. but will hold a room for you until 10:00 or 11:00 P.M. if necessary. If you know you'll arrive earlier, ask about early check-in provisions or spend the first few hours on the beach. Public showers are provided at some beach accesses, so you can clean off before getting into your hotel room. Several motels, inns, and bed-and-breakfast establishments also offer outdoor showers for their guests. Checkout times in general are between 10:00 A.M.and noon. Occasionally, later checkouts can be accommodated. Ask for a late checkout if you know you'll want to linger the last day.

In this chapter, "oceanfront" means that the property has at least some rooms facing the ocean right on the beach. Most of these units have balconies and picture windows. Rooms on the ground level or behind sand dunes, however, may not have views of the Atlantic, even if they're oceanfront. Ask about what's available, and clarify which type of location you'd prefer. Remember, you'll almost always pay more to watch the waves from your room.

Conveniences and luxuries included in rooms at motels, hotels, inns, efficiencies, and bed-and-breakfasts usually vary, even in the same structure. Some include kitchenettes, king-size beds, whirlpool baths, and fireplaces. Others may have double beds and an extra sleeper sofa for the kids. All, however, have air-conditioning, and places that remain open in the fall and winter provide heat.

Many motels and hotels, especially the older beachfront structures and newer high-rise units, have meeting facilities, conference rooms, and large common areas to accommodate family reunions, business workshops, and tour groups. Although most newer accommodations are wheelchair accessible, many of the older motels and hotels are partially accessible or not at all. When making your reservation check that your particular needs can be met. If you are a pet owner and want your furry friend to vacation with you, your pickings are going to be much slimmer. Most motels and inns do not allow pets, so assume that pets are not permitted unless otherwise noted. Many companies that rent cottages, however, welcome pets in specified homes. See our Weekly and Long-Term Cottage Rentals chapter.

Amenities run the gamut from the most basic (bed and shower only) to places that provide microwaves, refrigerators, televisions with free movie channels or videocassette recorders, telephones, fluffy bathrobes, fancy soaps, free coffee, cocktails and afternoon tea, gourmet breakfasts, bicycles, and golf clubs. A few hotels offer "big-city" advantages such as room service, assistance with luggage, and wake-up calls-but most don't, so read the descriptions carefully if you require such services, and call ahead with other specific questions.

All Outer Banks accommodations provide free parking for at least one vehicle per unit. Keep valuables with you rather than leaving them locked in the car. Some hotels offer safes in the main office for their guests to stow valued items.

Many motel, hotel, and inn managers provide recreation packages with your room, especially during the off-season. For the most part, golf courses, tennis facilities, and health clubs are open year- round. Call about these special combinations, or ask the proprietor about discounts available to guests. Daily or weekly memberships are offered at most private facilities. Some accommodations also include volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, picnic tables, gas grills, and small putting greens on-site for their guests.

Area Profiles

Accommodations in the northern beaches are much more sophisticated than on the rest of the Outer Banks. Corolla has only two hotels that rent rooms by the night-the Inn at Corolla Light and Hampton Inn. Duck boasts two by-the-night establishments, both of them bed-and-breakfast inns, and the Sanderling Inn Resort, between Duck and Corolla, offers hotel rooms in a classic resort atmosphere. Nearly all accommodations in the northern beaches area lie along the main artery, NC 12, which is known as Ocean Trail in Corolla and Duck Road in Duck.

Kitty Hawk was one of the first Outer Banks beach towns to develop a tourist trade, and some of its hotels and motels are reminiscent of the early cottage courts. These primarily family-run businesses are small, clean, and often cheaper than nationally known hotels. There's also a Holiday Inn Express on US 158 and a couple of bed- and-breakfast inns west of the highway.

Kill Devil Hills is the most central-and most populated-place on the barrier islands. Many of its accommodations are within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, and recreational attractions. Quaint motels with fewer than two dozen rooms are common here, as are big chain establishments with oceanfront conference centers. Public beach and sound accesses abound in this town.

The Outer Banks's first resort destination was Nags Head, so here you'll find everything-a 1930s-era inn and the tallest hotel on the Outer Banks. Some accommodations retain the old-timey feel of cedar- shake cottages, while others have gone for the ultramodern, multiple-floor look complete with elevators and room service from the in-house restaurant. Like Kill Devil Hills, but a lot more spread out and slightly less populated, Nags Head has plenty of restaurants, retail shops, and recreation.

Roanoke Island's accommodations range from modest motels to fine, fabulous inns. All are just a bike ride away from the historic waterfront, and many are perfect for a romantic weekend getaway or cloistered honeymoon stay. Rental cottages aren't prevalent here because the large majority of the population, even in the summer, is made up of permanent residents; however, if you want to get away from the bustle of the beach and still be close to the sound, wetlands, and wonderful historic attractions this island has to offer, you won't have difficulty finding a room to suit your tastes.

Motels and hotels on Hatteras Island are, in general, more relaxed and simple than on other parts of the barrier islands. There are now two national chains on the island (one in Buxton and one in Hatteras), but family-owned and -operated places still dominate the accommodations. Many of these units are no-frills without phones in the rooms or fancy furnishings, but if you are looking for an affordable place to stay along the quieter stretches of beach, don't overlook Hatteras Island's short-term room, inn, and efficiency accommodation options.

Ocracoke Island's lodgings are, in general, the most personal on the Outer Banks. Here, you'll find old inns, newer motels, upscale bed-and-breakfast inns, efficiency apartments, and a few folks who will rent you a room in their house, sometimes right next to their own.

Corolla

The Inn at Corolla Light $$$$
1066 Ocean Trail, Corolla
(252) 453-3340, (800) 215-0772
www.corolla-inn.com

Located within walking distance of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, The Inn at Corolla Light is a luxurious place where guests can plan their days around an incredible array of recreational activities available nearly at their doorstep-or they may wish simply to relax in full view of the sparkling waters of Currituck Sound and bask in the serenity of this beautifully appointed facility. The year-round inn opened in 1995 in the ocean-to-sound resort community of Corolla Light. This upscale development offers wooded walking, biking trails, and every leisure amenity a vacationer could dream of: an indoor sports center with an Olympic-size pool, hot tub, saunas, clay tennis courts, racquetball courts, and fitness equipment; an oceanfront complex that boasts two outdoor pools, a video game room, a restaurant, and exclusive access to the beach; soundfront pools; play areas for basketball, shuffleboard, tennis, horseshoes, and more; and terrific shops and restaurants nearby (see our Shopping and Restaurants chapters). Guests of the inn have unlimited access to all of the resort's facilities. There is a nominal fee for use of the indoor tennis courts, but all other courts are free.

Guests may also use the inn's own waterfront swimming pool, hot tub, and private 400-foot pier on Currituck Sound. The inn furnishes bicycles to guests for leisurely tours of the resort's landscaped grounds. Guests are also invited to use the complimentary video library inside. In season, parasailing, kayaking, ecotouring, and personal watercraft (JetSkis, Wave Runners, and others) are available at a watersports-rental site on the resort. A championship golf course is nearby. A must-do is to take the proprietor's wild horse tour by a four-wheel-drive Suburban into the off-road and largely undeveloped area north of Corolla. Although sparsely inhabited, the northern beaches are rich in history, local lore, and of course, wild horses (and plenty of other wild sights).

Some of the inn's 43 spacious guest rooms include kitchenettes, cable TVs, radios, VCRs, and private baths. Many have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. The rooms are designed for single or double occupancy, and some are equipped with sleeper sofas, too. Guests can enjoy a free continental breakfast daily. The Inn at Corolla Light has two- and three-night minimum stays on weekends and charges $15 per night for each additional person. Special rate packages are offered throughout the year.

Hampton Inn and Suites Outer Banks Corolla $$$$
NC 12, Pine Island (north of Duck)
(252) 453-6565, (800) HAMPTON
www.hamptoninn.com

Those looking for short-term lodgings on the northern Outer Banks have never had many options, but the oceanfront Hampton Inn helps fill the void. Opened in May 2002, the inn has 123 sleeper rooms, a mix of guest rooms, and studio suites. Room decor has a coastal theme with ceiling fans and private balconies. Each room has a television, microwave, refrigerator, hair dryer, ironing equipment, coffeemaker, pay Nintendo, pay-per-view movies, and two two-line phones. Most rooms feature a pull-out sofa, and some have whirlpool tubs. Studio suites also feature a wet bar. The majority of rooms have an ocean view. Public areas include a heated indoor pool and whirlpool spa, an exercise room, a game room, four meeting rooms, coin- operated laundry facilities, and the Suite Shop with sundries, beach supplies, sodas, and snacks. Outdoors is a pool, kiddie pool, and a lazy river. Direct beach access is provided. Continental breakfast is served to guests each morning.

		Duck Sanderling Inn Resort $$$$ 1461 NC 12, Duck (252) 261-4111, (800) 701-4111 www.sanderlinginn.com The Sanderling Inn Resort is situated on 12 acres of oceanside wilderness about 5 miles north of the town of Duck. The Sanderling was built in the style of the old Nags Head beach homes with wood siding, cedar-shake accents, dormer windows, and porches on each side. Rocking chairs line the wide porches, providing a relaxing way to pass sultry afternoons while overlooking the ocean or sound. All 87 rooms at the Sanderling are comfortable, lush, and accommodating. The inn provides guests with lounging robes, luxury soaps, toiletries, and a welcome gift featuring North Carolina products. A continental breakfast and afternoon tea also come with each room. The main lobby and gallery of the Sanderling are decorated in an English country theme, adorned with contemporary finishes, and accented by polished wood floors and wainscoting. The inn's main building has 29 rooms, all with kitchenettes. Audubon prints and artwork line the walls. Another 32 rooms in Sanderling Inn North are filled with wicker furniture and are equipped with kitchenettes. The 26 rooms in the newest South Wing each have a king-size bed, wet bar, and kitchenette. Six of the units in the South Wing are deluxe suites that feature two televisions with VCRs (one in the bedroom and one in the living area), a double sleeper sofa, a stereo with compact disc player, and one-and-a-half baths. Some suites also have hot tubs. All Sanderling rooms have telephones and televisions and VCRs with remote control and cable. Sanderling Inn is designed for the comfort and privacy of two guests per room, but sleeper sofas and cribs are available for an additional charge. A separate building at the Sanderling houses conference and meeting facilities as well as the Presidential Suite, complete with whirlpool bath, steam shower, and two decks-one overlooks the ocean and the other overlooks the sound. For an additional charge, the inn's housekeeping staff provides laundry service with a 48hour turnaround. Room service is provided by the Sanderling Restaurant (see our Restaurants chapter). This is a complete resort with private beaches, a full-service spa, and state-ofthe-art fitness center. The amenities continue with an indoor pool, a separate whirlpool room, locker rooms, steam rooms, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and a natural walking or jogging trail. The Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary and the Pine Island Tennis and Racquet Club are nearby. An eco-center offers kayaks for visitors to use. A seasonal outdoor pavilion and four three- and four-bedroom villas have been added to Sanderling's already extraordinary offerings. The villas are perfect for families. The new spa houses six treatment rooms and offers extended services, including manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, and more. Full package deals are available for New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, honeymoons, and winter escapes. Packages generally include one or more meals at the Sanderling Restaurant, full use of the fitness center and indoor pool, welcoming gifts, and other extras. Some seasonal discounts are available. Weekend guests must stay both Friday and Saturday nights during the summer, and a three-day minimum stay is required for in-season holidays. Wheelchair access is provided for all buildings on the property, and wheelchair-accessible rooms are available. The Sanderling Inn is open year-round. Advice 5� $$$$ 111 Scarborough Lane, Duck (252) 255-1050, (800) 238-4235 www.advice5.com Advice 5� exudes an air of casual simplicity. Here, Nancy Caviness and Donna Black provide their guests with private baths, rocking chairs, and decks. The suite also includes cable TV, a stereo, and whirlpool bath. Hardwood floors and juniper appointments, comfy Lexington cottage furniture, ceiling fans, quilts, colorful bath towels, linens, and greenery galore lend this idyllic beach getaway a crisp, unaffected atmosphere. Just 0.3 mile from the ocean, this sunny, spacious bed-and-breakfast has beautiful views of both sea and sound. A common area with a fireplace for chilly off-season evenings is a popular gathering place for guests. A continental breakfast buffet of fresh fruit salad and just-baked breads and muffins is served daily in the common room. Afternoon tea tempts guests with more homemade delights as well as hot and cold beverages. Two outdoor showers allow beachgoers to wash off after a long day in the sun. A locking storage shed also provides protected shelter out of the elements for storing bicycles, boogie boards, golf clubs, and other gear. An in-ground pool across the street and tennis courts are available for guests. All rooms at this establishment are nonsmoking. It is not accessible to the disabled, and young children cannot be accommodated here. Advice 5� closes in mid-November and reopens in March. The Duck Inn Bed and Breakfast $$$$ 1158 Duck Road, NC 12, Duck (252) 261-2300 www.mayslandingduck.com Nestled within the town of Duck is a true Insiders' find. Charlie and Donna of The Duck Inn Bed and Breakfast offer guests a perfect coastal getaway to relax and enjoy this picturesque inn. A short walk or easy bicycle ride gets you to plenty of shopping, gourmet restaurants, and watersport activities. Bicycles and kayaks are available for guest use. If you're in a more reflective mood, observe the birds on the sound. The Duck Inn Bed and Breakfast is located on the Atlantic flyway-wild geese and ducks abound as they travel their centuries old migration pathways. With beautiful Currituck Sound located yards from the back deck of the Duck Inn, guests enjoy breathtaking sunsets from the decks and gazebo. The Duck Inn offers three rooms, each with a private bath. A full breakfast buffet is served each day with fresh fruit and an array of juices, cereals, and pastries. Hot entrees such as omelets, quiches, souffles, pancakes, and waffles accompanied with bacon, sausage, or ham are served. Tea and coffee are brewed. At the end of a busy beach day, snacks and beverages are ready in the family room. The Duck Inn is open May 1 through October 31. The inn is pet-free as well as smoke-free. Children over 12 are welcome, and the Duck Inn is wheelchair accessible.
		Kitty Hawk
		Hilton Garden Inn $$$$ NC 12, MP 1, Kitty Hawk (252) 441-2151, (877) 629-4586 Brand new for 2006, the Hilton Garden Inn is conveniently located on the oceanfront across from the former Kitty Hawk Pier. The inn will offer a choice of suites and rooms with whirlpool baths. All will be equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, and coffeemaker. Indoor and outdoor pools and a fitness area will be available. A guest laundry facility, business center, and restaurant will be on-site. At the time of printing, the inn is scheduled to open in late spring of 2006. 3 Seasons Bed & Breakfast $$$ Sea Scape Drive, MP 2, Kitty Hawk (252) 261-4791, (800) 847-3373 www.threeseasonsouterbanks.com This bed-and-breakfast inn is tucked away from the ocean and highways at Seascape Golf Course on the west side of the Bypass. Golf enthusiasts find the location ideal: The putting green is in front of the property, and the ninth hole is behind it. Less than 3 blocks from the ocean, 3 Seasons sits on a high sandhill, so guests can enjoy views of the Atlantic. Susie and Tommy Gardner have been operating the bed-and-breakfast since 1992. It's a five- bedroom house, and four of the rooms are available for double occupancy. Each guest room has a private bath and TV. The decor feels like home-comfortable and "beachy." Guests can gather around a fireplace in the common area or take in the ocean breezes off the canopied deck. The hot tub on the deck creates a big splash. Complimentary cocktails are served afternoons on the enclosed patio. Guests also enjoy a full breakfast cooked to order daily between 8:00 and 10:00 A.M. Bicycles are available for a ride to the beach or along trails nearby. The entire establishment is nonsmoking, although smoking on the outdoor deck is fine. Note that 3 Seasons is not equipped to accommodate children younger than age 18 or the disabled. Two-night stays are required on summer weekends, and a three-day minimum is requested for holiday weekends. This inn is open April through November. Sea Kove Motel $$$ NC 12, MP 3, Kitty Hawk (252) 261-4722 This family-owned and -operated establishment rents 10 one-bedroom efficiency units, 10 two-bedroom units, and two cottages by the week only from April through November. It's across from the ocean and includes full-size kitchens and televisions in each apartment. A playground and outdoor pool also are available. No credit cards accepted. The Baldview Bed & Breakfast $$$-$$$$ 3807 Elijah Baum Drive, Kitty Hawk (252) 255-2829 www.baldview.com You can view glorious sunrises and sunsets from The Baldview Bed & Breakfast on Kitty Hawk Bay. The inn, with more than 1,000 feet of property on the sound, houses four exclusive rooms with private baths; 11 acres of maritime forest with nature walks surround the properties, yet the main house is located only five minutes from the ocean. The Baldview offers a quiet getaway for adults who enjoy tranquil, natural surroundings, and houses an authentic carriage house for the ultimate romantic experience. Smoking is restricted to a separate designated house on the property. A light breakfast is served each morning, and there's a weekly wine and cheese night. This is a perfect venue for larger party rentals, weddings, and corporate retreats. The Baldview is open year-round. Beach Haven Motel $$$ NC 12, MP 4, Kitty Hawk (252) 261-4785, (888) 559-0506 www.beachhavenmotel.com This small motel sits across the road from its own private beach and has two buildings with a total of six efficiency units. Owner Joe Verscharen makes sure his motel provides guests all they need for a peaceful and relaxing stay. A practical, homey atmosphere prevails at this motel, where each room has a refrigerator, microwave, hair dryer, cable TV, telephone, and porch chairs. Coffee can be brewed in each room at this uniquely groomed establishment, which Verscharen boasts has earned a Grade A cleanliness rating year after year from the Dare County Health Department. Beach Haven has also received AAA's three-diamond rating. Beach Haven is in uncrowded surroundings with natural beach landscaping that will remind visitors of a lovely oasis. Guests can loll on the elevated deck and enjoy the scenery. A grass-carpeted picnic area with tables and a gas grill is on the premises. Bike rentals are available, as are many beach accessories. You can practice your classic stroke on a putting green situated on the cashmere lawn, where you might also show off your talents in a game of croquet. Economy rooms sleep two people, and deluxe rooms can accommodate up to four guests. Cribs are provided for infants. The decor throughout reflects a contemporary beach look with rattan and wicker furniture. Joe lives at the motel and promises to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Beach Haven is open mid-March through mid-November. Holiday Inn Express $$$ US 158, MP 4 1/4, Kitty Hawk (252) 261-4888, (800) 836-2753 www.hiexpress.com Situated on the east side of US 158, Holiday Inn Express has an outdoor swimming pool and is a short walk to lifeguarded Kitty Hawk Beach, where guests can use the motel's private access and oceanfront deck. The motel's 98 rooms are spacious and have cable TV, telephones, and refrigerators. Some also have couches, and all have microwaves. Most offer two double beds and some rooms have queen-size beds. All are attractively furnished in soft beach decor. The inn provides a complimentary continental breakfast bar for guests each morning in the lobby. Nonsmoking and wheelchair-accessible rooms are available. Children age 17 and younger stay free if accompanied by an adult. Year-round group rates are available. This motel is within walking distance of shopping and several restaurants and is open all year. Cypress Moon Bed and Breakfast $$$$ 1206 Harbor Court, Kitty Hawk (252) 261-5060, (800) 905-5060 www.cypressmooninn.com You'll find Cypress Moon Bed and Breakfast nestled in the maritime forest with the sound just behind. Owners Linda and Greg Hamby have furnished their home with antiques throughout the residence. Three soundfront rooms are available at the Cypress Moon Bed and Breakfast. All rooms have a queen-size bed, entertainment centers, and refrigerators. Brunch is served daily. You can choose to be served in the dining room, in your bedroom, or on your porch. Brunch includes crab cakes or shrimp, along with a breakfast meat, fresh bread, fruit, Cypress Moon specially blended coffee, and fresh- squeezed orange juice. If you choose to spend a day away from the beach, guests are welcome to use the kayaks or sailboards provided. A nice walkway leads to the water, and outdoor showers are available. The inn welcomes people age 18 and older and is smoke-free. Cypress Moon is closed for the month of December. Buccaneer Motel and Beach Suites $$$ NC 12, MP 5 1/2, Kitty Hawk (252) 261-2030, (800) 442-4412 www.buccaneermotelouterbanks.com Repeat business is the name of the game at the Buccaneer, where folks who stayed here as teenagers now bring their grandkids for visits. Owners Sandy and Dave Briggman foster the authentic Outer Banks charm that's made the Buccaneer a place vacationers return to year after year. Travelers have their choice of one- and two-bedroom units, and efficiency apartments with one to three bedrooms are available for those wishing to stay longer. Each unit has a refrigerator, coffeepot, cable TV, and microwave. While the Buccaneer is across the highway from the beach, there are no buildings between it and the ocean, and guests only have to cross a small sand dune to reach the surf. A dune-top deck and private beach access make enjoying the Atlantic from this establishment almost as easy as if the motel were right on the ocean. Other amenities include a large, outdoor swimming pool with adjoining deck, a children's playground, a basketball court, charcoal grills, and a fish-cleaning station. The Buccaneer is open year-round.
		Continue to Kill Devil Hills