13 Top-Rated Beach Resorts in North Carolina
Sandy barrier islands; gentle waves; warm water; and a laid-back, family-friendly vibe make North Carolina's 300 miles of coastline and the beach resorts along it a perfect place to spend a summer holiday.
Catch a sunset on Emerald Island, play in the golden sand at Kitty Hawk in the Outer Banks, or take a stroll along the historic wooden boardwalk on Carolina Beach near Wilmington. Whatever you are in the mood for, the beautiful beaches of North Carolina await.
Many of the resorts listed here are on the barrier islands making up the Outer Banks — places like Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Corola, which are in the northern part of the state near Virginia.
There are also beaches along the mainland, with a few top choices filled with hotels and resorts just outside Wilmington, at the southern end of the state near Georgia. In this area, you'll discover lodging around Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach.
Find a great place to stay with our list of the top beach resorts in North Carolina.
1. Sanderling Resort
Accommodation: Sanderling Resort
The 4-star Sanderling Resort on the beach in Duck is the only full-service resort in North Carolina's beautiful Outer Banks, and it's one of the top beach resorts in the USA.
Set between a beautiful stretch of beach on the Atlantic Ocean and the quiet waters of Currituck Sound, most of the 120 rooms and suites and five vacation home rentals have water views. They also have contemporary decor, lovely marble bathrooms, and furnished balconies.
On-site amenities include two outdoor swimming pools (one is for adults-only; the other is family friendly) and an indoor pool with hot tubs. There are also three restaurants, as well as a spa and fitness center.
On chilly nights, the outdoor fire pits are great for roasting s'mores around. There is also direct beach access.
Address: 1461 Duck Road, Duck, North Carolina
2. Outer Banks Beach Club I & II
Accommodation: Outer Banks Beach Club I & II
Right on the oceanfront in Kill Devil Hills, the Outer Banks Beach Clubs I & II are a cluster of vacation condo rentals in a resort set up. The condos have one-, two-, or three-bedrooms, so they are a great choice for families with kids, as there is plenty of space to move around. They also come with full kitchens and private decks. Some have Jacuzzi bathtubs as well.
The beach can be accessed via a boardwalk, and resort amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, including two dedicated to children (this is a very family-friendly property). There is also a hot tub, tennis courts, a kids' club, and shuffleboard courts.
Address: Mile Post 9 Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
3. Blockade Runner Beach Resort
Accommodation: Blockade Runner Beach Resort
The vintage eclectic Blockade Runner Beach Resort sits on a gorgeous section of Wrightsville Beach outside of Wilmington, and there are great ocean views around the property.
The rooms and suites come in a variety of sizes and color palettes. Our favorites are the oceanfront king suites with a bright turquoise accent wall, white leather furnishings, and a zebra striped rug. Even the more basic oceanfront rooms come with red and white pinstripe curtains and matching pillows, cool tile floors, and balconies facing the sea.
Amenities here include direct access to the beach, and guests can take out kayaks or surfboards to play in the Atlantic Ocean. There is also a pool, seasonal kids' club, spa, and a restaurant with an oceanfront balcony for outdoor dining.
Address: 275 Waynick Boulevard, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
4. Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach
On Wrightsville Beach and about 20 minutes from downtown Wilmington, this Holiday Inn Resort is a family favorite. It has a kids' club on-site, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a hot tub, and a fitness room.
Accommodation is in a mix of rooms and suites, which are clean and comfortable. All come with balconies and suites and also feature whirlpool baths, and pullout sofa beds in the living rooms. There are a few different dining options on-site, and room service is also offered.
Address: 1706 N Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
5. Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks/Corolla
Accommodation: Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks/Corolla
Right on the beach, surrounded by windswept dunes in Corolla, which is part of North Carolina's fragile Outer Banks ecosystem, this Hampton Inn & Suites is a relaxing resort. Many of the colorfully decorated rooms and suites come with ocean views. Some also feature furnished balconies.
On-site amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools (including one for kids) a lazy river, hot tub, fitness room, and private beach access. There is also a free hot breakfast in the morning.
If you want to golf, the property is just a few miles from Currituck Club golf course. The front desk can also help arrange area excursions, from kayaking tours to seeing wild horses.
Address: 333 Audubon Drive, Corolla, North Carolina
6. Golden Sands
Accommodation: Golden Sands
Facing Carolina Beach, Ocean Sands is a 5-story hotel less than 30 minutes' drive from downtown Wilmington. It is also just a mile from the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, which is filled with restaurants and an amusement park.
The rooms all feature pullout couches, as well as microwaves and mini-fridges, but some also come with balconies and ocean views. Suites add living space and kitchenettes.
Amenities here include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a hot tub, fitness room, and a fishing pier. There is also a restaurant on-site and direct beach access. Parking is also free.
Address: 1211 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, North Carolina
7. Holiday Inn Express Nags Head Oceanfront, an IHG Hotel
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Nags Head Oceanfront, an IHG Hotel
The Holiday Inn Express Nags Head is set on four acres of pretty, gold-sand beachfront in a quiet residential area.
Many of the rooms have ocean views, but you'll want to ask for one on the 4th or 5th floor, otherwise the dunes obscure the views. Rooms are clean and comfortable, and come with private balconies, microwaves, fridges, and flat-screen TVs.
This 3-star property has a number of resort-like amenities including an indoor heated pool that stays open year-round. There is also a 24-hour fitness center on the grounds and plentiful, free parking. If you need to do laundry, there are self-service facilities.
The Holiday Inn does not have a restaurant on-site, but it does serve a free breakfast each morning. There are also a number of restaurants just a short drive away and the helpful front desk can point out good options.
The property is family friendly. A number of top Nag's Head attractions are also just a short drive away. These include Bodie Island Lighthouse, Jennette's Pier, the Wright Brothers National Memorial and Jockey's Ridge State Park.
Address: 4701 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, North Carolina
8. Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk
For a reliable, mid-range hotel, stay in Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks, the Hilton Garden Inn is true to brand.
The rooms are clean and comfortable and feature private balconies with either direct or partial ocean views. The oceanfront king rooms are our favorites, with whirlpool bathtubs, and are great for romantic getaways. All rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffee makers.
On-site amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a gym. The hotel also does a complimentary hot breakfast.
If you like to cast a line, the Kitty Hawk Fishing Pier is just across the street.
Address: 5353 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
9. Islander Hotel & Resort
Accommodation: Islander Hotel & Resort
A popular wedding venue, Islander Hotel & Resort is on the 12-mile-long Emerald Isle Beach.
The rooms and suites here are classy and comfortable, and most have some kind of ocean views. The interior design incorporates various shades of wood into floors and headboards, plus ocean-focused colors and artwork. All rooms have kitchenettes, and the suites also come with breakfast bars, full-sized refrigerators, and balconies (make sure to watch the sunrise).
Amenities include a beachfront swimming pool with cabanas, volleyball courts, and a picnic area with barbecues guests can use. There are also seasonal family activities arranged.
Address: 102 Islander Drive, Emerald Isle, North Carolina
10. Best Western Ocean Reef Suites
Accommodation: Best Western Ocean Reef Suites
On a wide white-sand stretch of beach in Kill Devil Hills, the Best Western Ocean Reef offers all suites accommodation. The suites are clean and comfortable but not exceptionally fancy. Still, it is a good choice for families, as the price point is good and the rooms are spacious and feature kitchenettes.
Amenities include a swimming pool and hot tub, beach access, and a gym. A free breakfast buffet with hot and cold selections is put out every morning, but there is no restaurant on-site. That said, the location is great and within walking distance from a number of restaurants and shops.
Address: 107 S Virginia Dare Trl, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
11. Hampton Inn & Suites Carolina Beach Oceanfront Hotel
Accommodation: Hampton Inn & Suites Carolina Beach Oceanfront
Adjacent to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk at the northern end of Pleasure Island, the Hampton Inn & Suites Carolina Beach Oceanfront Hotel is also convenient for exploring downtown Wilmington. It's easy to access the beach directly from the property, and many of the rooms and suites here have ocean views from furnished balconies.
A favorite with families, rooms are spacious and colorful and come with a sofa bed for the kids. They also feature children's TV networks on flatscreen TVs, comfy king beds, work desks, and mini-fridges.
Amenities here include a free hot breakfast, as well as free parking. There is a large swimming pool with ocean views. You'll also find a fitness center on-site, a convenience store, and self-service laundry.
There is no sit down restaurant on-site, but the location next to the boardwalk means there are plenty of dining options just a short stroll away.
Address: 1 Harper Avenue, Carolina Beach, North Carolina
12. Sea Ranch Resort
Accommodation: Sea Ranch Resort
Experience Kill Devil Hills and the beauty of the Outer Banks with a stay at Sea Ranch Resort. In a great location right on the beach, the family-friendly resort offers a mix of rooms and condos.
The most affordable rooms don't have ocean views, but they are still comfortable and feature fun retro tropical decor. The oceanfront rooms are larger and come with either two queen beds or a king bed with a sleeper sofa. The balconies facing the Atlantic Ocean are a wonderful place to watch the sunrise. For larger families or groups there are two-bedroom, two-bath condos, some of which are pet friendly.
Amenities include an American bistro restaurant, cabana rentals on the beach, an indoor swimming pool, and a gym. During summer there are free yoga and pilates classes offered to guests.
Address: 1731 N Virginia Dare Trl PO Box 325, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
13. Sandpeddler Inn & Suites
Accommodation: Sandpeddler Inn & Suites
Facing Wrightsville Beach, which is just outside of Wilmington city limits, the Sandpeddler Inn & Suites is right on the beach and within walking distance of shops and restaurants.
The all suite accommodation features contemporary rooms with fun colors and patterns and beach style furnishings. The family-friendly suites are condo style, and most have full kitchens inclusive of stoves and ovens.
Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, and a complimentary continental breakfast. There is no on-site restaurant, but there are dining options within walking distance.
Address: 15 Nathan Ave, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
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Best Beaches in North Carolina: We've given you a roundup of the best resorts here, but if you want to learn more about the beaches themselves, check out our article on the Top-Rated Beaches in North Carolina. Note that there are beaches like Atlantic Beach and Nags Head Beach on this list with awesome lodging options that are just not resort-focused.
Around North Carolina: There is much more to North Carolina than its beautiful coastal towns, and in fact some of the state's best sights and attractions lie inland. The state is equally well known for its mountain culture. If you want to explore more, see our article on the Top-Rated Mountain Towns in North Carolina for the scoop on exploring this scenic part of the state.
