Best Value Hotels on the North Carolina Coast

Families looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway at a hotel that’s low on frills but high on value will be drawn to Ocracoke Harbor Inn. There are several different types of guest units available among the 16 rooms and seven suites, some with balconies, kitchens, and multiple bedrooms; decor is dated. Cottage rentals are available as well. Views of Silver Lake Harbor, on which the inn is located, are phenomenal. The inn is within walking distance of dining and shopping options in Ocracoke Village, while golf cart and bike rentals are available as well.

The beachfront Surf Side Hotel is friendly to families and travel budgets, serving a free continental breakfast daily. Rooms with ocean-view balconies with rocking chairs and self-catering facilities are available. There's an indoor pool and hot tub as well as an outdoor pool, but no gym. Surf Side has direct access to long, sandy beach and is not far from restaurants and souvenir shops. 

The 93-suite Staybridge Suites Wilmington East is an upper-middle-range chain property that attracts a mix of extended-stay business travelers and vacationing families. Apartment-like units (studios, one-, and two-bedrooms) are clean and spacious with sleeper sofas and fully equipped kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Value-added amenities, such as a free hot breakfast, free laundry facilities, and free weekday reception with dinner and drinks make it a good choice for guests on long stays. Its location is central, about a 10- to 15-minute drive from downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, and the airport. 

One of the Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks biggest selling points is that it has direct access to a beautiful, sandy beach area. The chain hotel has 123 rooms, all with furnished balconies or patios; some also have ocean views. There’s an outdoor pool with a separate children’s pool as well as a small lazy river and an indoor pool and hot tub. Breakfast is included, but the small room where it is served can get crowded. There aren't any lounge chairs or umbrellas on the beach, so guests may want to bring their own.

Caribbe Inn is a very colorful beach-themed value hotel with over-the-top playful decor. The hotel is washed in pink and blue on the outside, and animals such as parrots, flamingos, lizards, and butterflies show up in murals and decor throughout the two-story, motel-style property. Multicolor sea-themed murals are in the 13 rooms, too, which have mini-fridges and microwaves. The family-owned property has a friendly vibe and waterfront picnic area with barbecue grills. Wi-Fi and loaner beach equipment are free. 

The Sea Ranch Resort is a value hotel located directly on the beach, near several restaurants and souvenir shops. There’s a casual restaurant on-site with outdoor seating as well as an indoor pool in a solarium. The 50 rooms may be dated, but they have convenient amenities including microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Some have ocean-facing balconies. 

Though many of the vacationers to the Outer Banks opt for rental homes, the mid-range Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk is a suitable option for those who prefer a hotel stay. The hotel is very similar to most other Hilton Garden Inns -- with free Wi-Fi and free cooked-to-order breakfast and clean, comfortable rooms -- but with an oceanfront location and a private balcony attached to each guest unit. Rooms also come equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and microwaves. 

Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach is chain hotel set on beautiful, woodsy grounds within a five-minute drive of the beach. The value property has 120 clean and comfortable rooms, a seasonal outdoor pool with a lounging deck, and a small fitness center. A free breakfast buffet is included in room rates, and there's a lobby bar, but no restaurant on-site.