The Best Hotels in the Outer Banks, NC

Selecting the best place to stay in the Outer Banks, North Carolina can be challenging. These beautiful barrier islands feature endless beaches with lots of amazing things to do but making your vacation great starts with picking where to stay. The best hotels in the Outer Banks will help you decide!

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Best Places to Stay in the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks are made up of about a dozen small seaside towns dotting over 100 miles of North Carolina coastline. A vacation here will give you plenty of beach time along with delicious restaurants, ample things to see in the Outer Banks, and of course stunning sunrises and sunsets.

Determining which part of the Outer Banks you wish to stay in is by far the hardest part. If you already know which town interests you most, you’re well on your way. However, if you’re still trying to figure that out, the accommodations may help you find the right town for you!

Let’s take a look at the best Outer Banks hotels.

Sanderling Resort

This luxury hotel in the Outer Banks is located in the desirable town of Duck and is the number one hotel in the Outer Banks for a romantic weekend away. The Sanderling Resort is an oceanfront hotel in OBX with stunning decor, plenty of activities, and beautiful views of the water and beach from your private balcony.

Among the numerous high-end amenities at the Sanderling Resort, you’ll find 3 pools, including adults-only, kid-friendly, and indoor options, a jacuzzi, beach chairs and umbrellas, an on-site restaurant, and an award-winning spa. Everything you need for a luxury weekend in the Outer Banks.

Address: 1461 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949

Check rates for the Sanderling Resort now.

Inn on Pamlico Sound

This 12-room boutique hotel is located in Buxton on Hatteras Island and is the pinnacle of relaxation. One of the best places to stay in the Outer Banks, the Inn on Pamlico Sound will let you spend your days sitting on an Adirondack chair on your private porch, taking their free bikes for a spin through the Outer Banks, sitting by the pool, or eating at the delicious on-site Cafe Pamlico.

From free kayak and paddleboard rentals to daily fresh baked cookies, you’ll find every detail is attended to at the charming beachfront Inn on Pamlico Sound.

Address: 49684 NC Highway 12, Buxton, NC 27920

Check rates for the Inn on Pamlico Sound now.

Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks

This beachfront OBX hotel is the best Hilton property in the area, allowing Hilton Honors members to enjoy all that the Outer Banks have to offer. At the Hilton Garden Inn, you’ll find spacious rooms with panoramic ocean views all centrally located right near the Kitty Hawk Pier.

The Hilton Garden Inn also offers on-site dining options, a workout facility, a beautiful beachfront pool, and an indoor pool. It’s a great hotel to call home for your OBX trip.

Address: 5353 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Check rates for the Hilton Garden Inn now.

Beachwoods by Diamond Resort

The fabulous Beachwoods Resort is one of the best resorts in the Outer Banks. It offers a full indoor water park making it the perfect OBX hotel for families. The heated indoor pool includes not just water slides but also a lazy river making every day a tropical vacation, even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Located adjacent to the 700-acre Kitty Hawk Wood Coastal Reserve, you’ll be just minutes from the beach, right off the North Croatan Highway. And, the beautiful suites include kitchenettes and washer and dryers making it feel like home.

Address: 1 Cypress Knee Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Check rates for the Beachwoods Resort now.

Surf Side Hotel

Located in Nags Head just over the main bridge to Roanoke Island, is the Surf Side Hotel. This oceanfront hotel in the Outer Banks has all the comforts you need for a great beach trip!

You’ll be beachfront with direct access to the beach as well as having two pools at your disposal. There are other conveniences and amenities as well, like a sunset deck, wine happy hours, and even an amazing breakfast included in the cost of the room.

Address: 6701 Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959

Check rates for the Surf Side Hotel now.

Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks

This beachfront hotel in the Outer Banks feels like a resort with its various pools, beach views, and continental breakfast. You’ll find all the comforts needed, including a microwave, refrigerator, cable tv, and more at the Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks.

Best of all, the Hampton Inn & Suites is located in the desirable northern part of the Outer Banks in Corolla. With limited hotels in this area, the Hampton Inn is the best option if you want to be in this part of the OBX and close to the famous wild horses of the Outer Banks.

Address: 333 Audubon Drive, Corolla, NC 27927

Check rates for the Hampton Inn & Suites now.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

Looking for a Marriott in the Outer Banks? Look no further. The TownePlace Suites is an awesome pet-friendly Marriott property offering a swimming pool, fitness center, and included breakfast.

Located right across the street from the beach, it’s an easy walk to put your toes in the sand. It’s also just a short drive to Jockey’s Ridge State Park and its famous sand dunes where you can try your hand at hang gliding or sand surfing.

Address: 2028 S Virginia Dare Traill, Kill Devil Hills, 27948

Check rates for the TownePlace Suites now.

Cape Hatteras Motel

Enjoy a private beach at this awesome motel in the Outer Banks. You’ll also find beachfront rooms, a pool, and hot tub at the Cape Hatteras Motel. To add to its perfection, it borders the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, giving it a prime location.

If you’re looking for the comforts of home, there are rooms offering fully equipped kitchens, with all rooms offering a microwave and small refrigerator. It also has a fish cleaning station and deep freezer for all the fishermen out there!

Address: 46556 Highway 12, Buxton, NC 27920

Check rates for the Cape Hatteras Motel now.

White Doe Inn Bed & Breakfast

The White Doe Inn Bed & Breakfast is located on Roanoke Island in Manteo. This adult-only bed and breakfast offers free bikes, a spa, and a wellness center, along with in-room amenities, like a fireplace and seating area.

It’s an ideal place to relax in or out of season, particularly if the beach is not the main attraction for your visit to the Outer Banks. Staying in Manteo, you’ll have the history of Roanoke, the “Lost Colony” and first settlement in America, right at your fingertips.

Address: 319 Sir Walter Raleigh Street, Manteo, NC 27954

Check rates for the White Doe Inn Bed & Breakfast now.

Ocracoke Harbor Inn

Located on Ocracoke Island, the Ocracoke Harbor Inn is the ideal place for some tranquility. With a sun terrace, wonderful views of the marina, and a perfect location, this is the best hotel on Ocracoke Island.

It’s worth noting before booking that Ocracoke is one of the southernmost islands in the Outer Banks and is only accessible by water or air. You can take a ferry there with or without your car and on the island everything is within walking distance. You also have the option to rent a bike, golf cart, or off-road vehicle or take the village tram to get around.

Address: 144 Silver Lake Drive, Ocracoke, NC 27960

Check rates for the Ocracoke Harbor Inn now.

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Sunset at the Duck Boardwalk in the Outer Banks — Sunset on the Sound

Accommodation Options in the Outer Banks

Being a hot vacation destination, there are a lot of accommodation options outside of just hotels and resorts in the OBX. If staying in a hotel in the Outer Banks doesn’t interest you, check out these other accommodation types.

Vacation Rentals in the Outer Banks

You’ll find plenty of vacation rentals in the Outer Banks that range in size from small condos to 10+ bedroom houses. Throughout the summer, people flock to these rentals weeks at a time, with most booking for a minimum of one week at a time.

There are a lot of rental agencies that handle condo and home rentals in the Outer Banks. Three of the top providers are Beach Realty NC, Twiddy, and Sun Realty NC.

Budget Hotels on the Outer Banks

Finding a cheap place to stay in the Outer Banks can be challenging, especially during the summer months. However, there are a few options of cheap hotels in the Outer Banks. Check out the Outer Banks Motor Lodge or Travelodge by Wyndham, both in Kill Devil Hills.

As prices do fluctuate with the season, the best way to find budget hotels in the OBX is to search and sort by price on your planned vacation dates.

Search for Cheap Hotels in the Outer Banks

Hostels in the Outer Banks

If you’re a budget traveler, a hostel may be the best option. Unfortunately, there is only one hostel in the Outer Banks, the Kite Club Hatteras. There you can rent a room or go with a more affordable shared room. As a bonus, they also offer kiteboarding lessons to feed the adventurer in you!

RV Parks and Camping in the Outer Banks

Another awesome option is to check out the handful of campgrounds in the Outer Banks, NC. Most are located in the southern part of OBX with four of the campgrounds being run by the National Park Service on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

You’ll find additional opportunities to camp in the Outer Banks at about a dozen privately owned campgrounds in the area. Some even offer the chance to camp on the beach (behind the dunes)! And, if you have an RV, you’re in luck as many of the sites also offer RV camping in the Outer Banks.

Not only will camping in the Outer Banks keep your budget in line, but you’ll also be able to sleep out under the vibrant stars. With limited light pollution, you’ll find the stars really pop out here!

Check out these popular OBX campgrounds:

Bodie Island Lighthouse and the surrounding marshland — Bodie Lighthouse in Nags Head

FAQs about Where to Stay in the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks are full of amazing towns each with their own personality and finding the best place to stay in the Outer Banks starts with knowing what to expect when you arrive! Here are some key questions that may help you as you prepare for your trip to the OBX.

What is the best area to stay in Outer Banks?

There are a lot of great places to stay in the Outer Banks. It all depends on what you want from your vacation. Here’s a quick view into some of the best areas in the OBX.

Corolla offers some great sights, including close proximity to the wild horses of the Outer Banks.
Duck is a quaint village with a central walkable area full of delicious restaurants and fun local shops – don’t miss Duck Donuts!
Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head are very central to the Outer Banks and also some of the wider parts of the islands. You’ll find a lot of options for things to do and places to eat here.
Rodanthe, Hatteras, and Ocracoke are a bit more remote and you’ll be able to relax in peace away from the main tourist drags.

Where is the nicest beach in the Outer Banks?

Selecting the best beach in the Outer Banks is difficult as there are so many great beaches! Many of them share a lot of qualities, like similar sand and water, but there are a few unique characteristics to take into consideration.

Here are some of the best beaches in the Outer Banks:

Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills offer some of the best waves and wind for water sports.
Duck is the most pet-friendly beach allowing you to take your dogs off-leash.
Nags Head is a bit more crowded, but it offers Jennette’s Pier, the longest public pier in North Carolina.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is part of the National Park Service and offers some unique opportunities, including areas where you can off-road your vehicle onto the beach!

What is the best month to go to the Outer Banks?

The best time to visit the Outer Banks is in the shoulder season. This falls between March to May and September to November. You’ll find hotel prices drop and the crowds are far more limited during these times, which can make for a perfect OBX vacation!

Meanwhile, mid-summer is when most vacationers come to the Outer Banks. You’ll find traffic picks up, prices sore, and temperatures and humidity are high, but the beach weather and water temperatures are ideal!

Can you sleep on the beach in the Outer Banks?

No, sleeping and camping on the Outer Banks beaches are illegal, other than in designated campgrounds. Even oceanfront camping typically means behind the barrier dunes.

The only exception to this rule is on Portsmouth Island, which is only accessibly by boat. There you are able to camp right on the beach.

The beach of Duck, Outer Banks — Sunrise on the beach in Duck

Start packing for your Outer Banks trip with this Essential Beach Packing List!

Explore More of North Carolina

Knowing the best hotels in the Outer Banks is a good start for planning your vacation, but there’s so much more to North Carolina.

From the beaches to the cities to the mountains, you’ll find it all here. Continue your North Carolina adventures with these additional posts:

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The Best Hotels in the Outer Banks, NC