Steeped in history, tradition, and adventure, Nags Head is where vacationing begins on Outer Banks. The quintessential beach town in North Carolina is mostly known for its sprawling beaches, fresh seafood offerings, historical attractions, iconic architecture, luxurious resorts, diverse food scenes, and vibrant nightlife. The towering sand dunes in Jockey’s Ridge State Park are the largest on the eastern shore.
Head to the sunny shores of Nags Head to indulge in a wide range of beach sports, including surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and parasailing among others.
Whether you are looking for a lavish stay or a barefooted adventure, Nags Head’s ever-evolving array of boutique hotels and vacation rentals caters to all stripes of vacationers. Here are the top cool and unusual hotels in Nags Head, North Carolina (in no particular order)…
1. First Colony Inn – a unique, historic boutique accommodation where guests can experience true Southern hospitality
Set in a balloon-frame building with stunning shingle-style architecture, First Colony Inn is where guests come to experience real southern hospitality. Surrounded by lush gardens, this 1930s hotel beautifully perches across the road from a private beach.
Rustic-chic rooms at the historic inn feature vintage decor with antique furnishings. In-room amenities include coffee makers, fridges, microwaves, and free Wi-Fi. Advanced amenities like kitchenettes and wet bars are available in upgraded rooms. Some rooms also offer whirlpool tubs.
Complimentary amenities include afternoon refreshments, continental breakfast, and passes to the YMCA water park. There’s also a seasonal outdoor pool and a guest lounge with games and books.
Jennette’s Pier and the Outer Banks Family YMCA water park are a 1-minute and 5-minute drive from First Colony Inn respectively.
Address: 6715 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959, United States
2. Surf Side Hotel – an upscale, modern and classic accommodation providing guests with the best views of the Atlantic Ocean
A low-key, beach hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, about a mile from Highway 64. Modest, well-appointed rooms at Surf Side Hotel have microwaves, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and private balconies with ocean views.
Suites come with furnished balconies and additional rooms. Whirlpool tubs and kitchenettes are available in upgraded accommodations.
Freebies include parking and continental breakfast. On-site amenities include a sundeck, indoor and outdoor pools, and hot tubs.
Address: 6701 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959, United States
3. Tar Heel Motel – a newly renovated, fun and cool accommodation featuring an outdoor grill and picnic area
An austere motel located steps away from Nags Head Beach. Plain, sophisticated rooms at Tar Heel Motel feature hardwood floors and modern furnishings. Each unit comes equipped with a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, a microwave, and a mini-fridge. Suites have kitchenettes, while free Wi-Fi is available in all units.
Communal amenities include a sundeck, an outdoor pool, and a picnic area with barbecue grills. Parking is free for all guests.
There are a few good restaurants nearby, including Miller’s Waterfront Rooftop Bar, Sam and Omie’s, and Dune’s Restaurant.
Address: 7010 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959, United States
4. Dolphin Oceanfront Motel – Nags Head – a vibrant, sleek and pet-friendly accommodation steps away from the beach
Have a luxurious lodging experience at this downbeat motel steps away from the beach. Modern, vibrantly decorated rooms at this oceanfront motel come with en-suite bathrooms, cable TV, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms also offer microwaves and minifridges.
There’s an on-site outdoor pool, a waterfront desk, a sundeck with lounge chairs, and a picnic area with BBQ grills and umbrella-covered tables. All guests have private beach access.
Dolphin Oceanfront Motel is located on the south of Old Oregon Inlet Road, with Jennette’s Pier and Aquarium reachable within a 4-minute walk. Guests can indulge in a range of activities nearby, including snorkeling, cycling, fishing, diving, and golf.
Address: 8017 S Old Oregon Inlet Rd, Nags Head, NC 27959, United States
5. Ocean Dream On NH307 – a creative, Instagrammable and cool accommodation perfect for Millennials and Gen Zs to have a fun vacation
A fanciful property with an arty-crafty living room and lots of furniture. There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a game room, an indoor dining area with seating for nine, an outdoor dining area, a balcony, and a patio with outdoor furniture. The four-bedroom holiday home can sleep up to 8 people.
Other amenities include a hot tub, free toiletries, fresh linens, laundry facilities, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels.
Guests can engage in bowling, table tennis, fishing, mini gold, windsurfing, and other activities nearby.
6. Happy Hour – a stylish, beautiful and elegant accommodation ideal for a family getaway
Book this lovely holiday home for your next family vacation in Nags Head. The property has six lavishly appointed bedrooms, six bathrooms with free toiletries, two living rooms, a dining area with seating for nine, a fully equipped kitchen with a 3-person breakfast bar, and several outdoor spaces.
With extra-large double beds in five out of six bedrooms, the property can accommodate more than 10 people, making it ideal for a big family vacation. There’s also an on-site children’s playground and a swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers.
The property is located less than a mile from both Nags Head Beach and Kill Devil Hills Beach.
7. Island Life Cottage – a trendy, chic and bright accommodation well equipped for a memorable beach vacation
Located less than a mile from Nags Head Beach, Island Life Cottage offers comfortable accommodation with all modern amenities.
There are four bedrooms, a living room, a fully functional kitchen with a 3-person breakfast bar, an adjoining dining room, an additional seating area, a balcony with chairs, and a furnished terrace. There’s also an on-site children’s playground.
It’s an awesome place for those having a small budget but wanting to stay close to the beach. Cyclic, fishing, bowling, mini golf, and windsurfing are some of the activities that can be enjoyed nearby.
8. The Blue Seahorse – a family-friendly, contemporary and stylish accommodation in close proximity of fun activities, perfect for Millennials and Gen Zs
An exquisite, semi-oceanfront home having four well-appointed bedrooms, three bathrooms with hot tubs and free toiletries, a laundry, a large game room with a flat-screen, a furnished terrace, a polished living room, a small dining area with seating for five, and an immaculate kitchen equipped with all modern appliances.
With large double beds in three rooms and four single beds in one room, the property can sleep up to 10 people. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
Mini golf, bowling, windsurfing, fishing, and diving can be enjoyed in close proximity to the property.
9. 7042 – Beach Therapy – a chic, modern and vibrant accommodation where guests can enjoy an oceanfront location
An idyllic holiday home offering direct beach access, exquisite ocean views, and modern amenities. There are three coastal-themed bedrooms with blackout curtains and a calming ambiance. The property has two full-sized bathrooms: one accessible from the hallway and the other attached to the king bedroom.
The brightly decorated great room includes a living area, a fully functional kitchen with a 4-person breakfast bar, and an adjoining dining area with seating for four.
The air-conditioned holiday home is located on Old Oregon Inlet Road
Address: 8723 S Old Oregon Inlet Road, Nags Head, 27959, United States
10. Sand Dollars 102 – a quirky-chic, contemporary and elegant accommodation providing a home-away-from-home stay
A cool propertyfeaturing six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a fully functional kitchen, a small living area with a flat-screen TV, a dining area with seating for eight, an outdoor swimming pool, a laundry, and a game room.
As each room has a large or extra-large double bed, the property can comfortably sleep up to 14 people.
The holiday home is located less than five miles from Kill Devil Hills Beach and steps from Nags Head Beach.
Gary is an award winning full time professional photographer and videographer with too much wanderlust for his own good. Fuelled by strong coffee, you’ll often find him wandering well off hiking trails in search of interesting photographic subjects or scenery to video. Self taught and with the use of pioneering digital techniques, he quickly built up a strong client base and has worked with many prestigious organisations, including GQ, BBC, London Fashion Week, Grazia, Sky, Metro, Vogue Italia. He specialising in evocative images of people, places and cinematic videography and his goal is to make the viewer look twice and engage. As well as a penchant for good design, the ketogenic diet and Hungarian Vizslas, he also has a huge affection for Chicago, Bucharest, Scandinavia, Croatia and absolutely everywhere in Italy. Find him on Instagram @garynansome, Twitter @garynansome and his website https://garynunn.co.uk/
