Have you ever wanted to spend the night in the middle of the ocean - but not on a boat? One unique place in North Carolina is located 34 miles off the coast smack dab in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Out here, you're completely surrounded by water but Frying Pan Tower serves as one of the most unique accommodations not just in North Carolina, but the U.S.
Originally a privately owned Coast Guard Station, for the last two years a group of volunteers have braved the harsh waters of the 'Graveyard of the Atlantic' to restore and preserve the tower to its original glory. The tower has stood the test of time since 1964, although the light has not been continuously lit since 1992. If you're lucky, you might spend a weekend when it is lit. The tower has eight rooms, a stainless steel kitchen, hot showers, full electricity, and a rec room.
The original 'USCG Frying Pan Light Station,' served as a beacon of hope in otherwise dangerous and rough waters for several years. Today, volunteers work laboriously to bring the magic to visitors through eight rooms, helicopter adventures and even offering month-long adventures. On their website, Frying Pan Tower states, "This unique part of American history is being preserved so that generations to come will have an opportunity to enjoy what very few people have experienced: the ever changing, never changing life 85' above the Atlantic Ocean." Of course, it's no easy feat to save and salvage a steel structure weathered by the harsh, salty water, and 34 miles from the nearest slice of land. While today many can enjoy this slice of wonder and even spend the night with the fishes, the ongoing process of restoration will truly never end. Battling against three elements - sun, salt and surf - will always be a constant.
Getting to the tower isn't such an easy feat though, accessed by boat or helicopter, a 'four day adventure package' will cost you around $600...but it's the experience and story that make it worth it, right? There's also the all inclusive helicopter package that will transport you to-and-from the Frying Pan with accommodations included. Unless you want to dive in the ocean and catch your breakfast 'Cast Away' style, naturally the Frying Pan operates as a bed and breakfast as well. (Also, don't dive in the ocean from here - it's not safe.) The rooms and property are still pretty straight-up, retaining their original character from 1964...when staying in the middle of the Atlantic, these are some of the finest accommodations you'll come across. Think you have what it takes to spend a weekend in the middle of nowhere?
Wow! What a unique experience, you might be saving up a bit to take a drip - but I know there's some adventure seekers out there reading this and already planning just when and how they're going to stay. Month-long ocean vacay anyone? Talk about leaving the world behind.
If you're looking for places to stay while visiting The Old North State, we've got some fantastic selections for accommodations for you to see. Whether you're looking to stay in a resort in the Outer Banks or a lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains, we'll help you narrow it down. So, follow along and check out the best hotels in North Carolina for your next getaway.
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Best Unique Hotels to Stay in North Carolina
If you're looking for unique accommodations, check out these hotels. They'll make for a memorable trip and provide a different experience than your average North Carolina hotel.
Amenities: Free wifi, air conditioning, and laundry service.
Ratings: 4.7 stars
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This prestigious hotel dating from 1924, is located on the University of North Carolina campus and is just a short walk from downtown Chapel Hill. The Carolina Inn has guest rooms with free wifi, flat-screen TVs, and mini fridges. The suites have separate sitting areas that can be used for relaxing or working. Amenities include a fitness center, in-room spa services, and a restaurant famous for its afternoon tea service.
Address: 2000 Fearrington Village Center, 230 Market Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Price: $468/night
Amenities: Free wifi, breakfast, parking, and an indoor and outdoor pool.
Ratings: 4.6 stars
The Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro is an upscale hotel set in elegant clapboard houses on 60 acres of grounds. It is a short walk from Camden Park and seven miles from Jordan Lake. The individually decorated posh rooms feature free wifi, flat-screen TVs, and lux toiletries. Upgraded suites offer fireplaces and secluded gardens. Enjoy complimentary breakfast, an onsite restaurant, and a spa.
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Best Hotel Pools in North Carolina
There's nothing like relaxing poolside at your hotel - it sets the tone for a great stay. This list has a gorgeous outdoor pool and a luxurious indoor pool, perfect for anyone looking to take a dip while relaxing on vacation.
Amenities: Free wifi, parking, and laundry service.
Ratings: 4.7 stars
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The Umstead Hotel and Spa is a luxury hotel on 12 acres of grounds, including a lake. It's only a short distance from William B. Umstead State Park and five miles from the North Carolina Museum of Art. Your stay at the resort will include complimentary loaner bikes and access to the luxury spa area. Other amenities, like a seasonal outdoor pool with cabanas and a poolside cocktail bar, are there to enjoy. There's also a restaurant, room service, and a 24-hour gym.
Located just 14 miles south of downtown Charlotte is where the upscale hotel, The Ballantyne, is located. Relax in their elegant rooms with marble bathtubs. Indulge in the spa services, take a dip in the two pools (indoor and outdoor), and burn a sweat at the fitness center.
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Best Luxury Hotels in North Carolina
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and indulge in some pampering by staying at a luxury hotel. With many options available, let us help you find comfortable accommodations that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
Amenities: Free wifi, indoor pool, and air conditioning.
Ratings: 4.6 stars
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The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte is a 5-star hotel and the perfect spot for a luxurious getaway. It's conveniently located near Spectrum Center arena and the NASCAR Hall of Fame and provides guests with 24-hour room service and marble bathrooms with soaking tubs. The property also has five restaurants, a high-end spa, an indoor pool, and a fitness center to enjoy.
Address: 704 Green Valley Rd, Greensboro, NC 27408
Price: $344/night
Amenities: Free wifi, parking, and outdoor pool.
Ratings: 4.8 stars
Proximity Hotel is in a picturesque neighborhood just three miles from downtown Greensboro. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with beautiful views, wifi, coffeemakers, and microwaves. There's a fantastic European-style restaurant with a great terrace and bar. It also has a pool, gym, and bike rentals for guests to borrow. The lobby lounge is especially inviting with its comfortable chairs and lush plants in the garden.
Old Edwards Inn and Spa is an upscale spa resort that features several properties in the mountain village of Highlands. It is a great location to take it easy after a busy day of catching waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains. The rooms include Italian linens, rainfall showers, and heated tile floors. Take a soak in one of the mineral pools, relax with a massage with the offered spa services, and dine at the many onsite restaurants and bars.
Best Boutique Hotels in North Carolina
Boutique hotels are the perfect places to take a break after touring the sights. They are trendy, stylish, and in great locations, making them a good choice for travelers who like to be in the center of the action.
Amenities: Free wifi, air conditioning, and laundry service.
Ratings: 4.5 stars
Check in to this mid-century modern-style boutique hotel within walking distance of Durham Central Park and just two miles from Duke University. Amenities at The Durham Hotel include complimentary breakfast served in a bright, spacious lobby. There's also a hip restaurant and a trendy rooftop lounge with city views. You'll also appreciate the 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, and wake-up calls.
Amenities: Free wifi, breakfast, parking, and pet-friendly.
Ratings: 4.7 stars
The Horton Hotel is in a 1920s redbrick building close to popular tourist destinations in the heart of downtown Boone. Modern rooms, complimentary parking, and a breakfast buffet will make for a comfortable stay. Other amenities include a cocktail lounge and a rooftop bar with a toasty fire pit for cooler nights.
Amenities: Free wifi, breakfast, parking, and kid-friendly.
Ratings: 4.9 stars
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The Everett Hotel is a family-friendly boutique hotel in a 1908 redbrick building in Bryson City's historic district. Rest your head after a fun-filled day in cozy, chic rooms with amenities such as free wifi, air conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. Dining options include an onsite restaurant and bar serving tasty organic seasonal fare. Take advantage of the free parking too!
Best Resorts in North Carolina
Stay at any of these resorts, and you will not be disappointed. They offer mountain or ocean views and cozy accommodations, making them the perfect options for the quintessential North Carolina experience.
Amenities: Wifi, Breakfast, paid parking, and an indoor and outdoor pool.
Ratings: 4.6 stars
Built in 1913, The Omni Grove Park Inn is a resort two miles from downtown Asheville with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The luxe rooms and suites at the hotel feature free wifi, flat-screen TVs, and garden or mountain views. The spa on the property has a variety of amenities, including a sauna and steam room. There is also an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, an indoor pool, and a fitness center. Enjoy a great meal at one of their five restaurants. Whether you're in the mood for fine dining or prefer a more casual experience, there's a choice for every occasion.
Amenities: Free wifi, free parking, outdoor pool, and air-conditioning.
Ratings: 4.3 stars
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Instead of staying at the Hilton or Marriott, why not opt for a little southern hospitality by lodging at the oceanfront Sanderling Resort? Cozy rooms feature balconies with fantastic amenities like two outdoor pools, spa services, and multiple restaurants and bars. You will also have the option to rent bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks for all your outdoor activities.
Have you stayed at any of these beautiful hotels in North Carolina? Do you think they are some of the top hotels in the state? Let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you! Are you looking for more top hotels in North Carolina to plan your next vacation? Check out this list of historic hotels that have stood the test of time.
Looking for even more travel inspiration? Check out this stunning footage of Clingmans Dome on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee:
Hotels, in particular, always possess a certain eerie energy that's hard to put your finger on. It could be residual -- attributed to the overwhelming amount of people who have walked through the halls, laid their heads on the same pillows, experienced the highs and lows of life within the hotel's walls, or stayed extended times in one of the rooms, thus adding an aura of home and history. On the other (more paranormal-inspired) hand, it could be attributed to lingering visitors from the past who bring a sense of ghostliness to long-standing lodging spots. Those who share many great (or not-so-great) memories right on-site and are simply not quite ready to let go, even in the afterlife.
Of course, there's always the "haunted hotel" aspect, as well. It's no surprise that books, movies, and TV shows have honed in on the prospect of lingering souls and mysteries behind the walls of America's hotels. While many purportedly haunted hotels portray the seedier realities of spending the night somewhere, it's usually the most beautiful places that are home to the most interesting secrets. This is the case when it comes to the 1927 Lake Lure Inn, which might just be the most haunted hotel in North Carolina. You'll be an expert on Lake Lure's haunted history in no time.
The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa is one example of a historic yet decidedly eerie hotel. Built in 1927, the hotel met the need of the growing area tourism due to nearby Chimney Rock and all its charms. By 1880, Hickory Nut Gorge was viewed as a prime vacation destination in North Carolina. That same year, the 315-foot Chimney that defines Chimney Rock was made accessible to the public -- and tourists followed.
By 1904, Chimney Rock had been purchased by twin brothers Dr. Lucius Morse and Asahel Morse. They imagined a luxurious mountain resort where visitors could retreat to the peaks overlooking water or relax in the mountaintops. In 1925, the Rocky Broad River was first dammed. By 1927, Lake Lure was established, in addition to the welcoming Foothills getaway of 1927 Lake Lure Inn. Throughout the years, Lake Lure became famous for its notable list of guests, ranging from F. Scott Fitzgerald to presidents Calvin Coolidge and Franklin Roosevelt. Yet it was more than the well-known living who really contributed to this gorgeous inn's rise to paranormal fame.
Things weren't always so glamorous here at the Lake Lure Inn. In fact, the hotel barely survived the challenges of the Great Depression and, shortly after the economy began to recover, World War II kicked off in all its tragic reality. In fact, in 1943, the Inn even found a new purpose and was used as a convalescence home for wounded and shell-shocked soldiers. Rented by the Third Army Air Force, one soldier described his harrowing time there as "a benediction of nature on us all after the horrors of war." An Army Band, led by Albert Hague (later known for his role in the TV series Fame) would serenade patients in an effort to instill hope. There's no doubt that some of these traumatized soldiers' spirits never quite left the hotel grounds.
In November of 2010, the Events and Catering Manager snapped what she thought was a simple picture of an event's ice sculpture. Yet, as the photo was more closely examined, there was a realization that she had captured much more than the moment, but perhaps a moment where our world and the afterlife collided. If you look closely to the left in this video screenshot (the full segment is included at the end of this article), the outline of a figure can be seen. The image went viral, perhaps further proving that our world and the next are only separated by a thin veil.
Soon enough, rumors began to swirl. Who could this ghostly figure be, lurking just behind the scenes? Michael LaChiana, paranormal investigator and founder of The Heritage Hunters Society, even conducted an investigation at the hotel. He describes the hotel itself as a serene escape with no particularly eerie elements, despite the fact that he's captured questionable footage in the lobby at 2 a.m. The three images were captured by LaChiana. The first, a clear view of the lobby, the second a blur, and the third an apparent image of a pant and leg. Check out the ghostly footage in its entirety at the end of our piece.
Of capturing this ghostly footage, he says that his camera initially went blurry, and upon viewing more up-close examinations, he noticed the image of a man's pant captured above. So who is exactly haunting this gorgeous Inn? For starters, there's a rumor of a young bride being murdered in one of the rooms. A shrill scream has been captured from within the hotel and event visitors have reported hearing it. When asking LaChiana who are the ghosts and why are they here, he explains that many spirits cling to places where they once felt happy, at home. It doesn't mean they passed away in this exact spot; it more so means they chose to return here once they passed over.
Can you really blame the spirits, though? It's no surprise that famous faces called on the 1927 for a getaway, and it's still in use today as both a hotel and a beautiful event venue. The inn's gorgeous views of Lake Lure and the surrounding foothills nestle guests into a world away from their own -- and perhaps a world where our existence and the spiritual realm connect.
There's something mysterious about this hotel, indeed. The Heritage Hunters have completed two separate investigations, gathering both audio and video footage that reflect the hauntings. From the original owner sticking around to guests who just want one more stay, you're getting more than a retreat with a view here. Instead, you might just be stepping into an entire paranormal experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWtlw86Q3NA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvMrQD_Fd9s
For all the details about this purportedly haunted hotel in North Carolina, check out the 1927 Lake Lure Inn website. Also, you can take a quick virtual tour and get a better feel for what this hotel is like before visiting in person:
Do you know anything more about the Lake Lure Inn's history? Have you ever experienced something spooky during a stay at the hotel? Share your experiences (haunted or not) with us by leaving a Facebook comment or recommend another fascinating place to stay in North Carolina by completing our official nomination form.
Does all this Lake Lure haunted history have you ready for even more spookiness? Read about the most haunted restaurant in North Carolina. And when you're ready to actually book a stay at the Lake Lure Inn and perhaps conduct your own investigation, you can do that at hotels.com.
