Outer Banks NC...motels

[lisaross]

Hi

we went to Outerbanks a few years ago..we stayed in Nags Head at a motel right on the beach. We liked it but the ocean water was really rough. We are thinking of going back next summer - Any recommendations for a motel in either Nags Head or another area not too far as we have family that live about 15 minutes from Nags Head.

It does not have to be fancy, but i would like it walking distance to the beach and one that includes breakfast

Thanks

 

[lisaross]

Even if its about 1/2 hour away that would be ok! just looking for something different but with things to do. Our boys will be 14 and 12

 

[HM]

We just stayed in Nags Head. There was a motel next door to our house called Islander Inn, right on the beach. Pretty close to the pier too. You might look it up.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We stayed at Surf Side on year for a few days. It was clean, right on the beach and had a decent breakfast.

 

[pens4821]

Before we starting renting houses, we always stayed at the Beacon Motor Lodge. It's right on the beach, clean, and staff is nice. It's nothing fancy, the bathrooms are extremely small, and there is no breakfast. For the price and oceanfront location (no dune) we loved it!

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

I cannot recommend Surf Side. We reserved a room here for our anniversary weekend, showed up, checked in, put our things in our room, went to dinner, came back - someone else in our room. Hotel said we had to leave as other people had MORE things in the room than we did. Boy, was that a fight. They had no other rooms nor did anyone else in the area. We ended up driving back towards home a few hours before we could find a room. Basically, the other people showed up and paid more than we did - why else would we not get the room we had already paid for? I will NEVER stay at that hotel. Although it is RIGHT on the beach (waves lap up under your balcony practically), it's not very nice and the lack of service did me in.

 

[set1208]

Is the hotel you stayed in available? The waves vary from day to day. We rent several houses every year right on on the water. There was one year that we couldn't swim all week due to red flags for rough surf. Usually it's not that bad.

Research Owen's Motel. It seems pretty popular.

 

[bas71873]

Shutters on the Banks (recently renovated and they have suites with full kitchens at good prices); Owens (older, but a good beach motel). There is also a Ramada right on the beach. There is a Hilton too but it's always pricey IMO!

 

[lisaross]

Wow - that is horrible

I cannot recommend Surf Side. We reserved a room here for our anniversary weekend, showed up, checked in, put our things in our room, went to dinner, came back - someone else in our room. Hotel said we had to leave as other people had MORE things in the room than we did. Boy, was that a fight. They had no other rooms nor did anyone else in the area. We ended up driving back towards home a few hours before we could find a room. Basically, the other people showed up and paid more than we did - why else would we not get the room we had already paid for? I will NEVER stay at that hotel. Although it is RIGHT on the beach (waves lap up under your balcony practically), it's not very nice and the lack of service did me in.

 

[lisaross]

thanks everyone

I looked at Beacons - looks nice and Shutters on the Bay

Will look into Owens as well

 

[lisaross]

also, is there anywhere to go swimming in the sound? would like some calmer water - i remember going to the beach on teh sound near jockeys ridge, but i hear its badly polluted?

 

[HM]

While we were at the beach in late July, it was quite calm in the ocean. Much more so than I remember for that beach area.
I'm not sure about swimming in the sound, but you could do kayaking and paddleboarding there.

If you want calm waters at a beach, Hilton Head Island is the place to go.

 

[mom2t]

It is known for rough waters. That is reason it is called Graveyard of the Atlantic. There were several drownings when we were there in early June.

 

[set1208]

I think the sound is mostly used for water sports. I've never seen people swimming there, but I wasn't really looking that hard.

 

[set1208]

Also, at 14 and 12, your boys would probably love getting boogie boards and riding the waves. Our kids love it. My son who is 6 just started skim boarding which is tricky but if your boys are athletic and adventurous, they will love the surf.

 

[shortbun]

We have been spending two weeks each summer on the OBX. They have surfing competitions there every year. For good surfing, there must be great waves and thus rough surf. Never leave a child unattended in the ocean. There are riptides that drag people out and they drown from exhaustion. There is a way to get out of a riptide but only someone who can stay very calm and has been told how to do it have a chance. Stay someplace with a pool and build castles on the beach, take walks on the beach. Swim near a lifeguard-pretty sure Jeanette's Pier has a lifeguard station nearby; it's in Nags Head. There are some days when the ocean is flat-no surf, no surfing. There aren't many. If you are going this year, availability will be tight and we are moving into the tropical storm/hurricane season that always causes big surf. We stay on Hatteras Island and we love it there! No motels on the north end of Hatteras though so you'd have to stay a long way(over an hour) from Nags Head in Buxton.

 

[lisaross]

they will love it...i will worry LOL

We are planning on going down for about 5 nights around the July 4th weekend - which is when we went a few years ago! The 4th is on a Friday, so we'll get to the outerbanks either Wednesday or Thursday and leave the Tuesday after..then we'll head to either Busch Gardens, VA - which is where we went last time or maybe try Kings Dominion we have not been since the boys were about 3 and 5!

Also, at 14 and 12, your boys would probably love getting boogie boards and riding the waves. Our kids love it. My son who is 6 just started skim boarding which is tricky but if your boys are athletic and adventurous, they will love the surf.