11 Best Oceanfront Hotels in Wilmington NC

Tucked on the Cape Fear Coast, the port city of Wilmington has a whole lot of history, a charming riverside along the Cape Fear River, and gorgeous beaches. Its coastline is defined by three island beaches, Wrightsville, Kure, and Carolina, all of which boast spectacular stretches along the Atlantic Coastline. In fact, it’s the jumping-off point for the Grand Strand to the south and the famed Outer Banks of North Carolina. So, it’s only natural for the city to have a world-class boardwalk, beachside restaurants, and beach hotels. The best options for a beachfront/oceanfront hotel on the beach in Wilmington, NC, are many – and varied. They range from spectacular golf resorts and comfy brand names to historic B&Bs and even quaintly quirky beachfront motels. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your beach clothes and head to Wilmington, NC, for a memorable beach holiday.

Hotel Ballast

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Hotel Ballast is not the best beachfront/oceanfront hotel in Wilmington, NC, on the beach, but rather on the river! This property occupies an enviable location in the heart of downtown Wilmington right on the Cape Fear River, packing in great views with a front-row spot on the Riverwalk. Choose from 274 rooms and suites, of which the best ones offer majestic views of the river. Besides being comfy and clean, the rooms also have plush beds, luxe bathrooms, mod-cons in the form of flatscreen TVs, and coffeemakers. When you feel hungry, you have the choice of three restaurants, including a wonderful waterfront restaurant with indoor/outdoor dining. Cool off in the outdoor swimming pool or hit the fitness center before noon, and reserve the evening for a walk along the riverfront.

Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach

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If you want to stay on Wrightsville Beach, then there’s only one place you want to stay at – Holiday Inn Resort Lumina. You can’t beat the location of this property, which sits right on the sands. In fact, if you jump out of your oceanfront balconies, you’ll land right on the sand! Speaking of, the oceanfront rooms and suites offer magnificent views of the ocean, besides other mod-cons and luxuries, of course. Plus, rooms and suites here come with microwaves, free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TVs, and more. But the real fun begins outside the rooms, especially since the beach is right out front.

What’s even better is that the resort offers beach chairs and umbrellas for those who want to relax on the beach. Back at the resort, there are three pools where you can laze, after which you can enjoy a dip in the two whirlpools. Later on, work out in the fitness center or grab the bikes for rent and explore the neighborhood.

Sandpeddler Inn & Suites

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Best value for money. The Sandpeddler Inn & Suites is one of the best beachfront/oceanfront hotels in Wilmington, NC, on the beach. Located right on Wrightsville beach, this relaxed motel-hotel is the perfect value-for-money option on this list. Since it sits right across from the beach along a wooden walkway, lounging on the beach for n entire day is an acceptable activity here! What’s more, you even have a seasonal outdoor swimming pool for when you’re done with your beach time. Thanks to free Wi-Fi throughout the property and complimentary bikes for rent, you can explore the neighborhood on your own.

Despite being a budget property, this one doesn’t skimp on the accommodations. For instance, all rooms come with private and neat bathrooms, fridges, and coffee machines. In fact, some suites even come with fabulous sea views.

Drifter’s Reef Hotel

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Best budget. If staying close to the beach is your top priority, choose the Drifter’s Reef Hotel. This small, family-owned motel lies just a block from the beach. With just 61 rooms, staying here feels quite intimate. At the same time, the place doesn’t skimp on amenities, either. For one, the motel has its own outdoor pool. So, once you’re done lounging at the beach, the pool is a very popular place to see and be seen. When the hunger pangs come calling, the onsite restaurant and sports grill beckons you with its delicious menu. But guests love the sports grill, aptly named the “Lazy Pirate,” because of its packed roster of activities, ranging from beach volleyball and live music to cornhole. Plus, they get 10% off! Did you know this hotel is pet-friendly too? That’s why it’s one of the best hotels in Wilmington, NC.

Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington

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Best chain hotel. If you want to stay within driving distance of the beach, then the Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington is one of the best non-beachfront/oceanfront hotels in Wilmington, NC. It’s a comfortable option for those who want the familiarity of a chain hotel but still want access to the beach. Choose from 120 rooms and suites, all of which are surrounded by well-manicured landscaping with a pond, trees, and tropical plants. So, it might be part of a chain, but the hotel certainly has its own personality. It’s also evident by its amenities, such as the outdoor pool and steakhouse just down the street. Even though there’s no onsite restaurant, the hotel serves a fantastic complimentary breakfast. And, of course, the beach is a mere five-minute drive away.

Dreamers by DW

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Best guesthouse. The design-focused boutique Dreamers by DW is where you want to stay if you’re looking for a guesthouse by the river in Wilmington. This historic downtown inn is anything but run-of-the-mill and is actually a striking Victorian home with five suites. Besides being individually designed, all of them are spacious, filled with light, and decked out in swish decor. What’s more, they have potted plants and French doors leading out to patios where you can unwind with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

The rest of the property is equally dreamy, especially since the entire place is filled with vintage and antique showpieces. The huge patio with a hammock, a porch swing, and alfresco furniture filled with lush foliage is perfect for hanging out at the end of the day. Your day begins with delicious vegan/vegetarian breakfast options every morning. And, of course, the Cape Fear River and the riverwalk are just down the street.

Shell Island Resort

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Shell Island Resort is one of the best beachfront/oceanfront hotels in Wilmington, NC, on the beach. But what makes Shell Island so popular and iconic? That’s because its origins go all the way back to 1923 when it was one of the first (and few) places where African-Americans could go to enjoy the beach. After a mysterious 1926 fire that burnt the resort to the ground, it was reimagined as the Shell Island it is today. Today’s culturally important site is an all-suites oceanfront resort, with the sandy stretch being a hop, skip, and jump away from the rooms. What’s more, all suites have living areas, flatscreen TVs, and oceanfront terraces, which is what makes Shell Island so special.

When you’re not lounging at the beach, choose one of the indoor or outdoor pools to swim in and lounge at. And even though the suites come with kitchenettes, there’s an onsite restaurant to take care of all your meals. A gift shop, sand volleyball court, and a fitness center wrap up the amenities here.

Beau Rivage Golf & Resort

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Though technically, it doesn’t lie on the beach, the stately and elegant Beau Rivage Golf & Resort sits between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. The property oozes Southern charm and is of the best coastal resorts around. One of the highlights here is the 18-hole championship golf course, which is unique because it’s a coastal course. Besides that, there’s also a seasonal outdoor pool, two tennis courts, and a grill restaurant. And, of course, the beach is merely 10 minutes away, so you can enjoy a day of lounging on the sand. Since Wi-Fi is everywhere, even near the pool, you can stay connected all the time. Rooms and suites at this resort boast cable TVs, small fridges, microwaves, plush beds, and modern bathrooms.

Courtyard Carolina Beach

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The Courtyard Carolina Beach is one of the best beachfront/oceanfront hotels in Wilmington, NC, on the beach. It sits right on Carolina Beach and is, in fact, the only oceanfront Marriott in the whole of North Carolina! So, there’s no doubt that you should go for the best rooms and suites, which are the oceanfront ones, as they have huge private balconies with spectacular ocean views. Besides that, they also have microwaves, small fridges, coffeemakers, and flatscreen TVs.

Since the location is the star here, the ocean is just across a short wooden walkway. Head out for a swim and lounge by the beach during warmer months. When the weather is cooler, retreat to the massive outdoor pool, which offers amazing sea views, sunbeds, and palm trees. Or, you could dive in the heated indoor pool, followed by a dip in the hot tub. And when you get hungry, the Bistro restaurant serves all meals, while there’s even a Starbucks for all your caffeine cravings.

Seven Seas Inn

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Few oceanfront hotels are as amazing as the Seven Seas Inn. This family-friendly oceanfront inn sits right on Kure beach near the pier. Choose from a host of rooms, which also include suites and adjoining rooms with full kitchens and oceanfront balconies. So, it’s perfect for large groups or families to stay here for a memorable beachfront holiday. Even better, it has a hoard of nice amenities, such as the L-shaped oceanfront pool where you can relax while your kids frolic in the water. If that wasn’t enough, the inn sits right across the street from an oceanfront park which has everything from an outdoor playground to porch swings for kids.

Sand Dunes Motel

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The Sand Dunes Motel is amongst the best beachfront/oceanfront hotels in Wilmington, NC, on the beach. This Kure beach establishment is one of the largest hotels on the beachfront, with 39 rooms and suites to choose from. What’s more, the best rooms of the lot have sweeping balconies facing the oceanfront – now, isn’t that something? The highlight here is the sandy beach, which lies right across a short wooden walkway that begins right from the pool lot. The best bit? The hotel has one of the strongest Wi-Fi connections in the town, reaching all the way down to the beach! So you can stay connected all the time. When you’ve had your fill of the beach, the oceanfront pool awaits you. Picnic areas, beachside grills, and onsite laundry services wrap things up here.

Our Verdict!

Based on their best specific attributes, we’ve curated a list of the best hotels of the lot below:

• Best value for money: Sandpeddler Inn & Suites
• Best budget: Drifter’s Reef Hotel
• Best chain hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington
• Best guesthouse: Dreamers by DW

Where to Stay in Wilmington, NC

The quirky little city of Wilmington in southeast North Carolina is one of the best American riverfront towns. But why it’s unique is that it also sits on the Atlantic seafront, where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic ocean. So, it’s only natural that we list the best beaches and beach neighborhoods around town. We begin with Wrightsville beach, a four-mile pristine sandy stretch in its namesake neighborhood. It’s also a popular surf capital, so you’ll see hotels here occupied by peeps who’re always walking around with travel surfboards. Secondly, there’s the all-American beach town of Carolina Beach, which sits further south. Laidback, whimsical, and utterly pretentious-free, this beach town has an iconic boardwalk, a historical landmark, and a vintage beach.

Kure Beach, which sits between the above two, is even more laidback than the two above. Besides a spectacular and sleepy beach, it’s also home to one of the oldest fishing piers on the Atlantic Coast. For those who love adventure, there’s Masonboro Island. What’s special about it is that this beach destination can only be accessed via boat. Besides the beach being pristine, it’s also perfect for nature and birding lovers. 

Which beach is better in Wilmington, NC?

Wrightsville Beach, which is perhaps the southernmost point of the Wilmington region, is easily the most popular beach in the region. It sits on a barrier island separated by the Intracoastal Waterway from across the mainland.

What is unique to Wilmington, NC?

The lovely coastal city of Wilmington in North Carolin is famed for its friendly college culture, rich Civil War history, and gorgeous beaches.