North Carolina’s capital city Raleigh is gorgeously lush and is home to excellent cuisines, music, museums, and galleries. Raleigh and Durham along with Chapel Hill are famous as the Research Triangle due to the presence of three universities in each of the cities. So, it’s catnip to both leisure and business travelers. Luckily, the amazing Raleigh-Durham International Airport has many hotels nearby that cater to all kinds of travelers, no matter their budget. This is especially helpful if you’re in town for less than 24 hours or have an early morning flight out. What’s more, whether you’re looking for affordable digs or want to splurge, there’s no dearth of choices either.
Despite being a small community, Raliegh and the surrounding areas are not just a cultural melting pot but also boasts fantastic outdoors for intrepid travelers. What’s more, one of the World’s Largest Zoos, the North Carolina Zoo, is less than an hour away from Raleigh. So, it’s no wonder that visitors throng to this city. To that end, here are the 11 best hotels near Raleigh Durham International Airport.
Where to Stay near Raleigh-Durham Airport?
Raleigh Durham Airport lies around 20 minutes northwest of the city, on the other side of the Crabtree Valley. Despite being surrounded by lush green state parks, its proximity to most of the cities in and around the Research Triangle is what makes it so convenient to travel to. Moreover, there’s no dearth of hotels surrounding the airport, especially since the Research Triangle is close by. What’s more, many of the hotels are available for as cheap as less than $100. So, where exactly are all these hotels located?
To begin with, we have the charming community of Brier Creek right as you exit the Raleigh-Durham airport. The upscale and vibrant community is both residential and commercial and boasts a chunk of hotels that lie near the airport. Most of the other hotels lie along the Dan K Moore Freeway on the way to the Research Triangle. They’re surrounded by popular restaurant chains, which means that staying here allows you to step out for meals too. Finally, the last cluster of hotels is in the tech town of Morrisville, located just south of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. It’s also home to some excellent outdoor activities, and also has a good number of eateries around the hotel cluster. What’s more, even Raleigh Downtown is a mere 15-minute drive from here.
Quality Inn & Suites RDU Airport
11
The Quality Inn & Suites is one of the best hotels near Raleigh Durham International Airport. This North Carolinian hotel is a quintessential airport hotel but doesn’t skimp on accommodation or amenities. So, you’ll find rooms with flatscreen TVs, free WiFi, and even extras like ironing facilities and hairdryers, For your convenience, you’ll even find coffee and tea-making facilities in every room.
Despite being a budget hotel, you’re served a wonderful complimentary breakfast, complete with pastries and waffles every morning. A 24-hour reception desk aside, there’s even a business center onsite for you to catch up with work. Finally, you can even work out in the fitness center or enjoy a swim or dip in the outdoor pool.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Free, available 24/7.
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 1.7mi (2.7km).
- Estimated Drive Time: 5 minutes.
Courtyard by Marriott Raleigh-Durham Airport/Morrisville
10
There’s a lot to like about the Courtyard by Marriott Raleigh-Durham Airport/Morrisville, which is just over a mile from the airport. Since the hotel offers a free 24-hour shuttle, you don’t have to worry about getting to the airport on time. The hotel offers a lot of facilities, which include a nice cafe that’s open for breakfast every day as well as a bistro that’s great for meals. The outdoor pool is a great place to enjoy a dip and relax after that. Or, you could indulge in a spot of exercise at the fitness center. What’s more, there’s even a cozy lounge fireplace in the lobby that’s an excellent place to lounge after breakfast or wait for your airport shuttle.
You won’t be disappointed with the rooms at the hotel. They feature ergonomic work desks, ironing facilities, chic bathrooms, and cable TVs.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Free, available 24/7.
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 1.7mi (2.7km).
- Estimated Drive Time: 4 minutes.
Aloft Raleigh-Durham Airport Brier Creek
9
Aloft Brier Creek is hands-down the best hotel near Raleigh Durham International Airport. Its funky interiors belie its ‘airport hotel’ tag, and it’s pet-friendly as well. There’s so much to do on the property that there won’t be a moment’s boredom for you as you wait out your layover. To begin with, there’s a chill terrace to hang out, complete with the W XYZ bar and a pool table as well. Free bottled water and coffee are available all day, every day, and if you have your own vehicle, they even have parking spaces. If you’re a fitness fanatic, then the swanky fitness center will perfectly suit you. The icing on the cake is the fantastic indoor pool, but with two-sided glass walls, it might as well be an outdoor one.
All rooms at Aloft come with free Wi-Fi and a huge flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Moreover, you’ll also find sleek private bathrooms with bespoke Spa Bliss amenities and even hairdryers.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Free, available 24/7.
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 4.1mi (6.6km).
- Estimated Drive Time: 8 minutes.
Cambria Hotel Raleigh Durham Airport
8
There’s no better upscale affordable choice for both leisure and business travelers near the airport than Cambria Hotel. For instance, it offers a slew of facilities including meeting spaces, free Wi-Fi, and even a barista coffee bar in the lobby. Grab a nightcap at the full-service bar after tucking into classic American fare at Social Circle, the on-site restaurant. The highlight, however, is the indoor pool with a whirlpool for soothing your sore muscles. Finally, you’ll also find a fitness center if you don’t want to miss out on your workout regimen.
All suites at this non-smoking hotel feature plush bedding and upscale amenities such as not but two flatscreen TVs, fridges, and microwaves. However. that’s not all. You’ll also find spa-like baths with bespoke bath and body works amenities.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Free, available 24/7.
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 1.5mi (2.4km).
- Estimated Drive Time: 4 minutes.
Holiday Inn Raleigh-Durham Airport
7
Located around five minutes from the airport, the Holiday Inn is one of the best hotels near Raleigh Durham International Airport. There’s a lot to like about this hotel from the able stable of the Holiday Inn brand, starting with the lovely indoor pool. With a complete wall of glass looking onto the outside, it’s the perfect place to unwind. What’s more, there’s a superb on-site restaurant that serves a complimentary breakfast, as well as other meals. Besides free Wi-Fi, other facilities ere are the laundry services, 24-hour business center, and the fitness center.
The rooms at the Holiday Inn are some of the largest not just near the airport, but in the whole region. They’re done up in soothing shades of grey and white and feature sleek work desks and flat-screen cable TVs. Moreover, you’ll also find coffee making facilities, fridges, microwaves, and equally chic ensuite bathrooms.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Free, available 24/7.
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 1.9mi (3km).
- Estimated Drive Time: 5 minutes.
Embassy Suites by Hilton RDU
6
Located hardly 10 minutes from Raleigh-Durham Airport, Embassy Suites is a convenient base for those visiting anywhere in the Research Triangle, particularly if you’re on business. For instance, you’ll find many meeting spaces and even a business center. However, it’s also an excellent base for the weary and tired leisure traveler. So, you’ll find complimentary breakfast at the on-site restaurant and complimentary wine reception at the day’s end. The standout is the heated indoor pool, which happens to be one of the Best Hotel Pools In Raleigh. Rounding up the amenities is a fitness center.
The rooms and suites here are all equipped with free Wi-Fi, ergonomic work desks and chairs, a microwave, and a huge flatscreen TV. Plush beds and soundproofed windows help you sleep fitfully before getting on to a flight.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Free, available 24/7.
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 4.9mi (7.8km).
- Estimated Drive Time: 10 minutes.
Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh-Durham Airport
5
The Hampton Inn & Suites is one of the best hotels near Raleigh Durham International Airport, especially in terms of location. To begin with, it’s just 20 minutes from Downtown Raleigh. Secondly, it’s a mere 15-minute drive from the Research Triangle. Even Durham is just 15 minutes away, as are most of the other towns in and near the Research Triangle. So, if you’ve to travel around these areas a lot, then the Hampton Inn & Suites s the perfect base. All rooms and suites come with the signature Cloud Nine bed from the brand, allowing you to catch up on sleep. Flatscreen TVs and free Wi-Fi are mainstays everywhere.
If you want a little more space, go for the suites with the full kitchen and separate living room. Begin your day with a sumptuous and complimentary hot breakfast. When you aren’t catching up on sleep, enjoy a dip in the indoor pool. Or, you could even indulge in an energizing workout in the gym.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Free, available 24/7.
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 4.6mi (7.4km).
- Estimated Drive Time: 9 minutes.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Raleigh Airport
4
There are few airport hotels that can boast a terrace, and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Raleigh Airport/Brier Creek has a particularly nice one. Located hardly 10 minutes from the airport, the hotel has a lot going for it. Despite being a budget hotel, it doesn’t skimp on amenities. So, you’ll find an indoor pool, a 24-hour front desk, a fitness center, and even a business center. With a 24-hour free shuttle service from the airport available, you never have to worry about getting to your flight on time. Rounding up the superb amenities is a hot complimentary breakfast that awaits you every day.
The rooms at the Holiday Inn Express are not just spacious, but they boast gorgeous views of the surrounding foliage from the windows. So, it’s nice to see something apart from airport structures and highways from your rooms. Plush, sleep-inducing beds, cushy sofas, ergonomic work desks, and flatscreen TVs are mainstays everywhere. Swish private ensuite bathrooms complete the picture of perfection.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Free, available 24/7.
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 5.2mi (8.3km).
- Estimated Drive Time: 10 minutes.
Residence Inn by Marriott Raleigh-Durham Airport/Morrisville
3
The Residence Inn by Marriott in Morrisville is one of the closest best hotels near Raleigh Durham International Airport. It lies hardly five minutes south of the airport in Morrisville, right off the Research Triangle highway. What makes this hotel so different is that it exudes a homely and welcoming vibe, much unlike other airport hotels. Even its appearance is that of a large farmhouse, complete with lush gardens filled with flowers, in the middle of which lies a lovely outdoor pool. That, combined with the whirlpool, is the best spot to unwind on the property. Besides a scrumptious hot breakfast in the morning, you can also get all-day free coffee in the lobby. Apart from meals at the on-site restaurant, there are also evening beer and wine receptions. Finally, you can work out in the fitness center.
The rooms and suites at Residence Inn come with living areas and kitchens for whipping up amazing meals. Furthermore, all rooms feature free Wi-Fi, ergonomic work desks, and cable TVs.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Free, available 24/7.
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 1.7mi (2.7km).
- Estimated Drive Time: 5 minutes.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Research Triangle Park
2
If you want to stay at Research Triangle Park, then look no further than the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Located hardly 10 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, this hotel features all amenities and facilities that you need for a comfortable short stay. While some rooms even come with mini-fridges, all of the feature coffee-making facilities and flat-screen cable TVs. Modern ensuite bathrooms, soft beds, soundproofed windows, and heavy drapes ensure a good rest before you board a long flight.
However, it’s the amenities of the hotel that steal the show. Besides a swish fitness center, it’s the seasonal outdoor pool that’s an absolute delight. In fact, it’s one of the few outdoor pools in proximity to the airport. Enjoy delicious meals at the on-site restaurant, including a nice hot complimentary breakfast. A launderette, business center, and lobby bar make it a cinch for business travelers as well.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Free, available 24/7.
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 4.4mi (7km).
- Estimated Drive Time: 8 minutes.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Raleigh-Durham Airport Morrisville
1
The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Morrisville is one of the best hotels near Raleigh Durham International Airport. Located hardly five minutes from the airport, the hotel is the perfect base for your last night or layover in the Research Triangle area. It has a lovely indoor pool that’s a great place to unwind on the property. The on-site fitness center is ideal for a workout session, while the dry cleaning services are handy if you’re here on a work trip. What’s more, the hotel even serves an excellent continental breakfast in the lounge every morning. Plus, a bunch of great restaurants lies not far from the hotel either.
You won’t be disappointed by the rooms and suites at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Raleigh, which boast large windows and neutral hues. Moreover, they also come with coffee/tea makers, plush beds, ironing facilities, cable TVs, and even seating areas.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Free, available 24/7.
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 1.7mi (2.7km).
- Estimated Drive Time: 5 minutes.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars near Raleigh Durham Airport:
- Angus Barn – This iconic Raleigh institution is famous for its Southern hospitality and has been around for almost 60 years! In fact, it’s become almost a rite of passage to eat here before or after a flight. Think juicy succulent meat cuts served with some of the most extensive wine lists around.
- California Pizza Kitchen – Located right outside Terminal 2 Arrivals, California Pizza Kitchen is a breath of fresh air and nothing like airport food. Made from the freshest of Northern Carolinian vegetables, complete with a freshly-cracked egg, pizzas at CPK are the ultimate comfort food post or prior to a flight.
Recommended Activities near Raleigh Durham Airport:
- Raleigh, NC Walking Food Tours – What better way to spend your last few hours before a flight than go on a delicious food tour? This 3-hour food tour takes you to some of the most unique local haunts in Raleigh that serve the most lip-smacking fare you might have had in town. What’s more, you’re also fed tidbits of the cluinary and histrocial landcsape of the city.
