Carolina Beach Inn

Getting the booking and entering the building for self check-in were easy, and the building and area are cute. Service and location were great. But room #6 had absolutely no soundproofing, and we heard people next door struggling to plug something into an outlet. We had come in without luggage just to nap before collecting it and spending time around town. We were there about two hours. Other guests revved truck engines outside, were loud, and had lots of dogs running through the hallways. There was noise all around, and I got anxious whenever it seemed to get closer to our door. I can't give one star since we were trying to nap from 4 to 6 pm, which I understand isn't quiet time, but if it's this noisy then, I didn't want to hear it during actual sleeping hours. It felt like being in a bedroom in someone's house, not a hotel room. Since we'd booked on arrival day, I decided to lose the money I paid and went up the road to spark by Hilton around 7 pm instead.

We tried to make it work, but the room was too small, so we had to ask for a different one. The rental property moved us down to Kure beach to get what we'd signed up for, and now I have to commute to Carolina beach each morning for my conference. It's not too far, but definitely inconvenient. The room barely fit a queen bed, and the advertised suite was really just a frozen-up mini fridge and a microwave taking up much-needed space. The photos and ads made it seem like we'd get one of the actual suites, but there are only a couple of those units. They advertise a pool, though it's at another hotel. Parking is public street parking, so good luck finding a spot near the building. The dog-friendly atmosphere is the real appeal, but there's not enough room for a suitcase and a dog alongside you. The thermostat is somewhere remote in the building, and my room was at 64 degrees.

They sent all the room and stay details by text ahead of time, so everything felt easy and seamless. The location is fantastic, right in the middle of everything happening on Carolina Beach. I've had an incredible stay at the Carolina Beach Inn, and I'll definitely come back and recommend it to others.

It's a short two-block walk to the beach, and the room was lovely and super quiet. The place feels more like home than a hotel. They welcome pets and have dog bowls and treats ready for them. Everything is handled online, with key numbers to enter the room instead of a front desk, which I love as an introvert. I'd give more stars if I could.