Hilton Vacation Club Beachwoods Kitty Hawk

After more than 30 years visiting the Outer Banks, I can honestly say the service at any Comfort Inn is better than what we got here. We were put under a family with small children who stomped and ran all night, even though the resort was quiet in the off season. Our child accidentally locked the bathroom door with himself outside, and after we told the resort, they kept our $200 deposit. The stay already cost more than other local hotels. There’s no complimentary breakfast, and guests have to take out their own trash. You also have to wear a security band at all times and check in and out at the pool, which felt like a lot of hassle for a carefree vacation. The location was unpleasant, driving behind Walmart into the dark made it feel like we were going somewhere we shouldn’t. I’d pay more to stay by the ocean and get better hospitality at a regular hotel. One and done.

The kids could have stayed in the pool all day, and my wife and I especially loved the hot tub. It was hot, bubbly and relaxing. We spent a cold weekend here, with possible ice and power outages in the forecast, but the full kitchens made it easy to cook meals between pool visits. The kids also liked the game room after our last swim, and the nature path around the property gave us a nice change of pace. We chose this spot for the heated pool, lazy river, hot tub and splash area with waterslide, and it really impressed us. The staff were friendly, welcoming and efficient, and they explained the policies and amenities clearly. They stayed in touch from booking onward, and we were allowed to keep using the amenities until 2 p.m. on checkout day. The rooms gave our family of five enough space for everyone to have some privacy. We tried the playground, but it was too cold to enjoy; we’d like to come back in warmer weather for that, the paddleboats and the ocean. Great setup for families, and a beach trip that won’t break the bank too badly. We’ll be back!

We came with my parents, my fiancé and our two kids, and the suites gave us lots of room. Having two king suites connected was especially nice. The rooms were amazing, with spotless, comfortable beds. The staff were helpful and super friendly, and everything was well maintained. My son loved the little “waterpark.” We’ll definitely return in summer.

This seems like a great choice for families, with an arcade for teens and craft classes for a range of ages. Just expect to hear plenty of happy kids early in the morning, even with quiet hours. The spacious rooms are lovely and stocked for a weeklong vacation, and the balconies look out over the trees. I haven’t stayed at another Hilton resort, so can’t compare, but I liked the accommodations. There’s a large indoor pool for winter, though using it then is awkward: the only place to change is the bathroom, which has nowhere to put your clothes.