Colonial Inn Motel

The beach is just a short climb up the stairs, and there's a lovely pier right next door. Our room was spacious, quiet, and clean, with towels left out several times a day. Shops and places to eat are only minutes away. I'd definitely recommend staying here.

For $100 a night, getting an oceanfront room with a screened area where I could sleep with the sea breeze was hard to beat. It's an old, charming motel behind a sand dune, not a fancy modern resort, and it does have some worn paint and a musty smell. The building has probably weathered plenty of storms, and they do their best to keep it clean despite its age. It's perfectly adequate for a beach vacation. The front desk staff were kind, there were plenty of towels, and bars and restaurants were within walking distance. Dogs are welcome for a fee. Anyone expecting a newer, fancier place should budget more.

We wanted a laid-back, quaint beachfront place, and this was exactly right. The patio by the beach was lovely for sitting and looking at the stars in the evening. We were next to the pier, whose restaurant we visited every day, and close to Jockeys Ridge. Our three-night studio had a small kitchen and bathroom that suited us, though the appliances could use an update for a longer stay. Check-in was easy, maintenance was friendly, and the place felt more like home than a hotel. There's a pool, free Wi-Fi and ice, and easy parking. Pets are allowed for $25 a night. We'd book again.

The photographer deserves credit, but there was no record of our reservation. The owner offered us a two-bedroom with two king beds for the same price, even though there were only two of us. When he opened the door, I saw something on the floor. He stepped on it, apparently trying to hide it, and there was another dead one in the bedroom. I asked if the cockroaches came complimentary, and we ran out of there as fast as we could.