Holiday Inn Express Nags Head Oceanfront by IHG

We’d stay again. Check-in was smooth, the room stayed clean, and the balcony had a nice ocean view. The shower was hot and the bed was almost firm. There was plenty of parking, though we went toward the end of the season.

The rooms, beds, bathrooms, and even the shower were clean, and everything looked recently renovated. Staff were nice, and the front desk was friendly and helpful. The coffee was good too. My one regret is not paying just 20 bucks more for an oceanfront room, they had balconies! I’ll definitely get one next time. I’d recommend this hotel to anyone.

Our first night, the room was 80 degrees and getting hotter at 1:30 AM because the malfunctioning AC was blowing hot air. Lou, the night clerk, quickly found us another room and we got a credit for the price difference. It had a dune view instead of ocean view and was on the third floor rather than the fourth. You can see the ocean from either floor, but you have to stand up, since the balcony railing blocks the view when you’re sitting in the chairs. The location was good for us, right on the beach and central enough to visit both the northern and southern Outer Banks. For an affordable oceanfront hotel, it seemed only mildly worn in September 2025, which is better than I’d expect with all the sun, sand, salty air, and constant turnover. Breakfast was a little above average, in my opinion, with warm cinnamon rolls, biscuits, sausage and/or bacon each day. I’d recommend the property. Thanks to Lou for saving our vacation!

The rooms looked recently renovated and were clean and comfortable. Staff were friendly and helpful, and breakfast had a good variety. Bonus, the coffee is freshly ground. You can walk from the hotel to the beach. We stayed here for our Nags Head vacation. Just a heads-up, only one room has a bathtub; the rest have walk-in showers.