Nags Head Beach Inn by KEES Vacations

The inn is right by the beach and has a nice antique feel, with good AC, a smart TV, refrigerator, Keurig, and a microwave in the lobby. The lobby itself is beautifully decorated, with hardwood floors and a rug, and I wish the rooms had the same care. We stayed last year and had a great time apart from a bad smell in the room, so we tried it again this year, but the problems were worse. The room smelled really bad when we arrived, even though the lobby was fine. The carpet was so dirty that my feet and socks turned black, so I had to wear shoes. There was also a large stain showing from under the bed. The clothing drawers, especially the top ones, smelled like rotten fish. Some wall paint was peeling, the bathroom was a little dirty, and the button for the jacuzzi jets was broken. They provide just one small roll of toilet paper for the stay, then you have to buy more yourself. I really hope they replace that nasty carpet and make some changes. With improvements like the lobby has, it might be worth the price.

There’s no front desk, and the only support is an automated text service monitored from 9 to 5. We arrived after 5 and the front door code wouldn’t work, so there was nobody to help us. Knocking didn’t do any good either. After trying for 20 minutes, we gave up on the one-night stay and checked into the Marriott Townplace Suites down the street, which was great and worth it. If you’re booking here and getting in after 5, you could be stuck. Save your money.

We spent about 20 minutes there before booking another place. The pictures made it look appealing, but the actual room was very different. The bed was unstable and dusty, with trash behind it; the floors were stained, and the room smelled of cigarettes. There were huge gaps under the door, so sound carried both ways. Black mold covered the caulk around the jacuzzi. We also struggled to get into the building since nobody was on site. My wife and I wouldn’t recommend booking here.

The location worked well for me, right by the beach and close to the shops and restaurants I love in OBX. The room was pretty clean, I could control the temperature, and the housekeepers were super nice. I didn’t feel secure, though. My room’s window wouldn’t lock, which felt especially concerning since the building is all on one floor and I was traveling alone as a young woman. There’s a code for the building, but the doors open if you just push them because a latch is broken. At these nightly rates, they could afford to replace the windows and latches. If safety matters to you, I wouldn’t stay here. Knowing about those issues, I probably would’ve paid more for a more secure place.