The First Colony Inn

The thick walls meant I couldn’t hear the neighbors, which made for a relaxing stay. The inn is tucked behind lovely foliage, away from the main road, so it feels private, and it’s close to shopping. I’ve been coming to the Outer Banks for over 20 years and somehow only found this cute historic place on this visit. The beach is a quick walk, followed by a climb over the dune where the stairs used to be. It’s a big climb, but doable. The pros were enough for five stars, though it is dated and could use repairs. Deck boards are uneven in spots, and I tripped a few times. Some bathroom and light fixtures didn’t work right, and the AC rattled when it kicked on.

The staff were wonderful, but this was a big mistake for our 50th anniversary after two earlier stays when we were very pleased. It’s sad to see this once beautiful historic inn falling into ruin. Maintenance is badly needed. The screens on our private porch were torn, so lots of stink bugs flew in. There was just one chair and a dirty, rusty, broken table, making the porch not very usable. The heated towel bar didn’t work, and the bathroom fixtures were old and rusty. Nothing was at comfort height, which was difficult for us as seniors. There was black mold on the bathroom ceiling, a health concern, and the carpet was filthy. The furniture was old and worn, not charming antiques. The bed was okay, but I wondered about the bedding’s cleanliness. Outside needs a good power wash and paint. The railings were so dirty I didn’t want to touch them on the stairs. The grounds seemed somewhat maintained, but the pool area wasn’t. Beach access also needs maintenance, with debris cleared and plants trimmed. We made the best of our stay, but were highly disappointed this place had been let go. We won’t return. 😪

My girlfriend and I like different styles, I prefer a classic look and she likes modern updates, but this place had both. Our room came with a bureau, couch, nice chair, and an awesome king bed, plus a full kitchen set and the usual hotel stuff. Sit-down breakfast was amazing, and the pool, lawn, and cute garden all impressed us. We’ve stayed at other nice places nearby, but they don’t quite measure up to this one. How is it so affordable? It should cost double. If you’ve read this far, book it.

The adjoining rooms, 3 and 4, worked perfectly for our family of five. The front desk team was welcoming and helped us get the rooms set up, and the breakfast chef was attentive to my dietary needs. Breakfast was delicious. I work in hospitality, so being a guest can be hard, but the crew and the historic charm made it easy to relax. I have only good things to say about the hotel. The pool was clean and beautiful, and the garden lush. There’s also a great cafe right next door with fantastic lattes. Can’t wait to stay again!