Island Inn of Atlantic Beach

This casual hotel complex hosts mostly vacationing couples and families in clean, reasonably priced accommodations that are walking distance to the beach. The yellow-beige and mint-green buildings house few extra property features (not even breakfast is available on-site), and its appeal can really be found in the spacious suites, efficiencies, and multi-room apartments. The small lobby and reception area look much like the rooms themselves, with beige tiled floors, colorful walls, and a bright, beachy vibe, but if there's any hub of activity, it's the small outdoor pool, where lounge chairs and a few lawn games are gathered. While this property has little in the way of extras, it's clean and well-maintained, and the big rooms make a great base for island adventures.

The Island Inn is situated on a busy four-lane road filled with residential complexes, shops, and restaurants, many just a few minute's walk from the hotel. The real draw here, though, is the beach, just a six-minute walk from the property.

Approximate driving times to area attractions are: Morehead City (five minutes), Fort Macon State Park (five minutes), Beaufort (12 minutes), the Michael J. Smith Field Airport (16 minutes), North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores (10 minutes), Indian Beach (14 minutes), Emerald Isle (18 minutes), and New Bern (52 minutes).

Past guests praise rooms here for being exceptionally clean and bright. Even the smaller studios are fairly roomy, but the hotel also offers spacious efficiency suites and multi-room apartments. Decor is simple and somewhat dated, though pleasant enough with a beachy vibe. While it varies, most rooms have beige tiled floors and yellow walls that extend directly from bedrooms to bathrooms. Comforters and shower curtains are bright floral or tropical print, furniture is white, and generic seaside-themed artwork graces the walls. Counters are black granite while upholstered sofas and chairs might come in bright pastels.

Suites include sleeper sofas, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and microwaves. Efficiencies and apartments have fully equipped kitchens, some with full-sized fridges and ovens, plus cookware and utensils. Bathrooms have combination showers and tubs, plus hairdryers, but some guests are disappointed with the wall-mounted soap dispensers, and the lack of any other toiletries. Views are mostly of the pool or property’s parking lot or landscaped lawn. Pets are welcome in select rooms for a surcharge. 

With most of the amenities in the rooms themselves, this property offers few other extras. There's an outdoor pool -- it's not huge and only goes to a depth of five feet, but it's surrounded by lounge chairs, palm trees, and a few lawn games. There is no restaurant or bar on-site (no breakfast service is offered, either), though there's a picnic area with a grill and tables outside, as well as soda vending machines and ice machines on-site. Guests are offered free access to a 24-hour fitness center, but it's in Morehead City -- that is, not in walking distance. The front desk is opened during limited hours, and guests find staff helpful and friendly. Pets are allowed in certain rooms, for an extra fee. Wi-Fi and parking are free.