Wingate by Wyndham Kill Devil Hills

Wingate by Wyndham Kill Devil Hills is situated right on the dunes in a five-floor building, with a walkway leading to the beach and ocean. Guests enter a high-ceiling lobby bathed in natural light, done in a sea-and-beach color palette of blue and sand, and decorated with striped chairs, rattan furniture, and jute rugs. There aren't many places for guests to gather and hang out within the hotel -- there's no proper bar or restaurant -- though the seasonal pool is an inviting spot in warm weather, and during the summer season guests can hit the ocean for body boarding, skim-boarding, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding. The hotel draws tourists, especially couples and families who appreciate the beachfront location and roomy suites.

The beachfront Wingate by Wyndham Kill Devil Hills sits Virginia Dare Trail, one of the main routes through Kill Devil Hills that's two blocks east of South Croatan Highway/Highway 158. This is the center of the town's tourist area and is loaded with surf shops, souvenir stands, ice cream parlors, fast-food outlets, seafood restaurants, and all manner of game outlets for kids. The Wright Brothers National Memorial is a five-minute drive from the hotel, and it's also a five-minute drive to Avalon Fishing Pier. Jockey's Ridge State park is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, where there are activities like hang gliding, sand-boarding, hiking, and the tallest natural sand dune system in the United States. Nags Head Woods Preserve is also 10 minutes away by car. Bodie Island Lighthouse is a little under 20 minutes away by car. Corolla, home to a population of famous wild horses, is 45 minutes up the road, and Norfolk International Airport is a little over 90 minutes away by car.

Wingate by Wyndham Kill Devil Hills has 71 all non-smoking rooms in a five-floor building. All rooms are spacious two-room suites with different bed sizes depending on the room category. Rooms are clean and quiet, and get good natural light, with light wood-veneer furnishings, granite countertops, and a color palette of beige, brown, slate blue, and robin's egg blue. Some elements are outdated -- like the furniture, bedding, and drapes -- while kitchenettes and wall art look more fresh. All rooms feature living areas with Murphy beds and kitchenettes with sinks, coffeemakers, microwaves, and mini-fridges. Free Wi-Fi and two flat-screen TVs -- a 37-inch once in bedroom and 42-inch one in living area -- are also included. Balconies or terraces are a nice touch, though only some provide ocean views, with higher-floor rooms featuring better vantages. Bathrooms are clean, well-lighted, and spacious, with small vanities and shower/tub combos.

There are plenty of things to like about this hotel, starting with a free breakfast with a rotating spread of hot waffles, French toast, omelets or scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, cereal, fruit, yogurt, coffee, and juice. Lunch and dinner are not served on site. Guests can swim and soak in a heated outdoor pool and hot tub in warmer months, though the hot tub wasn't the most inviting shade when we visited. The hotel's fitness center features views of the Wright Brothers Memorial plus an elliptical machine, treadmill, recumbent bike, free weights, and weight machines. Unlike most hotel gyms it has specific stations to work the abs and obliques. During the summer, guests can hit the beach outside the hotel and go kayaking, fishing, body boarding, skim-boarding, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding, with gear available for rent locally. The Wingate by Wyndham Kill Devil Hills also has a lobby computer and printer, coin-op laundry, 24-hour front desk, and free parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout.