5353 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, United States | (888) 635-3814
Oceanfront location and private balconies in every room
Located across street from Kitty Hawk Fishing Pier
All rooms have mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers
Free Wi-Fi
Free cooked-to-order breakfast
On-site fitness center with free weights and machines
Outdoor and indoor pools
Meeting rooms and 24-hour business center
Laundry available
Hotel decor doesn't take inspiration from oceanfront location
Some rooms have carpets and furniture with stains
Indoor pool looks a bit worn
Though many of the vacationers to the Outer
Banks opt for rental homes, the mid-range Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk is a suitable
option for those who prefer a hotel stay. It caters to both the business and
leisure traveler, but the clientele, especially in the summer months, is one
looking for a relaxing getaway. The hotel is very similar to most other Hilton
Garden Inns -- with free Wi-Fi and breakfast and clean, comfortable rooms -- but
with an oceanfront location and a private balcony attached to each guest unit. Rooms also come
equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and microwaves.
Scene
Mixed clientele, with hotel's interior not playing up its oceanfront location
At first glance, the Hilton Garden Inn in
Kitty Hawk doesn’t look any different than any of its chain counterparts.
But this particular big-box, off-white structure that’s so familiar to
travelers has an incredible oceanfront location on a wide stretch of North
Carolina beach. It has a casual business-meets-family-meets-beach traveler
vibe, though the lobby decor does nothing to enhance the hotel’s picturesque
surroundings. The marble fireplace, leather chairs, and ornate deep-green
carpet would be a better fit almost anywhere other than the beach. Other public
spaces are far more reflective of the location: Outdoors, there’s a dolphin
fountain, fire pit, and tiki bar for guest use.
Location
Oceanfront property within driving distance of all the top attractions in the Outer Banks
This Hilton location is built on a wide,
beautiful stretch of Outer Banks beach, just steps from Kitty Hawk Fishing
Pier. The Wright Brothers National Memorial, one
of the area’s top attractions, is less than a 10-minute drive south. Jockey’s
Ridge State Park, the largest East-Coast natural sand dune, is less
than a 20-minute drive south. And the stunning Currituck Lighthouse is
about a 30-minute drive north. Norfolk International Airport is a bit more than
90 minutes north by car.
Rooms
Added comforts like mini-fridges and microwaves give the rooms a homey feel
The
most distinctive feature of the rooms at this Hilton Garden are the private
balconies. Though views are better from some spaces than others (hint: room
categories with the word “side” offer the less-optimal views), all have plastic
chairs and small tables. The rooms, much like the lobby, pay little homage to
the property’s location. White linens, cherry headboards, and beige carpeting suggest
any location in the world, though the artwork on the walls is beach-themed.
And while some guests complain of stained carpets and furniture, the rooms are clean by and large and come with extras like flat-screen TVs, desks, microwaves,
mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and hairdryers. Suites include full-sized sleeper
sofas, and some have whirlpools.
Features
Plenty of fun to be had on and off the beach
The
Hilton Garden Inn Kitty Hawk has both an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a
game room for the kids, a tiki bar for the adults, and a fire pit for all. A
free cooked-to-order breakfast is served in the hotel’s Garden Grille and
Bar and the on-site fitness center offers free weights, cardio machines, and
nautilus equipment. The Hilton also provides free Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, and a 24-hour
business center with printing services.