Best Western Plus Coastline Inn

Once you've seen the vintage red caboose and 86-ton steam engine, you've arrived at Best Western Plus Coastline Inn. On the site of a historic rail yard, the four-story hotel is flanked by the Wilmington Railroad Museum (which occupies an 1883 railroad freight warehouse and keeps its century-old locomotive and railroad car out front) and the Coastline Conference and Event Center (another late-19th-century Atlantic Coastline Railroad building). The complex is on the northernmost corner of Old Wilmington's riverfront, within a short walk of downtown's many restaurants and bars. The back of the hotel faces the Cape Fear River, and there are river views from every room. The small lobby gets lots of natural light from its two-story windows, and offers little besides two computers and printers, racks of brochures, a couple of cushioned chairs, and a sundry counter with items like cold soda and beer, chips, candy bars, medicine, and deodorant. Outdoor hallways with rocking chairs lead to the rooms, and a key gate on the second-floor landing opens to the hotel's pier and dock, which are open to the public. Though it shares the immediate area with the Coastline Convention Center -- and the even larger Wilmington Convention Center is across a side street -- the hotel is popular more so with tourists than business travelers. Past visitors praise the property for its river views, quiet setting, low prices, and easy access to Wilmington's historic downtown. 

Best Western Plus Coastline Inn is a great jumping-off point for exploring Old Wilmington. It's located on the northern edge of downtown, in a historic waterfront rail yard that now houses the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Wilmington Convention Center, and the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau. The hotel is within a quick walk of historic sites, restaurants, attractions, and nightlife, but the short distance between the hotel and Wilmington's main drag helps the property feel calm and removed from the bustle.The historic Cotton Exchange, a rambling shopping and dining complex occupying eight turn-of-the-last-century buildings, is a three-minute walk away. Cotton Exchange opens onto Front Street, Wilmington's historic and charming main drag, packed with neighborhood pubs, cocktail bars, microbreweries, restaurants, and coffee shops. The hotel is right on Wilmington's River Walk; a 12-minute walk along the river puts guests at Old Wilmington City Market, a block-long, skylit shopping arcade with local shops.The USS North Carolina battleship memorial is across the river, reachable by car or boat. Wrightsville Beach is 20 minutes away by car, while Carolina and Kure beaches take 30 to 35 minutes to reach. The hotel is about 10 minutes from Wilmington International Airport by taxi or car, and two-and-a-half to three hours from Raleigh-Durham International Airport. 

As expected from a budget chain property, Best Western's 53 rooms aren't terribly exciting in terms of their style. However, they're perhaps a touch more attractive than they need to be. Walls are painted pale shades of yellow, green, and blue, and electric-blue armchairs and ottomans sit in the corner. What's more, all rooms are perfectly comfortable, well-stocked, and painstakingly clean. All have views of the Cape Fear River, and some can see the USS North Carolina battleship across the river. Rooms on the second floor have easy gated access to the hotel's pier and dock from their landing.Amenities are solid, with flat-screen TVs (with HBO), mini-fridges, coffeemakers with free Wolfgang Puck coffee, individually controlled air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have walk-in rainfall showers (no tubs); note that the bathroom doors don't have locks and doorless showers offer little privacy. A hairdryer and full array of Aquamer toiletries are provided, including shampoo, conditioner, body soap, facial soap, lotion, a shower cap, and a makeup-removing wipe. Suites with separate living rooms and dog-friendly rooms are available.

Best Western's biggest feature is its daily breakfast, which is served in a small room on the third floor. The free spread includes DIY waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, and pork sausage patties, as well as cold items like cereal, Chobani yogurt, and pre-packaged hard-boiled eggs. There is limited seating in the breakfast room -- just three tables and a row of stools facing the wall -- but additional tables and chairs are outside on the landing. A small exercise room provides an elliptical, a treadmill, a stationary bike, and a multi-use strength-training machine, and a corner of the lobby contains two computer stations with printers. An extended counter off of the 24-hour front desk sells sundries, such as packaged cookies, batteries, eyedrops, and wine (mini and full-size bottles). Refrigerated wine, beer, soda, and juice are also for sale. Best Western Plus is a good choice for pet owners, as it is pet-friendly for a fee, and offers quick and easy access to its grassy front and side yard. Walkers can pick up the River Walk right next to the hotel. A section of the hotel's long pier and dock on the Cape Fear is open to the public, but opening the property gate requires a room key. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Parking is also free, though some past guests have griped that spots can go quickly when a convention or special event is being held at one of the adjacent buildings.