5025 Market St, Wilmington, North Carolina, United States | 910-799-6001
Located on Wilmington's busy Market Street, close to multiple dining spots
Drive to Wrightsville Beach in 15 minutes
Seasonal outdoor pool
Free continental breakfast
Rates far lower than most Wilmington hotels
Microwaves and mini-fridges in rooms
Free on-site parking
Pets allowed (for a fee)
Free Wi-Fi
Serious upkeep, cleanliness, and datedness issues throughout
Noise from street in guest rooms
Outdoor pool isn't open year round
This budget hotel offers value-for-location, a pool, and a free continental breakfast, but not much else. The 120 rooms are bleak, with unattractive, often mismatched, beat-up furniture and there are cleanliness issues throughout. The hotel's in a busy location on Wilmington's Market Street, with plenty of dining spots all around, and it's only 15 minutes from Wilmington's beaches by car, but there's little else to recommend a stay here. Overall, it's dingy and poorly maintained, though bargain rates do make it an option for guests looking in search of a cheap place to sleep and nothing more.
Scene
Budget hotel with upkeep and maintenance issues throughout
This Econo Lodge is a basic two-story motel with exterior corridors leading to guest rooms. Parking is right outside the rooms, and the only access to the second floor is by taking the stairs. The check-in desk is at the back of the large lobby, which has a small seating area near the front windows and also serves as the breakfast room. There are rusted grills and benches out by the parking lot and we saw a couple of abandoned shopping carts parked near the hotel's dumpsters. There's little about this hotel to set it apart in a positive way, besides the decent outdoor pool. The majority of guests are couples, families, and business travelers in need of a budget place to sleep -- don't expect much, though, even by those standards.
Location
On busy Market Street surrounded by dining, other hotels, and businesses
The hotel is located on Wilmington's busy Market Street, a parkway-like road with many other hotels, gas stations, chain restaurants, businesses, and the like -- many of which can be reached on foot. However, the buildings immediately to the left and right of the hotel appear to be empty or abandoned. Wrightsville Beach is a 15-minute drive from the hotel and Wilmington International Airport is about 10 minutes away. The Bellamy Mansion Museum, USS North Carolina Battleship, and Cape Fear Museum can all be reached in less than 15 minutes by car, while Carolina Beach is about 30 minutes away.
Rooms
Basic rooms rooms with mismatched furniture and upkeep issues
Rooms are basic, with old tube TVs, beat-up and mismatched furniture, microwaves, and mini-fridges. They are poorly lit and feel dark and damp, with patterned green carpets and dark wood furniture. Some beds have moderately smarter brown bedding, while others have old motel-style comforters with unattractive floral patterns. The rooms in general smell musty and closet space consists of a hanging bar in the sink area. The toilet and shower/tub combo are in a tiny room of their own and an iron and ironing board hang on a wall open to the room. There are multiple signs of age and poor maintenance throughout, such as scuffs on walls and mildew stains in the bathroom.
Features
Seasonal outdoor pool, free Continental breakfast in lobby
Like most budget hotels, the features here are limited. The seasonal outdoor pool is in the middle of the property surrounded by a fence and the parking lot -- it's a decent place for a dip on a hot day. A computer is set up in the lobby for guests to use and a free Continental breakfast is served in the lobby each morning. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and pets are allowed with restrictions and fees.