The Carolina Inn

Was booked here by UNC for a work event. Lovely property! Luxurious and convenient. The one thing that bugged me was that more than one staff member seemed to be soliciting me to hang out with them 1:1. What started as friendly small talk while waiting for a ride in the pick up area quickly became comments on my appearance and expression of desire to have a drink with me. Like within 2 sentences. As a (obviously married) woman traveling alone, this makes me uncomfortable when initiated by hotel staff. I get that consenting adults can do what they want, but it should be hotel policy that staff are never to initiate flirtations with a guest. Just the fact that staff have access to information, key cards, etc. puts travelers in a position of trust.

Loved The Carolina Inn! What a charming location for our conference. The front desk team was wonderful all week long... the food/beverage for our breakfasts, lunches and snacks were amazing... much better breakfast than many other locations we've held our conferences. The salmon lunch was amazing... the decor was warm and inviting with lots of open space to enjoy. Really convenient to be right in Chapel Hill near the main streets and campus.

Just an excellent hotel. Staff is great, food very good. Outstanding each time I have stayed there. Exceptional really. Hyatt Globalist if that matters.

We had a fantastic wedding weekend at The Carolina Inn, which is so conveniently tucked close to campus, a museum, the Bell Tower, and Franklin Street, with amazing staff at every turn. We indulged in a delicious bar lunch and late night drinks at Crossroads, enjoyed 2 of the beautiful suites and several other rooms, had a perfect dinner and dancing in the Old Well Room, with outstanding bar and wait staff, and the most impressive team of Kerry, Tiffany, Josh, and Caroline, and Justin who worked with our bride, groom, planner, and our family to throw an impressive celebration.

I retired after 25 years of teaching and recently started a whole new career later in life. This was supposed to be a special moment for me-my very first conference where I didn’t have to stay in one of those $80-a-night state-rate hotels for school employees. I splurged. I was so excited to stay in a $500-a-night room with in-room dining. I felt like an “old lady” finally treating herself. But within 30 minutes of arriving, my excitement turned into devastating disappointment. Getting to the hotel, I had no option other than a taxi. The driver and I were struggling with my bags while the valet staff just stood there watching. No greeting, no offer to help. I was left to juggle everything myself-pushing the door open, dropping my jacket, muttering under my breath. Only then did one valet wander over, simply to hold the door. Not to help with the luggage. Not even to ask if I was okay. I can’t explain how deflating that felt, especially when I had been so thrilled to be here. Check-in was fine, but when I walked into my room, my heart sank again. The room was tiny-shockingly small for the price. And then I realized there was no closet. None. Just a little cubby about 2.5 feet tall. I had packed dresses for the week and couldn’t hang up a single one. To make matters worse, every drawer I opened reeked of fish. The smell was so strong I couldn’t bring myself to unpack anything. I just stood there thinking: I waited months for this, and this is what I get? The final straw was dinner. I wanted to celebrate my first night with in-room dining, but what I got left me in tears. I paid $70.30 for a meal that came with four small strips of meat-and a plastic fork. That’s it. Four little strips for seventy dollars. I kept staring at the plate, trying not to cry, but I couldn’t help it. Back home in Texas, when you spend $70 on a steak, it looks and tastes like a $70 steak. Here, it felt like a cruel joke. I had been looking forward to this trip for so long, imagining it would feel special, memorable, and worth celebrating. Instead, it has been one letdown after another. I’ve only just arrived, and I already want to go home.