The Carolina Inn

We stayed two nights for an anniversary getaway. We were looking forward to sleeping in and relaxing around the hotel when we weren't Christmas shopping. GOOD: The room was perfect. I can't enough about how nice the furnishings, amenities, and decor is throughout the entire hotel, including our room. Housekeeping did an outstanding job; the place was spotless. Parking attendants made getting in and out very easy. BAD: The landscapers started blowing leaves just before 8AM. We're normally up very early for work, so 8 isn't very early for us, but we were surprised they allowed this right next to the rooms so early. It really defeated the point of such a luxurious room. Despite a few signs throughout the lobby discouraging student use, there was no effort to control this activity by management, and it showed. We noticed as soon as we arrived. The lobby had students everywhere, many of them in sweatpants with headphones on and their feet up on the sofas. I get it, we're right next to campus. Not that long ago, my wife and I were college students also and we understand needing a quiet place to study; but there are plenty of plces on campus. Aside from the simple lack of decorum, it wasn't inviting at all. The lobby of a hotel like this is meant to be a lively and social place. Instead of feeling like we could have a drink and socialize or play a board game at the tables provided in the lobby, (There are no tables in the rooms for this) we were being side eyed by sophomores cramming for 1st semester exams that had no business there anyway. At $500+/night. I'd expect the management, which seemed non-existent, to kindly ask them to go study on campus.

We came to the annual Santa brunch. This would have been our 14th year. Food was cold and very few selections -fruit was just was awful. The worse however, was I always alert them to the gluten free children in my group. Every year they have made waffles and desserts for them. This year the only gluten free option was toast. Children are not big fans of toast and eggs. Not to mention it’s a huge cost for that. I also spoke to the manager on duty she called me a liar and rolled her eyes at me. Extremely rude staff and told me they couldn’t make waffles because they were busy with another event. I’m sorry this is an event. Over all it was a terrible experience with our group this year.

Went today for the much-touted "holiday tea". I checked in at the Crossroads restaurant, where I was told to go to the other end of the hotel near the front desk where the tea would be held. I had a TERRIBLE experience with a mean worker at the hotel front desk, who when asked where the tea was and how to check in with a hostess loudly kept repeating "THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THE FRONT DESK DOES". He then scolded "THE CROSSROADS RESTAURANT DOES THAT" and refused to tell me where/ who I needed to talk to. He threw in "THAT IS NOT THE FRONT DESK'S JOB" a few more times for good measure. He seemed to have no actual role but to stand in the lobby barking at people -- he was not helping the front desk staff -- he embarrassed me in front of my friends, and he put a damper on the whole afternoon. What a jerk. I am a UNC grad, now living in Durham, and had really been looking forward to this. Will stick with the tea at the Washington Duke from now on.

The perfect place to stay in the southern part of heaven. The service the space the rooms the people all of it is excellent

Great location and have beautiful hotel. The cookies are amazing, the staff is friendly, and just overall a great place to stay close to campus