During my travels along the East Coast, I found that North Carolina has some of the most romantic destinations anywhere in the world. From the mountains to the beaches, forests, and eclectic towns, this is a fun area to plan a weekend or weeklong escape with someone special.
To help map your route and establish a home base, here are some of the most romantic getaway hotels to stay at in North Carolina.
Sanderling Resort, Duck
Situated between the ocean and Currituck Sound, the Sanderling Resort is one of the most romantic hotels in the U.S. It has a beach and pool in a prime location and miles of coastline to spend time by the beach. There are lots of activities that couples can enjoy here, including stand-up paddleboarding and surfing. The resort has a spa and a variety of dining options. You can book a romantic getaway package here that includes champagne and chocolate-colored strawberries. Resort activities include sunrise yoga and live music performances, while the hotel also offers multiple pools and a fitness center. Book appointments at the spa for a bit of pampering, and look into the resort’s vacation homes for more privacy and space to really make yourselves at home.
Key Amenities:
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Yoga and live music activities
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Spa with treatments and salon services
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Multiple pools, a fitness center, and water recreation
Blockade Runner Beach Resort, Wrightsville Beach
It’s also fun to play a romantic trip to the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, which offers unique opportunities like harbor cruises, a sailing school, and eco-paddle tours. The resort has upscale accommodations, including the Premier Oceanfront Stateroom with a private soaking tub and balcony. Romance packages are available here that include wine, a prix fixe dinner, and breakfast in bed. Amenities at the resort include an oceanfront pool, lawn and garden area, fitness center, hot tub, in-room massages, and yoga classes. There are restaurant dining options here, as well as a pool bar and in-room dining.
Key Amenities:
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Harbor cruises and eco-paddle tours
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Romance packages with wine and meals
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In-room massages and yoga classes
275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480, USA— +1 866-884-5781
The Ballantyne, Charlotte
The Ballantyne is a luxurious hotel filled with resort amenities and southern hospitality. Couples enjoy the Whiskey Club, Ryal lobby bar, in-room dining menu, and weekend brunch. There are indoor and outdoor pools at the resort, as well as complimentary bike rentals, shuttle service within one mile, afternoon tea, a restaurant, and bars. A spa, salon, and fitness center are also located at the hotel. For an added dose of romance, book the package with chocolate-covered strawberries, sparkling wine, and breakfast in bed.
Key Amenities:
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Afternoon tea and cocktail bars
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Complimentary bike rentals and shuttle service
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Romance package with wine and breakfast
The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville
The Inn on Biltmore Estate is an exquisite place to stay in Asheville when you are looking for romance, four-star dining, and the type of hospitality that the famous Vanderbilts would expect. You’ll have views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the inn and world-class spa and dining services. Guests have access to the Biltmore Gardens and grounds, the winery, and Antler Hill Village. You’ll also have custom bathrobes, slippers, complimentary nightly turndown service, and round-trip shuttle service between the inn, winery, and village. Packages are available that include admission to the Biltmore house and tours.
Key Amenities:
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World-class spa and dining
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Shuttle service to the winery and village
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Packages with admission to the Biltmore House
Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Highlands
Enjoy relaxed luxury with the one you love in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a stay at the Old Edwards Inn and Spa. This European-style Relais & Chateaux property offers rooms, suites, cottages, and vacation homes, plus a world-class spa and farm-fed restaurants. The romance package here includes a three-course dinner, wine, strawberries, and spa credits. You’ll love the farm-fresh, local cuisine, poolside fare, and spa café. For recreation and fun, there’s tennis, swimming, whirlpools, golf, creative arts, and outdoor adventure opportunities.
Key Amenities:
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Farm-fresh cuisine at the restaurants
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Recreation opportunities, including golf and tennis
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Romance package with dinner and spa credits
The Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville
If you want to take a romantic trip near the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Omni Grove Park Inn is a great choice. This historic resort offers mineral pools in a subterranean spa and a championship golf course. There are restaurants and bars on-site, as well as pet-friendly rooms. There are massage treatments available for couples at the spa, which spans 43,000 square feet of peaceful space and has two therapeutic waterfall pools and a lap pool with fiber-optic stars and underwater music.
Key Amenities:
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Subterranean spa with waterfall pools and underwater music
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Couples massage treatments available
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Restaurants, bars, and a golf course
Duke Mansion, Charlotte
Many couples visit Charlotte for weekend getaways, and the Duke Mansion is a great local B&B here for your trip. The mansion was built in 1915 and is two miles from the city center. It is located on 4.5 acres of grounds and gardens, with screened-in porches and plenty of southern charm. This is a romantic place for a wedding and has picnic and luxury packages available to celebrate special occasions. The most luxurious and elegant room in the mansion is the Dowd Suite, which has a view of the courtyard and garden, as well as a soaking tub and shower for two.
Key Amenities:
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Southern charm and screened porches
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Suite with a soaking tub and shower for two
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Romantic packages available
Chetola Resort & Spa, Blowing Rock
Here’s an upscale spa resort in North Carolina that is perfect for a couple’s trip. The Chetola Resort & Spa is located on 78 acres and within walking distance of the mountain village of Blowing Rock. The 3,500-acre national park is adjacent to the resort. It is a peaceful escape with 42 rooms overlooking the lake and resort grounds. This is a pet-friendly resort with dog-friendly places to eat on the property and even dog-specific amenity packages. There are hiking trails, fitness classes, and other activities for resort recreation here. Couples also enjoy the on-site spa that has five treatment rooms (one for couples), an indoor heated pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, and a fitness room.
Key Amenities:
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Spa with a couples-specific treatment room
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Hiking trails and other recreational activities
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Dog-friendly rooms and packages
185 Chetola Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA— +1 828-295-5531
The Sunset Inn, Sunset Beach
One of the best beach hotels in North Carolina, The Sunset Inn is a B&B that overlooks a marsh and is a five-minute walk to the ocean. It is a place with solitude, beaches, and romance for couples. There are 14 rooms at the inn, each with its own unique décor and theme. Book one of the four grand rooms to get your own whirlpool tub and porch with rockers and porch swings. The inn serves continental breakfasts each morning, which you can eat wherever you like. There are honeymoon and anniversary packages available that include chocolates, wine, kayak trips, and couples’ massages at a local spa. This is also a popular place to stay for your beach wedding, and wedding packages are available.
Key Amenities:
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A 5-minute walk to the ocean
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Complimentary breakfasts served daily
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Honeymoon, anniversary, and wedding packages
9 E N Shore Dr, Sunset Beach, NC 28468, USA— +1 910-575-1000
Sea Ranch Resort, Kill Devil Hills
For your trip to the Outer Banks, consider booking accommodation at the Sea Ranch Resort with your sweetheart. This resort is a favorite summertime destination and an idyllic spot near popular attractions. It is an oceanfront hotel with guest rooms and condos for overnight stays. There is a beachfront restaurant serving American coastal cuisine, plus epic views of the beach and the sounds of the surf. The amenities at the resort include an enclosed heated pool, fitness center, beach access, pet-friendly rooms, YMCA access, and beach rental items.
Key Amenities:
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Oceanfront location with beach access
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Pool, fitness center, and YMCA access
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Beach gear items available to rent
1731 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, USA— +1 252-441-7126
The Fearrington House Inn, Pittsboro
The Fearrington House Inn is a Relais & Châteaux getaway in a pastoral setting and a romantic spot for couples. It has beautiful gardens and uniquely designed rooms, including the Grand Suite with a fireplace, jetted tub, and private gardens with sitting areas. The rooms are decorated with fresh flowers from the gardens and bowls of fresh fruit. It is a luxurious and calming place to stay with an afternoon tea service, a seasonal beer garden, and a spa with packages available.
Key Amenities:
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Beautiful gardens and rooms with fresh flowers
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Spa with seasonal specials and packages
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Afternoon tea and beer garden
The Castle on Silver Lake, Ocracoke Island
Another great option for your romantic getaway is The Castle on Silver Lake, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and a three-story inn with an outdoor pool and sauna. The inn has charming rooms with antique furniture and complimentary dockage with power hookups and a fish-cleaning station, making it perfect for boating enthusiasts. You’ll love the delicious breakfasts and enjoying a glass of wine on the patio. The pool is open seasonally from May through September.
Key Amenities:
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Delicious breakfasts served daily
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Seasonal pool open in the summer
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Complimentary dockage for boaters and anglers
155 Silver Lake Dr, Ocracoke, NC 27960, USA— +1 252-928-3505
Black Walnut Bed & Breakfast Inn, Asheville
At the Black Walnut Bed & Breakfast Inn, couples can explore the historic district of Montford and elsewhere in Asheville. The inn is 2.5 miles from the entrance of the Biltmore Estate and has eight guest rooms: six in the main house and two in the carriage house that are dog-friendly. Most of the rooms have fireplaces, and the inn hosts daily breakfasts and afternoon social hours. This historic inn dates back to 1899 and offers romantic add-ons and packages, such as roses, sparkling wine, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
Key Amenities:
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Daily breakfast and afternoon social hours
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Dog-friendly rooms
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Romantic packages with roses and wine
Black Mountain Inn, Black Mountain
You and your partner can enjoy an unforgettable retreat in North Carolina with a stay at the Black Mountain Inn. This getaway spot is historic and tranquil, situated in an 1830s building with trees that date back to the 1700s. Guests can book an on-site massage to melt their stresses away. There are pet-friendly rooms at the inn, and some rooms have oversized claw foot tubs, antique furnishings, and mountain views.
Key Amenities:
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Rooms with tubs and antique furnishings
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On-site massages available
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Pet-friendly rooms in the inn
1186 Old US Hwy 70, Black Mountain, NC 28711, USA— +1 828-669-6528
Dunhill Hotel, Charlotte
Dunhill Hotel is a boutique hotel in Charlotte that is perfect for romantic couples. It is a sophisticated place to stay in the heart of Charlotte’s Uptown and within walking distance of art galleries, museums, and nightlife. There is a romantic getaway package that you can book here that includes champagne, chocolates, rose petals, and a breakfast sampler tray. You can enjoy delicious southern cuisine at the on-site restaurant and choose from various room types, including a penthouse suite with a wet bar, a separate living room, and a walk-in shower with multiple shower heads.
Key Amenities:
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On-site restaurant serving Southern cuisine
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Romance package with breakfast and rose petals
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Penthouse suite for ultimate charm and luxury
Fuquay Mineral Spring Inn & Garden, Fuquay Varina
This romantic inn offers a carriage house, penthouse condo, suite, and three rooms for couples to stay overnight. Fuquay Mineral Spring Inn & Garden is an ideal getaway spot from Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Fayette. This is a popular inn for weddings, cooking classes, and massages. The historic colonial revival inn is a B&B built in 1927, originally as a family home. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has a beautiful garden on the front and side yards.
Key Amenities:
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Accommodations in a carriage house, penthouse condo, suites and rooms
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Stunning on-site garden
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Cooking classes and massages available
333 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526, USA— +1 919-552-3782
