When it comes to all-inclusive resorts, NC isn’t necessarily the first state you think of. Unlike Florida’s theme park metropolises and California’s A-lister coastline, North Carolina offers a quieter character – more known for its mountains than cities. If you know where to look, you’ll find some stunning all-inclusive hotels and great packages. And why not make the most of North Carolina’s pleasant climate with indoor and outdoor pools, direct beach access, a championship golf course, or a hot tub with a view?
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Best All-Inclusive Resorts North Carolina
In short, there is an excellent selection of all-inclusive resorts and hotels in North Carolina. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the best of the best. Some of these even made it onto our Top All Inclusive Resorts in the USA edition this year. North Carolina has beautiful terrain and a beautiful geographical layout. You have national forests to its western inland and North Carolina’s outer banks to its coastal east. Whether you want resort-style pools and a delicious continental breakfast or just beautiful views of the North Carolina mountains, we’ll find you your ideal match.
These resorts offer a variety of amenities such as fitness centers, outdoor pools, hot tubs, saunas, restaurants, room service, spa treatments, and Wi-Fi.
It is important to note that North Carolina, like most U.S. states, has very few traditional all-inclusive resorts. Instead, the all-inclusive resorts in North Carolina offer perks and packages. North Carolina resorts are more part-inclusive. Still, this is ideal for those wanting luxury with extra freedom, but it is good to be aware of the differences.
1. Omni Grove Park Inn
Omni Grove Park Inn is a beautiful resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Every part of this property screams historical or aesthetic, and the hotel dates back to 1913. Its on-site restaurant, Blue Ridge Restaurant, serves breakfast each morning. The resort also features an underground spa complex with mineral pools and a steam and sauna facility.
You can choose between an indoor and seasonal outdoor pool – a worthy decision, right? Guests also access an onsite sports complex, fitness center, and golf course. Everything you’d expect of a luxury hotel, Omni Grove Park Inn, just ticks off.
Aside from all these facilities, though, what actually gives the Omni Grove Park Inn its sparkle? We’d say it is stone design and traditional aesthetic. And while it is located in Asheville, its close proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains is another huge bonus. You can tick off the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby, and as a whole, the hotel offers a romantic escape for guests wanting the perfect balance between town life and natural beauty.
2. Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds
Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds is situated in western North Carolina in the arty city of Asheville, surrounded by the beautiful North Carolina Mountains. It is one of the best hotels in North Carolina if you want almost doorstep access to places like the North Carolina Arboretum, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and multiple national forests. Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds have a golden location when it comes to natural beauty and outdoor exploration.
The grounds contain 25 stunning wood or stone cabins in a private 40-acre woodland area. The private grounds have a trout pond for fishing, playgrounds, fountain decorations, and hiking trails. Mini golf is also available in the area, along with fishing in the trout pond and exploring nearby attractions. Some accommodations even come with their own private hot tub. Asheville Cabins is where to choose if you want self-catered luxury resorts in North Carolina.
3. Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club is a beautiful luxury property known for its golf courses. Its Robert Trent Jones-designed championship golf course will keep any avid golf enthusiast happy. And its manicured golf lawns mean stunning views across the 300 acres of private grounds. Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club is laid out and designed in an English style. The attention to detail is sublime, from the polished-looking grounds to the serving of afternoon tea and English country-style furnishings.
Its facilities include a 3-mile jogging track, an indoor pool, and onsite restaurants and bars. All guest rooms come with a flat-screen TV, and, in true English spirit, each has private tea and coffee-making facilities. When you aren’t enjoying tea or sightseeing in art and tech-famous Durham’s city center, you can also work up a sweat at the onsite fitness center.
4. The Inn on Biltmore Estate
The Inn on Biltmore Estate is one of the most famous in the whole state. Once George Vanderbilt’s previous home, this castle-like resort is really something special. If you want to splurge on the ‘wow factor’, the Inn at Biltmore Estate is ideal. The luxury mansion has an unrivaled location on an 8,000-acre private estate, with its own winery, afternoon tea services, and some of the most dramatically manicured lawns you’ll ever see. The Inn on Biltmore Estate is where to stay if you want extravagant luxury, not delicate fineries.
Aside from its good looks, this luxury resort has a heated outdoor pool, fitness center, and onsite spa with special treatments available at an extra fee. There’s also onsite fine dining or room service – so you can dress up and treat yourself to indulgent cuisine or take it easy and enjoy breakfast in bed.
The Inn on Biltmore Estate is located just outside the arty city of Asheville in the North Carolina mountains. You can venture hiking to the nearby national forests and Great Smoky Mountains National Park or sightseeing in Asheville. The choice is yours. And as for inclusions, you are in for a treat.
5. Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville is one of the more modern resorts on this list. However, its biggest draw is its facilities, which include a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, an outdoor and indoor pool, a fitness center, and an onsite spa. Wow, right? Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville really leaves nothing off its wish list regarding facilities. The property sits on 125 acres of private grounds, a mixture of manicured golf grounds and woodland scenery to be explored on foot. The resort is a modern take on a traditional lodge layout, with touches of stone and wood throughout – all tied together with an aesthetic contemporary twist.
The Crowne Plaza is located on the outskirts of Asheville within easy distance of its city center attractions, including the Southern Highland Craft Guild, aka the Folk Art Center. It is an excellent base if you want an upscale 3-star base that blends tradition with trendiness and provides an ideal location to enjoy western North Carolina and all its national forests.
6. Pinehurst Resort
Pinehurst Resort is a beautiful property in the town of Pinehurst in central North Carolina, which is home to more golf courses than anything else. Pinehurst Resort has a grand aesthetic, with an open-plan columned front and a stunning setting within private grounds of manicured golf lawns. Some people just visit for the day to spend a few hours on its courses, but for the golf enthusiast looking for an all-inclusive resort in North Carolina, Pinehurst Resort can tempt you into a more extended stay.
Apart from golf, Pinehurst has an on-site spa—ideal for quality rejuvenation. It also has on-site restaurants and bars, plus activities like pickleball, bike hire, tennis, and shuttles to the 200-acre Lake Pinehurst. And that’s not even to mention its vast pool complex, which includes a heated pool and hot tub. The resort is fun, with plenty of sports activities and support for accessing nearby attractions.
7. Grandover Resort & Spa Wyndham Grand Hotel
Grandover Resort & Spa Wyndham Grand Hotel is easily one of the best resorts in North Carolina. The resort is set on the outskirts of Greensboro, with museums like the International Civil Rights Center & Museum and attractions like The Bog Garden – a wetland area explorable via boardwalk. Situated in the north of central North Carolina, it is a beautiful area to enjoy a city break. You are also within easy distance of a day trip to Uwharrie National Forest.
As for Grandover Resort & Spa, this property is a picture of modern elegance set within 1,500 acres of private woodland and lawns. If you prefer the smooth luxury over the traditional, Grandover Resort is perfect. Its interior is sleek, with comfortable furnishings in a clear-cut way. You can enjoy a range of different rooms and suites, some of which include living levels and split-floor layouts.
8. The Umstead Hotel and Spa
The Umstead Hotel and Spa is one of the leading 5-star resorts in North Carolina. This beautiful property sits on a pridefully manicured 12 acres of landscaped gardens, which includes its very own lake. The serene natural setting is a massive bonus of the Umstead Hotel and Spa, and you can explore via a network of scenic trails or rent a bike for free.
The gardens that surround the Umstead are quite disillusioning, giving the image of total seclusion when actually you are just a short drive from Raleigh city center – the capital of North Carolina. The hotel is on the outskirts of Cary and is an ideal base for anyone wanting a city break without, you know, having to deal with ‘the city’. It is the perfect location to bounce between a natural beauty spot and inner city sightseeing during the day.
Umstead Hotel & Spa has a 24-hour fitness center, a seasonal outdoor pool with a cocktail bar, and an on-site spa. There’s even nightly entertainment and options for afternoon tea experiences.
9. Sanderling Resort Outer Banks
Sanderling Resort Outer Banks is where to stay in North Carolina for a beach break. It easily has one of the most impressive locations, sitting right on the beachfront overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Situated on the barrier island town of Duck, it is a dream for anyone wanting a beach getaway. You can spend most of your days on the beach or on day trips to Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary or Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on the lower Outer Banks.
The resort has two huge outdoor pools plus separate kids’ pools. You can rent water sports equipment like kayaks or paddleboards or hire bikes. Sanderling Resort is the ultimate launchpad to enjoy coastal North Carolina with plenty of outdoor activities. You can also access a fitness center and spa with a steam room and hot tub.
Of all the resorts in North Carolina, this is one of the most romantic in terms of its coastal location and special packages. The direct beach access is also a complete dream for anyone wanting a relaxing break.
10. The Ballantyne, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Who doesn’t love The Ballantyne? A Luxury Collection Hotel in Charlotte. The lovely Ballantyne community is one of the leading hotels in North Carolina and, quite frankly, heaven on Earth. It has floor-to-ceiling windows, dramatically curved feature staircases, marble bathrooms, and nothing short of stately décor. It is no wonder that the Ballantyne is a heavy-hitting 5-star contender of the hotels in the North Carolina scene.
Guests enjoy resort-style pools, an on-site spa with a fitness center, a sun terrace, and afternoon tea. The Ballantyne is refined but also the most modernly luxurious. Forget classic elegance. What this hotel offers is more ‘now’, with stately artwork yet abundant natural lighting and a sleek interior.
11. The Inn on Pamlico Sound
The Inn on Pamlico Sound is a stunning property on Hatteras Island – one of the beautiful barrier islands off North Carolina’s coastline. You are right next to the gorgeous Cape Hatteras National Seashore and, quite literally, have beaches to last you for days. The inn itself has a homely, traditional aesthetic.
However, what really wins it over is the all-inclusive package, offering daily breakfast, 24/7 drinks, and snacks throughout the afternoon. It is one of the most laidback resorts, with a calming beach location and homely vibe. Yet it also has one of the best packages when it comes to value for money.
In terms of facilities, you get an outdoor pool overlooking the waterfront. There’s also a movie theater, library, dock, and onsite fine dining restaurant – because why not, right? The Inn on Pamlico Sound is a real hidden gem and ideal for a relaxing base with luxury offerings.
All-Inclusive Resorts in North Carolina: FAQs
As you can see, the state is really special in terms of beautiful locations and places to stay. You could head to those Outer Banks for an all-inclusive experience at the Inn on Pamlico Sound. Or you could head inland to find a base near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Before you go, though, check out these most commonly asked FAQs.
Is it worth doing an all-inclusive resort?
All-inclusive resorts in North Carolina are worth it if you want a worry-free vacation with everything included, but they are less common than other destinations.
What months are the cheapest to go all-inclusive?
The cheapest months to go all-inclusive in North Carolina are typically during the off-peak seasons of January to March and September to November.
Is all-inclusive actually all-inclusive?
In North Carolina, “all-inclusive” usually includes accommodation, meals, and some activities, but not always all drinks or premium services.
What’s the difference between all-inclusive and resort?
The difference between all-inclusive and a resort in North Carolina is that all-inclusive includes meals and activities, a regular resort includes accommodation, and other services are paid separately.
The state has a superb array of properties, and if you are looking for an everything-included experience, you can’t go wrong with any of the featured resorts and hotels in North Carolina. You could book a luxury hotel with private beach access or cozy accommodations with mid-range all-inclusive packages and spectacular mountain views.
Speaking of natural beauty, that is something you should really maximize your experience of when visiting North Carolina. Make sure you get a taste of North Carolina’s natural scenery, too; we’ve got a complete guide on the best US national parks that can provide some much-needed inspiration.
You should also consider squeezing as many outdoor activities into your itinerary as possible. Perhaps you could go horseback riding in the Great Smoky Mountains, visit the North Carolina Arboretum, or drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Definitely get researching to maximize your experience with plenty of breathtaking vistas.
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