Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
- 1. The Omni Grove Park Inn
- 2. Sanderling Resort
- 3. The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel
- 4. Holiday Inn Resort Wilmington East Wrightsville Beach, an IHG Hotel
- 5. Grandover Resort & Conference Center
- 6. The Carolina Hotel, Pinehurst Resort
- 7. Chetola Resort
- 8. Blockade Runner Beach Resort
- 9. The Umstead Hotel and Spa
- 10. The Inn on Biltmore Estate
- 11. The Esmeralda Inn
Families looking for a surf and turf style vacation can look no further than the state of North Carolina. From the mountain views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountain National Park to the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, family-friendly North Carolina resorts offer your family an array of experiences with a large dose of southern hospitality.
North Carolina, known for its natural beauty and long shoreline, is a great place to plan your family vacation. From mountain biking, hiking or simply soaking up the summer rays on the beach, this area offers everyone in the family a choice of adventure. You’ll also find a wide variety of accommodation options in North Carolina, including everything from award-winning luxury resorts and beachfront cottages to golf clubs, sporting lodges and rustic mountain escapes.
While there are plenty of options for family fun in the state of North Carolina, if you’re hoping to spend your vacation experiencing or appreciating the great outdoors, you’re in the right place to start planning! Use this list of the 11 best resorts in North Carolina to find the right place for your next family adventure.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re flying in and out of CLT, here’s where to find the best Charlotte airport food.
1. The Omni Grove Park Inn
Address: 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
Located in Asheville, The Omni Grove Park Inn is a family-friendly escape where you can relax among the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Your family can spend their days floating in the multiple resort pools or competing with each other on the tennis courts.
Looking for adventure? Your family can book additional activities such as kayaking, mountain biking, white water rafting, ziplining or hiking along the resort’s Sunset Trail. When it’s time to grab a bite to eat, you’ll find several resort dining options including a kids menu at the Cabana Grill and Bar adjacent to the outdoor pool.
Why It Works for Families:
- Kid’s programs and camps
- Includes both an indoor and an outdoor pool with cabanas
- Several indoor and outdoor tennis courts
- Health and wellness programs like yoga, aerobics and racquetball
- Activities like kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, zip-lining and whitewater river rafting are available for booking onsite
- Kids menus available at the resort restaurants
- On-property shuttle service
- Pet friendly
2. Sanderling Resort
Address: 1461 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949
Located in Duck, the Sanderling Resort offers families a nautical oceanfront getaway experience. Spend your day either by the zero-entry family pool or with your feet in the sand, as you’ll have easy access to the beach.
If your family is looking for adventure, the Sanderling Resort offers a concierge beach experience with adventure planners who can help you arrange your Outer Banks experiences like hang gliding, parasailing and boat cruises.
When the sun begins to set, you can head over to the fire pits and relax beside the bonfire or grab a bite to eat at any of the resort’s three onsite dining options.
Why It Works for Families:
- Located beachfront with views of the Atlantic Ocean
- Enjoy three pools and private beach access
- Activities such as bike riding, yoga, surf lessons, horseback riding and more are available for booking
- Lawn games and outdoor fire pits are available for everyone to enjoy
- Several choices for onsite dining or snacks
3. The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Address: 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28277
When you’re ready to explore the area, hop on one of the resort’s complimentary bikes and ride around the grounds or head out into nature at the nearby Greenway trail.
After a morning of fun, retreat back to the resort for your afternoon tea. Available Saturday and Sundays only for an added fee.
Why It Works for Families:
- Includes both a heated indoor pool and seasonal outdoor pool
- Complimentary bike rentals to explore the nearby Greenway trail
- Hotel balcony rooms are available
- Large families can book a four-bedroom cottage located one block from the hotel
- Free wifi
SheBuysTravel Tip: This is a Marriott property, so join the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty club before you book to get the best deals and accumulate points for perks on future stays.
4. Holiday Inn Resort Wilmington East Wrightsville Beach, an IHG Hotel
Address: 1706 N. Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
If your vacation dreams include the sounds of waves crashing along the beach, you’ll want to head to the Holiday Inn Resort in Wrightsville Beach. This oceanfront resort offers fun kids suites with bunk beds and rooms with private balconies so you can capitalize on the incredible ocean views.
Along with soaking up the sunshine on the beach or at the resort’s multiple pools and hot tubs, your family can enjoy the scheduled activities or get some wiggles out at the resort playground. When you’re ready to venture off the property to explore the area shops and restaurants, the front desk can help you with arranging bike rentals or you can simply take the free area shuttle.
Why It Works for Families:
- Kid suites include bunk beds or traditional rooms and suites are also available
- Stay active with the onsite playground, three pools and sports courts
- Rent bicycles, beach chairs and umbrellas instead of bringing them
- Weekly scheduled family-friendly activities
- Kids Stay and Eat Free program
- Free area shuttle
- Free wifi
SheBuysTravel Tip: Join the IHG Rewards loyalty program before you book. It’s free to join and being a member gives you the guaranteed lowest rate on your room.
5. Grandover Resort & Conference Center
Address: 1000 Club Rd, Greensboro, NC 27407
At the Grandover Resort, a AAA Four Diamond Resort in Greensboro, your family can enjoy activities such as tennis, swimming, sand volleyball, billiards and other games. Relax your days away with a one or two-bedroom suite or head out and explore the area’s many family-friendly attractions.
After a day of golf at either of the resort’s two 18 hole championship golf courses or riding bikes around the nearby trails, kick back at the fire pit and upload all of the photos of your incredible day using the resort’s free wifi.
Why It Works for Families:
- Families can choose between traditional guest rooms or a one- and two-bedroom suite with a kitchenette and up to 2,300 square feet of space.
- Outdoor recreation includes tennis courts, a pool with cabanas and sand volleyball courts
- An indoor pool, shuffleboard, billiards and classic video games keep everyone busy even on rainy days
- Bicycle rentals are available to explore the miles of walking and biking trails nearby
- Close to family-friendly attractions such as the Greensboro Science Center, NC Zoo and the Wet ‘N Wild Emerald Pointe waterpark
- Airport pickup and dropoff available
- Free wifi
6. The Carolina Hotel, Pinehurst Resort
Address: 80 Carolina Vis, Pinehurst, NC 28374
The Carolina Hotel is just one of the accommodation options at the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina. The iconic golf resort offers families a century-old experience paired with modern luxuries such as a BMW guest drive program, 9 legendary golf courses and resort-style pools.
Kids can also partake in the fun at Pinehurst with a playground, kiddie pool and misting pool made just for them. For kids who have dreams of becoming a golfer, look for seasonal Junior School or Parent/Child School packages before booking.
Why It Works for Families:
- Families can choose between traditional rooms, villas or 2- and 3-bedroom condos
- Enjoy several pool options including a heated outdoor pool, kiddie pool, misting pool and outdoor whirlpool
- Take a ride on a resort bike, which are free for guests to use
- Get competitive on the resort croquet or tennis courts
- Play in the sun at the resorts private 200-acre lake where you can rent kayaks, pontoon boats or spend the day fishing and swimming
- Complimentary valet and shuttle service
- Rollaways, cribs and pack and plays available
- Free wifi
7. Chetola Resort
Address: 185 Chetola Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Sitting along 78 acres of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Chetola Resort in Western North Carolina offers families a modern sporting lodge-style vacation. If your family is looking for outdoor adventure, you’ll find it here with plenty of daily scheduled activities and options such as hiking, fishing, water sports, lawn games and more.
The Chetola Sporting Reserve also offers archery lessons and other activities for children 6 and up (or 12 and up depending on the activity).
Why It Works for Families:
- Families can choose between a traditional room with Chetola Lake views, suite or a 1, 2, 3 or 4-bedroom condominium
- Stay active with a heated indoor pool, tennis courts, Chetola Lake activities, hiking trails, playground and lawn games
- Recreation Center has puzzles, board games, DVD’s and books to rent, plus ping pong tables and trail strollers available to use
- Daily family-friendly activities such as game night, bonfires with s’mores by the lake and wellness activities are available
- Kids menus available at resort restaurants
- Pet-friendly
SheBuysTravel Tip: Find additional outdoor family fun at the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina.
8. Blockade Runner Beach Resort
Address: 275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
The Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach is a coastal resort with lots of fun water activities available for your family to enjoy! Younger guests can join the Kids Camp programs for supervised fun or your entire family can book an activity to enjoy together like surf lessons or a sunset cruise.
Why It Works for Families:
- Relax either at the beach or resort pool with cabanas or take a stroll along the resort gardens
- Kids Camp programs include fun activities such as touch tanks, kayaking and dock fishing
- Additional activities such as surf lessons, yoga and boat cruises can be booked
9. The Umstead Hotel and Spa
Address: 100 Woodland Pond Dr, Cary, NC 27513
The Umstead Hotel and Spa, a Forbes Five-Star Hotel in Cary, offers families a luxurious getaway with lakeside walking trails, complimentary bike rentals, a 24-hour fitness center and a seasonal outdoor pool. Only five minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, it’s the perfect location for families to relax with exquisite views, fine dining options and luxury amenities.
Why It Works for Families:
- Balcony rooms with outdoor seating available
- Fine dining and room service offer meals with locally sourced cuisine
- Complimentary bike rental
- Lakeside walking trails
- Seasonal outdoor pool
- Free wifi
- Pet-friendly
10. The Inn on Biltmore Estate
Address: 1 Antler Hill Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
The Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville offers families world-class service, natural landscapes, and rich history as the past luxurious home of the Vanderbilt family. During your stay, your family can experience activities such as hiking the estate grounds, touring the Biltmore house, taking a bike ride or participating in meditation sessions. Some activities may incur additional costs.
Beyond The Inn on Biltmore Estate, you can also book a room at the village hotel or cottages on the Biltmore Estate.
Why It Works for Families:
- Kid-friendly activities include playing at the Pisgah Playground, hiking, biking and additional tours and programs (some may have additional costs)
- Heated outdoor pool and hot tub
- No resort fees
11. The Esmeralda Inn
Address: 910 Main Street, Chimney Rock, NC 28720
For a rustic escape with mountain views, head to The Esmeralda Inn in Chimney Rock, North Carolina. Stay in a traditional room or book a family cabin with a full kitchen and up to three bedrooms.
As a family, you can enjoy recreational activities in the games room or evening bonfires at the fire pit. The Esmeralda Inn guests can also enjoy free breakfast daily.
Why It Works for Families:
- Families can stay in a traditional room or book a cabin with a full kitchen, fireplace and up to three bedrooms
- Complimentary hot breakfast served daily
- Outdoor fireplaces are perfect for evening bonfires
- The recreation area includes foosball, billiards, air hockey and board games for the entire family to enjoy
- Close to The Esmeralda Park, Blue Ridge Mountains, Hickory Nut Gorge and other natural landmarks
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