Last weekend, David and I decided to take a little staycation at the beautiful Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill to celebrate our 8th anniversary together. We’ve both been pretty busy with work and other commitments, so a staycation is always our favorite way for us to unplug and relax together. I mentioned a few posts back that we don’t really have any trips planned right now, so this gave me something to look forward to in the interim. This was our first time at the Carolina Inn, and it is an absolutely spectacular place. It is truly quintessential North Carolina and one of the most amazing places we’ve ever stayed.
David and I had a busy Saturday morning, and were excited to unwind after the hustle. We are lucky to have an amazing dog sitter who came to stay with the boys while we were away, which always makes me more relaxed knowing they’re well cared for and happily at home. It was a beautiful, unseasonably warm day, and it was perfect for exploring the grounds of the Carolina Inn. Having never stayed here before, I definitely wanted to make time to enjoy the property and take in the tasteful design details. The black and white floor in the hallway has long been one of my favorite photos of the Carolina Inn, so I was thrilled to see it in person.
We checked into our room, which had a large, tiled shower, a relaxing tub, and the softest bedding. We stayed in a premier single king, but there are a variety of rooms and suites offered. You can check out more options here. After dinner, I took a lovely bath and relaxed with a cup of tea, which my pro tip is to always bring bath bubbles or oil with you when you travel! The Carolina Inn does offer Nest bath products and oh my gosh, do they smell amazing!
Throughout the hotel, there are photos with the history of the Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill, and the university. I was thrilled to find this continued into our room, and loved that in our room, there was a tribute to Hortense McClinton, the first African American professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who was also a woman. She was hired in 1966 and taught in the School of Social Work until 1984.
After checking out our room and the hotel, we decided to hang out on one of the patios to enjoy the warmth and comfort of the space. For starters, we ordered the pimento cheese with bacon pepper jelly for an early afternoon treat. Our dinner reservations were for 7:00PM at Crossroads, a progressive Southern restaurant at the Carolina Inn, so it was perfect to enjoy our leisurely afternoon and early evening lounging around in the beautiful spaces. At supper, David ordered the pulled pork sandwich and I had the fried shrimp and fried lemon dish with a side of roasted brussel sprouts. If you’ve never had a fried lemon, I highly recommend trying this dish at Crossroads! The restaurant is another truly elegant and graceful Southern experience.
There are so many amazing places around the Carolina Inn to make the best of a luxurious staycation at this North Carolina gem! The Carolina Inn and Crossroads are the perfect examples of Southern hospitality and such an amazing spot for a staycation for Valentine’s Day, anniversary, or a much-needed getaway.
Photos by Glory Roze Photography
My Outfit Details:
J. Jill Button Down (c/o) | Paige Denim | Sam Edelman Flats (old, similar) | Mignonne Earrings
J. Jill Sweater (c/o) | J. Crew Belt | Amazon Tote
David’s Outfit Details:
J. Crew Factory Button Down | J. Crew Factory Denim | Sneakers (similar)
Thank you to the Carolina Inn and Crossroads for coordinating our staycation and hosting us! As always, all thoughts and opinion are my own.
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