Last spring, David and I went to Wilmington for the day and spent the afternoon strolling the riverwalk with Winston & Gizmo. On our walk, we passed Hotel Ballast and added it to our list of places we’d like to stay in North Carolina. We loved the outdoor seating, the pool, and the location of the hotel right on the historic downtown waterfront. When we decided to make a trip down to Wilmington to welcome in spring, we were thrilled at the convenience of Hotel Ballast and its location.
One of my favorite features of Hotel Ballast is that it is a historic building that has been beautifully restored. There are nods to Wilmington’s history as a shipping and shipbuilding community, one that was incredibly influential to North Carolina’s economy. The view of the battleship and boats coming in is such a nice experience as well. Hotel Ballast is on the Historic Hotels of America list, and there is clear intentionality in preservation of the charm of the building to welcome guests.
Hotel Ballast : Accommodations
Hotel Ballast offers standard rooms and spacious suites with beautiful driftwood-style plank floors, marble details in the bathroom, and crisp, white bedding. David and I stayed in a king room with a river view, and it was spectacular. We got a great night’s sleep thanks to the comfortable bedding and the rooms were large with lots of natural lighting. Perks to staying at the Hotel Ballast is the in-room coffee maker, fast WiFi, and excellent lighting in the bathroom (y’all know that’s important for applying make-up).
Hotel Ballast: Amenities & Location
The hotel has two parking lots and there is the option to self-park, or to valet, and the valet is free for hotel guests. There is a gorgeous outdoor pool overlooking the river walk with the USS North Carolina in the background. There is an outdoor patio with heat lamps and fire pits for cooler nights. The interior boasts beautiful, spacious sitting areas, complimentary WiFi, and an original spiral staircase. David and I loved the artwork from SCAD displayed in the spaces, plus original Wilmington-specific artwork, in the room.
The location is convenient for parking and walking around downtown. There are tons of restaurants and things to do in Historic downtown Wilmington, with just a short walk from Hotel Ballast. Stay tuned for more of our trip in the coming weeks to see just how convenient the location was for our itinerary!
Hotel Ballast: Dining Options
There are three restaurants on site at Hotel Ballast, including Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Buffalo Bayou, and Board & Barrel Coastal Kitchen. Buffalo Bayou is perfect for grabbing a cup of coffee and breakfast for the riverwalk before heading out on your adventure. David and I started our night with an appetizer at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. We can’t wait to return and spend an evening at Board & Barrel Coastal Kitchen. There is such a laid-back, social vibe in Board & Barrel and their menu boasts local flairs into the small plates and sandwiches they specialize in!
Another personal favorite option of mine is in-room dining. After a busy day of exploring Wilmington, we were greeted with small plates and a bottle of wine, which was such a nice welcome. It was the perfect way to relax before heading out to dinner.
When you plan your next trip to Wilmington, be sure to book a night’s stay at Hotel Ballast. You won’t be disappointed!
Thank you to Wilmington Beaches CVB for organizing our stay and Hotel Ballast for hosting us. As always, all opinions are my own.
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