My husband and I had a wonderful experience just two years ago this month at First Colony Inn, which prompted us to book another visit this past Saturday 3/21 through this morning, Tuesday 3/24. What an incredible disappointment it was. The comparison was stark. The entire property is in need of attention. The porch swing we enjoyed outside our room (#11) two years ago was sitting on the deck this year (picture attached). The afternoon social advertised for Saturday afternoon did not happen. The boardwalk to the road was unusable and while cordoned off for safety didn't have any repairs during our stay. The beach walkway is a joke, and dangerous. The hot, made to order breakfast we'd enjoyed in 2024 was an embarrassment. Sunday morning's breakfast consisted of two small round store-bought waffles and a flaccid, microwaved piece of something unlike bacon. We chose to skip breakfast on Monday and Tuesday mornings and pay to eat elsewhere. In general, the inn appears to be falling to ruin. The bathroom floor was sticky and clearly unclean. The mini-fridge froze our sodas. We never saw any innkeeping staff on premises other than the nice young man who brought us our breakfast on Sunday morning. The quality of the food was not his fault; clearly, the days of having a cook make special breakfasts of the day are a thing of the past. What in the world has happened? First Colony Inn deserves far better than the lack of care and attention it is currently getting and so do its guests. Kirsten S. read more

We have stayed here several times. I have seen a decline in the quality of things. I understand it is under new management. Break fast was nice but hot food was just reheated premade items. As in picture. Not the quality we got last time. Pastries were held over each day for the next day. By day 3 ? The big thing was you couldn't get coffee until the office was unlocked at 8am. We are early risers and like coffee in am. The other thing was the toilet in our bathroom , room 3 was very low and hard for older people to use. The room was not as clean as I remember in the past. Would I stay again ? I don't know. Were before I would have said definitely. read more

First Colony Inn - Under cooked quiche - Hotels Near Me - Nags Head, North Carolina

Our recent stay was not what we expected. There are mixed reviews across many platforms and our experience was more like the negatives than positives. Our first night was interrupted by water from the second floor draining from the ceiling in our bathroom and knocking notices from the pipes. We did speak to Lisa (the inn keeper on duty) and she graciously moved us to another room. The next night we were woke up by the guests in the room above us moving about. It seemed they were moving around ALL night long. Take that into consideration when renting here. If you book a first floor room, you will definitely hear every step someone above you makes. Also we discovered the ceiling in the new room also leaked. Hindsight is 20/20 as we saw a few reviews similar to our experiences. We should have read them before booking our stay. The breakfast is not at all what is promised. Or maybe we were mislead by what we read online. Just understand that the hot breakfast is usually something they can warm in the microwave. And the number of guests determines whether or not anything is served. Also, breakfast is served at 8:00; so if you are an early riser you may want to bring coffee to brew in your room. The rooms we were in were clean, that was a plus. But the Inn itself clearly needs to be updated. Unfortunately the quiet getaway we were hoping to find in this Inn was not quiet at all. We definitely would not recommend booking a stay until the improvements are made. I forgot to mention we were told we may receive a discount for our inconveniences; that has not happed as of today's review. read more

We've stayed here multiple times and enjoy it. Pros: -Clean, spacious rooms. They felt as though they'd been slightly updated (maybe a new coat of paint and carpet). - Good breakfast. Includes a hot, fresh option as well as pastries, yogurt, fruit etc -Beach chairs for use and towels -Plenty of seating on the wrap around decks -Mostly quiet and plenty of parking -Digital locks were new since our last visit. Very convenient. -Easy check in/ check out Cons: -The pool was closed. Had we been made aware we likely would have chosen a different place to stay. I recommend giving them a call to check on it if you plan a summer 2025 visit. It was empty due to a leak, so the fix could take some time. Definitely wish they'd mentioned it to us. -They no longer have the complimentary bikes -While they still have the social hour, it no longer includes fresh coffee or wine. They also had pastries the last time we visited, so missed those as well. -It can get quite loud if you have kids above you. Not much they can do about that, but between 11PM-7AM it can be frustrating. Bring a white noise machine to be safe. -The beach access is quite over grown and there are several loose boards. Just be aware if you have small children. It's an easy fix, so hopefully they trim back some of the overgrowth. They did fix loose boards on the property, so they could be in the process of updating. Overall we still enjoy it, but it has lost a few of the nice touches we remembered (bikes, yard games). We stayed in rooms 10 and 11 with two adults and three teens. Plenty of room, the sitting areas are a plus. The pool being closed (and not mentioning it before we arrived) is what really made it 4 star over 5. read more

Loved this inn! The room was perfect for our family of 4 (a superior king room with view of the sound). My husband and son are 6'4. I was worried about ceiling height and sprinkler pipes, but no one hit their head. The inn keepers were super nice. The breakfasts were very tasty. My only wish was that the weather had been warmer. I really wanted to hang out in the lawn, in a hammock or Adirondack chair, to admire all of the fanciful garden pieces that adorned the property. It would have been nice to ride bikes, as well. But again, the wind and cold temps prevented us from fully enjoying all that the inn had to offer. Hope to return one day! read more

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We've been coming to the OBX for over 10 years now and the First Colony Inn has become a main part of the attraction. It's got very well kept grounds with grassy lawns, trees and flowers, picnic tables and hammocks, and a pool just long enough to swim laps in. The rooms here are all different and individually decorated and all have a detailed description on the inn's website so you can choose the exact one you want. In general rooms with king beds are bigger than the ones with queens. This time we stayed in two different rooms (one with a really high bed with a stepping stool which was fun) as we booked late so couldn't get all the nights in the same room - in high season they always tend to be fully booked but last minute openings are possible. The inn's not on the water - top (third) floor rooms have some distant view. But the beach is just a few steps away across a 2 lane road and the inn provides folding beach chairs and towels you can take there with you. There's also nothing more pleasant than just relaxing on the spacious covered wrap around porch in a swing or rocking chairs (especially during a rainstorm). The sound side has more traffic noise but not that noticeable inside the rooms. The breakfast is excellent - including a freshly prepared hot dish which changes daily, plus a wonderful spread for the afternoon social. read more

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Very dirty, very moldy, had several cockroaches in our room. We have stayed here in the past, and there is definitely a major slip in standards. Too bad quite frankly, just a lack of management oversight. Hope they figure it out read more

Love at first sight. You with the two floor wrap around porches, antique furniture, and spacious library. You, with the hot breakfast bar and in-room coffee pot and fridge. You, with the amazing history and beautiful pictures. And you, with convenient beach access, beach chairs and towels, and friendly reception staff. You... complete my vacation. First Colony Inn is a historic inn that was one of the first hotels in Nag's Head. Its a gorgeous building - I love walking around it! On top of it, the entire layout is comfortable, rustic antique, and beautiful. Upon entering my room, I was wowed by the tasteful decor, the loveseat, and the double windows. I loved the wooden bureaus and large vanity mirrors. The simple and tasteful bathroom with the comfy carpet sealed the deal. And for the price - the value really can't be beat. A few things I'd love to see - the rooms do get quite humid (its a beach after all) so I'd love to see more towel racks and places to hang wet things. The in-room A/C unit definitely helps, but I hate to leave it on when I'm not in the room and housekeeping does not change or rearrange your towels or linens unless you ask. The many stairs here may pose a problem for some, and the rooms that do not require stairs are quite few. read more

First Colony Inn - The view from Virginia Dare Trail. - Hotels Near Me - Nags Head, North Carolina

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My husband and I stayed at the first colony in August this summer. It exceeded our expectations. The room was clean. The breakfast was made fresh each morning which was great (not just a typical buffet). There was a cocktail hour every day with drinks and snacks which was an extra bonus. They provided beach chairs and towels. We also enjoyed the pool each day. Easy access to the beach across the street. We also took their bikes and went for a little ride around the area. We will definitely be back. read more

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We had a fantastic stay and can't wait to come back. Rooms were comfortable and exactly as described on the website. The grounds are full of gardens, artwork, and places to sit and relax, with hammocks and chairs on the 1st and 2nd floor decks. Breakfast was delicious, a rotating menu of hot dishes and a good choice of sides (the scones were amazing!). They'll pack you a to go box if you want to start out early. It's a quick few steps across the road to the private beach access, with bikes and beach chairs provided. We came in mid October and had the beach to ourselves, seems to be a quiet neighborhood. A quick 10min drive to restaurants and the state park. read more

Very nice Inn. Very comfortable and great views. We even had hot breakfast the next morning of eggs, bacon, cream cheese and leeks flat pastry, butterscotch pastry, little cinnamon rolls, scones, biscuits, yogurt parfait with blueberries, and fresh cut fruit. Also coffee and 2 kinds of juice. Such a great place to stay and they even have a walkway to the beach. We will stay here again. read more

This place is wonderful. It is very charming with every detail planned out. The staff is friendly, the building is adorable, and the rooms are full of charm just to list a few. My favorite things about this place were the grounds - very romantic setting with adorable hammocks, and lounge chairs. The breakfast buffet (complimentary) which was filled with different things like blue crab quiche, fresh fruit, great grits, and so much more! The bathrooms!!! I loved the look the hot towel bar made me so happy! Came for a wedding and can't wait to come back. read more

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The First Colony Inn is the kind of place you dream of staying in the Outer Banks. The inn grounds are well manicured with gorgeous gardens. The private access to the beach is a phenomenal perk as were the numerous beach chairs, umbrellas, and beach cruisers. The room was clean and simple. Of note, especially for a beach hotel, the A/C unit was amazing. The breakfast and happy hour were great touches. Definitely book here! read more

First Colony Inn - Hotels Near Me - Nags Head, North Carolina

We have stayed at First Colony Inn for the past 17+ years (with the exception of last year due to Covid) We have always been very pleased with the Inn, however, this year was very disappointing for many reasons. Although the grounds were meticulously maintained as usual with whimsical art pieces and lovely flowers, the exterior of Inn itself is poorly maintained. Steps and verandas were not swept; banisters and railings were dirty and sticky, and spider webs "decorated" multiple outdoor areas. Ice, bottled water and soda is available only during office hours. On a positive note, the room was clean when we arrived, and the housekeeping staff were pleasant and accommodating when we encountered them or asked for additional towels and washcloths. Given Covid restrictions, the breakfast and social hour were okay; however, attention needs to be paid to service and cleanliness. For example at breakfast, no tongs were available for bagels/English muffins and tables were not fully cleaned between guests. At the social hour, utensils and napkins were not provided, and no nonalcoholic beverages were available. We love the Inn and plan to return with the hope that the new management company will work to take the Inn back to the level of service and charm that it had in the past. When EVERY employee greeted guests with a smile and made them feel as if they were truly welcome. When front desk management asked upon each guest's leaving if every thing had been satisfactory instead of simply taking the room keys and saying nothing. read more

I would give this place more stars if I could. All of them. The amentities and the helpful staff and kind patrons are well worth he higher cost of the room. Hey have wonderfully strong AC, soft towels, beach towels, beach chairs and boogie boards to borrow as well as umbrellas and shovels even for the kiddos. They have breakfast and a tea time snack daily... I could go on. We look forward to visiting all year. Thank you!!!!! read more

Horrible. Made reservations in the morning. Drove to hotel and arrived at about 6:30pm. Sign on the door saying the lobby was closed and keys were in a box next to office door. There were no keys. The sign on the door listed two names and numbers to call. Tried multiple times to call both numbers with no answer. Had to stay at another hotel around the corner. Who does that? Unbelievable!!! You couldn't pay me to do business at this place. Incredible that they have a good rating on Yelp. Do your due diligence before staying here read more

First Colony Inn - This is a picture of First Colony Inn from the hotel we ended up at. Note the crosswalk for their guests to cross the road to the beach. - Hotels Near Me - Nags Head, North Carolina

This was our fourth time at the Inn, and it was just as great a visit as previous times. We always enjoy the 4:00 pm social hour, and the breakfasts are delicious, with generous offerings along with a variety of breads, fruits and beverages. We loved our spacious room (even if it was on the 3rd floor) as well as the pool, the many outdoor seating areas, and the interesting garden. Also has a private beach access and close proximity to restaurants in Nags Head, as well as those on the causeway and Manteo. Special thanks to Angie, the chef, the gardener, and Sofia for making our stay extra special! read more

Having been to a few B&B's in the past year, I've grown fond of the quaint charm of their accommodations. For better or for worse, though, sometimes I wish I could get the quaintness without the breakfast as Mrs. B and I usually travel to places with plenty of good food options we want to try. First Colony Inn had what I was looking for. It is kind of like hotel meets B&B. It is decently sized establishment with a number of rooms, but each room has it's own unique charm. It isn't quite as homey as your regular B&B, but not quite as generic or sterile as a hotel can be. They have some rockers on the porch which are probably great on days when it isn't threatening to snow (we went in February). There is a library on the second floor of the main building which has books, board games, and a couple of computers for internet access. While they do offer breakfast, it is more of a continental style (according to their site) vs. the traditional B&B home cooked variety. The pricing was reasonable and the staff were friendly. First Colony definitely made it onto our list of go to places to stay when we are traveling. read more

My wife and I have stayed here several times either in January to go see the Elizabethan Garden lights or in February to celebrate Valentine's Day !! Nevertheless we have gone there at least five times and have never been disappointed! Always had a fantastic room be It with a great view a canopy bed or other amenities that made it great. It is a beautiful facility from the ground's too the breakfast area to the rooms which are dated according to the time it was built. We will definitely be back again next year and the year after in the year after as long as they are here! The staff is amazing and very cordial! Can't wait to return. read more

Loved this quiet bed and breakfast. We had third floor room facing ocean. Blocked all traffic noise. Second floor deck is great for passing time. Only real issue is breakfast is basic motel variety with a bland quiche added. Stretch to call it a bed and breakfast Cable TV was out. Nothin' wrong with Plan B read more

What a charming inn with great hosts! They accommodated us by giving us a first floor room rather than the third floor I'd booked (no stairs for hubby), and even suggested I keep my bicycle in our room! Very cozy room with plenty of space, a couple of chairs, and a desk. No stale bagels or make-your-own waffles for breakfast. The staff serves a full, hot, house made breakfast with coffee, juice, or tea. Each room has its own outdoor seating, and the garden areas are beautiful! read more

I called yesterday to book a stay. Got voice mail requesting I leave a detailed message for a call back. I left a detailed message and waited a couple of hours but got no return call. I tried back later (multiple times) and could only get voice mail. I finally got a live body and expressed my desire to book a room. The individual immediately transferred me to voice mail. Past 24 hours and no return call. Pretty poor. read more

We love it here. We love it so much that we chose this as our venue when renewing our vows. All of our guests loved it too. The staff is amazing at making your stay comfortable and ensuring every guests feels right at home. The environment just screams relaxing. It provided the most beautiful backdrop for our event and they bent over backwards helping me plan and coordinate everything. Hannah and Kanda were truly there for me through the whole process and we are super grateful! Wish we could have stayed longer! read more

I normally hate beach hotels because they tend to smell weird, be run down, and feel kinda gross. First Colony Inn had none of those problems. It was clean, charming, friendly, and a great location with nice attention to detail. Much more of a bed and breakfast feel than your typical hotel/motel. This is really close to the outlets if that's your sort of thing, but in view of the beach as well. Note: the bathroom in our third floor room was a bit small and the shower (standing only) was especially tight; larger folk might find it cumbersome. But the other rooms might be different. Also, no elevator if that's important to you. I would definitely come here again and I'd recommend it to friends and strangers alike. read more

Comfortable, clean, great breakfast and tasty happy hour. Great location. We took advantage of the YMCA passes and the Y had new equipment and friendly staff. Great visit! read more

Really cozy, convenient spot to stay at OBX. The inn was clean and the staff were very kind and accommodating given the current pandemic. The room we stayed in was very homey and quaint and faced the walkway to private beach access which was only a very short walk from the inn. The staff left our afternoon social treats in our room even though we checked in late (but called to inform them). Breakfast was in to-go bags the next morning and they were able to accommodate a late check-out somewhat last minute. The location of the inn is far enough away from the main crowds on OBX and is in a central location to get to Hatteras, Roanoke island, or duck and Corolla further north. I will definitely recommend this inn for any beach goers and will rebook here in the future. read more

Love this place. Staff is great l. Nice wine and cheese in the afternoon. Breakfast was fair. More variety would be nice. A great experience over all read more

YES, they did it again - we received a holiday card from them. I was just telling a few people about this place this past weekend about how unique it is and how lovely the personnel is. THE PLACE TO STAY in my opinion. read more

A truly charming Inn, with a colorful history. We booked spur of the moment, and just spent two nights there (still off-season in OBX, not yet overridden with the vacationing masses). We chose FCI largely based on the many positive Yelp reviews. The time spent in our room was pleasant, with nice touches like the in-room wet-bar/sink area with fridge and microwave. The cove with a wicker chaise lounge, and sunlight streaming in through the window, a perfectly relaxing reading spot. A nice breakfast and late afternoon tea/social with wine, and cheese too, laid back and enjoyable. Be sure to check out the library, just up the stairs across from the front desk; the porch swings, or the hammock out on the lawn. Nice easy walkway to the Atlantic, steps away. First Colony Inn, you and the staff we interacted with, exceeded our expectations. Well done. read more

It was a wonderful serendipitous happenstance that brought us here. Having never really noticed this cute little place after passing it many times on beach trips before, we were drawn to it due to its close proximity to the venue of the event were attending. We pulled in on A Saturday afternoon in March and scooped up the last available room at a competitive rate. Staff was warm and inviting, we had desert and wine at 3 and A warm breakfast before traveling back home. We stayed in the Simon Fernando room. It was perfect. Comfy bed, roomy bathroom, plenty of pillows. I loved it. Perfect mix of cleanliness, amenities, and character. I will recommend to all my friends. read more

Probably the best hotel experience I've had in a long time. I was surprised by a wine and cheese bar when we checked in a fantastic room which was really clean with beautiful views all the way around and a great sausage and gravy biscuit breakfast. This hotel is in a great location, I would recommend it to anyone, and my wife's already planned our return trip for our anniversary. read more

We stayed four nights at the First Colony Inn, which I had found through Booking.Com. Check in was easy (they let us check in early from our drive down from Norfolk, VA). Our room was on the 2nd floor and it was a good size, immaculate with a comfortable bed. Our room adjoined the library which was great for my husband, he found many interesting books there to read. The pool was great and the walk to the beach over the boardwalk was short. The staff were all very friendly and talkative. There are bicycles on the property that you can take and go for a ride, which I would recommend doing early in the morning. We were there the last week of May and the weather was great. The breakfasts and afternoon tea/wine were also very good. The inn is close to attractions, like the Wright Brothers Memorial and Roanoke Island, if you're into history. We can't wait to go back again!! read more

I stayed there three nites last week.A large group was in town for a friends B-day,and this was recommended. Great little place,nice garden,and surroundings,well maintained. Rooms were nice,almost overfurnished,with quaint ,older ,funky pieces. Excellent morning breakfast,and coffee ,they will bring it to your room if you request.At three PM , comp wine and cheese in the D.R.Nice pool area{closed for season)and short walk to the beach.Friendly desk and staff,I would stay there again read more

The OBX is better known for rental homes than for hotels, but I am glad I found First Colony Inn. The location is convenient if you are only staying a few days and want to be able to drive around the area, and easily visit the beach. However, I visited in October and I cannot imagine what traffic is like in the summer! The room was very clean, the employees friendly and hospitable, breakfast was generally good, and I loved the afternoon tea/lemonade/wine - what a great touch! The bed was a bit soft for my liking, and rooms facing the main road do hear street noise. The fact that the room has a microwave, little sink and fridge are really nice bonuses - particularly in hot weather when a cold drink is necessary. The room also had a Keurig, which some people might appreciate, but I loved the fact that Waveriders Cafe and Deli were next door - that's where I got my lattes and mochas in the morning. read more

We rented several rooms as a kickoff to our vacation and all of us had a wonderful evening experience! We arrived at 9:30am and knew our rooms would not be ready, but Bianca made sure we had everything we needed to be comfortable before the rooms were ready. They stored our produce for us too!! We will definitely be back to stay again! Thank you for the fantastic kick off to our vacation! read more

My family rented five rooms in August. We had a cottage for the week, but wanted to start our vacation early, so we stayed there for a night. The rooms were great and the staff was so accommodating! They let us use the facilities before check in time, they have complimentary wine and cheese each night and breakfast in the morning. We come to the Outer Banks every year and we will definitely return. Thanks to the staff for true southern hospitality! read more

A marvelous larger (25 room) B &B just 3 minutes across the street from the beach. We had adjoining rooms with ours having a queens bed, desk and 2 chairs, full bath, microwave, small refrigerator and free wi-fi throughout the property. Staff is friendly and knowledgable about local restaurants and attractions. Breakfast is buffet style and the is a wine hour (actually from 3-5pm) each day with wine (!), cheeses, crackers and other snacks. We can recommend without hesitation. read more

The First Colony Inn is located off the main road and has a secluded atmosphere. Keeping up a beachfront property can be challenging, but the grounds are immaculate, and the rooms comfortable. It's a very short walk to the beach. The Inn offers a wonderful selection for breakfast, and an afternoon tea time that I looked forward to daily. Kandra and every staff member I encountered were all very nice, accommodating, and happy to be of help; clearly they are all happy to be a part of, and at work in this historic beachside Inn. There are beach towels, beach chairs, umbrellas, and bicycles for use. The Inn has the feel of a B&B with all the the privacy of a hotel. We look forward to returning! read more

I just returned from my yearly night in the outer banks and we decided to try something new....and am I glad that we did!! We had never before noticed this quaint little inn nestled off of Croatan highway in Nags Head but we will never again forget it! It is everything you want in an inn and more. Check in and checkout is a breeze and there are several wrap around porches with abundant hammocks and rocking chairs to relax in.There is also a pool, and a garden and many fragrant shrubs performing the air with a delightful scent. Although not on the beach, do not fret as there is a lovely landscaped boardwalk that leads you across the beautifully manicured lawn, and right to the beach within a comfortable walking distance.Also check out the cozy library on the second floor AND The afternoon tea with wine , cheese and (on the day that we were there) probably the yummiest lemon squares ever! Also the innkeeper Kanda and staff were absolutely delightful. The rooms were cozy and the beds comfy and kept immaculately clean and fresh smelling. All in all this was a wonderful experience.we will most definitely be back!! Karen R read more