We booked our room for Saturday checking out Monday. We had no issues. Staff is friendly. The beds are comfy, had ac on, No mildew smell. The place is very clean. Towels are soft. Love that it's on the beach, our room overlooked the dune. Beautiful. We will stay again. read more

Outer Banks Motor Lodge - From our room. - Hotels Near Me - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

This motel doesn't like short stays. My family went there for 20+ years with no problems. one year, after we booked, they emailed and canceled our reservation saying that we were taking up space guests whod book longer could use. very unprofessional. I spoke to the owner and explained our long patronage and they reversed and kept our booking. We rebooked after our stay for the next year like we did for the 20 years prior. A week later we received and email saying we were not allowed back and our reservation was cancelled. I called again and spoke with the owner and she said other guests in other rooms had "bad behavior " so they were banning my entire family. After 20 years of patronage we were banned because of other guest's behavior because we share a last name. In reality they just don't seem to like Fri-Mon guests. Very unprofessional read more

Our first time staying at OBML, and we are beyond satisfied. Service at the front desk was friendly and very helpful. It appears as though they have made updates to their rooms recently, and we found everything very nice. Cleaning service each day does a fantastic job. The location to the beach can't be beat! Also, it feels safe and quiet. We found the beds and pillows to be very comfy. We, also, found the card-less door locks to be very easy and convenient. It was nice to not have to worry about losing a key card. The only downside was a few other guests being rude (ie. feeding the gulls their leftovers from the upper deck right next to us and smoking cigarettes too closely), but that is certainly not the fault of this establishment. Because of this, we may end up staying somewhere else next time to get some space from others, but I would absolutely highly recommend OBML to others! read more

Outer Banks Motor Lodge - The view from our room - Hotels Near Me - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

I made the mistake of booking through Booking.com for the Outer Banks Motor Lodge. I had a situation come up and could not go on the dates I originally choose. I tried several times to reschedule for different dates and they flat refused to work with me. I was willing to change my dates for several week out but they wouldn't even consider working with me. I was refused a refund so I lost my money. The girl on the phone was nasty and would not even try to work with me. I will never stay at this place as I now know that they will do anything for a dollar and the place is no where near classy. Just run of the mill. I guess you really do get what you pay for. NOTHING read more

I want to give this place full stars for its awesome qualities but there are a few things that need to be noted. I will start with those. After hours check in ( I am assuming it's only after hours), is done through a virtual assistant screen in the lobby. The virtual assistant was quick to respond, but when the key cards issued by the machine didn't work two times she had to summon an actual manager who was a ten minute drive away. The whole process took about twenty five minutes after the room had been booked and paid for on line hours before. I did not enjoy that. The a/c unit is loud. It works well and I was happy that I could adjust it and ultimately turn it off, but it ain't quiet. The room has been (spotlessly) cleaned with one of those very strong smelling fabuloso type cleaners. If you are sensitive to those kinds of smells, as I am, it's a bummer. On to the good. The room has clearly just been updated and it's simple clean and charming. The bed and bedding were quite comfortable. The location is absolutely unbeatable. From my less expensive pool view king it's a few steps to the beach. The beach was abandoned early morning and it was just what I needed. That made all the other things not important. I will adjust accordingly and stay here again whenever I can read more

Outer Banks Motor Lodge - Stepping out on the beach - Hotels Near Me - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

See all

Our room had a great ocean view, and it was very comfortable. Front desk staff was very pleasant and accommodating.

First time visiting OBX, booked four nights, due to an emergency at home ended up only staying one night. They were able to re-book our room and refunded us one night. Small, family- style run motel.....great staff! Clean but dated rooms, could use updating but good value for the price! Right on the beach, decent pool, tiny parking lot. Walking distance to main drag with stores, restaurants, etc. Positives and minor negatives but definitely WILL re-book here. Pets allowed too! read more

Second stay here during summer season...front desk, housekeepers and guests couldn't be nicer. I had hoped for a second floor, however, due to a full house, I got a first floor oceanfront. That being said, I still had an amazing ocean view! #3stepstothebeach Unlike many first floor spots, no dunes here to block a view. Therefore, I ended up happier than even a second floor might have made me! Sunrise right from the bedroom window! And no doubt these rooms are cleaner than any chain motel on the beach! Rooms are large, have enough accoutrements in the kitchen to stay in any night. Nice to rent from a family business that is excellent at customer service. read more

See all

Friendly staff. Great location. Quiet and clean. Efficiency has everything I need for a long term stay (travel healthcare worker in the fall/winter season). read more

You can stay here if you do not mind trash, loud music, dogs everywhere, (one actually urinated right outside my door),trashy loud people everywhere, even worse there is construction debris everywhere, this used to be a charming place, but the new owners have turned it into a cheap, hole in the wall motel, looks like a dump read more

See all

We had a great time staying for a few days at the Outer Banks Motor Lodge! At check-in, the host was very friendly and we discovered some mutual acquaintances. :) It's right by the beach and has a nice pool area for a quick dip after coming in from the beach. The room was clean and (in our efficiency room) also had a small kitchen with coffee maker, microwave, stove, refrigerator and some cooking utensils so we could cook some of our own meals. I would definitely go back here! read more

This place looks a little rough around the edges on the outside but on the inside it is much nicer. It's not your 5 star hotel but it's very clean and the staff is very nice. I personally like the family owned businesses like this as opposed to the chain hotels. We stayed in the ocean front room with the kitchenette and king bed with separate bedroom. It's very roomy and the price was excellent. We actually didn't use maid service since we tend to reuse towels and since it was a short stay but when we arrived back at the hotel from an outing there were fresh clean towels and toiletries in a bag attached to the door. They did not come in and clean since the DND sign was on the outside but I think it was a very nice gesture to leave them for us. Please do not judge a book by it's cover because we really enjoyed staying here and next time we visit OBX we will stay here. read more

Dated but mostly clean. New tv, bed fine, comfortable pillows. Pool! On the beach! Best bang for your buck in that area. Great location. Staff great. I want to spend my time and $ on what I do and who I'm with, just need the basics from the room. If you expect that, this is your place. Newer, fancier... you'll get that elsewhere.... and pay more read more

Stayed here for four nights. The staff was very friendly and the rooms were clean. It was perfect for a couple. We are going back again and probably staying at the OBX Motor Lodge again because you can't beat the price. My only two complaints- 1. The parking isn't the greatest, but it will do. 2. The pool was filled with a hose, which made it freezing cold! They need to do it through out the week and in segments instead of all at once. I would recommend here for anyone who didn't want an extravagant hotel and was there for the fun. read more

Do not stay here!! Huge cockroaches in room! Outdated rooms. Old beds. Uncomfortable pillows. No complementary coffee. One star for nice beach front. Honestly this place needs to be raised and a new motor lodge built. Same layout, nothing fancy, just new!! Outside had a recent facelift but don't let that fool you! The inside is still old and dilapidated like something from the '50's. The location is awesome, I just wish it was a cleaner place to stay! read more

Would not recommend. Front desk staff does not know their own cancellation policy when called on the wording from their website verbiage- they backed down. Even asked a friend that is a manager in the hotel business about their policy and they thought it was confusing too. A snotty manager that wanted to argue about their policy. The bottom line is it 10 or 7 days to cancel??? They don't even know and seem to make up the rules as they go along. Wouldnt stay here based on the "customer service" Was accused of "jumping" on the manager when I just was confused about the wording of the policy and wanted the deposit back as I had read days earlier that I could do until up to 7 days in advance. I read the manager the policy and asked is that not confusing? She didn't even get it what I read to her, accused me of reading it too fast. So they have zero clue. Their policies should be clear and concise leaving no room for interpretation like other main stream hotels and motels. They did refund the deposit back after discussing it and stating their so called policy then acted like they were going to do that all along- yeah ok. read more

This motel is definitely not a fancy 5 star hotel. If that's what your in search of keep on going. Much older place...little rough around the edges..but thats what gives it its charm. We stayed on 2nd floor, oceanfront. The view was absolutely stunning. It was so peaceful to sit on the deck rocking in your rockers. There is no breakfast offered..however right across the road is Millers restaurant. Room are a little outdated but we didn't mind. Beds comfy. Some ceiling tiles could be replaced. The pool was very clean and the water felt amazing. Staff was very friendly!! Overall...I would definitely stay here again...and again!! read more

The Outer Banks Motor Lodge has been around for years and years. I think the manager is very kind and good at what she does. The rooms you stay in are great for a little beach front room, the view is amazing and yes the rooms may be dated but hey what can I say there is nothing better then an ocean front motel. If you ever stay there go across the street to Millers steakhouse for dinner one night it's one of my favorites. The Outer Banks Motor Lodge treated me and my family great last summer can't wait to go back in August! read more

I wouldn't stay at this place again if it had the only room available in obx and they were giving away rooms. Never trust a hotel that doesn't have a blow dryer in the room(yet alone, an outlet in the bathroom to plug one in) or an iron with ironing board. The wifi here sucked. Slower and more interruptions than dial up. The tv had no volume at all. The shower was freezing. Could've been cleaner. Very old and not updated. I literally spent a mortgage payment to stay here for two nights and it was not at all worth it. Their website would not allow me to change the number of guests or put anything in the comment area, so that I could let them know we had a special needs guest. I had to put 3 minors in a room together because the room they gave me(according to the website was the only one left) wouldn't accommodate us. So it was illegal for us to have 4 in one room, but it was ok for me to leave 3 minors in a room together. Never again! And, I'm giving one star only because it won't allow me to give negative stars. read more

1. Air conditioner didn't work at all, just blew hot air around. 2. Wifi was constantly disconnecting every 10 minutes. 3. Old and dilapidated interiors. 4. Room had foul odor as soon as you opened the door to enter. Won't stay here again. 4.6 star rating on google?? They must rate their own business. read more

Love-Hate, and maybe worth a second trip. So much to say about this place! Such a GEM, but with a few deep flaws. Off the top, it seemed to be the best deal for the area, and I feel strongly about supporting family-owned businesses. On the positive side: Service staff are friendly-ish for the most part (maybe "civil" is a better word) if not eager to go out of their way for you, the location is fantastic, and the price is reasonable. On the other hand, sorry but some things are inexcusable: Our room had about a dozen flies in it upon our arrival. I killed 4 using a magazine before calling the front desk for a flyswatter. (Are window screens not a possibility?) Housekeeping was friendly but inadequate. Our toiletries were in short supply and some had been partially used and not replaced before our arrival. I don't mind missing a room cleaning but even when I made an effort to let the front desk know we were leaving (11 AM), would be out for several hours (3 - 4 pm) and would like housekeeping, we did not get cleaning service. The oven smoked to the point of setting off the smoke alarm every time I used it (for brief re-heating, not major baking/roasting), thus requiring the opening of the windows, thus repeating the unpleasant fly situation. As for room quality: I did not expect first-rate furniture and decor, however we could have done without the smelly,worn/damaged armchairs. Perhaps spend less $ on tacky fake paintings and wall "decorations," and instead invest in simple, decent, clean furniture? Also, I suspect that anyone with back issues would have had trouble with the mattress quality, though we managed without major aches & pains. Disappointingly, there were a few instances in which I sensed that the general mood toward our investment in a rare beach vacation (first time in years, and as an underemployed single parent I really worked hard and saved up for this!) was indifferent. My questions about where to rent beach equipment and other local advice were surprisingly met with "I have no idea" type responses, and an attitude of not particularly wanting to find out. Another instance in which I would have stepped up on behalf of a paying guest who had traveled all day: My car broke down, mercifully just as we arrived at the motel. Aside from giving me permission to leave it where it died until a tow truck could arrive the next morning, there was absolutely no interest or concern that I have information on alternative transportation or local repairs/dealers. The tow guy was great, so all turned out fine, but it's hard to imagine why the motor lodge staff did not at least offer to provide information about local taxis or car rentals when they knew that I had become stranded upon arrival. I did not expect pampering, just friendliness and a proactive work ethic -- no more than I would have provided in their position. A few weeks after this big trip to the outer banks, I spent a short weekend at a humble establishment in Cape Cod. Not only was the room less expensive and absolutely spotless, but the staff/owners were delightfully kind, personable and voluntarily informative about the town. So much for Southern hospitality? The second downer had less to do with the under-motivated staff and more to do with the area in general, perhaps: Why oh why so many people come to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and spend their time trashing it and terrorizing sand crabs is beyond me. I'm not referring to a gum wrapper here (though that would be bad enough) But empty beverage six-packs, entire empty snack food bags, I mean sizable garbage! Enough cigarette butts to make you feel like you are lounging in a giant ashtray. So disheartening! If I had wanted that sort of beach, I could have just taken the train to Coney Island. And trash cans are provided at beach entrances! C'mon people! That, plus marauding gangs of humans chasing down, maiming and collecting poor sand crabs at night -- for reasons unbeknownst. It's not as if they are edible. What ever happened to a nice moonlight walk without bothering the wildlife, or just going out to play mini-golf? All that said, Love the beach itself, Love the location, the dunes, some of the local food, and the simplicity of a motor lodge. Please: Clean it up and at least pretend you are happy to see us and want to offer great service, and we will try again next summer. This place could be so good. Making an effort to end on a positive note: Very much enjoyed my AM & PM quiet moments on the rocking chair outside the room. Nice touch. read more