I would have loved to have seen this place in its prime! I'm sure it was an amazing stay at one point. I would have also liked to have rated this place higher but I can't in good faith do that. The resort is dated. The staff are all very nice but this is a resort standard. Nothing was exceptional or grand. It was all very overpriced for what you ended up with. My discounted rate should have been the normal rate. There is no way I would ever stay at this place at their listed normal rate. You'd have to be a fool. Honestly, You would be better off just renting a house for the price because the amenities are not worth it in this specific case. The food was mid but at arena prices. 20$ for a beer, 24$ for a burger, 4$ for an iced tea.. after the first day we just went into town for food. It ended up being much better economically and quality wise. The beach behind the resort is nothing remarkable. In fact it's sloped and awkwardly angled. The surrounding area itself is immaculate and lush with beauty and there are loads of things to do. It's definitely a family place and not an anything else kind of place so don't get any ideas. Kind of boring honestly, not really much going on. You really do have to make your own adventures. The complimentary bikes you can check out are all falling apart. The walls were so thin I could hear the conversations of the people in the room next to me. The power went out multiple times the day I was checking out which complicated things further including trying to get WiFi as well as the fact that they charged me for a latte that I never ordered and they had to remove it from my final bill. Good thing I checked. I am talking specifically about the resort and not the area itself. Parking was a free for all and there is no valet. If you leave your spot during the day good luck trying to get another one. If this place put some TLC into it they could turn it around very quickly. read more

The new Sanderling Resort, your freshly polished slice of Southern charm by the sea! Nestled where the front balconies face the ocean and flip-flops are practically formalwear, this all-inclusive resort is a cheeky cocktail of barefoot luxury and Southern hospitality. With rooms as fresh as a mint julep and amenities smoother than your grandma's peach cobbler, they have reimagined relaxation. They have taken a salty gem and given it a glow-up--think stylish bars, sparkling pools, steamy hot tubs, and event spaces that clean up real nice. Whether you're sipping cocktails under the stars, hosting a party with ocean views, or just wondering how many pools is too many (spoiler: never enough), this is the spot where fun checks in and refuses to leave. Newly remodeled, wildly reimagined--welcome to your next favorite escape. Where ocean breeze meets elevated taste, and every bite feels like a seaside indulgence. They offer two coastal-inspired restaurants on site--each offering its own refined take on fresh, locally sourced fare--this venue is a destination for those who appreciate the finer tides in life. Sophisticated, scenic, and effortlessly relaxed--between the two it is coastal dining, redefined. Cheers! read more

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The website boasts a dog bed, food & water bowls and a bandanna for your pet upon arrival. None of these were offered or provided, despite us having paid the $300 pet fee. 250th Fourth of July celebration All of The Sanderling's social media touted a big BBQ from 11-2, as well as many other festivities for the holiday weekend. There was not any signage in the lobby outlining events for the holiday/ weekend as one would expect. The ONLY indication that it was a holiday was the flags hanging on the buildings. I happened to walk through the bar and heard there was ice cream for the kids... $250 advertised food credit was not applied. The resort website stated that all stays over 3 nights over the 250th 4th celebration weekend would receive a $250 food voucher. We had 2 rooms and received no such credit. Staff The staff was VERY friendly and did an amazing job. BUT, the communication between staff and management seemed to be poor. Any questions we had throughout our stay were met with 'I don't know'. The staff should be knowledgeable of all events happening for a big holiday weekend. #1 Resort in the South 2025 - Condé Nast I had high expectations because of this claim. A lot must have changed since Condé Nast reviewed the resort. Beach Staff My family spent two days on the beach, both times we carried out our own chairs and umbrellas from a pile of resort supply at the beach access point. Two staff members were present the second day, but they were more concerned with taking selfies and playing on their phone, than being attentive to the guests. read more

The lifesaving restaurant here needs help. Somebody throw it a lifeline. I came in and order a coffee which came an hour later. I mostly think they're just very very understaffed. Our waiter was also busing tables and doing everything by himself. Our food came an hour and a half after we got there. it is not awesome. When 100% of the table talk is about how bad the restaurant is. If anybody at this restaurant that works, there is reading this review, I invite you to look at all my other reviews. I have done hundreds of reviews and given very very, very very few one star reviews. You basically have to work really hard to get one star for me. Mission accomplished. Also, my steak which was requested, medium came well done I will say our waiter was a nice guy. To add insult to injury, I think they put everyone with small kids together with us and we had small kids running around our table like we were at the playground. High-pitched screaming, and nobody did anything. My suggestion would be to turn the place into our nursery and don't serve food read more

The resort is beautiful and clean, is in the perfect location, and has a wonderful and helpful staff. However, one of the hot tubs was broken, the ice machine on our floor was also broken, and the body wash provided in our shower was empty on arrival. These may seem like minor complains, but I would expect better for the price of the resort. Not a deal breaker as I would return in the future. read more

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In a word: Yikes. In as many as Google will allow: First off, I'll give credit where credit is due and say the staff was friendly enough and the bed was comfortable. Now that I'm finished with the positives...My wife and I got married on a Friday, and we were so excited to spend a mini honeymoon on the OBX. When we booked the room we were asked if we were celebrating anything and obviously we wrote we would be coming down right after our wedding! When we arrived, two of our bank cards (from completely unrelated accounts) were declined and we were told we had to contact our bank. Welcome! After speaking to our bank, we went back insisting it was not our issue and sure enough one of their payment terminals doesn't work properly and it was a known issue on their end. Then, after a rushed rundown of the very few "amenities" we were given our room. Not once in the entire process were we given so much as a "Congratulations!" We weren't looking for free hand outs, but why even ask if there's a special occasion if you aren't going to do a single thing? I've worked in restaurants for 15 years and I've given away more to $100 birthday dinners. The entire place gives off a general sense of disrepair. The men's room at the outside bar was insane. Cracked and empty paper towel holder, no soap, and the bar at the top of the door was literally ripped off the wall with 2+ years of rust damage and preventing the door from being opened properly. The bathroom was locked up before I could get a picture. What I have attached a picture of is the door latch to our back balcony, which room service LEFT OPEN on our second day. Don't expect to feel safe here. Again, it's only a $40/night resort fee what do you expect? Don't worry though, through all this stress you can find comfort in an outdoor solo cup cocktail for the low price of $18-22. One of the weirdest parts was that multiple times that we would head out for a meal, there would be two staff members just standing at the door waiting to open it for us. Really feels like putting the cart before the horse, acting like they're giving us white glove service meanwhile our thermostat is reading low battery and our back door can't lock properly. A final word of warning. I spent 5 years of my restaurant career on the OBX, as well as personally dining all over the beach. I can honestly say that the health inspection score of the Lifesaving Station Restaurant on the property is the lowest I have ever seen, two whole points lower than the Kitty Hawk McDonald's used to be before it was shut down. Dine at your own risk. I look forward to an AI generated response from the new GM, and I hope the time I've taken to write this will prevent anyone from making the same mistake we did. read more

The Sanderling Resort - Resorts Near Me - Duck, North Carolina

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I was looking for a relaxing facial treatment in the OBX, and I got exactly what I was looking for. My esthetician was lovely. In the beginning, she told me that she doesn't generally talk much as she wants me to be able to relax, and it made the experience so lovely. She did a great job with my skin (which honestly is really smooth, nice skin), and I left feeling refreshed. My partner got a massage, and he said that he would not recommend his massage as it was more of an older masseuse just rocking his body back and forth. But, the facial & enjoying the atmosphere afterwards were great! read more

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Coastal charm at its finest. My recent stay at The Sanderling Resort was warm, welcoming, and truly memorable. The Beach House is beautifully situated and centrally located on the property, making it easy to enjoy everything the resort has to offer. The room was clean, spacious, and well-appointed. Perfect for a comfortable week-long stay. Even during the cooler weather, the accommodations were cozy, and the views were exceptional, with stunning sunrises and sunsets each day. A wonderful coastal escape that delivers comfort, location, and scenery. read more

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Not remotely a good value. Our room was not as advertised in photos - far smaller and we all had to squeeze on our Spring Break trip. Our first evening we were graced with loud drunk gospel singing at the bonfire outside our room. The next night, a load of drunk wedding guests. Every day, our room wasn't cleaned - after several requests. I finally got them to clean by 5pm. The room had NO: - soundproofing - blackout curtains - microwave - bottled water - cups, glasses...plastic or paper The resort itself had NO: - heating in the pool - laundry facilities! or services! forcing me to spend our vacation driving back and forth to Kitty Hawk to a Wash 'n' Fold. - continental breakfast - creamers for the drip coffee The snack shack, outdoor restaurant, and even the espresso machines at the bar off the foyer were all shut down. Even the vending machines took our $ without giving us anything in return. LOL. Serious regrets about staying there and embarrassed for the guest we brought with us. Never again. read more

We went back to the Sanderling for our 25th anniversary and it has decayed to a worse service level than a cheap business hotel. The staff when you can find them are less than helpful with long lines in the middle of the week. The property is is disrepair. The restaurants are at best disappointing at full resort prices. Coffee / tea in the morning was a line of 12 people at 7:00 AM on a Tuesday with a less than interesting person charging $15 for a coffee and tea and oh yes we only have decaf tea left "try the restaurant across the parking lot." A room service phone that tells you no room service. You get the picture -- everything that is wrong with a property with a beautiful location that the owners have squeezed every bit of service and decency out of. It is a rip off. Very sad. Would be nice to see it fail and taken over by someone who cares. read more

Came for a wedding and wow loved Sanderling Resort. Beautiful views, venue, and menus. The ceremony was on a beautiful raised platform overlooking the water, cocktail hour was on the grass, and the reception was located at kimball's kitchen. The views are spectacular, parking was very easy. The only thing is I wish there was better instruction with signage for on site weddings. read more

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This was an absolutely beautiful stay! This resort has everything you need and want. The staff here are incredible and responsive. The rooms were extremely tidy and exceeded expectations. A special shout out to the operations manager William! He is SO personable, helpful and just an all around great guy to talk to! He was so excited for my fiancé and I when he found out about our engagement and went above and beyond to make our stay great! read more

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Amazing menu and staff plus the drinks were on top of it all! Cheers! Try the apps for sure!

I contracted to have my daughter's wedding here in a very specific part of the resort, but due to staffing issues there was a mixup and that space is no longer available for her wedding as planned. It has been handled terribly and they're keeping the $11,000 I already paid, even though they cannot give me what we contracted for. Promises of we will do better through the rest of this process are not enough. read more

What an incredibly experience! My husband and I booked 5 nights the first week of June, at the Sanderling for our 1 year wedding anniversary and it exceeded all expectations! Two pools (including an adults only), a hot tub, bar, bocce/cornhole, fire pits, free bike rentals, and more! Our time on the beach was divine, as staff from the resort set up umbrellas and chairs (and towels) for us. I lived at the bar with drinks to take to the pool. Holly (I believe her name was) gave us great recs for breakfast spots and we biked (4 miles mind you) to down town Duck. We saw actual Sanderlings and even a killdeer protecting a nest (we are big birders). Staff was prompt with any requests and the rooms were clean and orderly. My favorite amenity in the room was of course the bathrobes and slippers! We had a beautiful patio facing the pools and beaches and got to watch the sunrise from our balcony and watch the sunset from the many rocking chairs and seating facing the west. And the cherry on top? The staff surprised us with chocolate covered strawberries for us to celebrate our 1 year! Talk about going above and beyond! We can't wait to go back next summer! Can't recommend this place enough! read more

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Just spend two days there stayed there in the past not again Way overpriced requested ocean front got ocean view if you looked around corner small fridge one bottle storage Sent my meal back but Tracy bartender was very nice and upbeat each time Forget it if have walking problems I sure they meet ADA standards but have to walk or wheelchair three ramps open two doors than down hallway to desk with poor lights and no hand rails on most ramps We were tired from the stress plus 1600$ for two nights read more

Our family absolutely loved it here at Sanderling, the food at the Lifesaving station is fantastic and all the staff around the entire property is really nice. Yes it is older but location location location people, walk from your room to pool and beach is 4 mins maybe, all chairs and umbrellas prepared daily. it is a wonderful relaxing experience can't wait to go back. read more

The Sanderling Resort - Resorts Near Me - Duck, North Carolina

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I had to chuckle at Joan's post about booking the presidential suite and having to carry luggage up three flights of stairs. Try the elevator next time or use the valet. We have been here in the off season and for this third time, came a couple weeks before Memorial Day weekend. The staff were very accommodating and courteous at check in. We were there on the eve of a lunar eclipse. Clear skies made for a great experience. If you want an ocean view, be sure to request top floor, the third floor. Second floor, while also nice, is blocked from seeing the ocean because of the dunes. Restaurant was also nice but a bit pricy. However, my filet was cooked a perfect medium rare. read more

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I did the day pass which gives you access to the pools, beach, bar/food and spa. Was $45 so pretty good deal. I'd never been here before but seen in magazines - definitely nice but more of original rustic look than is shown appropriately in pics. Super unfriendly if you're not fully abled- steep stairs to and from beach, no entry stairs in adult pool, chaise lounges completely low to ground and even wide multiple steps down from lobby to pool had nothing to hold onto. I was hoping to bring my parents next time but definitely couldn't. Ordered a kids meal that was 4 chicken tenders and a side of fruit for $20 so be prepared to spend if you're hungry or thirsty. Giving 3 stars for location and super friendly staff ! read more

Upon arrival to the room, we noticed that the oceanview room we paid for really had a partial oceanview. Half of the view was of the Sanderling guest houses. There was also a constant loud humming sound outside when you were on the balcony. After unpacking for a few minutes, we noticed that the WiFi connection was very weak (almost absent). Our devices would never fully connect to the WiFi while in the room. We called down to the front desk to address this issue and was told engineering would come by to troubleshoot the issue. After an hour and no one arriving, we called down to the front desk again. The lady was surprised no one had come by, but offered us another room that might not have the WiFi issue. We switched rooms and we immediately noticed that the new room had a used drinking straw on the carpet, a used Q tip in the bathroom, cobwebs in the corners of the room/light fixtures, black mold in the shower grout/tile, someone's hair inside the drawers, random trash in the side table drawer, broken mounted mirror, and dirty outdoor furniture. We've stayed here many times in the past and housekeeping was always stellar and on top of everything. For the price point that you pay for this hotel, I would expect daily services to be done. These include changing bed sheets, vacuuming, wiping down of hard surfaces, taking out the trash, replacing necessary towels, and replacing used toiletries. Housekeeping at this hotel has been more than disappointing this time around. The only consistent thing that was done was removal of the trash. I had to request that bed sheets be changed on the 4th day because no one had done it since the beginning of our stay. I also requested it to be done on the 5th day. The front desk assured me that she would put that request in for me. Our bed sheets were not changed once during our entire 5 night stay even after specifically requesting it. I had to request a tissue box in person from front desk because they did not replace the empty one that I blatantly left out near the edge of the sink on the second day. I also found our hotel room unlocked and cracked open on one of the days we came back from the beach. Housekeeping never bothered to lock it after they came in that day. I found a huge cockroach in our bathroom one night and had to get my husband to kill it. The outdoor furniture needs to be cleaned and wiped down so that you can actually sit on them - it was dirty with dead bugs and random other stuff caked onto it. Even though parts of the hotel has been recently renovated, nothing matters if it cannot be kept clean. This stay for us has been extremely disappointing because we loved this hotel. We really don't know if we will ever come back for another stay - maybe if we see it change owners/management in the future and updated reviews reflect that good hospitality again. read more

Nice but some cracks in facade Cute resort. Great room for my mom and I -had a separate bedroom and I had a pull out couch. She had a walk in shower. Very necessary for mobility challenges. Two bathrooms were excellent. Nice balcony with 2 access points. But 1) upon arrival there were left over cocktail glasses on the private deck from previous guests and 2) the bathroom sconce was not working. Those were fixed as soon as I mentioned it. The next night a 3) huge palmetto bug (southern for roach), was waiting outside our door on the carpet. The lovely chandelier in the staircase was cobweb covered. The drink machine on first floor was out of all the juices. All those things I'd have overlooked until the last night----I was very careful to toss all trash into the room waste bin, so why did housekeeping feel the need to toss out a carry handle brown shopping bag (on a dresser) next to the TV filled with tea, honey, a mixing cup and snacks that I use to mix my mom's nightly medication? It was not trash. It was a boutique store brown shopping bag. W a cord handle. Not a plastic grocery bag. What if it had an item inside I had purchased? I did have another shopping bag w a $150 sweater in that, thank goodness she didn't toss that. But this brown bag was not trash. It was a significant inconvenience because I try really really hard to keep my 90 y/o mom on her medication regimen and making it tolerable w tea and non sugar non caffeine mixers is one way I can keep her managed. Not that going to front desk at 8 pm helped. Xcept she gave me two tea bags. It's not as tho I was going to dig thru the trash looking for the bag that was dumped. But just the idea that housekeeping made a decision to take a bag that maybe to her looked like trash, but was definitely not in a trash location, made me feel so annoyed. And also the restaurant at the hotel called lifesaving station. Very overrated. The crab dip was runny. In fact the burger from that same restaurant gave my mom explosive diarrhea x2 the next day. I'd suggest eating elsewhere. The room had a fridge , microwave and 2 person table, so I did make a meal or two from grocery items pretty easily. We also Did a spa service 2 days in a row and those were nice. Not four seasons or ritz carlton spa level by any means, but nice regardless. read more

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There is a BIG difference between what you see on the web and what you get. Overall, the place is run down. The outside doesn't just look weathered, it looks like it needs repair. When we first drove up to the place we weren't sure it was the Sanderling, it looked so different from the web. And I am certain some of the roofs need re-shingling. It is not an enclosed resort. All amenities are overstated and over priced. The Lifesaver Restaurant was over priced but the food was good and the service was great. We didn't bother with Kimballs Kitchen. I was not able to get an appointment in the spa. If you get (and pay extra for) an ocean view room, be aware it is not ocean front. Unless you are in the South end, you'll have to peer over the sand dunes to see the ocean. And forget about leaving the sliding doors open to get a breeze, the screen is torn. The balcony could use some repair/refurbishing but at least the railing felt secure. The room itself smelled like mildew, it was the 1st thing I noticed when I opened the door. The carpet was wet (and dirty), the furniture was dirty, and the bedding and linens felt wet. I felt wet the entire time I was there. I ran the AC but it was so LOUD. The AC system never stops whining, and not just mine, the entire floor! I had to turn it off at night or I would not have been able to sleep. I have an audio clip of the AC but am unable to upload here. Light on the fan did not work. Coffee maker looked like something out of a Howard Johnsons ' (no offense to Ho-Jos, you don't charge $571 per night). Cabinet damaged and stained. Nothing is included. All this for a mere $571 per night. I stayed one night and left, refusing to pay for the second night. What a disappointment. read more

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I rarely write reviews, but I hope this serves as a warning to families considering this "resort." My family and I were traveling to the Outer Banks for the first time for a special trip. We were calling it our "family moon" as it was going to be the last trip that my wife, toddler, and I took before welcoming our second child. We opted to stay at Sanderling Resort based on its 4-star status and splurged on a premium oceanside suite. After an all-day drive, we checked into the hotel. There was no one available to help us with our bags, no nearby elevator, and the check-in process was lengthy. Once we made it to our room we discovered that the room did not match the photos on the Sanderling's website nor the photos on the American Express Fine Hotel and Resort's site. We did extensive research before the trip to make sure that we were getting a great room and an ocean view. Instead, the suite we checked into was worn-down, unclean, and included absolutely no glimpse of the ocean. Vents were rusting, windows were dirty, weather stripping around the doors was ripping away, something was smeared on the side of the bathroom vanity, and the balcony was covered in cobwebs. (Please see attached images.) We called the front desk to see if there was a room in better shape with an actual oceanfront view. After a series of calls back and forth and waiting on hold, the front desk informed us that there was no better room in the hotel available but that we could move to one of the rental houses on property and that it would not have an ocean view but it was newly renovated. When the engineers came to guide me to the rental houses they shared that the rooms at the Sanderling are being renovated and that our room was one of the few they still needed to renovate. That explained a lot. We moved all of our belongings and our toddler to one of the houses. I'm not sure what exactly had been renovated at this house besides perhaps some new furniture. The kitchen and bathrooms were incredibly dated. At this point it's about 7 p.m. and we are just attempting to get settled in and put our toddler to sleep. We are hoping to make the best of it. As the night continues, we discover there are ants every where. To the point where they're climbing up my arms as I'm trying to make dinner. We find spiders and cobwebs cover the windows and hang in the foyer area above the staircase. Finally, we discover the largest cockroaches I have ever seen. Looking under the vanity in one of the bathrooms, we notice there is a gaping hole where the bugs are coming and going from. (Please see images.) At this point it is about 10:30 p.m., our toddler is asleep, and we had been driving all day. We heavily debated leaving right then but decided it was safest to spend the night and leave first thing in the morning. We contacted American Express the next day to see if someone could assist us in finding an alternative hotel or rental to stay at but the person we spoke to was unable to recommend anything comparable to the 4-star experience we were hoping to find. We decided it was best to cut our trip short and head home. It was a nightmare start to finish. I feel duped based of the photos of the hotel online and I cannot imagine putting a family in a room or house that had been neglected to that extent. The lack of cleanliness was shocking to me. The dishonesty and lack of customer service from Sanderling is completely unacceptable. I do not know how this hotel has conned its way into a 4-star rating. Perhaps it was at one point but those days are long gone. Again, I rarely write reviews, but there was nothing redeeming about this place. Please stay far away from Sanderling "Resort." read more

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Friendly staff and very comfortable and spacious rooms. Ours had a couple quirks - the doors required a good shove to get into the frames, and there was a bit of an odd smell in our room (almost like a seafood ravioli?), though it wasn't terribly unpleasant. Our shower curtain also was too short, so the floor outside the shower was very wet after use. But the bed and pillows were super comfy, and the beach access and available chairs were great. The fitness center was also very well appointed (if small) and enjoyable to use. Definitely not the best bang for the buck in the area, but we had a lovely time. read more

Had 11:00 Sunday Brunch reservations. After a 50 min wait, we had water and lukewarm coffee on the table. Waiter also informed us the chef wasn't cooking anymore breakfast because he was out of bacon, eggs and grits. Great planning for Presidents' Day weekend. read more

The Sanderling Resort - Reservations for 11:00 Sunday Brunch. After fifty minutes of waiting, we only had water and a cup of lukewarm coffee. - Resorts Near Me - Duck, North Carolina

the water dispenser did not work and neither did the ice machine in our building. the showers had black mold on them, all on the floor and wall. we asked them to clean it and they said did but there was still mold so they didn't clean it at all. i'm saving the best for last...we found the FATTEST cockroach in our room absolutely horrible. i want to go home. read more

The Sanderling Resort - cockroach! - Resorts Near Me - Duck, North Carolina

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Terrible customer service. Check all the other websites for the review status. You will find that others have had the same bad experience. I made a reservation two months ago for $3500 for an ocean view suite. I received a call one day before stating I did not have my room because they over booked. Extreme subpar customer service! You have been warned...beware!! read more

Pre COVID review. I had a great weekend at the Sanderling, but some mixed thoughts on the hotel. The front desk staff just wasn't super friendly. They were crazy strict about those s'mores kits, you only get one kit for your whole stay and no extra. You would think with this level of resort you would get a smores kit every night since it probably only costs them a dollar or two to put it together. I will say our room was very nice. I believed they were recently updated and it shows. Great shower and the Sanderling Resort rubber duck in the shower is a nice touch. We didn't have ocean front, but the view to the sound is still a nice one. Our room neighbors were smoking on their patio though which totally ruined it for us since we couldn't even go out without smelling like smoke. I'm not sure if it's allowed, but if it is, it shouldn't be since it ruins it for all neighboring rooms. The spa was nice, but didn't have as many amenities as I was hoping for. The relaxation room was in the middle of treatment rooms so there was a lot of walking around back and forth. The indoor pool could use a refresh or at least some lounge chairs along the pool since it was winter and using the outdoor pool wasn't an option. The spa staff was nice but didn't give us a full tour of the space, so at first we had no idea where to get tea and any snacks. I did enjoy my massage though and it's neat to have treatment rooms overlooking the ocean. read more

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False advertising. This is the first negative review I have ever written. My wife and I booked an anniversary getaway at the sanderling resort and were very underwhelmed to say the least. On the website it described the suites having a fireplace and even shows the pictures of the rooms having a fireplace. Since we were booking on a colder time of year we thought paying extra for a room with a fireplace would be romantic and worthwhile. So we booked an Oceanview Corner Junior Suite (pictured). Of course when we arrived the front desk informed us that only two rooms have fireplaces, the Presidential and deluxe suites. So the extra money you pay for an upgraded room doesn't get you ANYTHING. Furthermore, we chose this resort for the convenience of an indoor pool. It's advertised on their Facebook page and I even called the front desk to double check where it was located. They assured me it was across the street in the spa and they had towels available. Well after my wife and I trekked across the street the spa informed us that the indoor pool was no more. So why did the front desk tell us to head over? I called guest services and of course, no answer. The lifesaving station restaurant was ok, definitely not great. But the paper canoe restaurant across the street was amazing (but it's not affiliated with this resort). Paying over $1000 for 3 nights at this hotel was a poor decision and I won't recommend this place to anyone. You are better off saving that money and going elsewhere. read more

The Sanderling Resort - Resorts Near Me - Duck, North Carolina

I was majorly disappointed with my recent stay at this resort. The website was completely misleading, and the resort turned out to be nothing more than a large rundown old beach house. However, the staff (from the front desk to catering and housekeeping) were incredibly nice and helpful, and the food at the two restaurants, delicious. They get 5 stars. Despite this, the rooms were small, dirty and outdated. The prices were incredibly high for what was offered. One day the adult pool had children in it! Our dog friendly room had a dirty old smelly rug. This place has so much potential if the owners gave it some care. We made the best of our stay but we won't be returning as it really ruined our vacation. read more

What can you say about a place & experience that just leaves you speechless. My wife Ell & I chose this place and put our faith in these folks to create our special day. We had a vision built around the Sanderling Resort & this stunning area of the OBX. The weather challenged us with the nasty heat & humidity first.... then the rain for the actual ceremony that pushed us inside. With each challenge that was dished out. Danielle the event coordinator & her wonderful staff adjusted to calm my nerves and realize the dream that Ell & I had for this day. We will always remember our special day and will never forget these fine folks. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us realize a life long dream. We can't wait to come back to visit again real soon. read more

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Whatever Sanderling ONCE was, It NO LONGER IS. Old , OVERPRICED, outdated, slowww food service from the one restaurant thats open onsite during off season. Housekeeping staff were/are attentive and courteous, but I suspect they're now disillusioned on what their career outcomes may Become there. Christina, Darren, Daniel are whom I remember. If I ran/owned a supposedly seaside resort my Signature restaurant 's food would be epic. Pancakes were gummy like IHOP's, the "House made" corned beef hash was incredibly inedible, salty and coarse. Wait staff was incredibly accommodative, but the product was flawed. I left Breakfast HUNGRY! PATHETIC IF Your Chef can't make a basic Pancake/Waffle batter from SCRATCH????? OBX Off season brings dining challenges of its own, most places are only open Tues-Sat (wtf) BOTTOM LINE: I can't justify spending $600-$700/night there...OverPriced yet Under Delivered read more

Horrible experience at the sanderling. Booked a week long stay at the caffey house for may 2025, only to find out that they had double booked the house-and despite being a Long time customer-my stay was the one cut short. To make this up to me I was promised two additional free days added to the October 2025 stay I had already booked. Shocker-one month prior to this stay I found out the house had again been double booked. The two additional days added on to my reservation were among the 5 days which were not available to me. The sheer incompetence of this resort is astounding. Not even to mention that on arrival at the may 2025 stay-in which I was promised an early check in-I was not permitted entry until 3 hours after their posted check in time. One bathroom in the house was out of order and we had to deal with maintenance workers in the house for the first two days of our stay. The tv in the master bedroom was not working and the ac on the top floor of the house was also out of order. The ac was not fixed in a timely manner. Literally stay anywhere but here! read more

We've had a wonderful stay at this beautiful oasis! So clean and staff is so courteous! The decor is exquisite and all the extras at this resort make it superb! Everything is provided making it a relaxing stay with our family of 5. The Sandbar made the yummiest frozen drinks to enjoy on the beach. The Lifesaving Station as well made the best Southern meals~definitely the best restaurant in Duck ! read more

The Sanderling Resort - Resorts Near Me - Duck, North Carolina

This review is for the hotel and spa at Sanderling. For their restaurant, check out my review of the Lifesaving Station. First, the resort. This is a misnomer. We visited during the off-season (Spring) and so perhaps that explains why it was understaffed with aggressively mediocre service. Besides the fire pit, proximity to the beach, and beach chairs strewn about on the sand for you to pick up yourself, there aren't any amenities. (Well, there is also a very basic gym). If you think of this place as a "luxury motel", I think you might have a chance at feeling satisfied -- but a resort 'tis not. For the money you spend per night, it's better to find a rental or another hotel. The room are quite spacious. We were in a suite so there was a fireplace, a comfortable bed and a huge bathroom with a nice, clean tub. We slept well here. The furniture is worn and our white bedsheets had a very set-in stain on it, which is unnerving but probably fine. (I didn't call about it). There is no option for room service and they don't turndown the rooms throughout your stay. There is no coffee in the room and no water pot. They provide, again mediocre, coffee in the morning in the lobby. There is a nice sitting room (with board games that are missing pieces) that overlooks the sound and the ocean. Now, the spa. Although not quite a misnomer, I would have much preferred to make a drive to a day spa elsewhere. The staff had a politeness that was also mixed with just being bored with your presence. The massage room I was in looked like a large bathroom that they threw a massage table into. The floor actually had bathroom tiles-- it felt cold and uninviting. However, the actual massage was nice. For neither would I return. I recommend skipping the Sanderling and staying elsewhere. read more

Restaurant food is fair but very expensive. Horrible mattress...huge crater in the middle of the bed. Horrible night sleep. Door to the deck creaked all night. High resort fee daily. Great location. read more

My husband and I booked a standard room for a three night stay, approximately $1600 plus $43.00 resort fee, which I felt was on the high side for what we received. The resort looks like it has seen better days, and the current management apparently is " milking" it for every last dime, and not maintaining the property. It does not have a luxury feel, and is very off-putting, smelly, and in general, disgusting. Very dirty carpets, torn patches along the edges, large dark stains, rusty door hinges, scuffs and dings everywhere. An odd mildewy smell permeates the hallways, and there is a real " rundown ", unkept feel to the place. Our room had the tiniest balcony imaginable, with two very dirty chairs crammed into the corners, broken decking, the transom cracked, and the screen on the door loose at the edge allowing every manner of flying insects in. Almost impossible to get the door open to get back in given the space. No view of the ocean, but looking at the dune was ok, I suppose. The longer we stayed the more these flaws weighed in us. The King bed, oddly sagging on one side, a very noisy HVAC unit cycling on and off, and yet not maintaining an even cool temperature. Horrible coffee in the room, and the coffee station in our South Wing location not set up as promised at 7:00 am, more like 8:30, the poor staff lugging in the canisters, under staffed no doubt. The adult pool outside our room looked very nice, but not clean. Large chunks of sand in the bottom. Some orange towels were presumably available early, I suppose, but by noon not a towel or attendent in sight. The jacuzzi jets were essentially non functional as they were two inches below the surface, so the effect was less of a massage and more like a bubbling fountain. And the jacuzzi was just warm, not hot. The landscaping around the pool, a sad sight. Shriveled, untrimmed, brown miscanthus, ugly black mulch, unkempt sandy pathways with crabgrass and weeds encroaching. Just ugly, and sad. A potentially beautiful location marred by a total lack of maintenance. The hotel did not live up to it's beautiful location. The pictures on the internet listing have been photoshopped. Avoid this hotel. Stay at the Hampton Inn for 1/3 the price. read more

Girl's day out included a "Foot Rescue" service and brunch at restaurant. My sister-n-law and I treated our Moms and enjoyed our time here immensely. The Foot Rescue service at the spa was nice but a bit over-priced. I don't think filing, lotion, and polish is worth $50.00 for 25 minutes. Add in a tip and we spent $60.00 per person. A little pricey. Having said that the spa itself is very relaxing and we spent time in the Solarium where they offer complementary coffee, tea, and snack mix there and the view was pretty. Overall a nice experience just not worth the price. We also treated our Moms to brunch at Lifesaving Station. Two of us had the granola, fruit, and yogurt plate, my sister-n-law had the Ducktrap Smoked Salmon platter and I had the granola and fruit without yogurt. All of our dishes were huge portions and all of them came with a choice of bread: biscuit, toast, or bagel. All three of us got a bagel. The bagels were some of the biggest I've seen. They came with cream cheese and an assortment of jams was on the table. We were there at 10:30 and the service was quick but we did not feel rushed. The one thing I found unsettling was the floor in the restaurant. It was very dirty with food all over the floor under our table. Recognizing that they were about to close for lunch prep they probably were going to wait to clean it but it definitely impacted our visit. Otherwise a nice brunch with good forms and service. read more

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I really didn't take note of the campy chair that would be a distraction to children, because I was looking forward to a quiet room in the south building. And I was looking forward to some infused water from a lovely decanter to quench my thirst after putting up with the inbound traffic. We've all been there and it's nothing new. I was taken back when this decanter was removed and replaced with a large package of s'mores for purchase. There are awesome some hooks left in the wall behind the check-in counter that I thought looked odd. Couldn't remember what was being hung from them. After my stay, I've got a pretty good idea. Going through the main entrance to the south building I noticed a knob had been completely removed from one of the doors, and on the back side of the same door, the latch was completely pulling away from the wood door. On entering my room, the lovely little wooden do not disturb signs had been replaced by something akin to a quiet please from a Motel 6. The glassware and coffee mugs have been replaced with individual plastic cups wrapped in plastic and Styrofoam cups for coffee. The glass bottle of filtered water that one would typically find (as pictured on their current website) is no longer there. Nor are the s'mores for two, that which entices one to go to the once singular fire pit to mingle or meet other guests. These items are gone. And explains why they are selling s'mores up front. In hindsight, comparing the old items to the items that were left by comparison to the website picture, they also remove the goddamn chairs around the tables. So right now all you've got is a nice bucket with a tray underneath it that carries nothing. In making my way to the beach during my short stay of only two nights (which in hindsight should have only been one had I known they made the changes to the rooms that they did) they no longer rake the pathway to provide a soft stroll in and around the courtyard. For that matter, they no longer even update the current weather conditions, forecast, water temperature, high tide and low tide for each day. The lovely little sign was blank, only to have that it was sometime in April (with no updated date) and 2022. The riptide sign is so faded, someone that is visually challenged could not read it. There was another warning sign that had been simply nailed to the side of a handrail that a person may or may not notice, because it's underneath another sign that's mounted right on top of the rail (wish I'm pretty sure is a code violation). Near these signs was a basket falling apart with sadly used beach toys, which are typically brought my families. Albeit fine for those with children, it gives the staff something else to pick up, that could easily have other duties or tasks. Also at the top of the stairs, and you wouldn't know it because there's no signage for what's inside, or water bottles. Fortunately, the gentle persons which come each year to work on this beach are still friendly and courteous. Which right now, the staff is about the only thing carrying the place but still doesn't justify the absorbent price that's currently being charged. The Sanderling was once a very very nice place to stay. It had a concept that brought charm & elegance at the beach. It was a safe place from the rest of the Redneck Riviera. I would say it was once on par with an Omni or a Four Seasons. In the recent ownership change it has position itself to the other end of the spectrum - Motel 6. Dare I say, because the company is still using old photos on its website, it's now entering into deception or fraud of offerings of what the rooms themselves have to offer. The new fire rings at the South building are true, but nobody is using them because in order to do so you've got to spend an extra 30 bucks just to make some s'mores ... if you're still doing that as an older adult. And thinking this one through, those that ARE making s'mores at night are in between the south beach house decks and the 21 & older pool. Which kind of defeats the purpose of getting a room at the South Beach House. Good bye to quiet. My biggest concern is for those of the staff that have been working there for years. It was their understanding that they came to do their best in the service industry at a finer establishment. And now they are being challenged by the mediocre and rundown hotel in where they once shined. They are all good people. Oh Sanderling, it was a good run of 12 years. Alas, please change your name so as not to spoil our fond memories. Or at least while under the new ownership. This place is not the Sanderling of yore, nor as shown in all of the pictures on their website. Furthermore, I'm pretty sure now what those hooks behind the front desk are from diamonds that were removed from the wall. read more

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My wife and I stayed here after we got married for a little mini-honeymoon. We absolutely loved this place! We checked in super late, around 11:30pm because we drove up from FL, but to our surprise, there was someone at the front desk 24/7! We stayed in the south wing. This wing is geared more towards couples and the older crowd, from what we were told. We stayed on the 3rd floor of this wing. We walked into a very spacious room with a wonderful view of the beach! The bathroom was also very spacious with a massive shower. The bed was very comfortable, about a 40in(?) Tv, a couch, and a complimentary set of Graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate for their outdoor Fire pit! We stayed here for 5 days and we enjoyed every moment of it. Housekeeping was very gracious and professional. They offer room service from the life saving station when not in season. We had hoped the other restaurants were open, but understood why they were closed during the winter. Some of their amenities included an outdoor pool, outdoor hit tub, indoor gym, and a spa. We will surely be back in the future so that we can enjoy everything else they have to offer! read more

The Sanderling Resort - Resorts Near Me - Duck, North Carolina