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Shell Island Resort: Traveler Reviews

3.5 of 5
2700 North Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
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Shell Island Resort
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275 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    93
    100
    36
    32
    14
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Families
115
 
Couples
77
 
Solo
6
 
Business
9
 
Rating summary
  • Location
    5 of 5 stars
  • Sleep Quality
    4 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4 of 5 stars
  • Value
    3.5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Rochester, New York
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“GREAT Views.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 13, 2013

We stayed for one night at the Shell Island Resort, NC March 7, 2013. Unfortunately it was unseasonably cold (freezing) and windy.
The views here cannot be beat! The elevator is “glassed in” so that when you ascend to your floor, you are looking out at the intra-coastal waterways. Based upon advice on Trip Advisor, we requested room 910. Amazing views of the sand dunes, beach, and ocean. Breathtaking!
I think that the Premium units have the full size fridges. The bedroom (in our unit) was in the back and was dark. But, I guess it makes sense, because the kitchen and family room are facing the ocean and it is floor to ceiling glass!
The room was dated – furniture, drapes, and so on. However, it was clean.
The staff were very nice, cheery, welcoming and helpful. Parking is covered and free.
There is a restaurant on site, BUT it is very limited operating hours. So….you feel a bit remote. Not anything (eat or drink) in walking distance. We had a pizza delivered from Brooklyn Pizza Co., Wilmington and it was VERY Good.
Both the indoor and outdoor pools looked lovely.
The Beach is huge with tons of shells – wish we had been there in warm weather and dream of being there in August some time.
Loved Wrightsville Beach!!

  • Stayed March 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask mcn1026 about Shell Island Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Heidi B, Manager at Shell Island Resort, responded to this review
March 31, 2013
mcn1026,
Thank you for the wonderful review, and the beautiful photos! We are very lucky to have such a wonderful location to offer, and hope to be able to accommodate you again soon. Please make a point to reserve for next Spring, when we will have renovations completed and rooms that are just as beautiful and relaxing as the view!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Arlington, VA
Top Contributor
72 reviews 72 reviews
19 hotel reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
58 helpful votes 58 helpful votes
“Nice Location”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed March 11, 2013

Stayed here for a weekend in early March 2013.

Nice location: at the very end of the homes & development on the north end of Wrightsville Beach. Short drive or even a bike ride (2.5 miles to restaurants, bars on 'the island.' Drive of about 10 mins to get to many more restaurants & all of that stuff 'off the island.'

Staff here are very friendly, and professional.

Hotel is actually condo units owned by individual owners. All units are oceanfront, all units have a two-person balcony facing the Atlantic.

The building has a worn aspect to it, but everything works & it is kept clean. Ground floor units are walk-out but are below the dune line & thus have no view of the ocean. The higher you go, the better the view.

Beach is wide & very clean. Dunes between beach & hotel. Good surf spot just up the beach to the north of the hotel. Surf City for smaller waves is about 25 minutes drive. The south side of WB pier for bigger waves is about 5 minutes drive.

The parking people aggressively ticket cars whose owners haven't paid the meter. I witnessed a ticket writer nailing cars at 730am one Sunday morning.

Restaurant here is basic. Bar is basic. Food is bland. You can do better elsewhere: Sweet & Savory, Tower 7, Neptune's, others. If yu want the chain restaurants like Carraba's & the fast food chains, you'll need to drive 'off island' 10 minutes to get your fix.

The units all have small refrigerators & a good-sized kitchenette, furnished with dishes, pots 'n pans, cutlery , glasses.

I recommend this place. It's basic, not fancy, but it's the superb location that is what you are paying for.

Room Tip: Better views on higher floors.
See more room tips
  • Stayed March 2013, traveled solo
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask fawlcon about Shell Island Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Heidi B, Manager at Shell Island Resort, responded to this review
March 12, 2013
fawlcon,
Thank you for your review! We pride ourselves in our customer service, and are glad that we could accommodate you during your visit to Wrightsville Beach, NC. Please come back for a visit, and try out the new menu we are excited to introduce in the very near future! Also, look for some larger changes to come in the Winter/Spring 2014, as we begin further renovation efforts!

Again, thanks! We hope to see you again soon.
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2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Not impressed!”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed March 5, 2013

My husband, son and myself visited in February 2013. Upon arrival we were told BOTH elevators were out of service, however there was a service elevator at the end of the hall around the corner. My husband is in a wheelchair so the elevator was necessary. The service elevator was in a little room that was slightly difficult to navigate in a wheelchair but after a few turns he was able to get into the elevator. We were given a room on the 5th floor at the opposite end of the hotel from the only working elevator. It was off season and few guests yet we were given this far away room with a view of the parking deck on one side. When I requested something closer to the elevator or ground floor, we were told that because we had to have handicapped accessible, this was our only option. My husband is a quadriplegic so it was necessary. The handicapped room was not so accessible, only a grab bar or two and very dated. Housekeeping came the second day and put towels in and tied up a bag of trash and left it in our trash can. A bag of chex mix had spilled the night before and wasn't vacuumed nor was coffee supply refilled. This was our second bad experience and our last. While the location/view is beautiful, this hotel is not a great place to stay and is in need of management!!

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled with family
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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Ask plaughter67 about Shell Island Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Heidi B, Manager at Shell Island Resort, responded to this review
March 12, 2013
plaughter67,
Thank you for your honest review of Shell Island. We appreciate hearing all types of feedback in hopes of making adjustments that will allow us to provide everyone with a perfect experience during their visit. The elevator issue was a huge inconvenience for many, and I regret that it had such a negative effect on your stay. This is the reason for the elevator construction taking place, a project that will be completed by the end of this month, just in time for our season! We are pleased to have a new General Manager on the property who has great plans for our future, and hope you will give us one more chance to provide you with the relaxing stay that you deserve.

Thank you!
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Williamsburg, Virginia
Top Contributor
132 reviews 132 reviews
28 hotel reviews
Reviews in 40 cities Reviews in 40 cities
28 helpful votes 28 helpful votes
“Still The Best on Outer Banks!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 31, 2013

We visited again in January 2013 on strength of weather forecast to be sunny and in 70s--in January! Off-season, we almost had the hotel to ourselves. We used to live closer to Wrightsville beach. Now five hours away in Williamsburg VA, but it was worth the trip!
Very friendly and efficient staff from front desk, to maid service, to Shannon who runs the North End Bistro on site. The beach in front of the resort is the best we've seen in North Carolina--white, soft, beautiful sand. Slope of the beach into the ocean is very gradual and friendly to children bathers.
Altogether this was a wonderful getaway for my wife and me. We'll be back again and again!

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 5 more reviews by SharpShoey for Wrightsville Beach
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Greensboro, North Carolina
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Just What We Wanted..”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 19, 2012

When reading the reviews for this property, I was a little concerned...I knew WHERE we wanted to go and had stayed at another property which I did NOT want to revisit...We traveled in the off season, and the most important thing to us was a clean, nice place with a comfortable balcony...and we found it. The condo was nicely furnished, a seperate bedroom and living room and the bath had two rooms! One w/ shower and toilet and sink and the other w/ toilet and sink. The kithen w/ small but adequate for vacation get away...Our balcony was TOPS...just what we wanted and needed...They offer two different grades of rooms, we took the regular since the balcony is where we mainly stayed. Best sunrise ever and the breakfast was included for off season and was fabulous...We will return. Staff went out of their way to assist us.

Room Tip: If you are looking for VIEW don't think you can go wrong, All are ocean front..
See more room tips
  • Stayed December 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 3 more reviews by MaryBeth R for Wrightsville Beach
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
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Additional Information about Shell Island Resort

Also Known As:
Shell Island Oceanfront Hotel
Shell Island Oceanfront Resort
Wrightsville Beach Shell Island Resort
Shell Island Resort Nc
Shell Island North Carolina
Shell Island Hotel
Shell Island Nc
Shell Island Resort North Carolina
Shell Isl All Oceanfront Suites
Shell Is Resort Wrightsville Beach
Address: 2700 North Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Phone Number:
Region: United States > North Carolina > Wrightsville Beach
Amenities:
Beach Business Center Fitness Center Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Kids Activities Kitchenette Restaurant Room Service Suites Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#3 Romantic Hotels in Wrightsville Beach
#3 Top resorts Hotels in Wrightsville Beach
#4 On the Beach Hotels in Wrightsville Beach
#5 Family Hotels in Wrightsville Beach
Price Range: $$
Hotel Class:3.5 star (3.5*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Nestled on the northern tip of Wrightsville Beach, Shell Island Resort is surrounded by a sprawling expanse of sand and unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean, Mason’s Inlet, and Figure Eight Island. This family-friendly resort and hotel boasts a front row seat to the beckoning sea and a beach that seems to stretch endlessly, making it feel like it is yours alone. ... more   less 
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