Islander Motel
7001 S Virginia Dare Trl, Nags Head, NC 27959-9125
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About
4.0
#2 of 6 motels in Nags HeadLocation
4.7
Rooms
3.9
Value
4.2
Cleanliness
4.4
Service
4.3
Sleep Quality
4.3
Islander Motel is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Nags Head, offering many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.
Rooms at Islander Motel provide air conditioning, a kitchenette, and a refrigerator, and guests can stay connected with free wifi.
You can also enjoy a pool while staying at Islander Hotel. Need a place to park? Free parking is available at Islander Motel.
If you like steakhouses, Islander Motel is conveniently located near Outback Steakhouse.
Should time allow, Jennette's Pier is a popular attraction that is within walking distance.
Enjoy your stay in Nags Head!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Pool
Beach
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Non-smoking hotel
Self-serve laundry
Outdoor pool
Room features
Air conditioning
Private balcony
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Mid-range
Location
7001 S Virginia Dare Trl, Nags Head, NC 27959-9125
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 64 out of 100
64
Norfolk Intl Airport
75.5 mi•
See all flights
Rental Cars
18 Restaurants
within 0.75 miles
92Reviews2Q+A23Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
We liked the motel because it was clean, had a comfortable bed, and the maid did a fantastic job with keeping our room tidy and refilling supplies. We could hear the roar of the waves while we laid in bed. I often saw the owner working outside keeping things nice and neat, considering the wind that was blowing. I would recommend this place to others.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â The ground floor may have a sand dune blocking the view from the back window. There's a wood...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our third time staying at the Islander Motel. Reasons to say here:
1. It’s right on the beach. You can’t get any closer. Our 3rd floor room has an ocean view.
2. The cleaning staff is amazing. The rooms are very well attended to. It is an older motel with older fixtures, but it has been very clean with every stay and they make improvements each year. This year, there was a new fridge!
3. It’s a bargain. I don’t know that there’s a better rate for an ocean front room in the Outer Banks.
4. It’s quiet.
Up until this latest stay, my only complaint has been the enclosure that they have installed on the balcony. I understand why they have it, but it really compromises the ocean views. It ends up being more like an enclosed porch with a window that you can open.
The big change this year, was the amount of cigarette/weed smoke throughout the place. Our room itself did not smell of smoke, but our balcony reeked of stale cigarettes. There was an ashtray out there, so apparently smoking on the balcony is allowed by the motel. The glass enclosure only makes it worse, because there’s so little air flow. We did not experience this on our balcony with previous stays, so I’m not sure if there were really heavy smokers in that room just before us, or if over time, the smell has just been absorbed into the area. In any case, it was enough to make me not want to be out there. In addition, there were many smokers in the outdoor common areas, as well, along with all the ashtrays. We also smelled weed being smoked on multiple occasions this trip. These things might be a non-issue for some people, but it’s enough to make me seriously consider staying somewhere else next year. Which is really a shame, because otherwise, it’s a great place to stay.
1. It’s right on the beach. You can’t get any closer. Our 3rd floor room has an ocean view.
2. The cleaning staff is amazing. The rooms are very well attended to. It is an older motel with older fixtures, but it has been very clean with every stay and they make improvements each year. This year, there was a new fridge!
3. It’s a bargain. I don’t know that there’s a better rate for an ocean front room in the Outer Banks.
4. It’s quiet.
Up until this latest stay, my only complaint has been the enclosure that they have installed on the balcony. I understand why they have it, but it really compromises the ocean views. It ends up being more like an enclosed porch with a window that you can open.
The big change this year, was the amount of cigarette/weed smoke throughout the place. Our room itself did not smell of smoke, but our balcony reeked of stale cigarettes. There was an ashtray out there, so apparently smoking on the balcony is allowed by the motel. The glass enclosure only makes it worse, because there’s so little air flow. We did not experience this on our balcony with previous stays, so I’m not sure if there were really heavy smokers in that room just before us, or if over time, the smell has just been absorbed into the area. In any case, it was enough to make me not want to be out there. In addition, there were many smokers in the outdoor common areas, as well, along with all the ashtrays. We also smelled weed being smoked on multiple occasions this trip. These things might be a non-issue for some people, but it’s enough to make me seriously consider staying somewhere else next year. Which is really a shame, because otherwise, it’s a great place to stay.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Search no further..this is a most stay when visiting OBX. The absolute closest to the beach, comfy bed, clean room and grounds. The pool area has chairs with cushions to lounge and rest after a day at the beach. Kerry was so kind in calling me the day before to let me know my room would be available earlier for check-in. I will definitely be returning and look forward to my next visit to The Islander!!!
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! This is one of the cleanest places we have ever stayed, if not the cleanest! Very friendly staff. Good parking, great location for a small motel on the beach. Rooms were extremely clean even though nothing fancy, we would definitely stay here again.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â Even though there was no elevator in the 3 story motel, there was a luggage lift if it was...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a great family motel. Not a slick chain motel but a very friendly family motel. The staff were friendly and helpful. The rooms are clean. Nice pool and only a few steps over the dune to the beach. We will definitely stay here next time in Nags Head.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The best kept secret in Nags Head. Super convenient location, near outlets and restaurants. The ocean view was breathtaking and the accommodations were as expected. Laura was awesome and helpful with information about the area's activities. The owners are locals who are concerned about their guests. No regrets here; we are going back!
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Date of stay: May 2015Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a nice visit to celebrate my mother's 70th birthday. Clean and convenient oceanfront location.
We asked to check out at 12 instead of 11 since this was a special celebration. One employee said "to check the next morning, but if it was up to her she would say yes." The next day the employee rudely said "No" with no explanation. The hotel was not full and ALL hotels I have visited have allowed one hour later check out if the hotel was not booked.
I wrote a letter to the manager to check on the policy and to notify her of that her employees had a different understanding of the policy. To my surprise, the letter I received was unprofessional and extremely rude. Apparently she is not concerned about returning customers. My question and request was not unreasonable. In fact I understand each motel has different policies; however the rude, abrupt response to my mother at the front desk was unnecessary. A simple explanation at the time would have been appropriate. The manager said in my letter that the employee who was pleasant and said "if it was up to her she would say yes" was reprimanded. How about the employee who was rude to my mom, not the polite one be reprimanded?
Even with nice accommodations and easy location, I CAN NOT recommend this motel based on employee and manager behavior.
We asked to check out at 12 instead of 11 since this was a special celebration. One employee said "to check the next morning, but if it was up to her she would say yes." The next day the employee rudely said "No" with no explanation. The hotel was not full and ALL hotels I have visited have allowed one hour later check out if the hotel was not booked.
I wrote a letter to the manager to check on the policy and to notify her of that her employees had a different understanding of the policy. To my surprise, the letter I received was unprofessional and extremely rude. Apparently she is not concerned about returning customers. My question and request was not unreasonable. In fact I understand each motel has different policies; however the rude, abrupt response to my mother at the front desk was unnecessary. A simple explanation at the time would have been appropriate. The manager said in my letter that the employee who was pleasant and said "if it was up to her she would say yes" was reprimanded. How about the employee who was rude to my mom, not the polite one be reprimanded?
Even with nice accommodations and easy location, I CAN NOT recommend this motel based on employee and manager behavior.
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Date of stay: October 2016Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Outdated and dingy, the room smelled musty and mildewed, and the carpet spongy underfoot (I wore my flip flops fearing direct contact). Thank goodness for the powerful AC, though it was the loudest thing on the planet. Beds were sunken in the middle, bedspreads old and filthy, and everything inside and out was corroded. We spotted a few tiny ants on the floor near the bathroom/fridge area. For the price I knew we weren't getting top-notch, but this was far below my already low expectations. I imagine the owners must be making SOME money on the place, but I guess there's no incentive to reinvest in upkeep when desperate (last minute, like me) renters will keep coming no matter. As me for me, I learned my lesson: I'd rather pay a little more and have to walk across a street to get to the beach than live in dank filth for a few days.
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Date of stay: June 2016Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Want to save a few hundred bucks for a long weekend... stay here. Rooms on the small side but clean and functional. Staff is pleasant and helpful. Ocean views available and super short walk to beach. If you would rather spend time on beach and out it's perfect. However, if you like to show Facebook pic of your lavish room you only sleep in but makes you popular and in debt go upscale. I'm saving my money and staying at the Islander for a larger beer budget.
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Date of stay: August 2015Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at The Islander Motel for a week last week. We had a very nice stay. The room was very clean. I noticed some reviews said the rooms are dated but I thought was a typical motel room, only cleaner!
Upon checking in, a man working there offered to help us carry in our luggage. Other than hotels with bellhops, that's a first. He also gave us a bottle of wine about halfway through our stay.
The pool was clean and warm. The grounds are very nicely landscaped. The housekeepers were friendly.
The only things I didn't like were the glassed in balcony and the fact that our "limited view room" was more or less a no view room, as we could see a tiny slice of the ocean and that's it. The storm repair dunes almost completely block it. Maybe next time we can spring for a 3rd floor room!
Also, the air conditioners didn't seem to do a good job of dehumidifying as our clothes and everything else seemed really damp. But, that is pretty common at beachfront properties.
The wifi worked better than ANY hotel/motel/condo I've ever stayed in!
We really enjoyed our stay and plan to stay again next year! I wish I had brought my TripAdvisor award pins because this place would be one I would definitely give one to.
Upon checking in, a man working there offered to help us carry in our luggage. Other than hotels with bellhops, that's a first. He also gave us a bottle of wine about halfway through our stay.
The pool was clean and warm. The grounds are very nicely landscaped. The housekeepers were friendly.
The only things I didn't like were the glassed in balcony and the fact that our "limited view room" was more or less a no view room, as we could see a tiny slice of the ocean and that's it. The storm repair dunes almost completely block it. Maybe next time we can spring for a 3rd floor room!
Also, the air conditioners didn't seem to do a good job of dehumidifying as our clothes and everything else seemed really damp. But, that is pretty common at beachfront properties.
The wifi worked better than ANY hotel/motel/condo I've ever stayed in!
We really enjoyed our stay and plan to stay again next year! I wish I had brought my TripAdvisor award pins because this place would be one I would definitely give one to.
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Date of stay: June 2015Trip type: Traveled with family
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm sorry, they do not.
"The ground floor may have a sand dune blocking the view from the back window. There's a wood walkway that takes you over the dunes."Read full review
"Even though there was no elevator in the 3 story motel, there was a luggage lift if it was needed. Parking was easy."Read full review
ALSO KNOWN AS
islander hotel nags head
LOCATION
United StatesNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina CoastOuter BanksNags Head
NUMBER OF ROOMS
24
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Islander Motel
Which popular attractions are close to Islander Motel?
Nearby attractions include Jennette's Pier (0.4 miles), Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf (0.4 miles), and Outlets Nags Head (0.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Islander Motel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at Islander Motel?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What are some restaurants close to Islander Motel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Miller's Waterfront Restaurant, Owens' Restaurant, and The Dunes Restaurant.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Islander Motel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Are there any historical sites close to Islander Motel?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Island Farm (3.9 miles), Roanoke Island Maritime Museum (3.9 miles), and USS HURON Wreck (0.5 miles).
Does Islander Motel have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.