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Sea Ranch Resort – reviews, photos

2.0 of 5
1731 N. Virginia Dare Trail, PO Box 325, Kill Devil Hills, NC
Hotel amenities
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Free breakfast
Sea Ranch Resort
Sea Ranch Resort
Sea Ranch Resort
Sea Ranch Resort
Sea Ranch Resort
Sea Ranch Resort
4.0 of 5 stars 38 Reviews
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38 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
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Date Rating
Acme, Pennsylvania
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Great Place to Stay”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 February 2011
1
person found this review helpful

My wife and i stayed for four nights. The staff was exceptional. We loved meeting them and they were very knowledgeable about the area. This was the fourth time i was at the beach but the first time i ever stayed at a hotel. The breakfast coupon at The Jolly Rodger was amazing. I would go back just to get breakfast there. We mainly enjoyed the beach but did go swimming in the indoor pool one night that it rained. We found the pool to be clean and well taken care of. The hotel does need some help with the outside appearance but don't let that fool you. Our room with a King bed was up to date and allowed for a peaceful night sleep. We really enjoyed ourselves and would stay at the Sea Ranch again.

  • Stayed August 2010, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask NewFamily2010 about Sea Ranch Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Wilmington, NC
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
“Not Too Bad but Not Worth the Price”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 September 2010

We stayed here after agreeing to see a timeshare presentation for another property. Therefore, we were given a very discounted rate on the room. Upon checking in we saw the real rates for the room and our jaws dropped. Seems the going rate for this place is $200 or more (summertime weekend).

I am sorry, but I would have been very upset to pay any more than $75 for this hotel. I have stayed in much nicer places for less. Here are some pros and cons:

Pros
It is on the beach
Great location with many restaurants and attractions nearby
Super friendly staff; we felt very welcome
Clean rooms- we never saw anything nasty
Nice minifridge and microwave in room at no extra cost
No pets allowed- thank goodness because this disgusts me

Cons
Older hotel and the rooms show it
Pool was indoors- not oceanfront
Pool was fine but carpet around pool was absolutely disgusting- coming apart all over your feet, old and dirty (staff told us they were working on getting it repaired)
Old style room keys- our first one was broken and the maintenance man quickly fixed it
Kind of dark and dingy look

I thought the hotel was average; my husband hated it. He felt dirty and grimy in it. I thought it was alright but definitely would not return. I heard a rumour that the property almost went into foreclosure and that it was facing financial issues. The odd thing is that it was booked solid the nights we were there because I was at the counter when the phone rang three times with people looking for a place to stay. They were told no rooms were available.

There is a nice restaurant attached to it- a French restaurant. It is pricey but has a beautiful ambiance. We did not eat there but I observed how professional the waitstaff was and how the menu looked very impressive. The main chef really is from France. I found it strange how such a high-class restaurant was attached to what I considered a very modest hotel.

Beware when you pull in- we were terrified at first glance because we saw the old Sea Ranch (now abandoned) to the right. We thought that was where we were staying and got very nervous. But the real hotel looks much better than the abandoned one.

Bottom line- stay here if you must but don't pay anymore than $100 for it. I think if you pay more, you will feel ripped off!

*Fun attractions nearby- Flying Kites at the Jockey's Ridge Sand Dunes. Be sure to check out the inside of Jockey Ridge State Park- very nice educational display
*Avoid Hot Stacks Pancake House- long lines and you have to stand the entire time and wait to order in line. Awful setup but good food; not worth the wait
*Check out Manteo- beautiful nearby town; very relaxing and where you can see the Lost Colony Outdoor Theater show
*I loved the Outer Banks- I just will not return in the summer. Too crowded!

  • Stayed August 2010, travelled with family
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask gabesmomilm about Sea Ranch Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
New Bern
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Don't Bother”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 July 2010

Stayed 4 nights - First night neighboring room kept us up until 3AM. Fourth night - new neighbors were scary - loud, banging and thumping, and after they were requested to lower the noise, it got worse. We were afraid for our safety, and almost called the police. Room was poorly lit, had a musty smell, and the toilet flush was problematical - maybe yes - maybe no. Front desk seemed courteous - but the clientele was questionable. Breakfast at the Jolly Roger was a nice touch. At these rates - why bother ?

  • Stayed July 2010, travelled as a couple
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
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Ask NewBernSenior about Sea Ranch Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Southern Ohio
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Met our every need - great place to stay on the beach - would return!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 July 2010
2
people found this review helpful

I was looking for a place that my 85 year old mother could "be on the beach" without leaving our room and this was the perfect spot! The staff was understanding and helpful and gave us a room with a great view. This hotel really is ON the beach! Mom spent a great deal of time on the balcony watching waves, dolphins, storms, kids and dogs playing, and the tides.
We were happy to have the refrigerator, sink and microwave in the room. We had meds that needed to be cool, so that didn't present a problem.
Milepost 7 is a good central location. We could travel both directions to see attractions.
The breakfasts at Jolly Roger were wonderful. How nice to have your first meal of the day served by a freindly pirate. We loved the Sea Ranch!

  • Stayed July 2010, travelled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask southernohiogirl about Sea Ranch Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
baltimore, maryland
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
“Good Accommodations at Sea Ranch in Kill Devil Hills”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 July 2010

My spouse and I were invited to a wedding in Kill Devil Hills. The bride and groom reserved a block of rooms at the Sea Ranch, for guests, which is located on the beach. The front desk staff was friendly. When we checked in we learned that our rooms could be had for a cheaper rate than when we booked. We were given the lower rate for everyone in our party without argument. The room was spacious. It looked as though it had received some updating. It was very nice, but not fancy. It had a fridge, tv and "wet bar" area with writing desk and table. No safe. Housekeeping was fast and efficient. The oceanfront rooms have a glass enclosed balcony with slider windows, good for enjoying the view in nasty/cold weather. Be careful that you do not lock yourself out of the room when on the balcony since the only way to get help is to call from your cell or open the window and shout down to the beach. The Sea Ranch restaurant is The Pearl. It seemed popular with the "Saturday Night Crowd" and it was here that the wedding reception was held. The restaurant is surprisingly nice with a large meeting/banquet room across the hall from it. There is also outside "deck" dining. (We observed a "bachlorette party" being held there one afternoon, which appeared to be nicely done, i.e. chairs covered in white linen, etc.) The Pearl did an excellent job on food and beverage service and prep for the wedding reception. The staff was very pleasant and attentive. The Sea Ranch has a large indoor pool, kept very neat with lounge chairs. The bathrooms off the pool left something to be desired and need some work. At least one Trip Advisor reviewer mentioned "bugs" at the Sea Ranch. There were none in our room. I did spot one on a wall away from our room but otherwise saw no serious evidence of insect infestation. We thought this an excellent venue for a wedding. Another nearby restaurant is The Jolly Roger which has a great breakfast deal tied to the Sea Ranch. You receive a coupon from the Sea Ranch front desk for breakfast each morning and the food was more than ample and delicious. At night we stopped in there for a "nightcap" and walked home. Also nearby is the Outer Banks Brewing Station, but it is a short ride by car. The OBBS is a fun place to go with excellent food (not just burgers and fries, my dish was almost gourmet quality) and craft brewed beer. Shopping centers are located within walking distance of the Sea Ranch. On checkout the front desk urged us to return for another visit and, someday, we just might based on our stay.

  • Stayed June 2010, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask phishlover about Sea Ranch Resort
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Additional Information about Sea Ranch Resort

  • Sea Hotel Kill Devil Hills
Address: 1731 N. Virginia Dare Trail, PO Box 325, Kill Devil Hills, NC
Price range (per night):* INR8,192 - 13,988

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