Carolinian Hotel, Nags Head

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An Outer Banks landmark, the Carolinian Hotel first opened in the summer of 1947 between Mile Post 10 and 11 in Nags Head, North Carolina. Carl Goerch praised the hotel’s onsite eatery in his 1949 book, Pitchin’ Tar: A Compilation of Facts Concerning Various Things You Will Find in North Carolina: “We recommend the Carolinian Hotel. It is open year ’round. Crab royal is their specialty. Ask for it.” In an October 6, 1958, Sports Illustrated article, “Down the Banks to Ocracoke,” Virginia Kraft wrote, “At Nags Head the CAROLINIAN HOTEL ($10 and up per day, American plan) remains open all year, and this is the local headquarters for sportsmen. Inside, a fire is usually burning in the wood paneled ANCHOR CLUB where, at the end of the day, guests shelter against the evening’s chill. At this time of year the talk is always of sport – deer hunting, surf fishing, fox chasing – but mainly of geese and ducks.” The Carolinian Hotel became the headquarters of our family summer vacation for many years during the 1970s. Not only would we enjoy the beach and surf, but also visit local attractions such as Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the Wright Brothers National Memorial and Lost Colony outdoor drama, as well as take daytrips to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse or the ferry to Ocracoke Island. For a great bite to eat, nothing could beat the Jockey’s Ridge Restaurant or Owens’ Restaurant, among others. Last but not least, for souvenirs we traipsed across the street to Gray’s Department Store or down to Newman’s Shell Shop. In an August 26, 1988, Washington Post article, “Newer, But Still Outer,” Larry Fox wrote, “The only place we found that served up serious music was the Carolinian Hotel, a funky oceanfront establishment with a panelled second-floor lobby complete with parrot. The Carolinian nightclub serves up comedy or music by name bands. What’s the room like? Dunno: The only people jam we encountered was here, and we couldn’t get in. In short, enjoy the sun and surf and go to bed early. Or get to the Carolinian early.” Sadly, the Carolinian Hotel was demolished in 2001 to make way for several luxury beachfront residences. We made one last trip to the venerable institution during the summer of 2000. Floors were getting torn up and windows were getting punched out. We managed to buy a few signs from the owner, including one that announced “Calico Jack’s” deck bar, which currently hangs on my back porch. All that’s left of the Carolinian Hotel now are these few relics and plenty of special memories of a brief moment in time.

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3 thoughts on “Carolinian Hotel, Nags Head”

  2. My dear departed Dad had “the Talk” with me, relaxing one evening in the deserted pool of the Carolinian, circa July 1980. I guess he’d noticed my growing interest in all the girls in bikinis. Thanks Dad – I pretended I knew it all at the time, but the straight dope helped.

    Thanks for posting this entry on a great old hotel. I’ve grown more willing to pay a premium to stay in places that preserve history and are not cookie cutter properties, and your entries are fantastic.

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  3. I was Head Bartender/ Bar~manager the last years of the Carolinian Hotel -Nags Head NC and was there till it was empty for demolition day the final days.
    I’M grateful for that opportunity to meet, serve & take in much of the emotions Mirroring our Oceans Daily Swell the guest, clients, musicians, other ranging talents, fellow employees, friends & family in that time.
    I had recognized I was witnessing an end to a era of amazing local phenomenon put to pasture way too soon, and for a quick buck.
    “They” knowingly were adding to the new trend in “Mini Motels” that sleeps 20 and included numerous added comforts designed to keep visitors entertained inside hurting the adventurous fulfilling ways of past-. Why step outside was the new plan- (for a few extra bucks).
    These “Mini Motels” or similar that now reside where The Carolinian
    Once sat were the second wave of Rental Properties that fueled the now almost complete replacement of Original Ocean front business’s ,Old-school Cedar shake beach homes and The Cement flat top beach box homes Along our beautiful beaches.
    I’ve grown up with telling myself that’s just life!- Change has and will always be…Still Yet I’m bummed our kids and the ones to come will never know how captivating & truly enthralling place our Heaven on Earth, Outer Banks Beaches has been for us lucky enough to grow up here as well as those who had taken any part for the seasons of past. I do love my beach today and always will- just emotional for all that will never know the blessing I witnessed living through it. That’s what molded my enduring positive backed creative fueled (All @ A~Rose sniffing ~chill speed) type spirit I am-
    Well- I just stopped here to praise your Article and ended up living through it fully and that’s what true writings are meant to do- thank you
    Duckmanjr the Tender-

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