KateT

We're headed to the area for a quick two-night visit to UNC and Duke. Have never been to the area and see that there are MANY hotels within a decent proximity to both schools and to the airport.

We're interested in having a home base that is relatively convenient, in a relatively nice area, and not toooo pricey. Hampton Inn & Suites comes up with fairly good traveler reviews. Any advice/insight from other travelers or locals? Any place to stay away from?

Is the Research Triangle area too far away? (prices there are definitely cheaper) In all likelihood we'd like to at least get a feel for the Chapel Hill area, so think it's probably best to stay closer to UNC.

kgh8m

The RTP is reasonably close to both schools, but you're trying to get a feel for these schools, and staying out at the RTP would be like staying at any other corporate/airport area hotel.

In Chapel Hill, if you want to stay in the heart of things, stay at the Carolina Inn. There is nothing better, and it is precisely in the heart of everything, and tucked right at the edge of campus and a block off Franklin Street.

I can't recommend any other hotels personally - it's been too long - but try to stay in Chapel Hill or at least between Durham and Chapel Hill (use the map function on Expedia). Durham is decently large, so many Durham hotels won't give you the feel of Duke. But at least hotels on 15-501 or Hwy 54 will be convenient to both and in the right area.

Go Heels!

Ackislander

Unless you are from New Jersey, do not let your child go to Duke.

;-) I think. No, on second thought, I am perfectly serious.

However, I went to UNC graduate school and have two kids who graduated from there, so I may be slightly prejudiced.

Gretchen

The Carolina Inn will definitely give you the CH feel.
Durham is a town and gown city. Stay close to Duke. The Washington Duke Inn
is the Carolina Inn equivalent.
Research Triangle would be fine.

Ryan

When I went down that way to look at graduate schools, I found numerous Hampton Inn, Red Roof Inn type places on 15 South/501 which I believe is the main route between the two schools.

If your looking for ambiance the other posters know better than I. If you're simply looking for a place to sleep and are fine with a chain hotel, check around the 15S/501 area.

If I remember correctly, the schools are only about a dozen miles apart.

jent103

I agree with Ryan. If you can afford the Carolina Inn and the Washington Duke, and don't mind switching hotels both nights, they both have a good reputation and are close to or on their respective campuses. However, if you're going more for a chain hotel, the area on 15-501 close to I-40 is between the two campuses and easily accessible from the airport. I stayed at the Red Roof Inn just off I-40 when I was looking for an apartment in Chapel Hill, and it was fine. That area is where Durham and Chapel Hill have kind of grown together in the last several years, so you would really be about as close to the middle as you can get.

I would NOT stay near the airport; it's a good drive just to each town's exit, and even longer to the campuses. Plus there's not much around there to do or eat at night. You wouldn't get much of a feel for the towns.

And may I suggest Carolina instead of Dook?

GoTravel

Ditto on the Washington & Duke and the Carolina Inn.

elsiemoo

Never allow a child to go to Duke! Not a good plan ...

GO TAR HEELS!!!

I'd stay smack in the middle of the two areas, in a chain hotel, unless I wanted to pay for "atmosphere", as others have noted.

ncgrrl

The airport hotels are fine, but with road constrution on I-40, there could be delays and backups. Most construction work happens on the weekends, but some nighttime work too.

Along I-40 at 15-501 is a Comfort Inn and a Homestead Suites (well, I think it's that, look for a Mt. Moraih Rd. address the hotels are next to one another) in Durham.

On the other side of I-40 is the Red Roof, Sheraton, Residence Inn (quite new), Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Days Inn. That's in order from I-40 into Chapel Hill.

There's something like a Sudio's Plus at the intersection of University (which doesn't go by any university) and MLK in Durham. Pretty close to Duke but costs less than Washington Duke Inn.

ncgrrl

Oh, that distance on 15-501 for the hotels is only a couple of miles so I wouldn't worry about being too close or far away from either school.

Gretchen

I agree with ncgirl. We stayed at one for a parents' weekend--it isn't far.

MRand

Check out the Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill before finalizing your plans. It's one of my favorites.

SAnParis

Apparently you have no interest in football either as neither school has one of those...teams. That's like choosing between poisons, isn't it ? Only Kentucky can rival either school in obnoxiousness.

Kwoo

KateT,
We just returned from UNC-Chapel Hill where we helped our daughter move into her apartment for grad school. She stayed at the Carolina Inn last March & loved it; it is in an excellent location; however, it is pricier than the chain hotels. We stayed at the Hampton Inn just off Rt 54 (Farrington Rd., I believe) & thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. They give you a UNC rate of $89 per night including a full hot breakfast, which wasn't bad. The rooms are nice & clean & the breakfast dining area is very pretty. On Tue - Thu, they serve complimentary wine, beer & cocktails in late afternoon/early evening. It is about 3 miles from UNC campus. We love Chapel Hill & the campus & ate at some great restaurants. We didn't have one bad meal. I can give you names if you are interested. When will you be there?

Subway_Scoundrel

If you stay near the airport, it is not bad. No feel for the towns and schools but not far away. Traffic is not that bad. The hotels mentioned are nice but can be expensive. 15-501 is in between. Just make sure you walk Franklin sTreet at night and day and go to Ninth street in Durham. If during the summer, go to a bulls game in DT Durham to get a feel for the town/city.

Christine65

Not to hijack your thread but just curious about the difference in the two schools. Seems several of you are UNC fans. My daughter is interested in Duke now--we just got back from touring Texas schools.
KateT: how did your tours go? I'd like to hear what you thought of the two schools!!!

seasweetie

The Hilton on Hillsborough Road in Durham is nice and reasonably priced, a short hop to Duke and an easy drive to UNC. While Hillsborough Road itself is a fast-food mecca, you're close to 9th Street which has some great restaurants. I wouldn't stay in RTP, as there's just no local flavor. I was born and raised in Durham (at Duke, really) so I'm perhaps a bit biased towards the town, but Chapel Hill is really fun (and Franklin Street is where I did a lot of my 'formative growing up'). They're both very good schools, but definitely with very different vibes. I'd say UNC is much more a part of the local community than Duke is.

jent103

Christine - to be as objective as possible :

Duke is a private university in Durham with excellent academics. Lots of Gothic architecture; it's claimed by some to be the "Harvard of the South." Durham is not really a college town, but more a city with a couple of universities.

UNC is a public university, much larger than Duke, but also with excellent academics (it's consistently one of the most competitive state schools in terms of out-of-state applications). Chapel Hill is in many ways the quintessential college town.

Both have great basketball programs and not so hot football.

To UNC fans, Duke is full of rich and privileged types from New Jersey (although I have some friends that went there, caveat, caveat). You'd have to ask them what they think about us!

Christine65

Hey Jent103, that's the second reference to people from New Jersey going to Duke!? We live in NJ, but don't claim to be from here!!!!

jent103

Nothing personal here against NJ residents! I've known some very nice ones. (They just didn't go to Duke. )

It is interesting how much of Duke's student body is from north of the Mason-Dixon, for whatever reason. Of course, the same could be said for the whole RTP area right now.