Checking In - Cape Hatteras Motel

Checking In

Probably nothing sets a positive tone for your vacation more than an easy, welcoming check-in process. There’s no question that your hosts bear a significant amount of that responsibility. But there are some important things you can do as the guest to make it all work out smoothly and efficiently.

1.       Please be sure you are checking in to the correct property. As strange as this may sound, it happens more than you might imagine. In many beach and resort areas properties have similar sounding names. Double check your confirmation letter. Print out a copy and have it with you so that if there’s a question about where you are staying, you will have the information right in front of you.

2.       Know when check-in time is and try to understand that sometimes a room can be ready for an early arrival and sometimes it can’t. Our check-in time is 3:00. At Cape Hatteras Motel we try to work with early arrivals as much as possible. If the room you are checking into was not rented the night before, then you usually can go right in. If it was rented, we can try to work with our housekeeping staff to push it up on the cleaning list.  In the busy season when we are constantly turning over a large number of rooms, it may not be possible to get you in until check-in time. However, you can always park in the lot, head to the beach, use the pool, or grab a bite to eat next door while you wait.

3.       Let us know, if you can, if you will be a late check-in (after business hours which vary from season to season). When you arrive you will find a packet on the office door with information on your room, directions to your room, and any other information you may need at that time. Your door will be unlocked and the keys will be inside your room. There will also be an emergency number if for some reason you have any problems. We ask that you come by the office as soon as possible the following morning to let us know you have arrived, and so that you can fill out the check-in forms.

4.       Please try to listen to any information provided by the desk clerk during the check-in process. While everyone is excited to get into their room and attention spans may wane after a long drive, often important information that is time-sensitive may be shared during check-in. Similarly take a moment when you get into your room to read the helpful information sheet provided. We have tried to anticipate most questions our guests have and provide you details which will make your stay even more enjoyable. If you have any questions about anything, don’t hesitate to come back and ask us.

5.       If there is anything wrong with your room, let us know right away. Some things are very easy fixes (i.e. something forgotten during housekeeping, a light bulb burns out, etc.) Other issues may require more attention. If you let us know right away we can make arrangements to get it fixed, we can assign you to another room, or make some other adjustment.  By you letting us know, not only can we make things right for you, but we can also insure that the room is right for future check-ins.

6.       Breathe deeply and let your hard-earned vacation begin!

Fall Special - Cape Hatteras Motel

US News & World Report Names OBX America’s #1 Family Beach

Taking your family to the beach creates beautiful lifetime memories … that is, as long as every member of your family remains HAPPY! The that end, U.S. News & World Report considered universally important factors like:

 

1- Safe Waters

2- Kid-Friendly Attractions

3- Dining Options

4- Spacious Accommodations

5- Multi-Generational Appeal

6- Overall Accessibility

 

The Outer Banks of North Carolina tops the list of Best Family Beach Vacations in the USA, according to travel experts plus U.S. News & World Report readers. The NC barrier islands were lauded for their “consistent-yet-manageable waves and verdant landscape. And you can count on OBX to deliver great summer weather”.

Know before you go - Cape Hatteras Motel

KNOW Before You GO!

You save up all year for your vacation. It is important that you stay in an area and at a motel that both meets both your needs and your expectations. In today’s world, there are hundreds if not thousands of resources you can review to learn more about travel destinations. It’s a great idea to take some time to pick several and look them over before you make the decision on where you’d like to go.

 

Take the following into consideration:

 

1.       If you have actually been to the area, driving by or driving near but didn’t stay, and you’d like to spend a bit more time there, you have a point of reference. In this case, you know a bit about the area and have at least a little first-hand experience of what it looks like and what’s available. You may have gotten a feel for the “vibe” of the area. You would probably know if it’s the right place for you and your family.

 

2.       Talk to friends who have been to the area and possibly stayed where you want to stay. They will be open and honest with you. You can ask questions and get feedback. Ask them what they enjoyed and what fell short of their expectations. If it all matches, you’ve likely found a good vacation spot for you.

 

3.       Look at the motel’s website and then speak to the innkeepers personally with your observations and questions. Here at the Cape Hatteras Motel we enjoy these conversations, getting to know potential guests and what they are looking for in a vacation destination. We try to be open and honest as we don’t want disappointed visitors to our motel or to the Outer Banks in general.

 

4.       Review travel sites. Look for the average in responses and try not to be swayed by the overly negative. Everyone encounters a bad experience from time to time. Sometimes it is because the guest didn’t do the homework and expectations fell short. Sometimes it is because the accommodation had a bad day as well. It happens at the very best of resorts. By looking at a wide variety of comments on a few review sites you will get a more well-rounded picture.

 

5.       Also look at maps, GPS, or other locators to avoid surprises while traveling. For example, many people who visit Cape Hatteras are surprised by the distance from Whalebone Junction to the Buxton/Frisco/Hatteras area. Google Earth is a great way to really see beforehand what you will see when you’re on the road.

 

Adventure is all part of the vacation experience, and things will not always go 100% according to plan. But with a little preparation and a relaxed “I’m on vacation now” mindset, you can enjoy your holidays immensely and make sure your money is well-spent.  We look forward to seeing you soon at Cape Hatteras Motel!

 

NEXT UP: CHECKING IN

Was the Lost Colony truly LOST?

It’s a question that continues to be debated and discussed by scholars, archaeologists, armchair historians and casual tourists alike.

Join The Croatoan Archaeological Society for an evening of enlightenment on the subject with Dr. Mark Horton of the University of Bristol, England on Thursday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hatteras Village Community Building/Library. Dr. Horton and his teams of archaeologists and students have been coming to Hatteras Island annually for a decade in an attempt to determine if some or all of the colonists could have resettled in this area.

The evening will include a lecture as well as the unveiling of the new CAS Artifacts display. You can follow the progress of this year’s dig on Facebook at Dig Hatteras or the Croatoan Archaeological Society. The March 31 program is free to the public. For more information call 252-216-7118 or email CroatoanSociety@EmbarqMail.com

Croatoan Archaeological Society - Cape Hatteras Motel Events