Chapel Hill

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Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill, NC
Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill, NC

I’m just back from two business trips to North Carolina.

Last week, my meeting was held in the Carolina Inn, a fabulous historic hotel on the campus of the University of North Carolina.

I’ve stayed there several times before, sometimes with a very good Priceline rate.

Destination Delivers

When I checked in, the desk clerk offered me a brochure for the Destination Hotels and Resorts loyalty program, Destination Delivers.  “It’s a pretty good deal,” she said.  “You can get room upgrades.”

When I got to my room, I went online to check out the benefits.  Anyone can sign up, and you are automatically granted “VIP Status.”  The benefits of VIP Status are somewhat elusive, but they seem to include:

  • 10% off the Best Available Rate 

Use promo code D2BAR1 to receive 10% off the Best Available Rate.  Offer is based on availability.   

  • 20% off the Best Available Rate

Get 20% off the Best Available Rate during your birthday month.  Mention promo code D2BDAY.  Must show valid ID to receive discount.

  • Room Upgrade Late Checkout

A room upgrade could be a very useful benefit, especially at a historic hotel like the Carolina Inn, where the standard rooms are quite small.  This benefit is only offered when available.   

  • Late Checkout

Again, when available.

Destination Hotels and Resorts

I’ve stayed at two of the Destination Hotels and Resorts, both on Priceline stays, and they were both fantastic!

There are more than 40 other hotels and resorts in the Destination portfolio, including many at ski resorts, and city hotels in Washington, DC and Chicago.  All the properties are in the United States.

What’s the Catch?

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Elegance, Charm, and History — on Priceline? Part 1: The Carolina Inn

This mini-series explores stellar properties available through Priceline’s opaque bidding process.  

Part 1:  The Carolina Inn – Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Part 2:  Little America – Salt Lake City, Utah

Part 3:  Tarrytown House Estate  & Conference Center, Tarrytown, New York

Historic Hotels of America has some beautiful properties, and many are on the National Register of Historic Places.  I bet that isn’t what comes to mind when you think of Priceline.
Black and White Hallway, The Carolina Inn Image Courtesy of Brenda Behr, Painter
Black and White Hallway, The Carolina Inn
Image Courtesy of Brenda Behr
My experience with Priceline has most often been with chains, whether Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, or La Quinta.  There is nothing to distinguish these hotels, no regional differences.  Their appeal to travelers is that you can expect a certain consistency in quality from place to place.
Much to my surprise, I have discovered through Priceline bidding certain very special properties, that do highlight the regional flavor, or may even be of historic interest.
Carolina Inn Entryway Courtesy of Brenda Behr, Painter
Carolina Inn Entryway
Courtesy of Brenda Behr, Painter
Quite often, these properties are available for about the same price as a chain hotel of the same star level.
I would much rather pay $50 to stay someplace interesting and unique, than to stay in a cookie cutter hotel.
One such pleasant surprise is the Carolina Inn, in Chapel Hill North Carolina.  This hotel is run as a guest house for the University of North Carolina, and it sits right at the edge of the main  campus in downtown Chapel Hill.  The Carolina Inn reeks of charm, beauty, and gracious hospitality.  It is the kind of place that serves afternoon tea.   Brides to be and wedding planners swoon over the possibilities.

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