<p>Is it worth the extra money to stay at The Carolina Inn?</p>
<p>Any other close suggestions?</p>
<p>Depends on what you mean by close? If you want/need walking distance I don't know??? We've always stayed at one of the namebrand chains off I-40and driven in (traffic hasn't been a concern, alto we've never been during a bb game). Haven't been able to convince myself that the Carolina Inn is worth it. If one of my D's end up going there, I'm sure we'll check them all out, but it makes a big difference if you have a car.</p>
<p>Thanks! We will have a car. I just wanted to give my son a good overview of the area as it is March and he is still very undecided!</p>
<p>It's a very short (10 min) drive in to campus. Of course you want to park and walk all over campus, etc. but I don't think you have to stay at Carolina Inn to get the whole experience. If you have a chance, make a stop at University Mall (has some good eating places if you have to DRAG your son in). It has some really cool stores....check out the website. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.universitymallnc.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.universitymallnc.com/</a></p>
<p>Younger D and I spent tons of time there after we dropped D1 off at her program! Cameron's is especially a fun store...</p>
<p>I know the Carolina Inn might be expensive but it is one of the greatest places around, and UNC actually owns it!</p>
<p>I'd stay at the Carolina Inn, too, just because you'll have a place to park the car, and then you can just do everything in town and be able to walk everywhere. You can walk to and from the campus, walk around town, eat in town--without having to drive in and find a parking space (no small feat in Chapel Hill). The Carolina Inn is just so nice and so close to everything.</p>
<p>My d and her grandfather stayed at the Carolina Inn during her visit and loved it. No availability when we came up for CTOPS, so I can't personally say if it was worth it. But I can say this....don't stay at that horrible Holiday Inn near campus! </p>
<p>We are going up after finals to help our daughter get her belongings stored (we have to store her Vespa in Raleigh, so it's a little complicated) and once again, no availability at Carolina Inn or pretty much anywhere else near campus because of graduation. Darn it! But we did get a room at the Hampton Inn on Fordham.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>I'd recommend The Sheraton. It is a very nice hotel, reasonably priced, and in a great location just a few miles from campus. </p>
<p>The cheapest motel that's nearby and decent is the Days Inn. </p>
<p>You'd need a car to get to UNC from either of these places, but parking in the Rosemary St. lot near the campus is very easy.</p>
<p>For a splurge on a par with the Carolina Inn is the Sienna Hotel. It's not on campus but quite close and very elegant. I believe they offer guests free shuttle service to wherever they want to go in town.</p>
<p>Avoid the Holiday Inn and the Best Western like the plague!</p>
<p>Actually, the Carolina Inn can be pretty reasonable, depending on your travel dates. You might check out various dates if you plans are flexible. The convenience factor only is worth a lot.</p>
<p>I recommend The Franklin Hotel, which recently opened. It is right on Franklin Street (towards Carrboro, in the middle of many of Chapel Hill's best restaurants and stores), has a parking garage (free parking), and is an easy walk to campus. It's really a nice place---no historical significance, unlike the Carolina Inn, but brand new and tastefully decorated. The Carolina Inn is in a category of its own, but it was $100 more per night than the Franklin, and it's nearly impossible to get into during high volume weekends. I don't think you have to stay on Franklin Street, however, to get a feel for things. And I agree that the Siena is lovely, with one of the best restaurants in Chapel Hill. If you are looking for something a good bit less expensive, I have to say that the Hampton Inn in Chapel Hill is one of the nicest I've seen. They have all new bedding, with duvets/comforters much like the more upscale Westin's "heavenly beds." We were shocked by how much we liked it on one visit to Chapel Hill! We've stayed at the Sheraton, as well. You'll be fine at any of the properties mentioned.</p>
<p>Carolina Inn is more of a weekend getaway kind of hotel. There is Hampton Inn down either 15-501 or 54. I don't have my car here so I'm not totally familiar with whole road names.</p>
<p>It is really hard to beat the INN for convenience. We stay there whenever we can and as someone else has said, their rates really vary by date. I've had it be cheaper than other places at times. If you have AAA they have a pretty good discount as well.</p>
<p>Like most older hotels the rooms really vary in size. You can ask for one of the larger rooms and they will try to accomodate. The largest rooms that I know of are on the side of the hotel that faces the parking lot and and are configured as one queen bed with a sleeper sofa. Parking is a real pain in Chapel Hill during the week so just having the convenience of having your car right there and being able to walk or ride the bus is terrific.</p>
<p>There is a newer Courtyard by Marriottt on 54 about two miles from campus across the street from the Friday Center, and just off at I-40 at 54 and Farrington Rd there is a very nice Hampton Inn and Suites as well as Holiday Inn Express. We stayed at that Hampton for move-in and parents' weekends and found it to be a nice value with good size rooms and reasonable rates for suites which are nice to have during move-in.</p>
<p>Oh yes...the Franklin Hotel looks really cool! I checked it out and no availability for the week between finals and graduation when we need it, but if you are visiting any other time, I'd go for it. </p>
<p>Bring us back a trip report too!</p>
<p>I didn't look at The Franklin yet, but I think I remember seeing it when I took my oldest for a visit. I have looked at the Hampton and it seems reasonable. I may try to see how many points I have and use them on The Carolina or Franklin.</p>
<p>I will give a report upon returning. We are going for Explore.</p>
<p>There are rooms at the Carolina Inn that, believe it or not, have no windows! So if you are quoted a price that sounds too good to be true, you might want to ask about this. </p>
<p>The Franklin looks great from the outside!</p>
<p>DEFINITELY worth it to stay at the Carolina Inn... stayed there the night before I went to CTOPS and my mom stayed there during CTOPS. Wonderful PLACE!</p>