Kitty Hawk is home to a unique mixture of classic one-story motels and upscale chain hotels that are among the newest accommodations on the OBX. Whether visitors are on the hunt for all-inclusive resorts or quaint oceanside accommodations, the selection of hotels in Kitty Hawk ensures everyone can enjoy a fantastic Outer Banks stay.

Kitty Hawk Hotel Locations

All of the hotels and motels in Kitty Hawk are concentrated along the Beach Road, or NC Highway 12. This means that all of these establishments are close to the beach, and may even have their own private boardwalk or walkway to the shore. (Visitors should note that all Town of Kitty Hawk beaches are public, which means that hotel guests will not have private use of the beach in front of their hotel or motel.)

Kitty Hawk Hotels can be found from the Southern Shores town borders, next to the Wright Memorial Bridge, all the way to edge of Kill Devil Hills. This locale, which is literally minutes away from the Wright Memorial Bridge, makes these hotels the easiest-to-access for visitors who are arriving to the Outer Banks from the north via US Highway 158.

The Beach Road region that borders Kitty Hawk hotels and motels is sprinkled with a handful of restaurants, shops, and convenience stores. These establishments are typically within walking access for hotel guests, and are perfect for dinners out, quick lunches, or loading up on beach supplies without venturing too far away from the hotel grounds.

The Shoreside Shopping center - a major shopping plaza which features a grocery store, Walmart, and a number of fast food restaurants and specialty shops - is also just a few minutes' drive away from any Kitty Hawk hotel.

Watersports rentals and lessons are also located nearby, like the Promenade Watersports Center and Kitty Hawk Kayaks. Hotel patrons will also be close to a number of prime Outer Banks attractions, including the Wright Brothers Memorial, Kitty Hawk Pier, and the Avalon Fishing Pier in Kill Devil Hills.

Essentially, the half dozen hotels and motels that call Kitty Hawk home may be located close to the quieter Beach Road region of the Outer Banks, but they are effortlessly close to all the amenities a family requires for a fully fun OBX vacation.

Staying at a Kitty Hawk Hotel

Visitors who stay at a Kitty Hawk Hotel will have their choice of small beachy establishments and larger, nationally recognized hotel chains.

The Outer Banks' newest grand hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, is found in Kitty Hawk and is a popular venue for weddings, receptions, and conferences. The Hilton is also home to the Kitty Hawk Pier which, though privately owned, is open to visitors when not reserved for private events.

The other 5 hotels and motels along the Beach Road are noticeably smaller, but nonetheless inviting for their on-site amenities, (like pools, snack bars, and beach walkways), as well as their proximity to the oceanfront.

Kitty Hawk hotels and motels are the best options for couples and small families who are planning a long weekend or short stay on the Outer Banks.

Visitors will note that the rates for Kitty Hawk hotels fluctuate with the seasons. During the prime summer weeks, when the beaches are warm and all local OBX businesses are open, hotel rates are at their highest. These rates tend to drop in the shoulder spring and fall months, and are at their lowest in the wintertime.

Booking a Kitty Hawk Hotel

Outer Banks visitors who are planning a Kitty Hawk vacation will want to keep the following in mind when booking a Kitty Hawk hotel or motel.

  • Larger Kitty Hawk hotels and motels have websites where guests can view rooms, peruse community amenities, and reserve their stay online.
  • Smaller motels may have limited websites, and / or friendly staff on call who are happy to help guests reserve a room over the phone.
  • Because there are only 6 area hotels and motels, advanced reservations are strongly encouraged.
  • Summertime visitors, or vacationers who are planning to visit during prime holiday weekends, are encouraged to reserve their stay at least 2-3 months in advance to ensure availability.
  • Many hotels and motels offer special amenities, like handicapped accessible first floor rooms, or pet friendly rooms. (An extra fee may be required for a pet friendly room.) Call in advance for special accommodation requests.
  • Some hotels and motels offer discounts on off-season, weekday, or multi-day stays.
  • Discounts may also be available for AAA members, current and retired military personnel, senior citizens and larger groups. Call in advance or review the hotel's website for more information.
  • Because of their proximity to the beach, Kitty Hawk hotels are an excellent option for seashore fans who want to be close to the ocean, as well as the restaurants and shops along the Beach Road.
Brew Thru

Brew Thru

No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without cruising through Brew Thru, the Outer Banks’ original drive thru convenience store. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing cold beverage of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks on the go, stocking up your cooler with refreshments to enjoy at the beach or piling up on beer and wine for a party, Brew Thru is a fun and unique experience all vacationers need to see for themselves.

Drive-Through Beer & Gear

Brew Thru is Your One-Stop Shop at the Beach

The year was 1977, and Dana and Becky Lawrentz were chatting with friends over brews in their hometown of Akron, Ohio. They got to talking about a gas station convenience store in the area that had built a makeshift drive-through. Everyone agreed it would be pretty great if you could actually drive through a convenience store and pick up everything you needed without getting out of the car. But what would you call a place like that?

Well, you’d call it a Brew Thru.

It was an idea they couldn’t shake, so the Lawrentzes moved to the Outer Banks and built the first Brew Thru with the help of a partner. The idea was that people could come buy everything they would need for their trip to the beach—beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks, ice—without getting out of the car. That same year, a t-shirt salesman visiting the store and talked them into adding t-shirts to their product line—and 44 years later there are now more than five million Brew Thru t-shirts out in the wild.

The Lawrentzes’ daughter Brandy and her husband Philip Foreman purchased the business from them in 2002, and they now operate five locations across the Outer Banks.“We love being the one-stop shop for folks on the way to their beach house,” Foreman says. “Our car tenders are the friendliest people at the beach. We’re here to greet you, get you everything you need for your trip, load it up in the trunk for you, and have you leaving with a smile on your face.”

The store is quite expansive, featuring more than 100 brands of beer, dozens of wines and even a vast selection of cigars—not to mention all the snacks, t-shirts and other gear. To make ordering a little easier, customers in line get a menu—fondly known as the Summer-y—that outlines everything available at the store. These Summer-ies are also available in many of the beach rentals, which allows vacationers to decide what they want before driving through.

For customers who would like to get out and stretch their legs, there’s the Brew Thru Shop in Kill Devil Hills, where you can find their world famous t-shirts and other gifts. New t-shirt designs are created each year, making a yearly Brew Thru t-shirt a favorite of locals and annual visitors to the Outer Banks.

The Foremans both grew up in the Outer Banks, and they love that Brandy’s parents’ vision for a friendly and convenient place for people to grab their brews and other beach stay essentials is continuing to flourish.

“Our family has been welcoming people to the Outer Banks since 1977,” Foreman says. “We love this beautiful place, and we want everybody to get to enjoy it.”

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