Back

Historic Jarrett House Will Again Welcome Dillsboro Guests

The Jarrett House, a stately 23-room inn, will again become the talk of a town known for its artistic leanings and Great Smoky Mountains setting. The new owner has undertaken a meticulous restoration that honors a history dating to 1884 and the heyday of railroad hotels. Starting this fall, Jarrett House will open Hartbarger Hall, an event space with bar; Desserts at Jarrett House, a simple desserts café; and 1884 Gallery, featuring handmade works that could have been made in 1884. Still to come: the restored rooms, which will feature prized antiques, and a restaurant loved by locals as well as travelers for its family-style meals with a true Southern focus.  

Balladeer Hotel Will Strike Local Chords in Mount Airy  

Musical heritage will be woven into the experience at The Balladeer Hotel, a 65-room boutique property opening in early 2026 in downtown Mount Airy. The hotel, which will be affiliated with Marriott's Tribute Portfolio of indie hotels, is part of the redevelopment of the historic Spencer's Mill industrial site in the city best known as Andy Griffith's hometown and the inspiration for Mayberry. In addition to on-site dining, a self-serve wine bar and event space, amenities will include a recording booth, which connects to Mount Airy's musical heritage. Those claims to fame include Griffith with his Grammy-winning gospel album; birthplace of Donna Fargo; Round Peak old-time music; and the weekly "Merry-Go-Round," America's second-oldest live music radio broadcast behind the Grand Ole Opry. Plans for the Spencer's Mill complex also include a convention center.

Compass Hotel Sails Into Beaufort  

Margaritaville Resorts & Hotels will add the 103-room Compass Hotel Beaufort to the lodging options in this historic Intracoastal Waterway town. The hotel will cater to boaters traveling along the nearby Cape Lookout National Seashore. The Compass brand is designed to bring the flavor of Margaritaville's full-scale resorts to a more boutique concept. An early 2026 opening is planned.

Historic Raleigh Shopping District Adds Destination Lodging

The Oberlin Raleigh, opening in early 2026, extends a welcome in option in a downtown-adjacent neighborhood known for shopping and dining. Amenities include a high-end restaurant and cocktail bar with city views, a large courtyard and soundstage for live music, a market-style café with breakfast service, and meeting and event space. Guests can cross the street to the Village District, the Southeast’s first shopping center, which remains a retail hub with destination shops. The 153-room Oberlin Raleigh will be the second North Carolina property in Hilton’s-upscale Curio Collection of indie hotels.

Century-Old Charlotte Tower to Find New Life as Hotel

A 17-story office building in the heart of Uptown Charlotte will find new life as The Beckworth Hotel, a 245-room luxury property. The hotel will feature a ground-floor restaurant and coffee shop, a 35,000-square-foot ballroom, and a rooftop bar with views of Romare Bearden Park. The Neoclassical steel-framed Johnston Building dates to 1924, when it was the Queen City’s tallest building. A late 2026 opening is targeted.

Salisbury to See the Return of the Empire Hotel

The Empire Hotel, whose history predates the Civil War, will return in style to downtown Salisbury, the city best known as the birthplace of Cheerwine. The 35-room boutique hotel will be part of a redevelopment that includes 38 permanent residences and a regional American steakhouse. With construction dating to 1855, the building saw its share of history as Boyden House, Davis House and Central Hotel before assuming the name The Empire Hotel. In 1870, its visitors included Gen. Robert E. Lee and his daughter, who had breakfast there. The hotel closed in 1963 and could welcome guests again in late 2026.

Cary Complex Adds Staying Power With The Pagemore Hotel

Fenton, the stylish shopping-dining-entertainment development in Cary, will add a 186-room hotel with an Eastern Mediterranean restaurant to its offerings with fall 2027 targeted for the opening. The seven-story Pagemore Hotel at Fenton, part of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio, will be home to the signature Barouk restaurant featuring Levantine cuisine and terrace dining; The Lobby Bar; Frankie’s Daily Grind; and the Culinary Theatre for chef-led workshops and  experiences. The Pagemore will also offer more than 6,000 square feet of event space. A partnership led by Florida-based Mainsail Lodging & Development, the hotel joins Crawford Brothers Steakhouse, M Sushi, Brewery Bhavana and other dining spots as well as a seven-screen movie house, social spaces and specialty shops.

Winston-Salem School Charts a New Future With Hotel

The nation’s oldest educational institution for girls and women will transform a 1930 building into The Academy Hotel, an 86-room boutique property with a restaurant and bar, conference and meeting space, and 250-seat auditorium. Salem Academy and College’s partner for the conversion is Mayfair Hospitality Group, whose work includes remaking a 1928 Art Deco building as the Hotel Indigo Downtown Winston-Salem. Founded in 1772 as part of the Moravian town of Salem, the Academy and College is a neighbor of the Old Salem Museum & Gardens living history complex within the Old Salem Historic District. A 2027 opening is targeted for the hotel.

Omni to Rise in Raleigh as Convention Center Expands

Omni Hotels & Resorts plans to build a 27-story, 550-room hotel that will serve the expanding Raleigh Convention Center. The luxury hotel, targeted for a 2027 opening, will include a rooftop pool, Mokara spa, fitness center and multiple food and beverage outlets. In February, the city announced plans for a $425 million Convention Center expansion that will add 500,000 square feet of meeting space and double the center’s capacity. The Convention Center’s timeline is consistent with that of the Omni, a partnership with Preston Hollow Community Capital and Provident Resources Group. The Omni is part of a wave of Raleigh hotel development that includes The Oberlin Raleigh plus a 204-room Hotel Indigo in a transformation of the iconic round Holiday Inn. A late 2026 opening is targeted.