Best Places to Stay in Boone Based on Your Travel Mood
Boone’s got a vibe, and where you stay should match it.
Maybe you’re here to hike, maybe you’ve got a brewery itinerary already mapped out, or maybe you just want to land somewhere that feels like an actual experience, not just a booking.
Boone has character, and the best stays reflect that—whether it’s a 1950s motor court brought back to life, boutique headquarters downtown, or a design-forward lodge tucked behind the pines.
This isn’t a list of hotels with the best thread count. These are the places we’d actually recommend to our friends—layered with story, shaped by locals, and built with personality.
Scroll through, find the one that fits your energy, and book it before someone else does.
For the Design-Loving Weekender:
Rhodes Motor Lodge
If your camera roll is full of color palettes and vintage signage, Rhodes Motor Lodge is your happy place. This reimagined motor lodge brings 70s charm into the modern era with bold design, punchy colors, and retro-cool touches in every corner. It's equal parts Instagrammable and genuinely cozy, and their on-site restaurant, Over Yonder, makes it very tempting to stay in. The beloved restaurant once called a historic farmhouse in Valle Crucis home, but now brings its modern Appalachian dishes to Rhodes Motor Lodge.
Originally opened in 1957 as Greene’s Motel, this spot was a family-run staple until the early '70s. After decades of wear, it was thoughtfully revived by Loden Hospitality—the team behind Raleigh’s Longleaf Hotel—who peeled back layers of stucco to reveal original mid-century details like starshine breeze blocks.
The rooms are a masterclass in refined utility: tree-trunk nightstands, tent-inspired pendant lights, and Rhodes-branded Coleman coolers that double as ice buckets or picnic companions. Many rooms feature balconies with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
📍 1377 Blowing Rock Rd, Boone, NC 28607
Local Tip: Grab brunch at Over Yonder and request an outdoor seat—the patio is beautiful on sunny days.
Best For: Style-savvy couples, girls’ weekends, and aesthetic obsessives.
For the Vintage Vibes Only Traveler:
Blue Ridge Tourist Court
A roadside motel built in the 1950s and brought back to life with creative force, Blue Ridge Tourist Court is pure throwback magic—without the musty curtains and shaky AC. Its pastel doors, flat rooflines, and motor-court layout feel straight out of a Wes Anderson mood board, but the experience is no gimmick.
Rooms are simple but charming, with warm lighting, curated vintage art, and vinyl players if you're the kind of person who travels with records (or likes to borrow a few from the front desk). The vibe? Americana nostalgia meets modern mountain cool—inviting, unfussy, and perfect for unwinding by the fire pit after a day of exploring.
📍 574 Old East King St, Boone, NC 28607
Local Tip: Head to nearby Booneshine for dinner and drinks—great food, local brews, and a lively atmosphere that’s close by.
Best For: Solo travelers, creatives, and design geeks with a soft spot for nostalgia
For the Urban Energy Seeker:
The Horton Hotel
Horton isn’t just a boutique hotel—it’s Boone’s sweet spot. Right in the middle of King Street, it mixes sleek rooms, thoughtful design, and a rooftop bar with panoramic mountain views. The building was once a Studebaker dealership and still carries that industrial edge, now softened with velvet chairs, local art, and a sharp eye for texture and lighting.
Inside, you’ll find 15 rooms, all uniquely designed with moody palettes, modern lines, and cozy details like electric fireplaces and high-end linens. But what makes Horton feel alive is the way it shines after dark—guests and locals sipping cocktails on the rooftop, heaters blazing in cooler months, conversations flowing under mountain skies.
📍 611 W King St, Boone, NC 28607
Local Tip: This is the spot for watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand—don’t miss the chance to take in the mountain views as day fades to night.
Best For: Romantic escapes, stylish city types, and people who want to be within walking distance from everything.
For the Luxe-But-Laid-Back Explorer:
Greystone Lodge on the Blue Ridge
Greystone Lodge is quietly tucked along Highway 105 in South Boone—not in your face, not trying to be flashy. But once you're there, it's clear someone thought carefully about every detail. The rooms are clean and modern, with subtle nods to the mountain surroundings—lots of wood tones, neutral palettes, soft lighting. It doesn’t scream “rustic,” but it feels rooted.
This is the kind of place where you can roll in muddy from a hike and still feel welcome, but also sip wine in your robe without judgment. It’s an ideal base for Blue Ridge adventures, especially with The Ham Shoppe food truck operating right on-site for low-key bites that hit the spot after a long day exploring.
📍 2419 NC-105, Boone, NC 28607
Local Tip: Check in, then hit the Blue Ridge Parkway for a sunset drive and stop at an overlook—the perfect end to a day.
Best For: Outdoorsy couples, fans of modern mountain design, and anyone craving peace with polish.
For the History Buff with Taste:
1850 Hotel
The 1850 Hotel blends rich local history with modern luxury in the heart of downtown Boone. Once known as Councill’s Store, this locally owned boutique stay offers sophisticated furnishings, spa-inspired bathrooms, and thoughtful tech for a seamless, elevated experience. Downstairs, Daniel & The Dog—the hotel’s cozy restaurant and cocktail lounge—invites guests to unwind by the glow of gas lanterns with Appalachian-inspired bites and drinks crafted from seasonal ingredients. With dedicated on-site parking, high-speed WiFi, and King Street’s shops and restaurants just steps away, The 1850 Hotel makes it easy to settle in and savor Boone’s charm.
📍 775 W King St, Boone, NC 28607
Local Tip: Take advantage of the hotel’s prime downtown location for an easy stroll to Boone’s shops, galleries, and the Appalachian Theatre for live music or a show.
Best For: History lovers, boutique hotel enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates intentional design with a story to tell.
The best Boone stays aren’t background noise—they’re part of the story. Whether you’re rolling into town for trails, rest, romance, or something that doesn’t need a label, these spots let you settle in and actually feel the place. They’re not trying to be everything to everyone, and that’s exactly what makes them memorable.
