The Durham Hotel

The Durham Hotel: A Comprehensive Review of Durham's Michelin Key Selected Gem

The Durham Hotel, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently garners high praise for its distinctive mid-century modern design, vibrant atmosphere, and prime downtown location. While generally well-regarded, a few recurring minor criticisms are noted by guests.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Durham Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing it as a "wonderful" and "unique" hotel that offers a "complete package" for a memorable stay. Review scores often fall into the "Very Good" to "Exceptional" range, highlighting its appeal for both tourists and locals.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud The Durham Hotel for several standout features:

• Design & Vibe: The hotel beautifully embraces its 1968 origins with a chic mid-century modern aesthetic, evident from its lobby to the guest rooms. The interior features an "interesting color palette of deep blues, mustard yellows, and burnt oranges," geometric lanterns, and custom Moroccan tiles. Many appreciate being "transported back to the 1950s and 60s".
• Rooftop Bar: The Roof at The Durham is a major draw, offering "one-of-a-kind panoramic views of the city's center" and serving "damn good cocktails" and a food menu. It's a popular spot for both hotel guests and locals, known for its "definite vibe" and being the "only true rooftop bar in the area open to the public".
• Location: Its downtown Durham location is consistently described as "prime" and "great," offering easy walking access to popular attractions such as DPAC, American Tobacco Campus, the Durham Bulls stadium, and numerous bars and restaurants.
• Local Touches & Amenities: The hotel prides itself on collaborations with local artisans and vendors, featuring elements like Counter Culture coffee in rooms, bespoke blankets by Raleigh Denim, and locally sourced food in the restaurants. Freshly ground coffee delivered to the room in the morning is a particularly appreciated amenity.

3. Room Quality

The 53 guest rooms, including four suites, are spacious and thoughtfully appointed, carrying through the hotel's mid-century modern design. Rooms often feature "vibrant navy blue carpet," denim quilts on king-size beds, rectangular wooden hooks, and Nelson benches. While generally comfortable and clean, some guests have noted that rooms can appear "dated" and that the lighting in some rooms can be "extremely blue, cold lighting, like a morgue". Some also mention a lack of dressers or additional mirrors outside the bathroom. Premium bedding and air conditioning are standard.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at The Durham is a significant highlight, curated by James Beard Award-winning chef Andrea Reusing.

• The Restaurant: Located downstairs, the main restaurant is praised for its "dreamy" mid-century modern aesthetic with high ceilings and lush plants. It serves American cuisine for brunch, lunch, and dinner, with a strong emphasis on locally sourced ingredients (up to 90% at times). Breakfast is a sit-down affair rather than a buffet and is often highly enjoyed by guests. Some reviews suggest the dinner can be "overpriced" or "pretty mid," though breakfast and lunch are generally well-received for taste and atmosphere.
• Coffee Shop/Cafe: A coffee bar is available on the main level, serving Counter Culture coffee.
• Rooftop Bar: "The Roof at The Durham" offers a menu of snacks and small plates alongside craft cocktails, wine, and local beers. Food and drinks on the rooftop are frequently described as "top-notch".

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback consistently praises the "friendly and helpful staff," with many appreciating the personalized service, such as being addressed by name at the front office. Staff members are noted for being "top tier," "patient, helpful, kind, and going above and beyond". The overall hospitality receives high ratings. However, isolated incidents of rude staff, particularly a bartender, have been reported.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Durham Hotel boasts an excellent location in downtown Durham, North Carolina. It's within a 10-minute walk of major attractions including the Carolina Theatre, Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC), and Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Other nearby points of interest include the American Tobacco Campus and a variety of bars and restaurants. Durham Station is also conveniently located just a 6-minute walk away. Valet parking is available for a fee, and public parking garages are nearby, though some guests have found parking to be "horrendous". The hotel is approximately 30 minutes north of Raleigh.

7. Value & Pricing

Prices for a 1-night stay for two adults at The Durham Hotel can start from around $186.01, with average nightly rates sometimes around $244, though rates as low as $162 have been found. While many guests find the experience worth the cost, some consider it "way overpriced" given certain room conditions or dining experiences. The Michelin Key selection indicates a high standard of quality, and many guests feel the hotel lives up to its upscale boutique reputation.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, recurring criticisms include:

• Noise: Rooms, even on higher floors, can experience significant street noise, and the thumping music from the rooftop bar can be loud and continue late into the night, particularly for rooms on the 4th floor.
• Elevator Speed: The elevator has been described as "a little slow".
• Room Lighting & Datedness: Some guests find the in-room lighting to be too cold or "diabolical," and while spacious, some rooms are considered "dated" and lack sufficient storage like dressers.
• Stained Furniture: There have been complaints about stained chairs, booths, and carpets in the coffee bar and restaurant areas, which some feel does not align with the hotel's high-end pricing.
• Construction/Renovation Issues: Some past guests have reported being unaware of renovations, leading to inconveniences like inaccessible elevators and unpleasant smells in hallways.
• Dining Value: While the food quality is generally good, some find the dinner menu to be overpriced.
• Parking: The parking situation, relying on valet or nearby garages, can be perceived as "horrendous" by some, especially for solo travelers with children.

Sources

1. sometimeshome.com
2. booking.com
3. hotels.com
4. kayak.ie
5. thedurham.com
6. discoverdurham.com
7. ourstate.com
8. booking.com
9. expedia.com
10. makemytrip.com
11. tablethotels.com
12. reddit.com
13. michelin.com
14. hotelscombined.com
15. avidforamenities.com
16. reddit.com