7 of the Best Downtown Raleigh Hotels (business or pleasure)

Looking for the best downtown Raleigh Hotels for your stay in the city of oaks? We’ve done the research for you!

Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown, North Carolina
Downtown Raleigh

Whether you’re visiting Raleigh for business or pleasure, down below we’ve hand-picked the best hotels in downtown Raleigh NC to save you time and to make sure you’re located in the best area of downtown to make the most of your stay.

Because we live in Raleigh, we know the best places to stay. Downtown Raleigh continues to evolve into this vibrant mix of districts and we want you to have easy access to all of the best downtown attractions, the best restaurants, bars, and museums.

If you’re in town to attend one of the concerts in Raleigh or for an event at the Raleigh Convention Center or Red Hat Amphitheater, there’s a hotel for you!

A city street filled surrounded by buildings
Fayetteville Street, downtown Raleigh

As frequent travelers ourselves, we always start our hotel search using Booking.com or Stay22. We like that they have free cancellation on most rooms – you can book knowing you are getting a low rate – and have the freedom to cancel if your plans change!

When you visit Raleigh, you’ll appreciate that downtown is pretty small and easy to navigate by foot, bike, car, or bus. We love spending time in downtown, there is always something fun to do, eat and drink!

If you’re looking for hotels near Raleigh Airport, check out that post.

Best Downtown Raleigh Hotels

When looking for hotel sin Raleigh to recommend, we consider:

  • cleanliness
  • free Wifi
  • central Raleigh location for easy access to attractions, dining, and things to do
  • Features and amenities the hotel offers
  • Free parking

Residence Inn by Marriott Raleigh Downtown

Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown, North Carolina

Residence Inn downtown Raleigh is a Marriott property and one of the best hotels in downtown Raleigh NC if you’re looking for cozy apartment style (all-suite) accommodation.

We stayed here and found the suite hotel rooms to be perfect for family travelers.

Yes, rooms include kitchens plus space to relax and work, perfect for short or long stays, business or pleasure!

Located across the street from the Performing Arts Center, you’re also steps away from the Convention Center, Red Hat Amphitheater, and an easy walk to downtown Raleigh’s best local restaurants, nightlife, craft breweries, museums, and shopping.

Hotel Features:
  • On-site restaurants
  • Roof-top bar with stunning views
  • Modern and large rooms
  • Complimentary full breakfast daily
  • State-of-the-art fitness center
Walk To:
  • Performing Arts Center (1 minute)
  • Convention Center (2 minutes)
  • Capitol Building (12 minutes)
  • Train Station (15 minutes)
Drive To:
  • NC State University (8 minutes)
  • PNC Arena (14 minutes)
  • Airport (22 minutes)

Read our full review of Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown.

Marriott Raleigh City Center

Marriott Raleigh City Center

Want to be in the middle of it all in downtown Raleigh? The Marriott Raleigh City Center is another of the popular Raleigh Hotels.

It’s central location on Fayetteville Street (the major street that connects the State Capitol Building to the Performing Arts Center,)  make a good hotel is good for business travelers (or leisure travelers).

If you’re looking for hotels near Raleigh Convention Center, you can’t get any closer than this recently remodeled hotel (2 minute walk away) and it’s within easy walking distance to all of downtown’s attractions, restaurants and bars.

Hotel Features:
  • On-site restaurant and bar (Rye Bar and Southern Kitchen)
  • Starbucks on site
  • Indoor pool with scenic views of the city
  • State-of-the-art fitness center
  • Comfortable bedding 
Walk To:
  • Convention Center (2 minutes)
  • Performing Arts Center (4 minutes)
  • Red Hat Amphitheater (5 minutes)
  • State Capitol Building (10 minutes)
  • Train station (15 minutes)
Drive To:
  • NC State University (8 minutes)
  • PNC Arena (15 minutes)
  • Airport (25 minutes)

Aloft Raleigh (NC State University)

Aloft Raleigh Hotel

Looking to stay near North Carolina State University’s North or Central Campus?  Aloft Raleigh is another Marriott hotel and its prime location on Hillsborough Street is right across the road from the iconic NC State Bell Tower. 

This is one of the best hotels in Raleigh if you like stylish and vibrant hotels and a unique social experience with open floor plans, premier business and leisure amenities, and a stunning outdoor terrace bar located on the 2nd floor – a perfect place to unwind.

Being on Hillsborough street, one of Raleigh’s main thoroughfares, your close to PNC Arena (home of the Carolina Hurricanes Ice Hockey team and NC State Basketball) and you’re convenient to Meredith College and the NC State Fairgrounds.

Hotel Features:
Walk To:
  • North Campus of NC State University (5 minutes)
  • Restaurants, breweries, bars and shops (5 minutes)
  • Cameron Village (10 minutes)
Drive To:
  • State Capitol Building (5 minutes)
  • Convention Center (5 minutes)
  • Train Station (7 minutes)
  • PNC Arena (10 minutes)
  • Airport (25 minutes)

Sheraton Raleigh Hotel

Sheraton Raleigh Hotel

The recently redesigned Sheraton Raleigh is also in heart of downtown on Fayetteville Street (almost next door to the Marriott).

As you enter you step into the light-filled atrium lobby which features an industrial-style brick design warmly complemented by classic furnishings and hardwood flooring.

Very well located in the center of downtown Raleigh.

Like the Marriott, whether your here for business or please you’re steps away from the Convention Center, Red Hat Amphitheater and the Performing Arts Center.  And within walking distance to downtown’s best restaurants, bars and shops.

Hotel Features:
  • On-site restaurant (Jimmy V’s Osteria & Bar / Italian)
  • Lobby coffee shop
  • New Fitness center
  • Suites that feature downtown views
  • Request a room on the 17th floor for exclusive access to the Club Lounge
Walk To:
  • Convention Center (2 minutes)
  • Red Hat Amphitheater (4 minutes)
  • Performing Arts Center (5 minutes)
  • State Capitol Building (10 minutes)
Drive To:
  • Train Station (7 minutes)
  • PNC Arena (10 minutes)
  • Airport (25 minutes)

Address: 2100 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC

The StateView Hotel, Autograph Collection

The StateView Hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina

When you stay at the StateView Hotel you might feel like you’re a million miles away from Raleigh, but you’re just 3 miles from downtown!

Located on North Carolina State University’s Centennial Campus, this is a boutique Marriott Autograph Collection hotel offering a full-service experience with luxury, convenience and comfort.

With Lake Raleigh and the forest as your backdrop, you get the perfect blend of nature with all that downtown Raleigh has to offer mere minutes away!

As Raleigh locals, we enjoyed a perfect Staycation at this hotel, and if you’ve got family or friends visiting from out of town, or are visiting for business or you’re a potential NC State student and looking to check-out campus, you are in good hands here!

Hotel Features:
  • Onsite restaurant
  • Outdoor pool and patio
  • 24 hour business & fitness centers
  • Complimentary on-site parking
Drive to:
  • State Capitol Building (8 minutes)
  • Convention Center (8 minutes)
  • NC State’s Lonnie Poole Golf Course (3 minutes)
  • NC State’s James B. Hunt Jr. Library (4 minutes)
  • NC State North Campus (7 minutes)
  • PNC Arena (Home of Wolfpack Basketball – 15 minutes)
  • Raleigh International Airport (20 minutes)
Walk to:
  • James B. Hunt Jr. Library (20 minutes)
  • NC State’s Lonnie Poole Golf Course (7 minutes)
  • Lake Raleigh (10 minutes)

See our full review of the StateView Hotel here.

Check out our video review of the State View Hotel

Hampton Inn & Suites (Glenwood South)

Hampton Inn & Suites (Glenwood South)

The Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh Downtown is another of the best downtown Raleigh Hotels and a good choice for travelers who want to be among the action.

Glenwood South is the Entertainment District of Raleigh and contains many of Raleigh’s best bars, restaurants, breweries and nightlife. And by staying here, you’re still within easy access to Hillsborough Street, NC State University, Fayetteville Street and everything downtown.

The RLINE, Raleigh’s free downtown circulator bus stops one block away so if you can’t find what you’re looking for in Glenwood South,  you can easily access everything else downtown Raleigh has to offer.

If you are a light sleeper, consider booking a room in the back of the hotel which is more removed from the night life noise.

Hotel Features:
  • Free hot breakfast
  • Indoor pool
  • Fitness center
  • Business Center
Walk To:
  • Numerous bars, restaurants and breweries on Glenwood Ave
  • Hillsborough Street (10 minutes)
  • State Capitol Building (15 minutes)
  • Train station (15 minutes)
Drive To:
  • Convention Center (5 minutes)
  • Performing Arts center (5 minutes)
  • Red Hat Amphitheater (4 minutes)
  • NC State University – North Campus (5 minutes)
  • Raleigh International Airport (20 minutes)

Origin Hotel Raleigh

Origin Hotel Raleigh

Origin Raleigh is a relatively new hotel in downtown Raleigh. It opened 2020 and is a full-service hotel centrally located on the edge of the fantastic Warehouse District and Glenwood South.

It’s one of the first boutique Raleigh hotels focused on lifestyle and local community experiences, and you’ll have plenty of fun opportunities right outside your door including bars, breweries, restaurants, cafes, boutique shopping. 

Hotel Features:
  • Lobby Bar
  • On-site restaurant
  • Fitness Center
  • In room yoga
  • Bike-share program
Walk To:
  • Morgan Street Food Hall (3 minutes)
  • Train Station (8 minutes)
  • Capitol Building (12 minutes)
  • Convention Center (17 minutes)
  • NC State University – North Campus (25 minutes)
Drive To:
  • Convention Center (5 minutes)
  • NC State University (6 minutes)
  • PNC Arena (14 minutes)
  • Airport (25 minutes)

I hope this short-list of Raleigh downtown hotels helped you find a place to stay. For a full list of Hotels in Raleigh NC, go here.

If you’re interested in short term rentals Raleigh, check out this list of properties.

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