We’ve just returned from another overnight trip to Wilmington – this time with my parents visiting from Australia. This was our third stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton on the Wilmington Riverfront, and each time I walk away saying how impressed I am with this Hilton hotel.
I’ve stayed at an Embassy Suites hotel before and none have been at the level of this one, especially considering its somewhat affordable price (if you stay on a weekday!)
We’ve stayed once before with my sister visiting from Australia, who also loved it, as did my parents, who were thrilled with the battleship views from their spacious suite.
If you’re thinking of staying at Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront, this is our honest review on why it’s one of our favorite places to stay in historic Downtown Wilmington for any kind of traveler. It has the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and hospitality that made our stay unforgettable.
Checking In & First Impressions
First impression, the location is incredible. It’s hard to beat the Embassy Suites Wilmington’s location on the Cape Fear River and the Wilmington Downtown Riverwalk.
It overlooks Battleship North Carolina, has direct access to Wilmington Convention Center and is an easy half mile walk from the Historic District.
The moment we stepped into the Embassy Suites, we were captivated by the modern decor and inviting ambiance of the lobby. High ceilings, striking sculptures, exposed brick walls, and comfortable seating areas—some cozily arranged around fireplaces – set the perfect tone for our stay.
The front desk staff were warm, friendly, and efficient. I noticed how the staff interacted with other guests during check-in and check-out, always taking the time to engage with warm smiles.
They chatted about guests’ trips, inquired about where they were from, asked about their kids, and extended well-wishes for a great stay or onward travel. This is the Southern hospitality vibe that we love to show our friends and family when they come to visit.
As Hilton Honors members we received our welcome package of water bottles in a bag.
Strangely, this is one of my only complaints, but it’s about the Hilton chain rather than this particular hotel.
I’d rather Hilton eliminate single use water bottles and instead put filtered water filling stations throughout the hotel, so guests can fill their own reusable bottles. I’m happy to give up this Hilton perk to take better care of Mother Earth in this way!
But, back to the Embassy Suites on the Wilmington Riverfront, its stunning location provides immediate access to the scenic views and vibrant atmosphere of the area.
Check-in is from 4.00pm and check-out times are between 11.00am and 11.30am.
Reasons to Love the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Wilmington Riverfront
Let’s look at the reasons why we love staying at this hotel in Wilmington so much.
Spacious Suites with Expansive Views
Our suite was a highlight of our stay at the Wilmington Riverfront. We love the separate lounge and bedroom, which provide ample space for everyone to relax and unwind.
Our room had two double beds and a pull-out sofa. My sister slept on that on a previous visit, while the four of us were in the divided room section.
Savannah insisted on sleeping on the sofa on this trip, even though she could have had a double bed all to herself in the separate sleeping area!
On this visit, my parents had a King Bed suite next door to us. The rooms were interconnecting, which made it so easy for us to communicate and interact with each other.
We felt at home with the elegant, yet cozy decor and local art pieces on the walls. My mom loved the print on the wall with a map of North Carolina superimposed onto a drawing in the Customs House located only a few blocks away on the riverfront.
What truly took our breath away were the expansive views over the Cape Fear River, the Battleship North Carolina, and Downtown Wilmington.
We had visited the Battleship before checking in, so my parents were thrilled to be able to see it from their bedroom window!
You could also easily enjoy the sunset from your suite windows, but I recommend having dinner at a restaurant on the riverfront or heading up to the hotel’s Cloud 9 Rooftop bar to appreciate that more.
Although listed as suites, don’t expect a full kitchen. The kitchen area features a microwave and a fridge, but no proper cooking amenities. They do have tea and coffee making equipment, which is really all you need.
You will enjoy sitting in your room with a cup of coffee or tea (or wine at night) soaking up the serene beauty of the river from the window.
See available rooms and rates here. Prices can vary a lot depending on the season and day of the week for your visit. Our recent visit, we saw the cheapest rates on a Sunday.
Walkable Distance to Downtown Wilmington
One of the greatest advantages of staying at the Embassy Suites was its proximity to Downtown Wilmington. The hotel’s location made it easy to explore the city’s historic streets, vibrant shops, and diverse dining options.
A short half-mile walk took us to the heart of downtown, where we enjoyed everything from boutique shopping to local cuisine. The convenience of being within walking distance to so many attractions added an extra layer of enjoyment to our trip.
It was lovely to not have to worry about parking and to be able to meander back after dinner on the waterfront with a couple of glasses of wine. And it’s also only 3.1 miles from Wilmington International Airport.
Complimentary Buffet Breakfast
One of the best perks of staying at Embassy Suites is their complimentary buffet breakfast. Each morning, we indulged in a variety of delicious options, from fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy bacon to fresh fruits and pastries.
The made-to-order omelet station was a favorite among us, offering personalized and freshly prepared meals.
They also have special cooked-to-order breakfast for each day. On the morning of our visit, it was smashed avocado toast. This hearty breakfast provided the perfect start to our day, fueling us for the adventures ahead.
Breakfast at the Embassy Suites Wilmington won’t be served in a tiny stuffy room with no windows like you’ll find in many other chain hotels.
It’s served in the hotel’s Steam Restaurant & Bar, with wrap-around views over the river. You can’t get better than a complimentary breakfast with views like that!
We did not dine at Steam’s for dinner, but it could be a great option with its locally sourced ingredients and upscale cuisine of regional fare and local seafood. A bonus is they open the terrace that overlooks the Port City Marina and Cape Fear River for dinner as well.
Evening Reception with Snacks and Drinks
The hotel’s complimentary evening managers reception is another reason to stay at the Embassy Suites in Wilmington.
Each evening, you can head up to the second-floor bar and enjoy an array of snacks and two free drinks per person. It was a wonderful way to unwind after a day of exploring Wilmington before dinner.
You can even take the drinks back to the room, which we did as the final hour of the PGA US Open Golf Championship was on.
Craig and my dad had been to the opening day a few days before so of course we needed to see who won! You have plenty of space in your hotel room to gather around the flat-screen TV!
All The Amenities You Need
The Embassy Suites by Hilton on the Wilmington Riverfront boasts a range of amenities designed to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of its guests. Here are some of the standout facilities:
- As mentioned, the hotel offers on-site dining options that cater to a variety of tastes. They also have a little grab and go market with Starbuck’s coffee.
- For business travelers, the hotel provides a fully equipped business center and several meeting rooms.
- The hotel features an indoor pool and a well-equipped fitness center to keep on top of your workout routines. We’ve used both of these on previous visits. The pool is a welcome feature for families with all ages of children!
- Free wifi throughout the property
- Air conditioning everywhere!
- Cribs and extra beds provided on request.
- The Embassy Suites offers convenient on-site parking for guests, both valet and self park. There is an extra charge for parking which is a negative – but common hotel practice these days. You do get in and out privileges with that and it saves you the hassle of trying to find parking downtown.
- The hotel offers pet-friendly accommodations for an extra fee of $75+ We recommend using our pet sitting strategy instead, so you save money, keep them happy at home, and travel care-free.
- Click here to see rates and availability.
Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar
On all of our stays at the Embassy Suites in Downtown Wilmington we have not been able to experience the Cloud 9 Rooftop bar. It’s closed during the off season, and we had a Father’s Day dinner booked at the Pilot House in Historic Wilmington. (That’s why you may want to stay in Wilmington for two nights!)
We ducked up there to take a sneak peek and I guarantee you will LOVE it! The gorgeous panoramic views of the city and river offer a unique vantage point to take in Wilmington’s charm.
The bar’s ambiance was sophisticated yet laid-back, making it an ideal spot for evening drinks – especially for sunset. For many it’s a highlight of their stay at the Embassy Suites, or their visit to Wilmington as you can come here even if you are not a guest of the hotel.
Cloud 9 does have a small bar menu – heavy on delicious pizzas! Since our visiting group had gluten free and lactose free dietary requirements, we chose to eat at the Pilot House instead.
Other Places to Eat & Drink in Downtown Wilmington
Finding a place to eat has always been the bane of any trip planning. We have a post with more ideas on places to eat and drink in Wilmington, which you can read here.
For now, here are a few recommendations of places to eat if you do not want to eat at the hotel:
- COFFEE: Bespoke Coffee is our regular coffee spot. Although the (new since our last visit) Drift Kitchen is nipping at its heels for the best coffee in Wilmington.
- BREAKFAST: If you don’t want the free hotel breakfast, we love brunch at The Basics. Be warned, lines can be long, so get here early. You can book a table 12 hours or more in advance. Drift Kitchen is another great option for light fare.
- LUNCH: Mum and Dad loved their lunch at Anne Bonny’s Bar and Grill – a pirate theme boat on the river with the best views in town. Mum said it was the best salad she had on her entire trip. And of course, they will never forget, the alligator that just popped its head up to say hi!
- DINNER: My dad said it best, “Dinner at the Pilot House with that delicious rib eye steak, and the sun setting, was just the magical finish of a perfect day.” I also thought my lamb was delicious!
Check out this list o best places to eat in Wilmington with more options.
The Verdict: Would We Recommend Staying at Embassy Suites?
Our stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton on the Wilmington Riverfront was a memorable experience that combined luxury, convenience, and exceptional service.
The spacious suite with its stunning views, the delightful complimentary breakfast and evening reception, the sophisticated rooftop bar, and the hotel’s ideal location in the center of Wilmington all contributed to an unforgettable visit.
Would we recommend it? You may not want to stay here if you want to experience a more local accommodation experience like a boutique hotel or VRBO rental, and it’s of course a big chain hotel, but as far as they go, I find it classy, convenient, modern with everything you need and some of what you want at a decent price. So yes, we would recommend it.
Whether you’re planning a family trip, a romantic getaway, or a solo adventure, the Embassy Suites by Hilton on the Wilmington Riverfront is a perfect choice for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
My parents were so impressed with the hotel and absolutely loved their overnight stay in Wilmington. I’m so grateful we could help them create such wonderful memories to return home to Australia with.
This was our third stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton on the Wilmington Riverfront and won’t be our last. We’re always happy to return and rate it as one of our favorite Hilton hotels in the US. I barely remember many others so that’s letting you know it’s more than just a bed for the night!
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