Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel: Luxury & Convenience in Midtown [Review]

Looking for a hotel that offers high-end vibes, friendly customer service, state of the art hotel amenities and a top location in the North Hills District of Raleigh, then the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills hotel has it.

This unique hotel offers both elegance and convenience, being only a 5-mile drive from downtown but within walking distance of the upscale North Hills Shopping Center, it’s ideal location makes it an ideal choice for those visiting Raleigh for top-tier shopping, dining, nightlife, and events.

Whether you’re visiting for business, leisure, or a special occasion, this is what it’s like to stay at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills hotel.

Why We Love The Renaissance Raleigh North Hills

We had an elevated staycation experience in North Hills – and elevated was what we received staying overnight at the Renaissance Hotel.

We were pleasantly surprised at what an exceptional hotel it was. It has many standout features, such as spacious rooms, great food and drinks, and an excellent location in the bustling North Hills neighborhood.

Looking out our window over Main District with views of Park District gave us the feeling of being on vacation, even though it was a few miles from home for us!

There is a reason why visiting superstars such as the USA swim team, the Carolina Hurricanes (and visiting ice hockey teams they’re planning), and Dreamville artists all stay here. Here are some of the things we loved about this hotel.

Unbeatable location

One of the biggest draws of the Rennasiance Raleigh North Hills Hotel is its prime location in North Hills, one of Raleigh’s most vibrant and walkable districts. Step outside the hotel, and you’re immediately surrounded by:

• Boutique shopping at various stores like Monkee’s, Lululemon, and Anthropologie
• Incredible dining at spots like Bar Taco, Restoration Hardware, and Rosewater Kitchen
• Cocktail bars and nightlife, including Foxcroft Wine Bar, Vita Vite, and Level 7.
• Seasonal events, from spring concerts to the magical North Hills Christmas Tree Lighting, which you can see from select rooms! Don’ miss thesespring events in North Hills (and gorgeous restaurant patios), summer events, and things to do in the Fall.

Don’t be concerned that all this activity might pose a noise issue. North Hills is not really a late-night revelry kind of place – save that for Glenwood Avenue.

The Renaissance is located in a quieter pocket on North Hills Street, and we did not hear one outside sound from inside our room during our stay. However, I did read some TripAdvisor reviews that said their rooms were noisy due to the I40 on the backside of the hotel. That was not an issue for us, but we were on the front side.

Not only is North Hills a destination to check out in its own right, but the hotel’s proximity right on the I-440 (the Beltline) makes it easy to explore the rest of Raleigh. It’s only an 18-minute drive to Raleigh-Durham International Airport and the Research Triangle Park, and a 12-minute drive to North Carolina State University.

A quick 10-15 minute drive down Glenwood Avenue gets you to the entertainment district in Downtown Raleigh, the State Capitol, the NC Museum of Art, Lenovo Center, and more.

Concert lovers will enjoy being just a short five minute drive to the Ritz, my favorite indoor live music venue in Raleigh.

Spacious and stylish suites

There are a number of different types of hotel rooms, ranging from standard kings and double queens, to rooms with sofas, suites, spa kings, and a Presidential suite.

The largest occupancy of a room at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel is 5.

We stayed in a spacious and comfortable Spa King guest room, which exceeded our expectations (the best hotel room we’ve stayed in Raleigh so far). It has artful décor, with modern and homey furnishings, tons of space to move around, and chic touches.

We also had the following standout features in our room:

• Oversized whirlpool bath– perfect for unwinding after a day out
• A cozy chaise lounge – great for reading or just soaking in the view.
• Super comfortable King-Sized bed with extra fluffy pillows.
• A well-equipped office area with ergonomic chair– ideal if you need to get some work done
• Floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views over North Hills – 1-bedroom suites have balconies.
• A 20-inch flat-screen TV behind the bathroom mirror – a feature that most guests don’t even know is there!
• TV with Cable channels – modern-day travelers, especially those with children, will love to know they have Netflix! But trust me, exploring Raleigh is a better story, and there is a movie theater a few steps away from the Renaissance.

If you’re visiting during the holidays, this is the place to stay for the best views of the Christmas tree lighting—you can watch it all from the comfort of your room!

Hotel rooms in Raleigh are definitely on the increase and at the Renaissance you’re probably looking at an average of $300 a night. So, many could see this as a negative – but it’s kind of the way things are now! And at least you do get quality for the price.

41Hundred Restaurant and Bar

The Renaissance features its own on-site restaurant and lounge, 41Hundred, which is highly rated for its light bites and southern favorites like a smash burger with a local brew, or short ribs with a complement of southern grits.

The ambiance is casual and the focus is on using local, high-quality ingredients for a memorable experience.

While we didn’t get the chance to dine there this time, it’s on our list for the next visit, we had the pleasure of judging a North Hills Iron Chef Challenge with chefs from four North Hills restaurants competing, and the chef from the 41Hundred Restaurant won! So we know it will be a Raleigh experience worth having.

We did, however, enjoy a drink at the bar, a highlight of our stay, thanks to the super friendly bartender who made it a welcoming and fun experience. The bar is known for its cocktails, as well as selection of house-aged whiskey. It was quite busy when we arrived with a wedding party having a gathering, but that soon petered down to quiet when they left. My old fashioned was strong, but not as great as ones I’ve had elsewhere! We’d still recommend it as a great place to grab a pre or post dinner drink.

Whether you’re winding down after a long day or starting your evening with a craft cocktail, the vibe here is inviting and relaxing. 41Hundred is particularly known for their signature Makers Mark private select bourbon.

The new Leo’s Italian Social is also within the Renaissance. This casual upscale restaurant and bar is perfect for a craft cocktail, light bite, or delicious satisfying full meal.

A breakfast worth waking up for

Guests will find breakfast served daily at the 41Hundred Lounge, which was also impressive. Choose from a large selection of hot buffet style with plenty of fresh pastries, hot and cold options, and made-to-order omelets. 

My omelette was delicious – not your typical hotel taste and I loved the breakfast potatoes to go with it. Breakfast is for an additional charge.

Efficient and friendly service

From the valet to the friendly greeters at the lobby’s check in desk, to our bar tender, and breakfast servers, customer service was friendly and efficient – everything I hope visitors in Raleigh get to experience so they can see how wonderful our locals are.

Gym access

As our stay was short and filled with enjoyment in the North Hills district, so hitting the gym was not our priority.

However, what I love about the Renaissance – and what makes it a point of difference from other hotels – is you get complimentary access to the Fitness Connection Gym (just a few steps outside the front lobby).

As a previous member of Fitness Connection, I know they have everything you need for your vacation workout – including fitness classes.

Free parking!!

A favorite feature of any hotel – and getting harder to find in any capital city, downtown Raleigh included – is free parking!

The good news is North Hills has ample parking and it’s all free. There are spaces reserved for the hotel in the underground car park below the hotel. We’ve never had an issue finding parking, even during the district’s busiest events.

And, if you’re staying in North Hills the whole time, then just park your car and forget it. Walk everywhere, even crossing over Six Forks Road to reach the other side of North Hills is a short stroll. The road is busy, but there are pedestrian crossings with walking man lights!

And there is valet parking if you do not want to park yourself. Here is a guide to parking in Downtown Raleigh, should you find yourself venturing down there.

Late check-out times

Check-in is from 4:00pm, which is a little later than other hotels in Raleigh, but you get to check-out at 12:00pm noon, which is a bonus! Most hotels want you out by 10:00am, so having those additional two hours to sleep in is definitely a perk.

The Verdict: Would We Recommend the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills?

Whether you’re exploring North Hills or using this as a base to see the wider Raleigh area, we recommend the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills as a top-notch place to stay.

You get luxury, convenience, and access to one of the best parts of the city—all wrapped in a stylish and welcoming hotel experience. We loved our stay and think it’s one of the best elevated hotels in Raleigh.

The Renaissance Raleigh North Hills is perfect for:

• Couples looking for a romantic getaway
• Business travelers who want upscale comfort and walkability.
• Sporting teams and visiting musicians
• Visitors attending events in North Hills
• Anyone who loves shopping, dining, and nightlife all within steps of their hotel.

💡 Book a suite with a view for the best experience—especially during the holidays!

Would you stay at the Renaissance North Hills? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!