I know you guys love it when we share cool getaway ideas from Raleigh that are within an easy drive. And I also know you like unique experiences that create memories that last. Well, keep reading because our recent weekend away in a tiny house is something you all should definitely consider.
If you haven’t heard of the River and Twine Tiny House Hotel, and Rocky Mount Mills, the first bit of good news is that it’s only a one hour drive from downtown Raleigh.
Secondly, once you park your car at the destination you can leave it all weekend as you’re literally steps away from cool restaurants, breweries, live music, cultural activities, a coffee shop, greenway trails and the river.
We previously spent 12 months traveling around the US in an RV (and 18-months in Australia), so we jumped at the chance to relive some of that experience in a more hands-free and comfortable way without the hassle – your tiny home is fully contained and set up with modern conveniences – you just have to show up!
Going TINY has become a BIG deal in this day and age for many travelers seeking to minimize and look for alternative and unique accommodation experiences, including us!
Starting our day off slowly by sitting around a fire pit of a morning with coffee in hand brought back fond memories from our previous RV life, as did the evening fire pit of s’mores for the kids, and a glass of whiskey and wine for us adults!
About River and Twine Tiny House Hotel
Let me tell you about River and Twine. It’s a collection of 20 boutique and modern tiny houses in an idylic setting on the banks of the scenic Tar River. Fun fact, this is the largest tiny house hotel of its kind in the world, and each of the tiny homes are named after a North Carolina river!
And the other cool thing, it is located on the campus of the innovative Rocky Mount Mills which is home to five restaurants offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, five breweries plus a bottle shop, a cafe, a craft studio, and impressive event spaces – you simply walk across the street!
We enjoyed the unique experience of staying in a tiny house, it offers that minimalist escape from the norm but with all the conveniences you need in a short-term stay – they also have 3 guest suites located in a renovated 1900s mill house if you want something more and for longer stays of 1-3 months.
Each of their 20 custom-built tiny houses are unique from each other, but they all have thoughtful floor plans to utilize the space and include special details like the cool record player, a curated album collection, board games, and access to fire pits with camp chairs, a barbeque, and hammocks.
Conveniently located close to both Highway 64 and I-95, getting here is easy and creating those family-memories and moments is what it’s all about.
We stayed in the Alligator Tiny Home
Our home for our two-night stay was the Alligator, a modern 20′ 188 sq. ft. tiny home with custom wood interiors, unique decor and upscale finishes.
This two-story tiny house consisted of a nicely appointed first floor with a sitting area, a kitchen, full bathroom, and a fold out convertible sofa for our kids.
The upstairs loft area had a queen size memory foam bed and down pillows for us adults. Now, you do need the ability to climb up the short flight of stairs, but we found them easily manageable.
If you’ve never stayed in a tiny house before, you could think of it like a small cabin. Most of the tiny houses can accommodate up to four guests, and some are pet friendly (see FAQs down below).
Amenities and features at River and Twine homes typically include:
- Kitchenette with mini-fridge and microwave
- Private bathroom with stand up shower (the volume of hot water is less than what you may be used to at home)
- Heating and Air Conditioning
- TV / Cable
- All bed and bath linen
- Keurig and Coffee
- Property-Wide WiFi
- Communal chimineas and Firewood
- Communal gas fire pit
- Communal gas grills
- Corn hole, slackline, wiffle ball field
If you want to stay small, this is a unique lodging experience that combines the comfort of a modern hotel combined with the charm of a tiny home community.
Each of the 20 tiny homes have their own distinct style and character, and you can choose from a variety of layouts and sizes perfect for couples or families like ours.
We are used to sleeping in close quarters from our RV days, but because our eldest is almost 16 and our youngest 12, next time we’d like to get two tiny homes. And we think it would be super fun to go stay there with a few other families or a group of friends – our tiny home was in a group of six.
Besides the tiny homes, River and Twine also features a community center which serves as a communal gathering space for guests with a kitchen, dining area, and lounge with a fireplace, plus outdoor amenities such as a fire pit, grilling area, and picnic tables.
Steps Away from Rocky Mount Mills
One of the best aspects of staying at River and Twine tiny homes is its location. As mentioned, you’re a short stroll away from Rocky Mount Mills. This 82-acre campus and restored cotton mill brings together residential, commercial, cultural, and entertainment amenities.
After our morning coffee around the fire pit, we took a short stroll and enjoyed a daily breakfast at the Books & Beans Cafe, including possibly the best toasted turkey sandwich I’ve had in a while, another good latte, and our kids enjoyed their waffles.
Lunch and dinner options included some of the best tacos I’ve eaten in North Carolina (don’t miss Nana’s Short Rib tacos) from TBC West Tacos & Taproom, yummy artisan pizzas from Tipsy Tomato, burgers and fish and chips from Tap @ 1918, and Texas-style barbecue from the Prime Smokehouse which has a great river setting!
We weren’t short on places to enjoy an adult beverage either. I enjoyed the Hazy IPA at Hopfly Brewing (you might know of them from their huge Charlotte location), my stout coffee at Mythic Brewing, the Falls Road Golden Kolsch paired with live music at Koi Pond Brewing, and some local beers from Goat Island Bottle Shop.
In addition to the dining and entertainment options, Rocky Mount Mills also has a range of office space available for lease, making it a hub for entrepreneurs and small businesses in the area. Plus cool event spaces for weddings and school proms. Read our full review.
Kayaking & Greenway Trail
River and Twine is located close to the Tar River and we enjoyed a lovely morning kayak paddle on the paddle-trail down river, followed by a leisurely stroll along the City Trail System back to our tiny home.
The property is also situated within a 35-minute walk to downtown Rocky Mount, making it easy for guests to explore the local shops, restaurants, and attractions there.
Biking at Battle Park
Bring your bikes as just across the river is Battle Park, which is a beautiful park and serves as the central hub for the Tar River Trail.
This park features scenic riverside views and paved and natural surface mountain biking trails. We enjoyed a nice morning bike ride here, and he park also offers a boat landing, 3 picnic shelters, fishing piers, and a gazebo with a view of the Rocky Mount Mills dam.
In Summary
If you’re looking for tiny homes for rent in North Carolina and to test drive the unique experience of tiny home living but don’t want to be isolated from a town and amenities, look no further!
Tiny homes are, of course, tiny, but that adds to the uniqueness of a fun getaway and the one-of-a-kind lodging experience that maybe you didn’t know you needed!
And the coziness of tiny home living blends nicely with the easy access to the outdoor nature activities, plus the excellent restaurant, brewery and live music scene at your doorstep offers a stress-free and practical weekend getaway option!
Take note that the Rocky Mount Mills campus hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and community gatherings so check their events calendar and time your visit.
FAQs
Pets
River and Twine welcome you and your pet in limited homes. For $25/day you may bring one pet weighing 40 pounds or less. All well-behaved properly leashed dogs are welcome.
Smoking
All of River and Twine’s homes are 100% non-smoking. An additional cleaning fee of $500 will be charged to any guest who violates this policy.
Parking
There is a parking lot directly across from the River and Twine property for River and Twine guests. The main drive can be used for loading/unloading only, but you cannot park directly in front of the homes.
Quiet Hours
River and Twine is nestled behind some of the Rocky Mount Mills village homes and out of respect for the residents and your neighbors, quiet hours begin at 10:00pm.
Housekeeping
They pride themselves on being an environmentally friendly hotel. Guests are encouraged to participate in their green policies by re-using their towels for the duration of their stay and conserving water. The homes are cleaned before new guests arrive, but we do not provide room service or cleaning during your stay.
Mobility Issues
Each tiny home offers a unique arrangement for sleeping and relaxing. Each home has a loft sleeping arrangement accessible by a ladder or stairs with the main level offering a sleep option (pull out or fold out couch). If you are in need of a wheelchair accessible option, please consider the Guest House.
Book Your Stay at River and Twine
If you’re searching on your phone for tiny houses near me and ready to start planning your own NC weekend getaway, check the current prices on Expedia for your own stay and read reviews on Trip Advisor. And as their tagline says, get ready to Nestle in and Untwine!
- Address: 24 East Elm St, Rocky Mount, NC 27804
- Website: riverandtwine.com
