There’s so much we loved about our staycation at the StateView Hotel in Raleigh, from the lakeside location to the onsite restaurant, to the top-notch hotel amenities.
When you stay at the StateView Hotel, you’re literally next to Lake Raleigh with a forest backdrop. The StateView Hotel autograph collection by Marriott Bonvoy is Raleigh’s only Autograph Collection hotel with a cool, modern feel, spacious guestrooms and enough amenities to satisfy the mid-priced business or leisure traveler.
Whilst you might feel like you’re in the forest setting, you’re not in the “woods” per say, as it’s only 8-minutes’ drive from downtown Raleigh and 18-minutes’ drive to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)!
Close enough to everything to be convenient, but far enough away to be considered a true hidden gem! If you’re thinking about staying at the StateView Hotel and not sure what it’s like, here is our complete and honest review of our stay there.
Reasons We Loved Staying at StateView Hotel Raleigh
During our stay, we loved sitting by the outdoor swimming pool with the woodland behind us, waking up to calming views of the lake from our room, and eating breakfast on the terrace with a beautiful forest backdrop – I would love to stay here in the Fall to see those beautiful Autumn colors as a backdrop.
1. Prime Location on NC State Campus
If you’re looking for hotels near NC State, look no further. This is the Official Hotel of North Carolina State University.
That’s right, NC State University has its very own hotel on campus for alumni (the road the hotel is located on is even called Alumni Drive), travelers and business guests.
The StateView Hotel Raleigh is located right on NC State’s Centennial Campus, just 1-mile from the James B. Hunt Jr. Library (named 14th-most beautiful library in the world), and just 0.3 miles (7-minute walk) from the Arnold Palmer designed Lonnie Poole Golf Course.
Being literally on campus, this boutique hotel has a very unique setting for an urban hotel that’s still located within the Raleigh city limits and close to all that Raleigh has to offer yet presents a nice break from downtown!
Yes, if you want to access downtown you will need a car (or ride Uber) and that’s what we did to have a lovely dinner downtown during our stay.
You won’t find other Raleigh hotels any closer to campus. By staying here, you’re merely steps away from one of the premier technological hubs and innovative research parks in the U.S.
There is also free parking and accessible parking for those looking to drive.
2. Outdoor Pool
As we stayed in July, we spent most of our time swimming and lounging by the outdoor saltwater pool.
The water was the perfect temperature, not too cold you would flinch, but cool enough to be refreshing in the Carolina heat and humidity.
It’s not often we get downtime from our busy schedule as parents, business owners and frequent travelers, and it was so nice to relax and bask in the sun poolside as our kids played.
In the afternoon we enjoyed a few adult beverages (you can purchase beer and wine cans from the snack shop), whilst our kids enjoyed some Howling Cow ice cream made right here on campus in the Feldmeier Dairy Processing Lab.
And the next morning we lounged by the pool with a few lattes from our favorite coffee shop in Raleigh, Jubala, which is only 2.6 miles away!
The pool area has a serene and relaxing setting surrounded by woodland, and offers the perfect opportunity to read a book or your favorite magazine.
3. Comfortable Guest Rooms
We stayed in a Queen Guest Room that slept the four of us comfortably. Our room was modern, clean, and quiet.
Although we picked a Queen Room, there is more than one type of room at the StateView Hotel. There are also King Rooms, which are suitable for larger groups, and some hotel rooms come with accessible tubs. Generous in-room facilities include:
- high speed & wireless complimentary WiFi for Marriott Rewards Members
- private bathroom with walk-in showers
- 49″ flat-screen TV
- coffee machine
- in-room phone charger
- wireless dock
- air conditioning
As a family we found our room to be spacious, with comfortable beds with plush mattresses and soft pillows. All rooms come with linen, towels and free toiletries.
And we loved the chaise lounge by the big window, and that the pillows have words like “den” on them to keep with the NC State concept and their Wolfpack mascot!
Other room choices include:
- Lakeside Corner King – two walls of windows and an abundance of natural light.
- King Guest Room – sleeps 2
- King Suite – two TVs and plenty of space.
- Presidential Suite – spacious living room and an 8-seat in-room conference table.
4. Outdoor Terrace
There is a lovely back patio area overlooking the pool with comfortable lounge chairs and gas lit fire pits.
You directly overlook the pool and woodland that backs onto Lake Raleigh, making for a relaxing setting in the morning, at noon or night to unwind. And this is where we enjoyed a lovely breakfast by the pool.
5. On-Site Dining
Inside the State View Hotel is the Flask & Beaker Restaurant, a modern and smartly designed space with a locally curated menu, an open kitchen concept, and views of the woodland and Lake Raleigh.
Their dishes are prepared with the best locally sourced ingredients offering a farm-to-table dining experience.
During our stay in July, the restaurant was only open for breakfast, but they have since opened for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights – we went back for dinner in October – but do check directly with the hotel for the latest hours!
We enjoyed a table with a private TV to watch the game and off the menu we ordered a Seafood Gumbo, Chicken & Waffle, Steak Frites and Seared Salmon.
And for dessert the delicious Drunken Donuts (Beignets) and Banana Pudding Ice Cream Sandwich – yum!
Other popular dishes include eggs benedict and shrimp & grits. Room service from Flask & Beaker is also available.
If you’re just looking for a drink, pull up a chair at the on-site bar, Lab Bar. They have a good selection of local beers on draft, and a quality bourbon and cocktail selection!
As for other dining and drinking options close by in downtown Raleigh, a few of our favorites include:
- Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing
- Whiskey Kitchen
- Parkside Restaurant
- The Pit BBQ
- Irregardless Cafe
- Trophy Brewing & Pizza
- The Raleigh Times
6. Lobby & Business Center
The lobby area is very modern and comfortable with plenty of space to gather with family or friends, or for working with colleagues.
Their 24-Hour business center is high-tech and equipped with everything you need to knock out any business-related tasks while on the road.
Get comfortable on one of their couches by the fire as you catch up on emails with their high-speed internet or take a business call.
7. Gift Shop for NC State Sports Fans
If you’re a wolfpack fan and looking for places to stay in Raleigh whilst in town for a game or event, why not stay at the only on-campus hotel.
The StateView hotel is a short drive from:
- Carter-Finley Stadium (Football) 5.7 miles.
- PNC Arena (men’s basketball) 5.4 miles
- Reynolds Coliseum (women’s basketball) 2.4 miles
- Doak Field (baseball) 2.4 miles
8. Perfect Setting for NCSU Graduation or Homecoming
This boutique hotel could provide the perfect home base for your weekend stay celebrating your NC State graduation, or if you’re an alumni coming back for homecoming weekend.
You could celebrate by sipping cocktails on the outdoor terrace, dinner in the on-site restaurant, and there’s plenty of guest room options for all the visiting family.
As you know, you’ll be located on Centennial Campus, and the StateView Hotel is a short drive to the other campuses:
- North Campus: 2.5 miles
- Central Campus: 2.4 miles
9. Ideal for Business Meetings / Corporate Retreats
Being located on Centennial Campus of NC State, the StateView Hotel can be the perfect location for your upcoming business meeting, corporate retreat, interview, or university function.
The serene setting could offer the quiet, thoughtful space to brainstorm with colleagues you’re looking for, with convenient access to all the Centennial Campus has to offer.
And you’re just an a short drive to the center of Raleigh (3.5 miles) for office meetings, as well as being just 14 miles from Raleigh Durham International Airport. The StateView Hotel offers:
- Over 7,500 Sq. Ft. of event space
- Thoughtfully designed meeting rooms
- Free Wi-Fi
10. FREE On-Site Parking
One of the nice perks of staying at the StateView hotel versus a downtown hotel is the complimentary self parking lot that is plentiful and convenient, and not in a garage!
There’s also valet parking on site too.
11. The Fitness Center
Although the on-site fitness center is small, with only a few running machines and one cable machine, plus a few free weights, yoga mats and exercise balls, the fact that there even is one is a bonus!
If you’re someone who likes to keep up with physical activity when you’re away, then the fitness center has just enough.
12. Friendly Staff
We found the employees of the StateView Hotel to be personable and welcoming. It’s nice to receive that good old Southern hospitality and that “all are welcome” ethos that Raleighites are known for.
13. Late Check-Out Times
For those who love to sleep in, check-out is midday (12pm) so you don’t need to rush to wake up and pack up!
It’s so frustrating having to be out of a hotel room at 10.00am in most hotels across the U.S., so we really appreciate the extra few hours in bed. It does mean that check-in time is from 4.00pm though.
The Verdict: Would We Recommend StateView Hotel Raleigh?
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our 1-night Raleigh staycation at the StateView Hotel Raleigh and would happily book a stay here again.
We found the staff attentive and welcoming, the hotel clean and comfortable, and the location ideal whether you visit Raleigh for business, to catch up with family and friends, or to play tourist! We have no hesitation in recommending this hotel to visiting family or friends from Australia, or from around the USA.
If you’re looking for one of the best downtown Raleigh Hotels (that’s unique) for your stay in the city of oaks, this can be an ideal base. It’s probably our favorite hotel in Raleigh so far for its uniqueness and serene location. It’s also in our list of best upscale hotels near Raleigh.
If you want to stay closer to downtown Raleigh to be within walking distance to festivals and places to eat, we’d recommend the Residence Inn Downtown Raleigh, and the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel next. If that’s not a priority, then StateView is a standout choice!
Check current prices and book your stay direct with Marriott here! and then Read reviews and book your stay through Booking.com
Check out our 48-hour itinerary for Raleigh or our 24-hour itinerary for Raleigh to save you time planning!
Watch Our Video Review of the StateView Hotel
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Not the only Marriott Autograph Hotel collection in NC
Yes you are right! That should have read Raleigh not NC. I have corrected it. Thanks for looking out for us!