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December 2023 by Mallory A.
If you are accustomed to thinking "pearls on a pig" makes for a nice place then this is for you! Such a horrible "system" of booking, front desk attendances have some attitude like we, the guest, are in on some fab vacay when it's been anything but that (as we've been traveling for 2 months + now in search of a home on the coast) & they treat you terrible just to think they're better bc they control one of the only hotel/resorts in town. No thanks. Leave your attitude & the service industry if it's not for you. We felt completely lied to about the rates & only justified staying longer due to this. Total rip off, no you won't be impressed...I'd stay home instead. At least you could get room service. Only positive was location of Duck!
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November 2023 by Shawn Jessup
There seems to be a pattern of not so great reviews here, but we had a great time. It was not peak season and not crowded. I hate to say my expectations were low, but we were looking for a peaceful weekend getaway, and it was. It was too cold and windy for the beach and pool, so we just lounged around. Like a lot of other reviews I'm not sure how the star ratings work but this resort was not overly nice by any means as I would expect for an advertised 4 stars. The replies to the bad reviews are disappointing as well, almost like they read "how to reply to a bad review without really caring". I would stay here again but not for a ridiculous price.
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November 2023 by InaLee S.
My Fiancé and I try and do an anniversary trip every year. This year I thought "what better place than my favorite place on Earth." I was so excited to visit the Sanderling Resort because my family has stayed in Sanderling for YEARS but I have never stayed at the resort. Upon arriving, Lena (SO sorry for the spelling mistake if it is incorrect) was SO helpful and very kind. We got some terrible news as we turned onto highway 12 but figured we would try and stick out the weekend. Unfortunately, things did take a turn and we decided I would feel better if I was home. We spent less than 2 hours at the resort. My Fiancé went down to talk to Lena and she was SO understanding and VERY compassionate. She helped more than she probably knows. She made the very hard decision easier and calmed my anxiety just for a little. I cannot wait to come back when the time is right and truly enjoy the happiest place on earth.
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November 2023 by Sofia Maria Saavedra Collado
Great place for a long weekend. So much to do! Great service and amenities available. The little area itself is such a delight to just walk around and go eating and drinking.Rooms: Very clean and have everything! Mini fridge, coffe maker, hair dryer, and all the little vanities you need. And the bathroom layouts are just amazing and so comfy.
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October 2023 by Margaruite Allen
Room was not serviced well. Surfaces had not been dust. But front desk responded well. Really miss the rocking chairs on the deck. Balcony rusted with spiders and spider webs.
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October 2023 by Kimberly Wilde
Great resort! It is going under a renovation the end of October. Love this place in Summer!Pics are of sunrise at the beach.They have the sandbar which is out back and then 2 other restaurants you can walk to. A spa, which is pretty nice and then the indoor heated pool:) The resort offers bikes and water sports as well.
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October 2023 by Anne Gotimer
Note: I visited the spa but did not stay at the resort. The Sanderling Spa is an unforgettable experience. From the moment you enter you are enveloped with the warmth of the design and the service of the staff. The facility is immaculate and relaxing in ways I have not experienced at other spas. The robes are luxurious and amenities are plentiful. Everything from razors to combs to makeup removing wipes can be found in the women's changing area. There are multiple places to relax while you wait for services including some rocking chairs outside that face the water. Spa water can be found in multiple places but the solarium is where you can find snacks like smart pop and coffee/tea at no additional charge. I received a massage with brown sugar scrub from Cathy. She is a little ball of sunlight and tremendously skilled. She was such a thoughtful masseuse. I felt cared for and like I could really relax on her warm presence. It's one of the best massages I've had in my life. Vivianne did my facial. She was so soothing and my skin felt amazing afterwards. I would go back for so many reasons but especially for Cathy and Vivianne. Thank you for an exceptional experience.
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October 2023 by Anna W
This is really an amazing hotel. Everything was top-notch! They were able to check us in much sooner, highly appreciated! Beautiful room, beautiful everything!!! Would love to go back!
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October 2023 by Alonzo J.
Whatever Sanderling ONCE was, It NO LONGER IS. Old , OVERPRICED, outdated, slowww food service from the one restaurant thats open onsite during off season. Housekeeping staff were/are attentive and courteous, but I suspect they're now disillusioned on what their career outcomes may Become there. Christina, Darren, Daniel are whom I remember. If I ran/owned a supposedly seaside resort my Signature restaurant 's food would be epic. Pancakes were gummy like IHOP's, the "House made" corned beef hash was incredibly inedible, salty and coarse. Wait staff was incredibly accommodative, but the product was flawed. I left Breakfast HUNGRY! PATHETIC IF Your Chef can't make a basic Pancake/Waffle batter from SCRATCH????? OBX Off season brings dining challenges of its own, most places are only open Tues-Sat (wtf) BOTTOM LINE: I can't justify spending $600-$700/night there...OverPriced yet Under Delivered
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September 2023 by Rebecca H.
I had a really great time at this resort. The room was clean and up-to-date and I could see the beach from the window and the balcony. The resort did have pools onsite but the beach was quick and easy to access from the resort. I also liked using the fire pits at night. All the bars/restaurants onsite were great. Sandbar made some amazing drinks and burgers. I liked being able to take my drinks over to the beach. The Lifesaving Station also made a great breakfast. Overall, my stay here was very relaxing and a nice break.
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September 2023 by S Martin
Clean room. Friendly staff. Plenty of beach towels provided at the pools and beach. Only negative was the inside pool had an old food tray left there and it was rank. So we went to the outside pool. Beautiful scenery. Love the large bathrooms.
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September 2023 by Jackie Weadon
We loved our stay - it was convenient to have pools, restaurants, the spa and even the beach just steps away! No trouble getting ourselves an umbrella, chairs, or towels. We had a sunset view suite and we cherished those sunsets from our balcony. We will be back for sure!Food & drinks: The room details didn't mention a microwave in the suite and I think it would be helpful for guests to know that. Also, the mini fridge is pretty big for a mini, which is great!Noteworthy details: Super luxurious bathroom!
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September 2023 by Nancy Goodiel
We went for a 4 night stay over Labor Weekend. I paid $715/night for a run down room, stained carpets, poor quality bedding on the full size beds (advertised as queens), cracked bath tiles, dirty pool, and, if I added up the number of times I was told "I am sorry, we are out of that - it is the end of the season." - Ridiculous!!The outside staff was wonderful. We should have stayed at the Hampton Inn!!
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September 2023 by Laura Stringer
Terrible stay at a “luxury resort” that doesn’t come close to delivering. Too many problems to list here. Given that this was the most expensive hotel we’ve ever stayed at, it’s hard not to feel like we got scammed somewhere along the way.Three restaurants, one of which is actually good but wildly, overly expensive and hard to get into and not a realistic option for most of your trip. The others have excruciatingly slow and awkward service, and one only serves lunch. The dinner place was out of three things I tried to order, and charged $50 for four (4) overcooked scallops. No shop for snacks, no room service. Bottom line, expect to dine slowly and expensively on their schedule, and/or leave the resort constantly for food.Spa books up weeks in advance apparently, so by the time we checked in I couldn’t use it.Three pools: one adults only, one is indoors, leaving just one for the majority of summer guests. No kiddie pool for the littles. Meaning when our teenager wanted to swim, we had to get in a pool crowded with yelling toddlers.Staff sets up some chairs and umbrellas on the beach in the morning, once they’re all taken, you’ll need to carry your own out there. Towels were inconsistently available. Virtually no staff in the area to assist with anything.The activities booth is run by a guy from Kitty Hawk Kites who will sign you up for everything from parasailing to nature tours. He helped us tremendously. It’s telling that the only person who went out of his way to help us this week doesn’t even work for the Sanderling.Our room, a corner junior suite, was a fourth floor walkup with odd layout. Microwave/coffee pot on a console table, clear across the room from a minifridge that froze our food. Lots of maintenance issues: the rod to close the curtain was missing, the balcony door didn’t close and lock properly, they didn’t even set the time on the microwave.And a shower that was badly broken for our first two days. Front desk told us they would knock $150 off our stay. That would be insufficient to compensate for two days of stress and icy showers and time spent dealing with it, BUT when we got our bill we noticed they didn’t even actually give us the refund!Cleanliness was poor. We cleaned someone else’s spill out of our minifridge, there were scuffs and dirty spots on the walls, stained carpet, a squished bug streaked on the ceiling, and one of the bedside drawers had a bunch of chip crumbs.Housekeeping makes one attempt per day. If you happen to need privacy when they come, your room’s just not getting cleaned today. We found ourselves leaving the room when we didn’t want to, in hopes that housekeeping would come. Just like food, we had to plan around the Sanderling’s schedule.Also, bugs. I’ve never stayed in any hotel or rental home, anywhere, including OBX, with even a fraction of how many bugs were in this room. We ignored the ants, spiders, beetles. But I draw the line at the big, fast creepy crawly that skittered across the carpet one evening when we turned off the light. Management claims it’s a water bug, but we (and some of the staff) swear it was a cockroach. I spent the next two nights freaking out about that, couldn’t check out soon enough.Everything at the Sanderling is pretty on the surface, but slow, awkward, broken, and dirty directly underneath. Hospitality is all but nonexistent. Nearly all common area chairs, and many tables, have stains, crumbs, and/or tears. Cleanliness and maintenance are not priorities. Amenities are limited and service is slow and awkward if you can even get it. Promised a refund but didn’t deliver. If this were a cheap hotel I’d maybe give it two or three stars. For a luxury resort around $700/night plus resort fee, highway robbery, negative stars.
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September 2023 by Tom Jowers
Thoroughly enjoyed the stay. Beach was beautiful and immenities were very good.It should make your radar screen if you plan to visit the OBX.Rooms: Room was pleasant and comfy. The restaurant is great!
