ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: As we pulled up to Trailborn Surf & Sound, we realized the parking lot was full, but fortunately, the property offers valet parking, so we just grabbed our bags and headed right in. The bright and spacious lobby featured lots of seating areas for guests to congregate. Large glass doors offered a sweeping view to the pool area with more places to gather. I can see why this hotel is a great option for large groups or weddings. The lawn is a particularly popular wedding spot.

Check-in was swift, and my husband and I both noticed the hotel’s signature scent right away: a calming scent reminiscent of a spa.

© Trailborn Surf & Sound

GUEST QUARTERS: This unique hotel’s rooms face the beach or the sound. Our Soundside Double Queen room overlooked the sound, with great views of the sunset, sailboats and even some frolicking dolphins. Two chairs and a table sat right in front of a big sliding door to take full advantage of the views.

The beds had a fabric-covered headboard with stripes of the terracotta orange that ties all the areas together throughout the hotel. The headboard spanned the whole width of two queen beds, and there were small cabinets on each side of the beds and one in between, giving everyone a spot to charge their phones no matter which side of either bed they slept on. I loved the attention to details, such as a retro-style Tivoli Audio radio that played music so well, I was checking for speakers around the room. Instead of a traditional coffeemaker, a Fellow Corvo EKG Pro Electric Tea Kettle stood ready to heat water for the special Trailborn Blend of instant coffee from Huckleberry Roasters or a nice cup of tea. There was also a large tote bag for guests to use during their stay to carry their personal items to the beach or pool.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: The fitness room boasts new equipment, including Peloton bikes. There is no spa on site, but guests can access an indoor hot tub, sauna and in-room massages.

© Trailborn Surf & Sound

We enjoyed a romantic dinner at La Duna Paradiso to celebrate my birthday. To start, we ordered the burrata appetizer with raw honey, herb oil, peaches, roasted red peppers, chopped cerginola olive and cracked pepper, served with miso toast. I loved the seared halibut with eggplant and olive caponata, buttered polenta, charred broccolini and pancetta jus. My husband had trouble deciding, so our awesome waitress, Ellie, helped guide him to choose the New York strip loin with ammoglio sauce, roasted heirloom carrots and balsamic-glazed shallot, and it did not disappoint my hard-to-please husband. And Ellie informed us the tiramisu was excellent, so even though we were full from our meals, we made some room for dessert, and we were happy we did!

We ended our night relaxing by the firepit, making friends with other guests who were also taking advantage of the great gathering spot.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

• The experiences set this hotel apart, offering many excursions including kayak rentals, surf lessons, sunset cruises, island-hopping cruises, kite and wing land boarding, morning yoga, dock fishing, beach cruiser bikes, and more!
• You can borrow a picnic basket and fill it with local beer or wine and snacks and enjoy a nice sunset from the Adirondack chairs on the sound. Or, after sunset, pick up a s’mores kit and roast marshmallows at the firepit on the oceanside lawn. If you have kids in tow, you can request an in-room tent for a fun indoor camping experience.

TRAILBORN SURF & SOUND
275 Waynick Blvd.
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
tel 877 684 8024