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Visiting Kinston, NC should include a stay at the O’Neil Hotel. This hotel is a perfect example of the revitalization of this area and it is beautiful, romantic, and quirky all at the same time!
A luxury boutique hotel located in Kinston, North Carolina, the O’Neil Hotel is worth the visit. Owned by Stephen Hill, who also owns Mother Earth Brewing and the building in which the Boiler Room Oyster Bar is located, is historic in many ways. Completed in 1924 as the local Farmers & Merchants’ Bank, the building has earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The first registered elevator in the North Carolia shuttles guests to their rooms. The teller windows and marbled counters are now lush sitting areas in the lobby. The bank closed its doors in the 1980s. Stephen Hill repurposed this building in 2015 as part of his efforts to revitalize downtown Kinston.
The Lobby
Walking into a two-story open lobby, guests are immediately greeted by the remaining 16-ton vault. The plaster ceiling has been maintained and adds to the historical details. Entering the main door, the check in area is to the left, and is a nondescript small room. Someone is there until 9pm, at which point the hotel’s front door is closed and access is limited to guests with a security combination lock.
On a mezzanine that is open to the lobby, guests can sit and enjoy a Mother Earth beer while conversing with other guests. Plus you get to soak in the nostalgic feeling of the decor!
Our Room
Featuring only seven guest rooms, this hotel re-defines the concept of personal touch. Decorated in its own way, each room shows a different personality. Instead of using keys or key cards, guests access rooms using a unique code that opens both their room and the side door.
Hurray for the Keurig machine – making us coffee lovers so happy! The hotel has worked hard at offering the comforts we’ve come to enjoy in modern society, while blending them with elements that maintain a historical feel.
We stayed in Room 2B, King 1, known for its classic elegance. I enjoyed the understated elegance of the wooden floors, with the light tan walls and the black and white print of the curtains and bed skirt. Because the bedding has been kept white, the safari inspired touches did not seem too wild or garish. And yes, it was super romantic!
The bathroom included a fan (one of my pet peeves when hotels are refurbished is that they don’t take the effort to install those!). All the fixtures had been recently upgraded but still fit within the decor of the historical building. In addition to the shampoo and conditioner bottles we’ve come to expect, the hotel provided a few cotton balls and q-tips. As in other hotels we’ve visited recently, a black make up removal towel was provided. (I need to get one of those for home!)
Rooms at the O’Neil Hotel
King 2 is similar but has a corner view onto the main street. Room 2A, a Queen Room with Bunk Beds would be perfect for a family. I only got to peek in but the red walls, dark carpet and bedding were a bit overwhelming to me. The bunk beds are located inside an old vault, which is pretty neat. A Queen Suite and Mezzanine Room are also available. Hotel room rates start at $189 per night.
Special Features of the O’Neil Hotel
You may wonder about the purpose of the huge vault in the lobby. The vault houses complimentary refreshments for hotel guests. Stocked with water bottles and a selection of Mother Earth Brewing beers, these are stored in an old time refrigerator. This only makes sense since the hotel’s owner also owns Mother Earth Brewing! A Keurig machine produces fresh coffee for guests.
Nearby Places Worth a Visit
Most guests staying at the O’Neil Hotel were here to visit the nearby Chef & The Farmer. We took advantage of The Chef & The Farmer, experienced Mother Earth Brewing, and listened to a live band at The Red Room. The great thing about all of these places is that they’re all within a block or so, so easy walking distance from the O’Neil Hotel.
Others interested in history might enjoy a visit to the CSS Neuse Museum. If you’ve got children, visit the Lion Water Adventure park in the summer or the small but free Planetarium, Health and Sciense Museum which is open although the Neuseway Nature Park, other than the playground, has been closed since hurricane Matthew came in 2016.
So if like the rest of us you are a fan of Vivian Howard and want to visit the Kinston area, you should put The O’Neil Hotel on your list of places to see and stay.
Happy travels!
Annick, The Common Traveler
Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.
I love staying in small historic hotels like this. So much more character than the big boys. Although as a Brit, we don’t consider 1924 that old lol.
The O’Neil hotel seems to be a historic place. The fact that it was once a bank adds to the allure of staying in it. I was really interested to see how the huge vault has been put to use. I love the fact that the personal touch is evident everywhere which makes a hotel that much more comfortable.
Very cool hotel andI love that the first thing you see is that massive vault! I also love small boutique hotels where every room is different. That means I can always come back and not feel like I have stayed there before. I must so I did love the decor of the room you stayed in. Elegant and stylish at the same time.
Very cool hotel andI love that the first thing you see is that massive vault! I also love small boutique hotels where every room is different. That means I can always come back and not feel like I have stayed there before. I must so I did love the decor of the room you stayed in. Elegant and stylish at the same time.
Love unique venues. With only 7 rooms you really get that personal attention. The vault idea is really unique as well. Looks like the hotel was as much a destination as the city!
I like the archaic vibes in the hotel. The facilities are of modern standards though which is another plus. Quite an unique place in terms of the interior decors. Only 7 rooms and each of a different style! That’s unique
We are always on the lookout for interesting hotels to stay. The O’Neil Hotel is one of them now. Can’t wait to get inside that vault.
Such an elegant place! This place oozes warmth and hospitality, definitely seems like a hotel to stay at when I visit North Carolina next!
That’s so cool that they incorporated the old vault K into the space! It reminds me of a bar in Madison, Wisconsin that is in an old bank. The old safe is now a cocktail lounge!
Wow! This place looks really comfortable and homey. Plus one for the Keurig Machine. It would be nice to have that available. I have never tried using codes for a hotel room. Do you think it’s safer?
It has a very very English feel to it. I got reminded of the Royal houses of England looking at these.
Its almost a century old. Good to know its listed in the historic buildings register as well.
I’d definitely like to sit here and sip some Mother Earth beer!
O Neil looks like a nice hotel with some unique looks and decor. As this building is Farmers’ and Merchants Bank, the concept of hotel in the bank is unique and interesting. As there are only 7 rooms so it must be definitely a very personal stay. Old style of refrigerator for storing water bottles is also interesting concept of this hotel.
A quite different place to stay in to start with. The hotel looks like a great place to relax and soak in the unique atmosphere of the old vault. The decor is quite nice and looks comfy. Surely a great place to stay if you around the area. Like the history attached to this building. Thanks for. sharing.
The O’Neil Hotel looks like an amazing luxury boutique hotel. When visiting Kinston, North Carolina, would be a good idea to visit the property for the historical richness it holds. The names of the rooms are royal! We had once stayed in a palace and the room given to us was Queen’s in the earlier days. There is so much to discover and imagine of a life that would have been years ago at places like these! And what a treat to have a stocked vault in the lobby.
Stylish and elegant hotel with a lot of character! I love this hotel, and definitely looking forward to booking a room here as aI have a trip to North Caroline lined up in a few weeks! Thanks for the wonderful tips!
That’s a very stylish hotel, I like it! And those beds look super comfy, which is always key 😉 Definitely a location to keep in mind when in the area!
Would love to stay at such a place, which has no more than 10 rooms. As that when the attention to personal detail comes into place. Love the beautiful decor of the hotel.
This place surely has some quirky designs going for them! Especially loved the red and beige velvety touch on the queen bed. Looks very comfy and luxurious indeed!