The NC Triangle has been on a roll with boutique hotels over the past couple of years. From the 21C Museum Hotel and Durham Hotel out in the Bull City to the Aloft Hotel in Raleigh, these hip, urban hotels usually feature some interesting retail offerings like cool restaurants, stores and more. The upcoming opening of the Unscripted Hotel out in Durham is the latest in a wave of these new stay and play destinations!
Located in the old Jack Tar Motel on Corcoran Street, the new Unscripted hosts 74 guest rooms, five food and beverage establishments and a 3rd floor rooftop pool and lounge. During a media visit we got to experience life Unscripted as their tagline would say! It’s a funky little motel that’s been left in a slightly retro, 70’s decor state. Inside Unscripted you’ve got an interesting lounge and coffee bar area known as the Studio and Allday. You can enjoy a cocktail, coffee and small plates in a very stylish space.
Moving out to the hotel itself, we toured a couple of rooms and like any throw-back experience, entry to the rooms is through individual doorways looking out onto a small pool. Inside, the rooms are decorated with bright, geometric wallpaper and modern furniture. The rooms are average-sized and look comfortable if not luxurious. And the big question is whether you want one overlooking the pool because…
Because the Patio and pool is really what Unscripted is all about! Open to the public and serving a short menu of plates, sandwiches and entrees, Unscripted Hotel’s pool is really designed to be a scene for the local Durham crowd. Large white square umbrellas, soft furniture and a patio bar set this place up to be a hopping weekend destination for drinks and eats. We got to sample some tasty bacon sliders, sushi cones, lamb lollipops and more during our media visit. It was all quite good but I’ll have to come back for a full visit to review this dining option.
Separate from the local, Unscripted Hotel food, there will be a Neomonde, Jack Tar Diner (folks from Pizzeria Toro) and Pour Taproom (already open) on the street level. I’ve had a chance to visit Pour which was pretty cool! A modern beer bar with 60+ self-serve taps paid for with a magic band.
The grand opening for Unscripted Durham was pretty impressive and fun. It represents another twist and turn in the Durham entertainment scene as we move from hipster to a more urban, cosmopolitan feel. In the Triangle, while Raleigh plays it pretty close to the vest, the Bull City has pressed forward with some interesting new concepts and ideas around food, dining and entertainment. And while they won’t all be huge hits, they certainly are keeping things lively in Durham and the Unscripted Hotel is one perfect example of pushing the envelope for the area. So are you ready to live life Unscripted? Durhamites, you’re about to find out….
In celebration of the hotel’s grand opening, locals can take advantage of a special staycation package, including 10 percent off a room, free parking and late check-out (Use promo code LOCALS when booking). Now through Sept. 5, travelers can also enjoy 10 percent off room bookings, as well as two complimentary drinks at The Patio, bike rentals for two and late check-out by using the code OPENING when making a reservation.
Unscripted Hotel Durham
Grand Opening on July 19th
202 Corcoran Street
Durham, NC 27701
984.329.9500
Location on Google maps