Checking In: A Romantic Staycation at The Dunhill Hotel in Charlotte, NC

Welcome to Checking In, a new series of posts dedicated to the places we stay when we travel.

Expect to see hotels, private rentals, and perhaps even a tent or two in these occasional posts!

Until last week, I’d never taken a staycation.

Sure, I’ve spent plenty of time exploring my home cities – visiting the tourist sites that locals often skip, and finding hidden gems. But it never really occurred to me to book an overnight stay in my city. Until recently, that is.

Continuing this year’s theme of exploring destinations across the Southeastern U.S., we decided one of our February “trips” should be a romantic staycation. But where to stay?

The Dunhill Hotel, located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, was the obvious choice. After all, what better place to stay in Charlotte than “Charlotte’s Hotel” – and the only historic, boutique hotel in the city?

After a recent visit, I’m sharing everything you need to know about this Charlotte gem – whether you’re visiting from out of town or just down the street:

The Dunhill Hotel generously hosted our staycation by providing complimentary accommodations and parking during our stay - meals and drinks were on our own dime. As always, all opinions are my own.

The Dunhill Hotel’s History

The Dunhill Hotel’s very existence is a challenge to the notion that “Charlotte has no history” (a close cousin to another phrase I hear frequently, “Charlotte has no culture” – one that I will also always dispute). The hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America, and in fact, was one of the first boutique hotels to be recognized as such. It originally opened as the Mayfair Manor apartment hotel in 1929, and half of its initial 100 rooms were permanent residence apartments.

After falling into disrepair and eventually closing, the building underwent intensive restoration and reopened in the late 1980s as The Dunhill Hotel. Today, the hotel boasts sixty guest rooms, a penthouse suite, a bar and restaurant, and meeting spaces.

The Dunhill Hotel’s Executive King Room

Much like the message on the reverse of this postcard from the Mayfair Manor in 1940, “Dear Daisy, It is wonderful sleeping these mornings…” it is still truly wonderful sleeping at The Dunhill Hotel.

The Executive King Room includes a plush king bed, a marble-tiled bathroom, a small closet, a pair of bathrobes, a Keurig coffee maker, and more. Our room was located on the ninth floor, and it was such a treat to view the city from above – a perspective we don’t often experience.

Like the last few homes we’ve rented, The Dunhill Hotel was built in the early 20th century – and though it’s received a modern refresh, its bones are still evident under the layers of fresh paint. I personally love a bit of character in a building, and age is part of the hotel’s charm.

Although “work” shouldn’t be used anywhere near the phrase “romantic staycation,” Michael had a few things to wrap up before we could settle in. Thankfully the Executive King Room offered a full-size desk and plenty of outlets, too. Even the nightstands included power strips, and I could comfortably write this post without climbing out of the covers.

Outside of the room, The Dunhill Hotel also includes thoughtful touches like fresh baked cookies in the lobby at night (this is in lieu of turndown service as a COVID-19 adjustment), and locally roasted coffee in the morning. Amenities like these are ones I often miss when traveling because I’m too busy out and about. It was such a treat to actually get to enjoy all of the extras a hotel can provide.

The Lobby Bar at The Dunhill Hotel

The Lobby Bar at The Dunhill Hotel serves as the hotel’s living room – and also appears to serve as the neighborhood’s living room, too. Once five o’clock hit, we rode the elevator back down to the lobby. The elevator wall featured a poster advertising The Dunhill Hotel’s wine reception on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 p.m., however, we were informed by the desk staff that it simply meant wine was available for purchase at the bar (confused? We were too…).

But we bellied up to two unoccupied seats at the bar and soon were deep in conversation with three neighbors who call The Dunhill Hotel Lobby Bar their Wednesday night haunt (Margot, Dennis, and Ellie – if you’re reading this, we’ll see you again soon!).

There are only a few seats at the bar, but if it’s packed or if you’re looking for something a little more private there is plenty of seating throughout the lobby. Wine, local beer, and cocktails are all available, and you’re welcome to order food from The Asbury next door to enjoy at the bar as our new friends often do. We had a reservation in the restaurant, but look forward to more cozy evenings at the Lobby Bar whenever we desire (which is something you can really only say about a staycation spot!).

The Asbury Restaurant at The Dunhill Hotel

The Asbury receives its name from the building’s architect Mr. Louis H. Asbury (other local building credits include the Mecklenburg County Courthouse and the First National Bank, which at the time was the tallest building in the Carolinas). This tiny, tidy restaurant is located adjacent to the lobby and can be accessed via an exterior entrance as well as through the hotel.

The restaurant serves breakfast Monday-Thursday, brunch Friday-Sunday, and dinner each evening (although only bar service and a limited menu are available for dinner Sunday-Tuesday). The Asbury serves hearty yet elevated Southern cuisine, and heirloom ingredients are included whenever possible.

Prices are quite reasonable for an Uptown restaurant, although depending on your appetite, it wouldn’t be difficult to run up a high dinner tab. Budget diners might want to consider a Thursday evening meal when the restaurant runs a $8 burger special.

We heard rave reviews from Lobby Bar patrons about that very burger and The Asbury’s chicken sandwich, and couldn’t resist. They also highly recommended the off-menu Kitchen Sink Fries, so we ordered a side along with the restaurant’s mac & cheese.

Michael and I argued over who ordered the best meal – he contends that his burger was superior to my chicken sandwich, and I wholeheartedly disagreed. Both were gloriously flavorful and juicy, and my fried chicken sandwich was fried to perfection with the most delicate crust.

We may not have agreed on the entree, but we both declared the mac & cheese some of the best we’ve had in Charlotte. Best of all, there’s nothing more luxurious than being able to turn in after a big meal than by simply heading upstairs.

We’d planned to enjoy breakfast at The Asbury the following morning, but regrettably, we missed it by just a few minutes. In all honesty, though, we were still quite full from our dinner the evening before. I hope to return sometime soon for a build-your-own breakfast sandwich!

The Dunhill Hotel FAQs

Where is The Dunhill Hotel located?

The Dunhill Hotel is located in Uptown Charlotte’s Fourth Ward neighborhood, at 237 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202.

How do I get to the hotel?

The Dunhill Hotel is located just two blocks away from the 7th Street Light Rail station and the Tryon Street Streetcar stop. But even though I prefer public transit in theory, Charlotte is a very car-dependent city and a vehicle is always the fastest way to get around. From the airport, The Dunhill Hotel is just a fifteen-minute drive.

Does the hotel offer parking?

Yes, guests of The Dunhill Hotel are able to self-park in the adjoining garage for $23/day at the time of publication (valet is currently unavailable).

What types of rooms are available?

Rooms range from a basic Queen room (called the Vintage Queen) all the way to a penthouse suite. Head here to learn more about each room type.

Are there any specials available?

Although the rates vary based on dates and rooms selected, The Dunhill Hotel offers several packages and discounts. Currently, the Staycation Package includes complimentary parking~~, your choice of a welcome amenity including a bottle of white or red white,~~ and a dining credit of $50.

The Romantic Getaway package includes a bottle of champagne, house-made chocolate truffles, rose petals sprinkled throughout your room or a dozen roses, and a ~~breakfast tray for two delivered directly to your door~~ $75 dining credit. With ID, seniors age 62+ can receive a discount on their stay.

What are some of the amenities offered at The Dunhill Hotel?

The Dunhill Hotel includes all of the basic amenities (wifi, 24-hour desk staff, flat-screen televisions), and many special amenities (although some have been modified due to COVID-19 protocols). In addition to the Keurig coffeemaker in each room, local coffee is freely available in the lobby in the mornings.

In the evenings, cookies and tea are available near the elevators. Robes are provided in each room, and mini-refrigerators are available if needed. Business guests will appreciate having access to a workstation in the room as well as a printer in the lobby.

Is The Dunhill Hotel haunted?

It could very well be! If you’re wanting a Boo-tique hotel experience (sorry, couldn’t help myself), The Dunhill Hotel is your best bet in Charlotte. A skeleton was unearthed during renovations, and multiple guests and employees have reported paranormal activity. In fact, the room we stayed in, Room 906, is rumored to be the most ghostly.

What’s nearby?

If you’re an out-of-town visitor, or a staycationer looking to get out and about, there are plenty of reasons to book a stay at The Dunhill.

The Dunhill Hotel’s prime Fourth Ward location places you within walking distance of Uptown Charlotte’s cultural attractions. You can visit nearly all of the Queen City museums without a vehicle: the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, Levine Museum of the New South, Mint Museum, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art are all within a ten-minute walk of The Dunhill Hotel. Other walkable sights are also in the vicinity, like the NASCAR Hall of Fame (a fifteen-minute walk), Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (a five-minute walk), and Discovery Place Science (across the street!).

Uptown boasts many parks for walking and picnics, and the Fourth Ward Walking Tour is a personal favorite free outdoor activity – seriously, you won’t believe you’re in the middle of a large city.

View of the King Room from the bathroom — Thank you to The Dunhill Hotel for your generous hospitality!

Planning a trip to the Queen City? You may also enjoy these other Charlotte posts:

When was the last time you had a staycation?

And more importantly, have you ever stayed in a haunted hotel?