What's it like in Downtown Wilmington?

Downtown Wilmington is an historic neighbourhood known for its stunning river views. Make sure that you visit Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College and Cape Fear River as part of your Downtown Wilmington travel plans.

What's the best accommodation in Downtown Wilmington?

Based on our traveller data, Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is one of the top choices for your stay in Downtown Wilmington. This hotel is steps from Riverwalk, and offers a restaurant and an outdoor pool. Other good choices for your stay in the neighbourhood include Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront and Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center .

How many hotels should I expect to find in Downtown Wilmington?

Expedia has 218 hotels and other accommodation options in Downtown Wilmington to choose from, making this an ideal home base for exploring the greater Wilmington area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Downtown Wilmington, will I receive a refund?

Yes! The majority of hotel bookings are refundable if you cancel prior to the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which often is within 24-48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you have a non-refundable reservation, you might still have the option to cancel and receive a refund within 24 hours of your booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then you can use the "fully refundable" filter to get the best options available in Downtown Wilmington.

What is there to do around this Wilmington neighbourhood?

Downtown Wilmington's sights and attractions like Wilmington Railroad Museum, Cape Fear Museum of History and Science and City Stage Theatre offer insight into the local culture. Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College and Cape Fear River are some other stops worth a visit in the neighbourhood. The Cotton Exchange, The Eagle's Dare and Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts are just a few of the places to visit in and around Downtown Wilmington. While you're out sightseeing in Wilmington, make sure that you visit other sights such as Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews or Burgwin-Wright House.

Top 10 Downtown Wilmington Hotels of 2026

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Our top choices for Downtown Wilmington hotels

A spacious lobby with a reception desk, seating area, and a central decorative feature.

1. Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

Downtown Wilmington

Mallory

RM601 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Nov - 3 Nov

A modern bar area with a menu board, bar stools, and a seating area with chairs and a round table.

2. Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District

Downtown Wilmington

Gabriel Armando

RM584 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

An indoor swimming pool with clear blue water, surrounded by white lounge chairs and a tiled floor.

3. Hampton Inn by Hilton Wilmington Downtown

Downtown Wilmington

Shawn

RM564 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

An outdoor deck with wooden tables and chairs, overlooking a body of water and a docked ship.

4. Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center

Downtown Wilmington

JEFFREY C.

RM584 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

A hotel room with a large bed, two bedside tables with lamps, a desk with a chair, and a large window with curtains.

5. Best Western Plus Coastline Inn

Downtown Wilmington

Timothy

RM525 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

A modern two-story building with a white facade and black trim. There is a small garden with red and white flowers in front of the building.

6. ARRIVE Wilmington

Downtown Wilmington

jeff

RM577 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

A hotel room with a large bed, a desk, a chair, and a view of the outdoors.

7. Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Downtown Wilmington

Lee

RM564 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Nov - 9 Nov

A modern living room with a leather sofa, a round dining table, and a kitchen in the background.

8. The Hive

Downtown Wilmington

Jennifer

RM1,469 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Nov - 18 Nov

A balcony with metal chairs, a view of a river, and a distant ship.

9. Water Street Retreats

Downtown Wilmington

Matthew

RM847 total

includes taxes & fees

12 Nov - 13 Nov

A hammock chair in a room with a wooden floor, a small trash bin, and a view of a house through an arched window.

10. Dreamers BNB

Riverfront District, 0.8 km from Downtown Wilmington

Tara

RM975 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Nov - 16 Nov

A modern living room with a sectional sofa, a coffee table, and a framed artwork on the wall.

11. Wingate by Wyndham - Wilmington

New Market Center, 6.5 km from Downtown Wilmington

Kathy

RM416 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

A Holiday Inn Express & Suites building with a modern design, featuring a prominent entrance with illuminated signage and a covered walkway.

12. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington West - Medical Park by IHG

4.9 km from Downtown Wilmington

Nicole

RM452 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

A modern hotel with a swimming pool, lounge areas, and a well-lit exterior.

13. Tru by Hilton Wilmington

6 km from Downtown Wilmington

Hubert

RM412 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Nov - 16 Nov

An outdoor patio with seating, palm trees, and a brick building with a pool area in the background.

14. Hampton Inn Wilmington-Medical Park

5.1 km from Downtown Wilmington

Kim

RM488 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Oct - 28 Oct

A DoubleTree by Hilton hotel with a covered entrance, a parking lot, and a clear sky.

15. DoubleTree by Hilton Wilmington, NC

6.2 km from Downtown Wilmington

nicholas

RM427 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

A spacious dining area with multiple tables and chairs, a fireplace, and large windows offering a view of greenery.

16. Hotel Lela Wilmington, Tapestry Collection By Hilton

6 km from Downtown Wilmington

Margaret

RM467 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Nov - 16 Nov

A modern outdoor seating area with blue Adirondack chairs, a round table, and a bar area with string lights.

17. Home2 Suites by Hilton Wilmington Wrightsville Beach

New Market Center, 7.8 km from Downtown Wilmington

Paula

RM505 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Nov - 16 Nov

A modern hotel lobby with wooden tables and chairs, large windows with white curtains, and multiple pendant lights.

18. Spark by Hilton Wilmington

5.8 km from Downtown Wilmington

Sara

RM384 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Nov - 9 Nov

A spacious living room with a fireplace, comfortable seating, and large windows.

19. Best Western Plus Westgate Inn & Suites

8 km from Downtown Wilmington

Jed

RM493 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Nov - 17 Nov

A spacious lobby with a fireplace, comfortable seating, and a decorative rug.

20. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach

8.1 km from Downtown Wilmington

Whitney

RM427 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Nov - 16 Nov

View all properties

Compare popular hotels in Downtown Wilmington

Property	Property class	Guest rating
ARRIVE Wilmington	4.0 star property	9.6 Exceptional 961 reviews	View
Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront	3.5 star property	9.2 Wonderful 1,123 reviews	View
Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center	3.0 star property	9.0 Wonderful 648 reviews	View
Best Western Plus Coastline Inn	2.5 star property	9.0 Wonderful 1,001 reviews	View
Hampton Inn by Hilton Wilmington Downtown	2.5 star property	8.8 Excellent 975 reviews	View

Where to stay in Downtown Wilmington

Find the best Downtown Wilmington areas for the activities you enjoy most.

A river with a bridge, a cityscape, and a forested area.

Wilmington Historic District

Wilmington Historic District is known for its stunning river views, and with sights like Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College and Live Oak Bank Pavilion, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Wilmington.

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A historic brick building with a sign reading "The Cotton Exchange".

Riverfront District

If you're spending some time in Riverfront District, Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College and Live Oak Bank Pavilion are top sights worth seeing.

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Landfall

While there might not be top attractions in Landfall, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Mayfaire Town Center and Wrightsville SUP.

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The Bottom

While The Bottom may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews and Bellamy Mansion Museum.

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A wooden pier extending into calm water with a covered seating area and a bridge in the background.

Wrightsville Sound

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Wrightsville Sound and surrounding area, you can visit Mayfaire Town Center and Wrightsville SUP.

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Top Downtown Wilmington Hotel Reviews

Comfort Inn University

8/10 Good

"Decent"

Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

10/10 Excellent

"The hotel looks and feels very nice. Beautiful inside, excellent location, several elevators, nice views. Area around is clean, quiet, direct access to the Riverwalk. Our room was large, clean and nice. Beds were comfy, large bathroom and overall nice. The only issue we had was AC - it did not work, but we realised too late. Stuff told us their maintenance crew works 24-7 but we did not bother, it was 11pm when I saw the thermostat temperature. W'eve got 2 free drinks each. Breakfast was great, really appreciate custom omelettes and good coffee. Parking is expensive, $30 for in-out self park, 35 valet. But it's actually $15 for 24 hours in the same parking garage if you just drive in and park one level higher. Which we did."

Hampton Inn & Suites Carolina Beach Oceanfront

10/10 Excellent

"The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The breakfast buffet was better than Hampton Inn, Myrtle Beach, comfortable pillows. And on a rainy day, they offered menu items for purchase so you didn’t have to go out in the torrential downpour. The tiki bar was very nice."

Hotels in Downtown Wilmington, Wilmington

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Our top choices for Downtown Wilmington hotels

1. Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

2. Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District

3. Hampton Inn by Hilton Wilmington Downtown

4. Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center

5. Best Western Plus Coastline Inn

6. ARRIVE Wilmington

7. Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

8. The Hive

9. Water Street Retreats

10. Dreamers BNB

11. Wingate by Wyndham - Wilmington

12. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington West - Medical Park by IHG

13. Tru by Hilton Wilmington

14. Hampton Inn Wilmington-Medical Park

15. DoubleTree by Hilton Wilmington, NC

16. Hotel Lela Wilmington, Tapestry Collection By Hilton

17. Home2 Suites by Hilton Wilmington Wrightsville Beach

18. Spark by Hilton Wilmington

19. Best Western Plus Westgate Inn & Suites

20. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach

Compare popular hotels in Downtown Wilmington

Where to stay in Downtown Wilmington

Wilmington Historic District

Riverfront District

Landfall

The Bottom

Wrightsville Sound

Top Downtown Wilmington Hotel Reviews

Comfort Inn University

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