What's it like in Downtown Wilmington?

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

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.

The Best Hotels in Downtown Wilmington, Wilmington - 2026 Updated Prices

A river with a bridge in the background, a dock with boats, and a cityscape on the left.

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Our top choices for Downtown Wilmington hotels

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.

1. ARRIVE Wilmington

Downtown Wilmington

Christopher

4.255.840 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

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

2. Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

Downtown Wilmington

Mallory

4.163.680 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

An outdoor patio area with seating arrangements, a fire feature, and a covered section with string lights.

3. Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Downtown Wilmington

Lee

4.308.084 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

11 Oct - 12 Oct

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

4. Best Western Plus Coastline Inn

Downtown Wilmington

Timothy

3.692.307 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

26 Oct - 27 Oct

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

5. Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center

Downtown Wilmington

Sally

4.715.178 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

11 Oct - 12 Oct

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

6. Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District

Downtown Wilmington

Gabriel Armando

3.966.736 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

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

7. Hampton Inn by Hilton Wilmington Downtown

Downtown Wilmington

Shawn

3.586.058 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

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

8. Water Street Retreats

Downtown Wilmington

David

6.603.890 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

29 Sept - 30 Sept

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

9. The Hive

Downtown Wilmington

Jennifer

9.350.815 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

30 Sept - 1 Oct

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

Meredith

6.414.539 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

29 Sept - 30 Sept

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

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

4.9 km from Downtown Wilmington

maurice

3.539.684 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

29 Sept - 30 Sept

12. Comfort Inn University

New Market Center, 7.2 km from Downtown Wilmington

Christy

2.482.182 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

5 Oct - 6 Oct

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

13. Spark by Hilton Wilmington

5.8 km from Downtown Wilmington

Arthur

2.406.750 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

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

Jeff

3.104.709 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

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

15. Hotel Lela Wilmington, Tapestry Collection By Hilton

6 km from Downtown Wilmington

Cedric

3.345.383 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

12 Oct - 13 Oct

An indoor swimming pool with clear glass walls, a poolside seating area with chairs and tables, and a ceiling with blue accents.

16. DoubleTree by Hilton Wilmington, NC

6.2 km from Downtown Wilmington

nicholas

2.719.629 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

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

17. Best Western Plus Westgate Inn & Suites

8 km from Downtown Wilmington

Harvey

3.279.348 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

5 Oct - 6 Oct

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a microwave, and a sink.

18. StudioRes by Marriott Wilmington

11.1 km from Downtown Wilmington

Victoria

2.348.049 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

26 Oct - 27 Oct

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

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

8.1 km from Downtown Wilmington

Eduardo

2.469.854 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

A spacious lobby with a wooden floor, a staircase, a reception desk, and a large green wall mural.

20. Sleep Inn Wilmington near University

6.7 km from Downtown Wilmington

Todd

2.195.426 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

View all properties

Compare popular hotels in Downtown Wilmington

Property	Property class	Guest rating
ARRIVE Wilmington	4.0 star property	9.6 Exceptional 955 reviews	View
Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront	3.5 star property	9.2 Wonderful 1,118 reviews	View
Best Western Plus Coastline Inn	2.5 star property	9.0 Wonderful 1,003 reviews	View
Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center	3.0 star property	9.0 Wonderful 645 reviews	View
Hampton Inn by Hilton Wilmington Downtown	2.5 star property	8.8 Excellent 971 reviews	View

Where to stay in Downtown Wilmington

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

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

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 boat docked at a pier with a building in the background.

Riverfront District

If you're spending some time in Riverfront District, Cape Fear Museum of History and Science and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College 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 Bellamy Mansion Museum and Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts.

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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

Hampton Inn & Suites Carolina Beach Oceanfront

10/10 Excellent

"Great place!"

Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

10/10 Excellent

"Everything was great. Last time I stayed there I received 2 complimentary drinks at happy hour. Did not get those this time. The hot water was turned off in the bathroom sink. I had to turn it back on. The sink stopper was broken and had to pull it out and lay it on the counter to use sink. Even with those items, I enjoyed my stay."

Golden Sands Carolina Beach Oceanfront, Tapestry by Hilton

8/10 Good

"Overall, we enjoyed our stay. We found the staff very friendly and helpful; they responded quickly to requests. Room was clean but in need of upgrades, especially the bathroom which was small for 2 people and the air conditioner unit which was very loud. Pool area was large and well maintained. While a nice property, it did not meet the standards of a Hilton."

Search Hotels in Downtown Wilmington, Wilmington

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Our top choices for Downtown Wilmington hotels

1. ARRIVE Wilmington

2. Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

3. Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

4. Best Western Plus Coastline Inn

5. Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center

6. Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District

7. Hampton Inn by Hilton Wilmington Downtown

8. Water Street Retreats

9. The Hive

10. Dreamers BNB

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

12. Comfort Inn University

13. Spark by Hilton Wilmington

14. Hampton Inn Wilmington-Medical Park

15. Hotel Lela Wilmington, Tapestry Collection By Hilton

16. DoubleTree by Hilton Wilmington, NC

17. Best Western Plus Westgate Inn & Suites

18. StudioRes by Marriott Wilmington

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

20. Sleep Inn Wilmington near University

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

Hampton Inn & Suites Carolina Beach Oceanfront

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