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Swell Motel

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Swell Motel

Beach nearby, white sand
Exterior
Exterior
Beach nearby, white sand
Reception

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Room service
  • Gym
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking included

Explore the area

View in a map
46854 NC-12, Buxton, NC, 27953
  • Place, Cape Hatteras National Seashore
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Lighthouse Beach
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
    ‪5 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Classic Room, 2 Queen Beds No Pets

Classic Room, 2 Queen Beds No Pets | Desk, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Classic Room, 2 Queen Beds No Pets

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(27 reviews)
  • 300 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Classic Room, 1 King Bed No Pets

Desk, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Classic Room, 1 King Bed No Pets

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(22 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Studio, 1 Queen Bed No Pets

Studio, 1 Queen Bed No Pets | Private kitchen | Mini-fridge, microwave, coffee/tea maker

Studio, 1 Queen Bed No Pets

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Comfort Room (2 Queen Pet)

Comfort Room (2 Queen Pet) | Desk, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Comfort Room (2 Queen Pet)

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(12 reviews)
  • 300 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Comfort Room (1 King Pet)

Desk, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Comfort Room (1 King Pet)

  • 300 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Classic Double Room No Pets

Classic Double Room No Pets | Desk, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Classic Double Room No Pets

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(8 reviews)
  • 285 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

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About this property

Swell Motel

Buxton motel walkable to Outer Banks Beaches
Along with a fitness center, this smoke-free motel has a seasonal outdoor pool and barbecue grills. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a picnic area. Housekeeping is available on request.
Swell Motel offers 31 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers. Rooms open to balconies or patios. Flat-screen televisions are featured in guestrooms.

Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations. This Buxton motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Recreational amenities at the motel include a fitness center and a seasonal outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Swell Motel features a fitness center and a seasonal outdoor pool. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. This Buxton motel also offers barbecue grills, a picnic area, and complimentary use of a nearby fitness facility. Onsite self parking is complimentary.

Swell Motel is a smoke-free property.

Room service is available.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Things to do

  • Art gallery
  • Gym
  • Playground
  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • Mini-fridge
  • Playground
  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (on request)

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Direct access to the beach
  • Dock
  • In a nature reserve
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • No elevator (single-level property)

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Mini-fridge
  • Room service

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Laptop workspace

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 8:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 7:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Renovations and closures

The property is closed between November 13 and February 8.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 20.00 per accommodation, per day
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Specific rooms only; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation
An off-leash area is available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 20.0 per stay
Cribs (infant beds) are available for USD 20.0 per stay

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Pet fee: USD 20.00 per accommodation, per day
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Crib (infant bed) fee: USD 20.0 per stay
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.0 per stay

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Pool access available from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Property is also known as

Swell Motel Buxton
Swell Buxton
Motel Swell Motel Buxton
Buxton Swell Motel Motel
Swell
Motel Swell Motel
Swell Motel Motel
Swell Motel Buxton
Swell Motel Motel Buxton

Swell Motel Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 336 out of 488 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 116 out of 488 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 20 out of 488 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 488 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 8 out of 488 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tanya

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I adore this place! Love the quirks. Not only are they pet friendly, they are people friendly too! I think I’m going to make the Swell a tradition. Very much looking forward to returning next year, that will be my 3rd time.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Alicia

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I made reservations for four adults, three kids and one infant. When we arrived, after a seven hour drive, we get our room and it’s a room with a queen size bed and a full size bed. So we ask the lady at the front desk how this room sleeps 8 people and she said I don’t know I didn’t make the reservation. My husband had to speak to the owner about our situation and she finally suggested rolling 2 cots into our room which then left us packed in like sardines. There’s no way that was safe under the fire code. The next day we are loading up to go get some lunch and my oldest daughter steps off the porch and into a crack in the parking lot and scrapes her shin and breaks her foot. Their parking lot has huge cracks all over it which they instantly started acting like they were going to have fixed now that someone got hurt. Needless to say this will not be a place we stay at again or recommend for anyone else.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Raquel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

This is what a 6 STAR stay would look like!

This facility was extremely spotless inside and outside. The amenities were unlimited and the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the surrounding areas. We are grateful and thankful for the opportunity to stay here at this location. We are already booking again in the fall to stay again. We are giving this establishment a 6 star rating! Is has the whole package plus more.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brenda K

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

David

Business traveler
The property was closed due to Hurricane Erin and we were turned away by the owner. We need a full refund.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Jacob

Traveled with partner, Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It would have been nice if the bedding was cleaner. Fantastic beach vibe and great location!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place!

Staff were great and attentive, and the rooms were really nice, especially for a renovated old motel! We only stayed here for two nights on our way south to Ocracoke with more family, but would absolutely stay longer. Great vibe with the live music Friday and Saturday. We’ll probably be back next year!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jorge

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Ai

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great outer banks motel!

This is a great option when staying in the outer banks. It is exactly what you need out of a beach motel. It's affordable, clean, and has friendly service.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Timothy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I enjoyed our stay and the staff was very frendly.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brandi

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Island vibes

Wonderful family owned classic style motel. Very relaxed and laid-back atmosphere giving off island vibes. Pool was very clean and inviting. The two outdoor kitchens were very nice to be able to cook any of our meals on. The available bicycles and kayaks were great, and free to use. This is a perfect vacation stop if staying around Buxton.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kerry

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was very comfortable, the cleaniness of the pool, unique gift shop, friendly staff Enjoyed the use of the picnic pavilion & even received a copy of a patern to make unique campfire chairs as a project as we returned home. Thank you for an enjoyable stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

jonathan

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Relaxing stay

The staff was very friendly. There was everything we needed for a family trip with kids. We could walk to many restaurants and shops. We will definitely come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Melissa

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice room very nice manager
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sherry

We absolutely loved our stay at the swell hotel. Located in a small town, everyone was very friendly. For our first trip to OBX we were very pleased and are looking to go back for 2 weeks next year.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sonja

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The owners of the Swell Motel were extremely friendly. They greeted us personally for our evening check-in. The amenities at the property are fabulous. They thought of everything. The outside kitchen areas, equipped with all the necessary utensils, were easily accessible. They also offered bikes and kayaks to use during your stay. The rooms were new in design and had everything you would need for a few-night stay. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stacey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is my favorite place to go !! It’s such a welcoming place and the perfect spot for a getaway, I just wish I could have stayed longer. I had a very peaceful, relaxing experience as always and I definitely can’t wait to go back !!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leskie

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Lots of provided activities and equipment, right next to everything... Very laid back!!!! 😎
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dennis

Nicely renovated
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher, Wildomar

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great assistance from the office…Friendly Staff.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025