They say that when you stay in The Carolina Inn, you will never want to leave. Apparently, this is also the same way the ghostly residents feel. One of the most famous ghosts of the hotel is Dr. William Jacocks.
He was once the longest resident of the inn, having lived there for almost 20 years, from 1948 to 1965, when he died. Room 252 was his room (now 256). He was reported to be a kind man who was friendly with a good sense of humor.
His playful ghost has been reported playing pranks on the hotel’s guests. He has been known to lock them out occasionally, mainly out of the room he once called home. One time it was that difficult to unlock the door that the hinges had to be removed.
Guests who have stayed in his room have also reported curtains opening of their own accord, and the shower mat becoming crumpled as if someone is getting out of the shower.
A paranormal investigator also reported that while he was using the sink, both handles of the sink fixture just suddenly fell off leaving the water spraying everywhere. There was also a report of a couple who stayed in room 256 who heard a loud swoosh at night, emanating from the opposite side of the room to where the ventilation shaft is. The man also felt his feet become inexplicably icy suddenly during the middle of the night.
Elsewhere in the hotel guests and staff alike have reported the sighting of a well dressed portly man walking the halls. He’s reported to walk the halls looking for an open door. He tries each doorknob rattling each one. When guests have opened their doors they see the man at the end of the hallway, when they attempt to shout him he disappears.
Although the hotel is convinced it has a resident ghost, nobody feels as though it’s a threat. The good doctor was a kind man in life, he’s now as harmless as he ever was, and he seems to rather enjoy playing the odd prank or two on guests, especially in the Carolina Inns’ room 256.
See more haunted hotels in North Carolina
History
The Carolina Inn has been open since 1924 and it has served as a hospitable and cheerful hotel to travelers who are looking for pleasure or business. The hotel was built by a prominent alumnus of the University of Carolina, John Sprunt Hill.
The hotel was designed by award-winning architect, Arthur C. Nash. Hill donated the inn to the university in 1935 with the provision that the hotel’s profits will be donated to the university to help in the upkeep of the University Library. The hotel has been through five major renovations since it was built. There have been three major additions and another renovation is currently underway.
The hotel has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it is also a member of the National Trust’s Historic Hotels of America. The hotel is furnished with mostly antiques and most of the furniture was made in North Carolina. The hotel opens its doors to tourists and gives them a share of tradition and four-star diamond service.
About
Dubbed as the university’s living room, conveniently located on Chapel Hill, it resembles a country estate more than a commercial hotel. It gives guests a sense of privacy and comfort. The hotel has 184 guest rooms and suites. There are 2 VIP King suites; 4 Deluxe Queen Suites and 1 Deluxe double Queen Suites.
The Carolina Crossroads Restaurant offers progressive new American cuisine. Its excellent service and superb dining options have been received numerous accolades including the AAA Four Diamond Award and the Forbes Four-Star Service Award. The restaurant uses nothing but fresh local ingredients. Chef Jimmy Reale and his culinary team will surely delight guests.
The hotel has a total of 13,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space. The ballroom can seat up to 350 people comfortably. There are also modern executive rooms, audio-visual support, outdoor courtyards, and on-site conference services.
Features
- Flat-screen television
- iPod/iPhone docking station
- Mini refrigerator
- Coffeemaker
- Wireless high-speed internet connection
- Cotton-waffle weave bathrobes
- Iron and ironing board
- Pharmacopeia bath amenities
Things to Do
The Croatan National Forest is located in New Bern and it has more than 159,000 acres of hardwood forest, pocosin and longleaf pine. It offers various creations for the outdoorsy type, including hiking, canoeing, picnicking, swimming, fishing, hunting, camping, and wildlife observation.
Those who love golf should certainly go to Mount Mitchell Golf Club in Burnsville. Situated in a valley with an elevation of 3,000 feet, it has received a four and a half star from Golf Digest and has been named one of the best “Places to Play”. It has also been ranked as one of the top ten public courses in the state of North Carolina.
Enjoy beer? Full steam Brewery is a local brewery in Durham which uses nothing local produce to make beers. The facility also has a tavern that is open every night. There is also an event space that can be rented for various occasions.
Room Tariffs
- Traditional single queen rooms start at $209
- Traditional double queen rooms start at $229
- Deluxe single queen bedrooms start at $249
- Deluxe single king bedrooms start at $279
- Designer king suites start at $449