The Tranquil House Inn is the classic Manteo stay, a waterfront inn on the harbor in the heart of the town. The property page describes complimentary continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free self-parking, an electric car charging station, a terrace and air conditioning, and the property sits within a short stroll of the waterfront boardwalk, restaurants, galleries and the replica Roanoke Marshes lighthouse. Manteo is a very different place from the beach towns on the barrier island: smaller, quieter, built around a marina and a historic downtown that locals describe as the most civilised stop on the Outer Banks. The inn is a natural base for visitors who want to see Fort Raleigh, the Lost Colony play, the aquarium and Festival Park, and who prefer to leave the car parked.
Rooms and breakfast
Expect compact, traditional rooms in an older building, with a quiet atmosphere and a view of the harbor from some rooms. The continental breakfast is a convenient start to the day, and guests often take it onto the terrace. Because the inn is an older property, room sizes and layouts vary, so ask about the view, bed type and accessibility. Bring a light jacket for evenings on the water.
Location and things to do
The waterfront boardwalk leads to restaurants, an ice cream shop, a bookstore and small boutiques, and the Roanoke Marshes lighthouse replica stands at the end of the dock. Roanoke Island Festival Park, with its replica ship, is within walking distance, and Fort Raleigh, the Elizabethan Gardens and the Waterside Theatre are a few minutes away by car.
Kayak and paddleboard rentals operate from nearby, and the OBX ghost tour in Manteo starts close to the inn. The beach is a fifteen to twenty minute drive east, so the inn is best for travellers who want history and harbor atmosphere more than sand.
Who it suits and tips
Couples and history lovers will enjoy the inn most, and it works for a night or two on either side of a beach stay. Summer evenings and weekends are busy, especially when The Lost Colony is running, so book early. Shoulder-season stays are quiet and good value, though some restaurants reduce their hours.
Ask about parking, and about any events at the waterfront that might affect noise. With free parking and an electric charging station, the inn also suits travellers with electric vehicles. Use Manteo as your base for the Roanoke Island sights and make day trips to the lighthouses and beaches.
Evenings in Manteo
After dinner, stroll the boardwalk to see boats in the marina and the lights on the water. Summer concerts and festivals sometimes take place at the waterfront, and the walk back to the inn takes minutes. For a rainy day, the town’s galleries, shops and the nearby aquarium provide plenty to do, and the inn’s terrace is a pleasant place to read with a coffee.
Why stay here
- ✓Complimentary continental breakfast
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Free self-parking
- ✓Electric car charging station
- ✓Terrace
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓Manteo waterfront location
- ✓Walk to restaurants and shops
Good questions
Is breakfast included?+
The property page lists complimentary continental breakfast.
Is the inn on the beach?+
No. It is on the Manteo harbor, about fifteen to twenty minutes from the ocean beaches.
Does it have parking?+
Free self-parking is listed, along with an electric car charging station.