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Cape Hatteras Motel For Sale

After A Great 45 Year Ride, Dave Would Like To Surf Into The Sunset!

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That’s right folks, our intrepid owner, Dave Dawson, is ready to set a new course for a different personal horizon … Cape Hatteras Motel is FOR SALE!

This is a great opportunity for a savvy investor.

Hatteras Island beaches are frequently rated among the nation’s “Top 10 Favorite Beaches” as well as the trip there among the “Top 10 Most Scenic Drives”. Dare County’s current commitment for beach nourishment is moving forward:

“The Buxton Beach Nourishment project will be constructed in 2017 to ensure safe reliable access to Hatteras Island via NC 12.  The project includes approximately 2.9 miles of beach and will initially widen the beach by approximately 250 feet.” ~ www.darenc.com

Contact Bobby Harrell or Kim Milby with Harrell & Associates today at 252-441-7887 ~ www.harrellandassociates.com

chm-4sale

After Matthew - Cape Hatteras Motel

The “After Matthew” At Cape Hatteras Motel

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While the attention of the national media turns elsewhere, we on Hatteras Island are still struggling with the aftermath of a storm that was not supposed to hit us nearly as closely, nor as severely, as it did. I will leave the discussion about the non-evacuation orders as well as the science of forecasting to others. This post will be about what you should expect as a visitor arriving in the next days, weeks, or even months.

This was a storm with sound-side flooding of epic proportions. Whether or not it was worse than Emily really doesn’t matter. For individuals who lost businesses or homes or other property, it is a very difficult time. Islanders are a hearty breed, and that is a point of pride. But any time there is a storm with this kind of impact, it takes a while to recover. You may not see all of the damage as you drive along. But in the neighborhoods on the back roads, along the creeks and ponds, there will be piles of debris. Business owners all took a huge hit with a loss of business on what should have been a big October fishing and holiday weekend. Margins are tight, and this kind of loss creates a lot of worry. The off-season is tough here, and so if people seem pre-occupied with other thoughts, it might be because they are worried about making it through the next six to eight months. Some businesses will be a total loss. Others might not have suffered any damage at all. Such are the vagaries of wind and tide.

At our motel, we will be cleaning out sand for some time. The storm pushed a lot of water through. The parking lot will likely not be pristine. We lost both propane tanks for the pool and hot tub, so unfortunately we have to close the pool area for the season. It was about time anyway, but the storm has forced the issue. We lost some shingles and will be meeting with roofers for estimates and time frames. We are currently going room to room removing plywood and checking for water damage to the HVAC units. All of this takes some time, and while we may not be at 100% we will do what we can to make your stay the kind of stay you expect at Cape Hatteras Motel. We are certain all other businesses have the same plans and goals. What we ask of you is to pack a little extra patience and please, please, please drive carefully on the roads, especially this week. We look forward to seeing you beginning Tuesday, October 11, and hope Highway 12 will be re-opening between now and then!

We also wish to thank everyone for their words of concern and support over the past week. Trust us, it really helps you get through the storm!

Rocking Chair Mystique - Cape Hatteras Motel

Hatteras Island Rocking Chair Mystique

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We are fortunate to be known for many things at our motel including great views and helpful, friendly service. But perhaps more than anything, our guests know us, and love us, for our rocking chairs.

Southern airports have long been known for their rockers (think Charlotte, NC) where weary travelers can rest for a moment between connections either looking ahead to a new adventure or reminiscing of the one just past.

For the Cape Hatteras Motel, rocking chairs represent the essence of an Outer Banks stay. A vacation’s worth of memories located in a piece of wooden furniture. Throughout the summer we notice our rockers being used for all sorts of memory-making:

1- First on the list would be beverages consumed in the rockers – steaming fresh coffee in the mornings as the sun rises, iced tea during a break on a hot afternoon, and of course the adult beverage of choice as the day winds down.

2- Rockers are also a great spot to catch up on reading – newspapers, best sellers, light summer fare, or brochures on interesting yet-to-be-tried OBX activities.

3- Rockers make great places to catch a nap. This is especially true on a day when a bit of light rain falls onto the beach and the sounds of the wind and rain are positively spell-binding.

4- Little ones love to nestle onto parents and grandparents laps for naps, or for important discussions that only young children can have about what they are seeing and learning at the beach.

5- Rockers make a safe place to watch off-shore thunderstorms when the thunder rolls along the sea and the lightening becomes the best fireworks show around.

6- But perhaps the most important function of the rocking chair is to rock cares away. When a visitor can leave the world behind and dream new dreams, find peace of mind, or just do absolutely nothing at all then we have achieved our goal of providing the perfect space for the perfect vacation.

Checking Out - Cape Hatteras Motel

Checking Out and Heading Home

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If only vacations could last forever! But the days move along, and all too soon it is time to check out.  Here are a few suggestions to make checking out a bit easier, so you can keep that OBX feeling all the way home.

1.       If you are traveling on a Saturday or Sunday, it is wise to plan a very early morning departure. In the summer season weekend traffic coming and going is heavy. An early start helps you avoid those hassles.  On a weekday, you are less likely to run into construction delays at the new bridge sites.

2.       Check out time for any efficiency unit (a room with a full kitchen) is 10 am. For all other rooms the check-out time is 11 am. Remember how anxious you were to get into your room at check-in? The guests who follow you no doubt feel the same way. So please adhere to the check-out times. It assists us in coordinating the housekeeping and insures our incoming guests have an on-time check-in experience too.

3.       If you really require a later check-in, please contact the office the evening before, or early in the morning on your day of check-out. We can review the incoming guest list to determine if a later check-out is possible. Normally an hour or two from your check-out time is the latest we can allow.

4.       It is very helpful if you place all your loose trash in the trash cans in your room, and all your dirty towels in a pile in the bathroom. If you have smoked outside on the porch and had your butts in some sort of container, we ask that you dispose of those properly prior to departure.

5.       Please bring your keys to the office when you leave. If you are checking out before the office opens, we ask that you use the key drop outside the office door. Again, this assists us in coordinating housekeeping as we then know exactly when folks have gone and we can begin cleaning. Checking out in person also means we have one additional time to have a conversation with you about your stay to obtain feedback, answer any travel questions, and wish you a bon voyage! If you had issues or concerns, we would much rather hear about them from you in person so that we can respond directly to you and also make an immediate note of the problem for our review and action.

6.       Please remember your housekeepers. There is a tip envelope in every room.  If they have helped you during your stay, an little thank you is certainly appreciated!

7.       We have information on the ferry schedules in our office. If you are traveling south onto the mainland, be sure you have made your reservations ahead of time, and have allocated enough time for the Hatteras to Ocracoke Ferry transit to make your Ocracoke departure time.

8.       We love seeing the photo memories of our guests. Don’t forget to tag us in photos for Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram so that you can see what is happening at your heaven on earth all year long!

9.       We appreciate your business and in case we don’t get to see you before you depart, know you have our sincere thanks for staying with us and we will look forward to hosting you again soon!

 

Checking In - Cape Hatteras Motel

Checking In

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Probably nothing sets a positive tone for your vacation more than an easy, welcoming check-in process. There’s no question that your hosts bear a significant amount of that responsibility. But there are some important things you can do as the guest to make it all work out smoothly and efficiently.

1.       Please be sure you are checking in to the correct property. As strange as this may sound, it happens more than you might imagine. In many beach and resort areas properties have similar sounding names. Double check your confirmation letter. Print out a copy and have it with you so that if there’s a question about where you are staying, you will have the information right in front of you.

2.       Know when check-in time is and try to understand that sometimes a room can be ready for an early arrival and sometimes it can’t. Our check-in time is 3:00. At Cape Hatteras Motel we try to work with early arrivals as much as possible. If the room you are checking into was not rented the night before, then you usually can go right in. If it was rented, we can try to work with our housekeeping staff to push it up on the cleaning list.  In the busy season when we are constantly turning over a large number of rooms, it may not be possible to get you in until check-in time. However, you can always park in the lot, head to the beach, use the pool, or grab a bite to eat next door while you wait.

3.       Let us know, if you can, if you will be a late check-in (after business hours which vary from season to season). When you arrive you will find a packet on the office door with information on your room, directions to your room, and any other information you may need at that time. Your door will be unlocked and the keys will be inside your room. There will also be an emergency number if for some reason you have any problems. We ask that you come by the office as soon as possible the following morning to let us know you have arrived, and so that you can fill out the check-in forms.

4.       Please try to listen to any information provided by the desk clerk during the check-in process. While everyone is excited to get into their room and attention spans may wane after a long drive, often important information that is time-sensitive may be shared during check-in. Similarly take a moment when you get into your room to read the helpful information sheet provided. We have tried to anticipate most questions our guests have and provide you details which will make your stay even more enjoyable. If you have any questions about anything, don’t hesitate to come back and ask us.

5.       If there is anything wrong with your room, let us know right away. Some things are very easy fixes (i.e. something forgotten during housekeeping, a light bulb burns out, etc.) Other issues may require more attention. If you let us know right away we can make arrangements to get it fixed, we can assign you to another room, or make some other adjustment.  By you letting us know, not only can we make things right for you, but we can also insure that the room is right for future check-ins.

6.       Breathe deeply and let your hard-earned vacation begin!

Upcoming Things to Do on Hatteras Island

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april 18-19, First Flight 5k and flying pirate half marathon

The Flying Pirate Half Marathon course winds its way through the natural beauty that is North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Run the 13.1 miles and cover some spectacular ground – 2015 is the 6th Anniversary of this fun filled Pirate themed half marathon! Come to the Outer Banks and join the Pirate’s for this fantastic race! Begin in Kitty Hawk and follow the course into Nags Head, along the Albemarle Sound, around the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and through the Nags Head Woods Maritime Forest. Finish with a Pirate Jamboree in Nags Head!

On Saturday run the First Flight 5K on the NPS grounds of the Wright Brothers Memorial! Fun for everyone includes Finisher medals, event shirts, SWAG & Pirate Jamboree on Sunday! Come fly with the Pirates! Save the date: April 18 & 19, 2015 www.flyingpiratehalfmarathon.com

april 18-26, obx bike week

Packed full with entertainment, great food, events and special attractions. Bike Shows, Poker Runs, Guided Tours, Party Nights, Tattoo and Bikini Contests, Over 100 Vendors, Live Music, Outdoor Concerts, Pig Pickin & more!

april 30-may 3, 2015 ESA mid-atlantic regional surfing championships

With a history of over forty-five years of success, ESA contests are organized at the grassroots, district level on a year round basis. Each district conducts four or more contests per year, and each year the ESA has over 150 competitions along the entire East Coast. From the local district level, top finishers are invited to advance to Region competitions (of which there are three; Southeast, Mid-Atlantic & Northeast). The top finishers in those Regional championship events are invited to the The Easterns® which is held each September on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

This 4-day surf competition is sure to rock the pier this spring. Starting on Thursday and concluding early afternoon on Sunday with competition starting each day at 7 a.m. www.surfesa.org

may 1-2, Hatteras storytelling festival

Yarn tellin’, foot tappin’ Hatteras style! This year, the Festival will focus on local talent & Hatteras Island stories. Hatterasyarns.org

may 2, 4th Annual run in the sand- 5k road/beach race- 1 mile fun fun

Announcing the 4th Annual NCSHP / MADD / NCLEAP Run In The Sand. Proceeds go to Mothers Against Drunk Driving and North Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program. The event consists of a 1 mile Fun Run / Walk which begins at 9:30 am. The 5K, which courses through the lighthouse grounds, begins at 10:00 am. Lastly, a M.A.D.D. Kid’s 50 Yard Dash on the beach starts at 11:00 am for ages 12 and under. Check us out on Facebook at NCSHP RUN IN THE SAND

may 25, shore break 5k and tide pool fun run

8am for 5K, 9am Fun Run. The 4th annual Shore Break 5K will be held at 8am and the Tide Pool Fun Run on the beach will immediately follow the 5K at 9am. Run through Kinnakeet Shores on gorgeous Cape Hatteras, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This race terrain will keep you entertained the entire 3.1 miles, from paved roads through winding beautiful Kinnakeet Shores to wooden bridges, boardwalks, beach walkways, a few steps up and over the dunes and finally finishing with an unbelievable view of the Atlantic Ocean as the final stretch takes you to the beach. Run, jog or walk, all are welcome! Come celebrate Cape Hatteras and give back to a great community! All proceeds from this event will go toward the Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund. www.hatterasyouth.com

The “supermoon” is gorgeous!!

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Don’t let this time pass you by!  You have to be on the beach right now seeing the view I am.  The “supermoon” is absolutely gorgeous.  Give us a call today 1-800-995-0711 before it disappears!

Hatterassity, a bluegrass block party, October 9th-12

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Four days of Bluegrass, Irish, Acoustic and Roots music at the Hatteras Village Civic Center.  Come stay with Cape Hatteras Motel and join in the fun with the Bluegrass block party!

2014 Cape Hatteras Wave Classic, September 20-26th

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Real Kites, presents the Cape Hatteras Wave classis, an OPEN kitesurfing competition focused solely on kitesurfing in ocean waves.  Come stay with Cape Hatteras Motel and join in the fun at REAL watersports!  Starting this  Saturday, September 20th.

PBR Fishing Tournament at Avon Fishing Pier

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Come stay with us at Cape Hatteras Motel and enjoy some fall fishing!

November 7-9 the Avon Fishing Pier will be open around the clock for the first annual PBR Classic- Red & Blue Fishing Tournament.

The tournament will focus on Red Drum and Blue Fish and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in each category.

Entry to the tournament is $90 per person or $60 per person for annual pier pass holders. To enter the tournament, visit the Avon Pier or AvonFishingPier.com to fill out the entry form and pay the entry fee. 63 people will be allowed to enter the tournament.

The PBR Classic will also feature a raffle. All funds raised through the raffle will go to the “T Fund,” which is a fundraising initiative to rebuild in the infamous “T” on the end of the Avon Fishing Pier.

For more information visit AvonFishingPier.com