Right before our trip to Omaha/Sioux Falls, our water heater went out. So we did this: (as posted on Trip Advisor).
We "won" this hotel on Priceline at 8:00 at night, for that same night. (thanks to our water heater busting), for just $31. (The lowest price on the hotel's website for the same night was $129). Since we live in this area, we knew the Brownstone is old. Very old. So our expectations were for an old Holiday Inn 3-star. And that's exactly what we got. We also knew we would have free parking, which is always a plus, and LOOK free internet...grab the laptops and let's go!
The lobby of this hotel really needs a major overhaul, as it looks ancient. Feels ancient. Is ancient. I have heard through local gossip that the whole hotel is due for an overhaul in a year or so. It really does need updating.
Check-in was cordial. I asked if a King might be available. Type type type. Would the first floor be okay? Sure.
The room was exactly what one would expect from a 3-star Holiday Inn that's very old. Very okay. Clean. Is there hot water? Yes. We're happy. We both pull out laptops to utilize the free internet. To make a long story short...it never worked. For either of us. Not at night. Not in the morning. If we were staying there on business, this would not have made us happy.
Okay, I'll read then. Tried to turn on the light on my side of the bed. It won't turn on. Bulb perhaps? No. That's not the problem. Come to find out, it wasn't plugged in, because there isn't an outlet for it to plug into! Moral of this story? If you're by yourself, or on the left side of the bed, no problem. Right side? Bring a flashlight.
The bed was okay. Bathroom clean. Two bars of soap and one bottle of "Clean" shampoo/conditioner (that was the name of it)...NOT conditioner, however. It's shampoo. Just like most hotels, if you want real conditioner, bring your own. Shower pressure is okay and water was nice and hot. Just what we wanted!
In the morning, there was a USA Today at our door which is a nice touch. We did not eat breakfast at the hotel, but I will tell you that if you are staying at the hotel for lunch or dinner, and you like pizza, Ledo's is GREAT. This is not just a local hotel hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Ledo's is a chain. Perhaps you remember Oprah's show a few years ago, where her friend Gayle searched the country for the best pizza? Well, Ledo's was on her top list, and for good reason. It's different in that it is square, not round, but very tasty! We crave it sometimes, and go there when we do.
Now for some local tips...Besides being right by NCSU, if you go right out of the parking lot on Hillsborough Street, and stay to the right when the road bears off onto Morgan, you will find (on the right), Irregardless Cafe, which is a one-of-a-kind restaurant that is very good, and if you're a vegetarian, there are always vegetarian and vegan specialties as well as items for meat-lovers. Right past Irregardless is Goodnight's Comedy Club. They bring top talent to town. It can be a very fun place, depending on who is playing! There's a very casual restaurant in the basement called "Old Bar", and the top floor, called "The Grille" is fancier and more expensive.
If that doesn't sound good, go past Goodnight's, and turn left onto Glenwood Avenue. This brings you to a part of town called "Glenwood South". There are lots of restaurants, shops, and some art galleries here. Want Thai? Try Thaiphoon Bistro. Casual sports bar with a good happy hour and good food? Try Tobacco Road. Or High Five (where everything on the menu is $5). There are coffee shops, a Dunkin Donuts. Bogart's is a very good restaurant. So is Red Room for tapas. 518 West, if you want some homemade pasta. The list goes on and on.
Want to shop? At the Brownstone you are very close to Cameron Village. An outdoor shopping center, with a variety of shops, plus some interesting restaurants including "Flying Biscuit Cafe", "Carolina Cafe & Bakery", "Noodles & Company", "Cameron Bar & Grille", and others. From the hotel, Cameron Village is a couple blocks in front of it.
Now, if you go left out of the hotel, you'll be on the main part of Hillsborough Street. Best restaurant choices, imo are Porter's and Fraziers. Porter's being the more casual and less expensive of the two. Both are very good. Player's Retreat is an old Raleigh standard that is known for doing its' part to be Green. (also known for good food and good prices). Parking on Hillsborough Street is usually a problem, and if you park in the wrong placed you are very likely to get towed. Better off walking, if you're going left out of the Brownstone. To the right, you might want to drive.
You are also very close to Downtown Raleigh, which is full of great restaurants & entertainment. Raleigh isn't the sleepy Southern town it used to be. It is wide awake now. Enjoy!
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