Checking In: An Honest Review of Unscripted Durham

An honest review of Unscripted Durham, a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Durham, North Carolina.

Downtown Durham has so much to offer visitors – incredible food and drink, ample art venues and museums, sports venues, and tons of great local boutiques and shops. Best of all? It’s all incredibly well-connected and walkable.

So when it comes time to choose a place to stay in Durham, it only makes sense to stay, well, within walking distance of it all.

Our stay at Unscripted Durham was generously hosted by the hotel and Discover Durham, but forever and always, all content and opinions are my own

Whenever possible, I skip over the major hotel chains and homeshare services in favor of boutique hotels and inns, as these properties offer visitors a more personalized experience and are often fully embedded in their community. In Durham, one hotel that excels at both of these tasks is Unscripted Durham.

Unscripted Durham is the first in a new hospitality concept from Dream Hotel Group and is an eclectic property with a mission to provide guests with an authentic and hyperlocal experience – and I am delighted that I had the chance to experience it for my first true stay in Durham (though I’ve previously visited the city, this was finally my first dedicated overnight stay in the Bull City!).

Now that I’m home, it’s only right to share my full review of the property – so perhaps you can call it home on your next visit.

ABOUT UNSCRIPTED DURHAM

Previously known as the Jack Tar Motel, this mid-century property has been lovingly restored and modernized to become the home of Unscripted Durham – yet it still retains a touch of its vintage charm through the hotel’s decor (spot the Jack Tar name on the label affixed to this side table!). From the moment you take your first steps into the lobby, you simply can’t help but notice the low-slung furniture and decidedly mid-century color palette featuring swaths of navy, mustard, teal, and burnt orange.

Depending on the time of your arrival, the lobby might also be decorated with locals grabbing a drink at The Studio, the popular bar and lounge adjacent to the lobby front desk. But the hotel’s crown jewel (and most recognizable feature) is the highly Instagrammable pool deck. The emphasis here is on deck, which has been designed to prioritize lounging over swimming. Lounge chairs, reservable cabanas, the occasional DJ, and a well-stocked bar expertly combine into something that can only be described as vibes.

A stop (or perhaps an afternoon!) here is essential, but not as essential as a good night’s sleep – a must for weekend travelers – and there are several ways to go about getting some shut-eye at this property.

ABOUT THE KING CITY VIEW ROOM

The King room at Unscripted Durham; the bed is featured prominently with a patterned wallpaper behind it and midcentury inspired furnishings — Unscripted Durham’s room layouts retain their motor court charm

A collage of photos in the room at Unscripted: the work area, bedside table, wardrobe, and seating area — Mid-century shapes are at play in the rooms

The shower at Unscripted Durham — The bathroom decor is sparse, but the space is bright and clean

Because of its unique layout and location, all rooms at Unscripted Durham are classified as either Interior, City View, or Pool View. I called the King City View Room home for my weekend in Durham, which boasts a sizable footprint (it’s 280 ft²!), plush king bed, tidy workspace, generous bathroom, and extra seating.

AMENITIES AT UNSCRIPTED DURHAM

A bluetooth alarm clock and extra outlets next to the king bed — Despite the vintage vibes, there are outlets galore all around the room

Advertisements for events at Unscripted Durham — It seems there’s always something going on

A table is set with coffee and grab-and-go breakfast items — Coffee and grab-and-go breakfast items are available for guests in the morning

A fitness center with several exercise machines — The fitness center offers a range of cardio and strength equipment

In the room, you’ll find all the modern-day usual suspects (smart TV, bedside chargers and USB ports, minifridge, and hairdryer), and a few extras (Revolve bath amenities, a CubieBlue Bluetooth speaker and alarm clock). But like most boutique hotels, the best amenities are found elsewhere on the property.

I’ve already mentioned the pool area, which has become somewhat of a downtown hotspot – but one sort of unusual amenity for a hotel is its events calendar. You’d be forgiven for thinking that Unscripted Durham is more or less a social calendar operating as a hotel because there’s always something going on, particularly for night owls (for the most up-to-date information, I recommend keeping tabs on the hotel’s Instagram Stories). But early risers will find value in the ideally outfitted fitness center and an assortment of grab-and-go breakfast items (and I suppose everyone will be glad for that first cup of coffee, free in the lobby until around 10 a.m.!).

MY REVIEW OF UNSCRIPTED DURHAM

Alyssa sits in the lobby at Unscripted Durham — As the sun begins to set, the hotel lobby fills with locals and visitors

A chaise lounge in Unscripted Durham — It’s clear the design team understood the assignment

Two images: the King bed and Alyssa taking a mirror selfie — My travel essentials, captured in these photos: a comfy bed (plus a bonus side table with approximately one million outlets) and a full-length mirror

If the mission of Unscripted Hotels is to be fully enmeshed in their local communities, then I think Unscripted Durham has achieved that goal. Walk into the lobby on any given evening, and you’ll find locals winding down from their day over a cocktail. And incredibly, they’ve managed to modernize this iconic motel without losing its midcentury soul.

But, anyone can visit the lobby – how is the full hotel experience as a guest?

A stay at Unscripted Durham starts with a smooth check-in process, pulling into the hotel garage and idling by the lobby doors. Two minutes after popping inside to the desk, I was walking back out with room keys in hand and a QR code to use each time I exited the garage. Our room was on the third floor, and helpfully, garage access is available at each level for quick entry (so helpful!).

Once inside the room, we were quick to unpack our bags into the wardrobe, which offered just enough hangers for the two of us. Michael had a bit of work remaining for the day and opted to work from the bed rather than the provided workstation, as the lamp and TV crowded most of the desk space.

Meanwhile, I headed out for an afternoon of solo exploring, marveling at how many places I could be within a five-minute walk: cute shops, restaurants, a bakery, a bodega, and more are all right there. Over the course of the weekend, I estimate we left the car behind at the hotel 80% of the time. Translation: the location is perfect.

A row of chairs by the pool at Unscripted Durham, with the hotel rooms in the background — A weekend-long storm stole our chance to hang out on the pool deck, and I missed seeing it in full party mode

But there are a few areas that I would have loved to see improved, and the biggest area in need of attention is the volume. As our room was located below the pool, we could hear the music playing on the deck clear as day in our room. Whether the music continues into the night at such a loud volume I can’t say – a tropical storm rained out all evening activities – but as the rooms are sandwiched between the lobby bar and the pool deck, I wouldn’t be surprised if you can hear the music on evenings when the party goes late. Overall the hotel feels much more clubby than the chill hangout photos on the website suggest.

I also would have loved to see more efforts sustainability-wise; bottled water was provided in the rooms and fitness center rather than a filling station, and mini toiletry bottles were provided in the shower rather than large refillable ones. And while we’re on the subject of the bathroom, my usual hotel complaints are both here: the barn door (they never close all the way) and the half shower door (which leaves water all over the floor).

My final gripe is something that confused me more than anything – our room’s “city view” was really a view of a tree. A lovely tree, sure, but had I chosen this room class with the expectation of seeing downtown Durham from my window, I would have been disappointed.

But despite these minor grievances, I felt safe and overall comfortable during my stay in Durham, which is what matters the most.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: UNSCRIPTED DURHAM

Where is Unscripted Durham located?

Unscripted Durham is located at 202 Corcoran St, Durham, NC 27701.

Does the hotel offer parking?

Yes, self-parking is available at a rate of $20 per day at time of publication. While you’re here, I should also mention that the property charges a $14.99 nightly destination fee per room.

What food and drink options are available on-site?

Within the hotel, you’ll find The Patio, allday, The Studio, Neomonde Mediterranean Restaurant, Cheeni, and Pour Taproom.

What types of rooms are available?

Choose from 1 Queen, 2 Queen, 1 King, or 1 King Studio rooms with varying views. Accessible rooms are available in the 1 Queen Bed Petite Interior, 1 King Bed City View, and 2 Queen Beds Pool View room types – head here to view the details for each room style.

Can I bring my pet?

Bring them along! Dogs and cats weighing less than forty pounds are permitted to stay with a non-refundable deposit of $50-$100, depending on the length of stay.

Are there any sales or deals at Unscripted Durham?

Sales or packages may be available for the dates of your visit – head here to see the latest offers.

Can I host an event at the hotel?

Meetings, celebrations, and private dining are possible – inquiries can be submitted here.

What is there to do nearby?

So very much! A stay at Unscripted Durham places you within walking distance of all of downtown’s shops, restaurants, and attractions. Head here to check out my Durham weekend guide!

A row of scooters in front of Unscripted Durham — Downtown Durham is so pleasant to navigate on foot – but you’ll also find plenty of scooter parking areas if you need to get to your destination a little faster

FINAL THOUGHTS ON UNSCRIPTED DURHAM

Perhaps in my ripe old mid-thirties, I am a bit too advanced in age to be the target audience of Unscripted Durham. But thinking back to the things I enjoyed a decade ago – going out-out, staying up late, turning strangers into friends, and sleeping late? This would be my first choice every time (I mean, staying up late dancing and only having to tumble into an elevator for my ride home? *chef’s kiss*).

During our stay, we saw a group that was clearly part of a wedding party, and I think they had the right idea – Unscripted Durham would be an excellent choice for a bachelor/bachelorette party type of getaway. But for me, a traveler who values precious quiet time, I recognize that I’m not the target audience (at least, for this visit!).

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Questions for you

What are the things you value most in a hotel experience?

Where do you stand on the barn-door-as-bathroom-door debate?

Looking for more great places to visit? Here’s where to go next:

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Checking In: A Review of Unscripted Durham