The Colonial Inn

Hotel · Hillsborough

The Colonial Inn

Hotel · Hillsborough

1

153 W King St, Hillsborough, NC 27278

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The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by @ExploreTock
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null
The Colonial Inn by null

Highlights

Boutique hotel, bar, and event center with brunch  

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153 W King St, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Get directions

colonialinn-nc.com
@thecolonialinn1759

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153 W King St, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Get directions

+1 984 789 4455
colonialinn-nc.com
@thecolonialinn1759
𝕏
@inn_colonial

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Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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CHARLOTTE CITY GUIDE

"Boutique Hotel, Event Center, Bar with Food Menu, Dinner and Brunch on Select Days"

https://www.exploretock.com/blog/city-guides/charlotte/
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Chase Pettigrew

Google
I’ve been visiting the Colonial for years and have never stopped to review it! What a lovely place in a beautiful setting. Nestled in the heart of downtown Hillsborough- The Triangles oldest city est. 1754. The inn is pristine, charming, and IMO a near-perfect modern adaptation of the colonial heritage seen throughout this historic city. I’ve been here many times and have personally witnessed the inn owner giving spectacular service to her guests! It truly warms my heart to see someone so passionate about the success of her business. It truly shows! The food is not a 5-star meal, but is the best small bites and tapas spot in town! Enjoy the two-story patio overlooking the historic town of Hillsborough while you sip a craft cocktail curated with local names and traditions in mind. Watch the sunset & enjoy the ambience…you won’t regret it! Don’t forget brunch on Sunday- make a reservation…it fills up fast and for good reason.

Michelle Handy

Google
My family was visiting from California and France. I brought them here for dinner because I thought it was a nice place to eat. We were so sadly disappointed in so many ways that we could never ever think to go again or recommend the restaurant or hotel. Grant our server was awful! The hotel could not have a worse person serving customers. He is utterly rude, lacks kindness just overall not a way to spend hard earned money. As for the food, mine was good. But my co diners thought their food was bad. The risotto is horribly salty like a horse lick. The drinks taste good but are small and very very weak. Because we expressed displeasure about something they brought us our check immediately (which we did not request yet) because we were still eating dinner. Then while handing the bill over, the lady assuming who would pay pressured the payer to take out the card for the bill. It was very classless as we were still eating! Finally the flies... My GWAD it's to much and so gross. They are all over you and your food.

charliespr

Google
We celebrated our anniversary at The Colonial Inn, and we had an absolutely wonderful experience. We had the House Salad, the Colonial Ribeye, the Crusted Lamb Chops, and the Red Velvet Cake. The food and the service were both outstanding, and the Lamb Chops were some of the best we've ever had. |Thank you for a lovely dinner. We certainly hope to return soon!

NCFambly

Google
We had the ribeye and the fillet mignon. Tasted good but significant gristle in the ribeye. Fillet was ok as well. Both steaks came with mashed potatoes which were ok and broccolini that had no flavor. Service was just acceptable. I wish I’d left a smaller tip. They seemed like they were trying to hurry us out of there. Waiter didn’t even offer us dessert. This inn itself is a neat historic building, but we weren’t impressed and probably won’t go back.

Kevin Smith

Google
One of the first places I visited when I moved to Hillsborough was the newly renovated Colonial Inn. I have been here for numerous events, indoors and outdoors, and they have never disappointed. If you want music, art, downtown life day or night, and a thoroughly-styled experience… check them out. You will be glad you did!

Jan Tate

Google
Perfectly located in the historic downtown Hillsborough area. Elegantly furnished and friendly staff. The showers are amazing. The historic portion of the Inn is incredible, with the Annex being newer but still great. Restaurant on site.

luwigzo

Google
Food was just ok - prices way high for what we got. Waiter seemed to not care if we were taken care of or not. My filet mignon was mediocre, and the vegetable was tasteless, and for almost $50, I expect|a lot better. We were very disappointed in our anniversary dinner and will not be back. If this business intends to thrive, they desperately need to bring the quality of the meals way up, as well as the friendliness and attentiveness of the wait staff.

666ignatiusb

Google
If you’re thinking of spending some time in Hillsborough, NC, don’t pass up the chance to stay here. This is a fully renovated property with a beautifully designed annex that compliments this historic inn. The rooms are immaculate with daily cleaning service. The property is in a beautiful part of town, so if you don’t want to eat at the Inn you’re a short walk to some awesome dining. I especially like the fact that we were within easy striking distance from Durham and Raleigh. ||What struck me most is the attention given to general hospitality. Everyone was genuinely warm and welcoming, going out of their way, from bringing a delicious biscuit to go with our coffee (they have tables in the lobby where you can eat) , to spending lots of time with a difficult web company that we booked through. — Many thanks to Elise for her help. ||I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the other staff. Thank you to Rutland(co-owner with Elise), Abby, Nancy, and the rest of the folks who were attentive, professional and just really enjoyable to chat with. ||We have friends who moved to the area, so this will be our go to place. Don’t miss this gem!!!!
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David B.

Yelp
We actually ate in the restaurant on the front porch of the hotel. It was a beautiful late spring afternoon and it was wonderful. The food was fantastic--right amount of appetizers, entrees and sandwiches. The staff was very attentive and nice. Only draw back was they only had one desert when there are five listed on the menu. Banana pudding would have been a nice ending, but our waiter explained they rarely ever have any of the desserts. Bar tender has talent also. If your visiting historic Hillsborough, certainly worth a stop here. I am glad we did.
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Jessica D.

Yelp
This isn't my first time at an event here but I came tonight for an event for an awards banquet. The facility is absolutely beautiful. Very boutique like. The event space is really nice, my favorite piece are the chandeliers and lighting. The food is delicious! We had salad, pasta and grilled chicken. The service....impeccable! The staff is amazing! Extremely accommodating and just nice people!! This is a hotel and although I have not seen them, I have heard great things about them. I do plan to return. Thank you for a great experience!
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Tammy M.

Yelp
We stopped by on a Tuesday for dinner. If you don't like crowds, Tuesday is the day to go. We sat outside on the "front porch" and it was lovely. Beer on draught was on point. Hubby and I both found our favorites. What goes best with beer is a burger. After we ordered, we could smell our burgers cooking !!! Honestly -- the BEST burgers we have had in a very long time. The meat was fresh, the patty size was ample. We ordered medium and that's exactly what we got. YUMMMMMMM The rosemary (twice fried ?) fries were phenomenal. We will be back. The menu isn't huge but if all the items are as good as the burgers, we can't wait !!!
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Amedea C.

Yelp
Service is often rushed and spotty, but always friendly. Food is consistently good and beverages top shelf. We love the ambiance of this historical gem and always take visitors here for a taste of local culture.
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Vanessa V.

Yelp
If you're looking for a cozy, home-like atmosphere with charming, unpretentious rooms that provide everything you need, this is the perfect place. It's conveniently located near a relaxed small-town shopping area, offering a peaceful and welcoming experience.

Connie B.

Yelp
Colonial Inn is amazing. Thank you so much for supporting our Teachers of the Year! We are so grateful for your generosity. Connie Brimmer-Kaltz
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Karen M.

Yelp
The Colonial Inn provided a delicious dinner at its lovely venue for the Orange County Teacher of the Year banquet.

Shawn W.

Yelp
The food at the restaurant is terrible. It was the worst dining experience I have had in Hillsborough.

Erin B.

Yelp
Thank you so much for a lovely dinner and hosting the Orange County Teacher of the Year Banquet! Your support of the community is very much appreciated!

Jameca C.

Yelp
Truly amazing, staff were very friendly and warm and inviting. I visited the hotel for dinner and had a really nice experience. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the staff were both friendly and informative. Everything from the service to the setting made the evening feel special. I didn't stay overnight, but based on my time there, I'd definitely consider coming back for a full stay. Highly recommend for a relaxing evening or a nice meal out!

Ashley B.

Yelp
The colonial inn hosted a wonderful banquet for Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year! The food was delicious, the staff was extremely polite, and the space was beautiful! Would recommend to anyone hosting an event!

Jasmine J.

Yelp
The food was amazing and the hospitality was awesome. We had the time of our life. We were greeted with a smile.
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Matt T.

Yelp
Hidden gem at Spencer's Tavern! Amazing atmosphere and great food. Have dinner then people watch with. Drink on the front porch.
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Brian S.

Yelp
Pretty bad experience. Waited almost 20 minutes before we even ordered them took another 45 minutes because "the internet went down and the orders didn't get sent back." Had to get up and go ask for refills then condiments which were never supplied, then charged for the condiments. Burger was hastily made, cold, and the vegetables were rotten. My lunch mates food was cold too. Usually one or the other between food quality and service but overall terrible experience.
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Nicky S.

Yelp
We really enjoyed our stay for one night. We tried to take advantage of this cute town and what The Colonial Inn had to offer. We paid for the "enhancement package Mystery Tour" as a way to explore the area around the hotel. This provided us with a bottle of champagne in our room, 2 cocktails at the bar, and 5 envelopes with clues for adventuring/walking around the area. We had dinner seated at the restaurant bar. My husband raved about his Duck BLT and I enjoyed the caprese salad. For drinks we had a dirty martini and The Front Porch cocktail which was refreshing. The bar also had a nice variety of bourbon. We shared a slice of Key Lime Pie for dessert which was delicious. It was actually the only dessert available when we ordered as they were sold out of everything else. We sat outside on the upper front porch to drink some wine which was very pleasant. Our room was lovely and accommodating. It came with a sound machine which we both personally loved since we use one at home. A hair dryer is provided as well and it is really nice and powerful so if you have long hair you will be happy with that. The shower is beautiful but I'm not a fan of the open shower door design as it makes showering feel cold to me. The pocket doors and sliding barn door style is nice to provide privacy and style. The room is decorated with lovely artwork. Blackout curtains were on all the windows in our room. Overall, the room was very comfortable. In the morning we enjoyed the coffee and cinnamon rolls they provided. The rolls were large, soft and so good. Don't miss out on trying one! We sat on the front porch while drinking our coffee.

Sharon R.

Yelp
We were guests at the Colonial Inn in September 2024. On Saturday of that week there was a wedding in the function room and the following morning a buffet breakfast was set up on the porch for the guests from the wedding. That buffet was served outside the windows to our room. As advertised, a small complementary breakfast is served for all guests of the Inn - coffee and a cinnamon bun. The morning of the "wedding buffet breakfast" I went down to the lobby for my coffee and cinnamon bun. I noted that there was no cream for the coffee and asked for some and asked for the cinnamon bun. I was told that the cream was being served at the "wedding buffet breakfast" and there would be none available for the other Inn guests and there were no cinnamon either. Did not feel that we were valued guests!

Chuck C.

Yelp
I have eaten here with my wife and friends a handful of times and it has been fine in the past, more atmosphere than fine dining. We had brunch there yesterday and I ordered a dish I had ordered previously, the biscuit with two eggs and cheese and a side of fried chicken. Yesterday it came with one egg, I assume because of the shortage, and a piece of meat fried in batter that certainly wasn't chicken. The meat was the color of dark meat, the size of a thigh, but no bones whatsoever, and was so tough and full of gristle that you could hardly cut it with a knife or chew it. I assume it was a piece of pig, but I'm not sure. I should have sent it back, but I was there with my wife and mother in law and chose not to make a scene. I am writing this review to let the kitchen know I was not fooled, and we will certainly never come back here.
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Paula G.

Yelp
We visited the Inn for lunch with 8 friends last week. They seated us at a large booth with room for chairs on the opposite side. It was cozy and comfortable. Our waitress greeted us promptly and took our orders. We started with a trio of peanuts and the fried goat cheese appetizers for the table. The goat cheese was the best! Soon our meals were out. The conversation was lovely, unfortunately our meals were just average. We do not need to go back for food but the lovely renovated inn is worth a visit.
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Btr F.

Yelp
We went on a Tuesday evening for dinner, and ate inside, although outdoor dining on the porch is available. Food was visually appealing and tasted good. Atmosphere included its historic charm mixed with a touch of today's style. It appeared our waitress was the only one working that evening, but she seemed to be handling it well. The only negative thing were multiple flies landing on our food (ate inside) - if they could fix that issue.
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Kitty C.

Yelp
This review is for Spencer's Tavern. (I know it's called that because that is what it said on the bill.) We have been there 4 times. Twice for brunch, once for cocktails and nibbles, once for dinner. They only take reservations for groups of 8 or more AND for Sunday brunch. It's downtown Hillsborough, so parking is on the street or in a nearby public parking lot. The cocktail selection is good. Not a huge number of bottles, but a good range of everything including single malt Scotches. The house special cocktails are all interesting. Bloody Marys are nicely spicy. Fresh OJ in the mimosas. (Just because you think you should be able to expect it doesn't make it so.) And the wine list is good with reasonable prices on everything. The menu is a little limited. There are always 3 entrees, one meat, one chicken, one fish. If you want a vegetarian dinner, you can create a collection of sides, have one of 4 salads (the 5th has bacon) or try the grilled cheese or veggie club sandwich. When we asked to leave the onion and peppers off an omelette, we were told the veggies were already mixed together and couldn't be separated. The baked brie is melted in a pan, drizzled with truffle oil and served with crackers. Southerners' Poutine is tasty because the in-house pimento cheese is good. I haven't had their fried green tomatoes yet, but I will. The shrimp and grits is not Lowcountry style and doesn't claim to be. It is, however, delicious. The fried chicken biscuit was declared a better choice than the omelette. Salmon was delightful. Hamburger was excellent. We have never been sorry to stop in.
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Jen L.

Yelp
This review is for drinks & snacks only. What a great space! My friends were chatting about how long it took this historic building to be renovated and it's definitely a charmer! We were a group of 5 so we had a few glasses of wine, some beers and a cocktail or two. We also had a charcuterie plate and fries. Everything was tasty and came out quickly. Staff was friendly and definitely were proud of their old building. I would definitely come back again.

Ozemandeus J.

Yelp
Good food, friendly staff, historic hotel, and right around the corner from many interesting boutiques... And a great brunch! Sitting on the porch is awesome during lovely weather!

Chris S.

Yelp
Sunday brunch on the front patio of the Colonial Inn was delightful. Four of us enjoyed our food and great service.
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Glenn G.

Yelp
This review is for the bar area. We stopped in on a Wednesday evening after walking around Hillsborough for a bit. We were mainly looking for cocktails, and one of the staffers said we could sit inside, outside, or take our drinks up to their upstairs balcony. We ended up ordering drinks plus an appetizer but was then told that we couldn't bring food upstairs. We enjoyed our snacks and spreads app (olives, hummus, pimiento cheese, crackers) sitting at the bar and then paid and took our drinks upstairs. The staff were pleasant but seemed perhaps a bit stretched as more parties arrived. They also offer sandwiches, salads, and a few main entrees.
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Mary G.

Yelp
Had Sunday brunch there today. Sausage gravy biscuit was a poor choice. Biscuit was tough, gravy didn't taste like sausage, companion's tea refill was more lukewarm water to use with her original tea bag. Had to ask for coffee and tea refills. Not what I expected from the Colonial Inn where I hoped for a special brunch in honor of my sister's 95th birthday. Won't risk going there again to get mediocre food for a premium price.

Tara O.

Yelp
Everything about this historic Inn built in 1759 was beyond perfect! From the extremely clean rooms to the modern classic decor to the gold hardware finishes was perfection! The room was appointed with an awesome steamer rather than an iron, sound machine, GREAT hair dryer, and incredible fresh baked cinnamon rolls for breakfast! We will be back for sure!
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AJ P.

Yelp
Definitely come here for the atmosphere and a drink. Nice front porch to sit at and eat/drink. They also have a second story balcony to eat at, which is nice for outside dining. We came here for dinner during Hillsborough's Friday night arts walk. Charcuterie was good, had a nice array of cheese, meats, and spreads. Gatehouse burger was good and came with herbed fries. Italian beef sandwich left a lot to be desired - the beef was cut thick and chewy, so you practically had to rip the meat when you tried to bite the sandwich. It would be better if it were more thinly sliced. I'd come here again for the atmosphere, but I think there are a few other places in Hillsborough we'd like to check out first.

Patty R.

Yelp
I have been a fan for many years of the original Colonial Inn and the updated version. Therefore, I chose to have my one retirement party at the inn last Sunday. My daughters only invited family members and it should have been a very special fancy day. It was not. We were stuck way in the back beyond the ballroom in a closed up room, no atmosphere, away from everything, and very claustrophobic. Our server was friendly enough, however she was dressed very inappropriately in leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. We asked for coffee, and it came to us bitter, cold and obviously not fresh. A long time passed and no one checked on us. My friend had to go to the kitchen to request a different pot and was eventually given one. My daughter waited 30 minutes for her Coke. The food was so below par I couldn't believe it. Same friend went to the dining room to get salt, pepper, and butter for biscuits. The food was expensive and cold. I chose the Colonial inn because it should have been good. What a disappointment!!! Former fan of the Colonial Inn
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Todd W.

Yelp
I'll reserve a rating until I can actually eat here. Just a suggestion, please post information regarding your brunch being by reservation only at the host station - and perhaps train your staff to be a little more customer service oriented when telling people about how things work at your establishment. As a local resident who decided to check the place out as i was driving by, it was a little off putting to be turned away because I didn't have a reservation for what I'd hoped was to be a relaxing brunch experience. I'll try again some time when a situation warrants making a reservation.
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Kim P.

Yelp
We just held our spring wedding at The Colonial Inn and everything exceeded our expectations. The staff was extraordinarily helpful and all of the guests raved about the beautiful gardens and interior of this historic place. The honeymoon suite was gorgeous- so happy we chose to have our wedding at The Colonial Inn.
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S.Rayne S.

Yelp
I don't even know where to begin, if I could give less than a star I would. The outside seating was nice enough, but for the prices of the food and the representation; I expected much higher quality (food and decor wise). My partner got a drink called the front porch, I don't know how else to describe it other than piss water with a sprinkle of alcohol in it. Also the mint didn't look muddled, it looked heavily molested AT BEST. We got a few plates to share, all were disappointing in their own way; but let's start with the cheese plates. First of all the brie itself was just okay, but the crackers that came with it tasted stale and reminiscent of mothballs. The second cheese plate was confusing and not a broad cheese selection, but at least this one had better crackers. The last thing we got was the arugula salad with the salmon added on, this one pissed me off the most. The salmon was underwhelming and flavorless, but really it was the "lemon" vinaigrette that ruined the whole thing. I don't understand why they aren't using fresh lemons to make a vinaigrette and instead using the lemon that comes out of the container from concentrate. It's obvious to anybody who has at least three tastebuds! Especially since even with inflation lemons have not become that expensive, and if they are presenting high-quality food AND an atmosphere like this they should be able to afford real lemons. Overall I would give it a .5 out of 10, just absolute dog shit, if anyone is reading this please don't take your mom here, don't take your grandma here. Take them literally anywhere else, the Village diner is really decent for having a smaller menu and actually I would consider it more upscale. Also La Muñeca (the ice cream place) is incredible, I would just go there instead. That's where I went to get the taste of this geriatric, and uninspiring food off my palate.
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Ruth C.

Yelp
Colonial Inn in Hillsboro made our stay in North Carolina a pleasant and memorable one. Such a quaint and charming Inn set in a serene, and beautiful historic town. The hotel staff were all friendly and accommodating for my disabled mother and her service dog. The entrees and cocktails we ordered from room service were delicious and delivered to our rooms promptly. From the exquisite bedding,pillows,high level of cleanliness to the musical entertainment in the lobby it was a great experience. The only thing I would have different is AN ELEVATOR for my mom lol But she loved it and we'll be back again
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Polly D.

Yelp
An absolute fabulous brunch experience at the colonial inn. Currently you make your reservations order your main dish and even pay online ahead of time. He managed to order each of the main dishes available this week and everyone in our party was happy with their selections. We are very fortunate to only live a few miles away from this fabulous establishment and are already looking forward to our next meal at the colonial inn.

Scoot H.

Yelp
We held our wedding at The Colonial Inn and it couldn't not have been more perfect. They were so cooperative and helpful. If there was an issue with a vendor they jumped in to help solve it, immediately. From the first moments of planning to the last minute of our wedding it was absolutely perfect. All of the staff are like family to us now and we HIGHLY recommend them to everyone! That weekend, the majority of the rooms were rented to guests of our wedding and they were all so impressed with the Inn, the gorgeous rooms, grounds and the impeccable service!!
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Jeff B.

Yelp
I can't thank the team at Colonial Inn enough for the hospitality this weekend!!! Elise and Rutland have put together such a kind, fun, wonderful and welcoming team to run the Inn. My wife and I had a brief staycation to celebrate her birthday in the midst of COVID. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be back! From the décor, setting, natural beauty, comfort and history, you truly have a gem on your hands. The rooms are beautifully decorated to welcome you as a home away from home. Upon entering the Inn, we were greeted by James who welcomed us, asked if if we had any questions, offered to carry our luggage and then showed us to our room. Sunday morning, I asked if there was any coffee and Danielle immediately helped us out, returning not only with coffee but two large, delicious cinnamon rolls. Elise and team, Thank you for creating such a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. We look forward to more nights away in the future and celebrating the history of Hillsborough!
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Johnny M.

Yelp
My wife and I took my brother to eat for Easter Brunch. It was outstanding. The service was wonderful and the food was great. We will go back for sure just to hang out and have a few cocktails.
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Katie R.

Yelp
A weekend spent at The Colonial Inn, during a friend's wedding (on property) was an absolute joy. We were lucky enough to stay in the original building. The restored character, beautiful old charm, and creaky wood floors were exactly as I had hoped. Our room was spacious, wardrobe was just enough for our weekend dress clothes, and the bathroom nicely updated. A huge thank you to Rutland...due to a mix-up in communication with the caterer, the rehearsal dinner did not include the crucial plates/silverware! Rutland not only noticed this missing necessity but quickly solved the problem. I am sure the staff had to work doubly hard to clean additional dinnerware and wrap silverware to accommodate the last minute service but there was no hint that doing so "put anyone out"! The ceremony, set up on the lawn with cocktails, following, on the covered patio was a beautiful setting. The banquet room was gorgeously decorated and it was so relaxing to simply enjoy everything in one place without having to drive to several locations. I cannot wait to find an excuse to spend another weekend (or week) at The Colonial Inn!
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Jamie M.

Yelp
I came here after hearing about the catering business that caters brunch and had to come. We had Sunday brunch today and it was even better than anticipated. For 19.99, you get your choice of either shrimp and grits, fried chicken, or a veggie hash, served with unlimited sides and your choice of a non-alcoholic drink. I had the shrimp and grits and my boyfriend had the fried chicken; the shrimp and grits were hearty and flavorful, and the fried chicken had a delicious rosemary flavor with a hint of spice. I'm not sure which was better, the main course or the sides, because both were fantastic. The sides included breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit, mini quiches, bacon, and cinnamon rolls. The cinnamon rolls had the most perfect cream cheese topping...We obviously got seconds. The staff were all polite and on top of the service the entire time. The hotel itself was clean and so quaint. We were allowed to walk around and look at the hotel. There was even a room upstairs that was open so that we could look at it. We heard that they will be starting Thursday dinner and we would love to come back to try it out. Thank you for such a fun trip and delicious meal!
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Melanie G.

Yelp
We loved the opportunity to sit and enjoy brunch at the Colonial Inn on Sunday! My family all enjoyed the fried chicken and kept talking about how delicious it was. My hash was noteworthy too and flavorful. We ALL want to mention the cinnamon rolls as the fan favorite! Thankful to have this gem in town!
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Marc L.

Yelp
This is your parents' restaurant. That is, if your parents like stuffy, pretentious, and a 1950s approach to menus. With most of us trying to eat healthier, they offer exactly three entrees: beef, chicken, and fish. There are no plant-based entrees at all. Add that to a no-reservations policy, and snotty and unhelpful staff, all at premium prices, and the many other great restaurants in Hillsborough look all the better.

Melissa G.

Yelp
Super nice people! Even if you are just stopping by for a drink and not staying overnight they are very accommodating.
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Arch S.

Yelp
This bar would be okay in normal times, but in pandemic times it is GREAT!!! Sometimes you want to go somewhere that isn't all COVID, COVID, COVID and this is Colonial Inn! No masks required and THEY LET YOU DRINK INDOORS WITH PEOPLE!!! Seriously, I went the other night and it was PACKED. Talk about memories of 2019!!! This service and kindness allowed me to have a good laugh at the other so-called fun places in Hillsborough who are scared of their own shadow THANK YOU COLONIAL INN!

Charlotte J.

Yelp
Food is excellent; small servings. Little space for parking. Ambience is tastefully restored. I have been eating here for over 50 years. I love the updating. Very expensive service is certainly acceptable. Special night occasions
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Chris W.

Yelp
What a place! With the recent re-opening of The Colonial Inn my wife and I went and stayed a night and were completely blown away by the renovation and amenities. Being from NC, I was somewhat familiar with the history of The Inn but learned so much more on the tour we were given by the staff during our stay. You can tell the new ownership really cares about this place and wanted to provide an upgraded site while preserving the important historic aspect. Everything was great and we will be returning for times when we need that mini-getaway or to check out their Sunday Brunch. It's only about 30-40 minutes outside of Raleigh so it's the perfect amount of distance to feel like you're away. Also, make sure you walk around and check out downtown Hillsborough too. It's such a great town with lots of NC history.
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Maryann V.

Yelp
Worst expensive meal ever. We started outside but it was too cold and asked to move inside. Why offer outdoor seating if you don't have heaters?? We got moved inside and the food took forever. I ordered a three grilled cheese sandwich w fries. Arrived cold. Couldn't tell three cheeses. Hubby ordered soup and pot pie w broccoli He said soup not good, pot pie looked like canned filling w crescent roll on top. 3 limp broccoli. Our guests had salad with add one and soup. Would have complained about food but it took so long to arrive. Very limited menu. Not worth the price. Redo of decor is not cohesive. Just a very disappointing dinner. Skip it
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CJ F.

Yelp
This is a review of the restaurant/bar only. We have eaten here twice - once for Sunday brunch and once for dinner on the patio. I reallllly want to like it but both times have given me pause. In both cases, the service was a little spotty. Of course it is COVID times so this is true everywhere, but they just didn't seem to have it together. The first time was when the restaurant was relatively newly opened so I thought it was just growing pains but service was disorganized several months later as well. The food at brunch was excellent. I had the fried chicken and loved it and I enjoyed the family style meal setup. For dinner we shared appetizers and some were good and some were clearly the last of the day remnants. We will give it another chance because I really want them to succeed.
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J T.

Yelp
This is to the restaurant. We were there last night for a birthday party in the back room. Our server (?) never addressed any of us to take our order beyond drinks and when I asked to put in food I was told "ugh let me check with the kitchen". That's weird, we're here for dinner so why wouldn't the kitchen be prepared to cook at 7:30pm? We ordered the charcuterie board and I'll insert a photo but the only thing that came to mind was this was a complete after thought. The food was sloppily thrown on the plate and served with stale crackers. Honestly the plate looked so gross we didn't eat it. A selection of meats also isn't 1 meat. We ordered the filet (the one thing that was decent) which was said to be accompanied with asparagus, it was broccolini and that wasn't communicated and my partners ribeye was well done when asked for medium rare. Honestly the whole experience was off putting. I understand we're in Covid times and staffing everywhere is light BUT that dudes attitude was as terrible as the food and it was clear he would rather be anywhere else. Safe to say we will never be back.

Elise Anne G.

Yelp
Beat Arugula salad in a long time , and I am picky ! Wonderful light dressing and beautiful greens . Hubby had the duck which was also delicious. Loved the atmosphere, well done! Loads of beer and drinks , just a real little gem ! We will be back .
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Jamey H.

Yelp
We went to the Colonial Inn for a Mother's Day brunch. The Inn had us pay in advanced and select our entrees. The sides were bottomless. The best part of the experiencing was leaving. It was that bad. Our first clue something was wrong was when we entered the dining room. The Inn had set up plastic folding tables (the kind you'd use for a church bingo night) and covered them with paper. There were about a dozen and a half arrangements for different parties. With COVID, we thought at least the different party sections were spaced out. Amazingly, the Inn sat us right next to another party. My mother-in-law didn't enjoy spending Mother's Day brunch with strangers. I chose the fried chicken entree. My first clue here was that the chicken was lukewarm. I think the reason for this turned out to be that there was actually any meat. I got a breast and a leg and there was less than 1 ounce of actual meat. I know because when I started peeling the skin off, I didn't find any meat. I kept looking. The few small pieces I did find were less than a single bite. When I spoke to the manager after our meal was done, I asked why we were seated right next to someone when there were plenty of open spots elsewhere in the room. He got defensive and said "Those parties asked to sit outside." After pointing out that we made this same request when we emailed for reservations, I asked why we weren't moved to one of the empty spaces that was distanced from other parties. He did not respond. I then asked if he considered the amount of actual meat on the chicken acceptable given the price we paid. He said "that's not our problem." The only question I could think of given how shocked I was to hear this: well then who is responsible for the meal being served? My wife said it best as we were walking to the local sandwich shop to get something filling: the whole experience just felt cheap. That's exactly it. This was a high priced brunch, paid in advance (so there was no real recourse for the paltry serving size, poor experience and the like), but with very little effort put into making the experience passable. It wasn't a happy Mother's Day. If you're thinking of eating here, you can do a lot better just about anywhere else. The Inn is long past its prime. If this is what the experience is like on a special occasion, I can't imagine what it's like on a nightly basis.