When on a coaster road trip, a huge perk is being able to stay close to the parks you want to visit. But not every park can give you a hotel that is truly within walking distance. Luckily for visitors of Carowinds, the new Springhill Suites by Marriott at Carowinds checks that box, along with many others.
Originally opened in December 2019 on the northwest corner of Carowinds’ property (the building is situated on the “North Carolina” side of the state line), the new Springhill Suites has a fantastic list of amenities for theme park travelers and non-theme park travelers alike. Recently, we had the chance to tour Carowinds’ new hotel, and truly feel like it’s the perfect place to lay your head after a long day of riding Fury 325 and Copperhead Strike.
Location, Location, Location
As we just mentioned, the Springhill Suites is located on the North Carolina side of Carowinds’ property, and is nestled between the park’s entrance plaza and Interstate-77. The address of the hotel is 1000 Coasterview Dr, Charlotte, NC 28273, and that new street isn’t just a clever name. Walking out of the front door of the hotel, you’re greeted with a near-panoramic view of Intimidator to the left and Fury 325 to the right.
To access Coasterview Drive, you will turn off of Carowinds Blvd. onto Avenue of the Carolinas (the main entrance road for Carowinds). Prior to approaching the entrance plaza at Carowinds, you’ll make a right turn and follow signs directing you to the Springhill Suites. Worth noting, the parking for the Springhill Suites is gated and requires a room key to access.
If you’re curious, it’s approximately 750 steps to this sign from the front door of the @Carowinds @SpringHillSuite.
You can get from front door to front gate in under 10 minutes. pic.twitter.com/RvXNOBkCAC
— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) February 28, 2020
But how close is “close” to the park? I was curious, so I walked it. From the front door of the Springhill Suites, you’re less than 1,000 steps from Carowinds’ main gate. 750 steps will get you to the “North Carolina/South Carolina” sign underneath Fury 325. There is a sidewalk and dedicated walkway that goes through the Carowinds’ bus parking lot. You can truly be from “front door” to “front gate” in under 10 minutes.
The Lobby
The lobby of the Springhill Suites by Marriott at Carowinds is a pretty standard hotel lobby, but is a very inviting, open space. There’s a front desk for check-in, an area with tables and chairs for socializing and dining (the hotel offers breakfast daily and a bar in the evenings), and a 24-hour “grab & go” market.
A unique feature of the lobby that I’d never seen before was the three-monitor touch screen that gave guests the option to “create,” explore the local area, and learn more about the hotel. As evidenced above, I created, and for a brief moment, everyone at the hotel knew where to go for the ins and outs of roller coasters and the amusement industry.
Also located just off the lobby were a small business center, ATM, and information board about the happenings at Carowinds. And in case you’re curious about Monster Jam, we have a convenient article already written up!
The Great Outdoors
In terms of outdoor amenities, the Springhill Suites has a large outdoor patio featuring tables and chairs, complete with a view of the Carowinds’ skyline. There is also an outdoor firepit.
To me, this would be a perfect place to wind down after a long day of roller coaster riding.
There is also a small pool area that will be open in the warmer months.
The Rooms
There are 130 rooms spread across the 5-floor layout of the Carowinds Springhill Suites, and every room is a suite. There are two configurations, a room with one king bed, or a room with two queen-sized beds. All rooms also have a sofa that doubles as a trundle bed. At nearly 400-square feet, the rooms are plenty spacious, with room to spread out.
Each room is equipped with compartmentalized bathrooms, featuring a sink and toilet in one “pod,” and a shower and toilet in the other. This design feature allows multiple family members to get ready at one time, or use the restroom while someone else is showering. The showers feature a more “environmentally friendly” soap and shampoo distribution system with the use of larger bottles instead of individualized travel-sized bottles.
The rooms all also have one TV (that you can link your Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO Go accounts into), a small kitchenette with microwave and mini-fridge, a small closet, as well as wall-controlled air conditioning. What I felt was a bit odd was that the artwork was fairly standard hotel artwork, and didn’t pay any homage to the coasters next door. I was later told this was Marriott policy.
In today’s digital world, it’s important to keep all of your devices charged and connected. Many older hotels simply don’t have enough conveniently located outlets in the rooms to accomplish this task. Having explored the rooms at the Carowinds Springhill Suites, this will not be an issue, as outlets are readily available throughout the rooms, and there are also multiple USB-ports for charging as well. Your phone, laptop, camera, back-up battery, gimbal, and other electronic devices will thank you!
Everything Else
If you need a little “extra,” with your hotel, the Springhill Suites by Marriott at Carowinds also features a gym with treadmills, elipticals, and dumbells. It’s larger than a lot of hotel gyms I’ve visted in the past.
If you’re in need of meeting space during your trip to Carowinds, there is also a meeting room that can accommodate up to 24 people.
The Springhill Suites by Marriott at Carowinds is open daily, even when the park is closed. Once the park opens for “Four Seasons of Fun” on March 21, the hotel will surely become a hot commodity for Carowinds’ guests. And if you’re not a Carowinds season passholder, discounted tickets are available at the hotel front desk!
If you’re looking to book a room at the hotel, be sure to visit Carowinds’ website!
Recent Discussion