Waterfront inn on pretty sound-side grounds with nice rooms, a swimming pool, and an excellent restaurant.

The seductive environment of the lower Outer Banks called out for a European-styled boutique hotel. Nelson’s vision, and his success in fulfilling it, marked a new era on Hatteras Island. The inn filled a void…travel and bridal magazines discovered the small hotel in its unspoiled setting and the word was out. Nelson’s inn attracted a clientele accustomed to more sophisticated fare…Cafe Pamlico is the prettiest restaurant on the island. Adjoining the cheerful yellow inn, the understated dining rooms open to a magnificent panorama of the sound with a lush marshland in the foreground. With a view this stunning, an ordinary meal would be acceptable, but Pamlico’s French-trained Chef Forrest Paddock isn’t about to let that happen. As we watched a glorious sunset over the water, we savored blue crab ravioli with mushrooms and shrimp in a sherry cream sauce, the tenderest seared scallops topped with lemon-horseradish aioli on a bed of succotash, then a switch to turf with roasted duck breast with blackberry balsamic glaze and a prime beef filet with a red wine reduction and roasted creamer potatoes. Cafe Pamlico is the only restaurant on the island to take reservations, so call…to ensure a table. Then prepare to be enchanted.”

Our favourite place to stay was The Inn on Pamlico Sound, in Buxton. It’s owner, Steve Nelson, is passionate about food. We went horse riding on the beach and returned to enjoy a fabulous meal of lamb and locally caught tile fish…

Splashed with sunlight and local artwork, the barefoot-chic inn is a bit pricey by island standards, but nearly everything is included. Borrow a free kayak or bike for a spin, indulge in the complimentary three-course breakfast by a four-star chef (Belgian waffles, anyone?), uncork a bottle of fine wine or take in a fiery sunset from your private deck.

For firey sunsets from a private deck, free use of bikes and kayaks, and one of the best breakfasts on the Outer Banks, bunk at The Inn on Pamlico Sound.

The Inn’s decks, docks and porches offer a view of the vast Pamlico Sound, and the view only gets better at sunset. This relaxed, 12 room Inn, noted for its complimentary breakfasts…gives you plenty to do on site…wrapped in the arms of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Each guest room has a different look.