Trailborn has opened Trailborn Surf & Sound in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., a conversion of the former Blockade Runner Beach Resort. The brand’s fourth property has ocean and sound views from every room and direct access to a variety of water activities. The property's new food-and-beverage concepts include La Duna Paradiso, a restaurant serving seafood and house-made pasta; Bar Duna, the hotel’s lobby bar and gathering point for drinks and light bites; and a new beach and poolside retreat, Blockade Surf Bar.
“Trailborn is thrilled to uphold the legendary status of this coastal gem and create a higher quality experience that ensures the hotel continues to be a beloved spot for locals, while also meeting the evolving expectations of travelers,” Mike Weiss, co-founder and co-CEO of Trailborn, said in a statement.
“Trailborn Surf & Sound will have so much to offer—including a one-of-a-kind location with both beach and sound access, elegantly designed guest rooms and spaces inspired by the region’s maritime heritage, and curated experiential programming perfect for enjoying the town's incredible coastal activities and offerings,” said Ben Weinberg, co-founder and co-CEO of Trailborn.
Upgraded Public Spaces and Guestrooms
As part of Trailborn’s extensive renovations, the team worked with the design firm, Post Company, to update the public spaces, guestrooms, and food-and-beverage concepts with inspiration from Wrightsville Beach. Renovation highlights include a refreshed arrival, with a white brick exterior and Juliet balconies overlooking the coastline and sound. A new wood-accented entryway has a wood and stone-clad front desk. The property’s lobby space is furnished with comfortable seating areas, spanning French doors leading to the beach, and artwork inspired by the surrounding coast and beach town. Outdoor spaces include a boardwalk, lawn and landscaped gardens.
Each of the 151 guestrooms includes either full balconies or Juliet balconies. Inspired by the maritime location, rooms have rattan-accented benches, ceilings with blue detailing, blue-hued tile flooring in the bathrooms, a wave motif at the minibar and locally curated artwork.
New Experiential Offerings
Central to the Trailborn experience and to ensure guests can make the most of Wrightsville Beach, Trailborn Surf & Sound has a variety of exclusive experiences and programming, such as surf lessons, boat cruises, fishing trips, and sailboat, surfboard, paddleboard, and kayak rentals. At the resort, guests can also rent complimentary bikes or reserve pool cabanas, beach chairs and umbrellas. The property will also host a variety of events for guests and locals, such as live music, yoga, bonfires and s’mores, beachside barbecues, and culinary events. For families, Trailborn Surf & Sound hosts kids' programming like treasure hunts and partners with North Carolina Aquariums on an educational series.
Through the Trailborn brand’s “Keep Extraordinary" initiative, the property will donate a portion of every direct stay booked on trailborn.com to the N.C. Coastal Federation to support the organization’s efforts on cleaning coastal waters.
History and Heritage
“We are incredibly excited to unveil Trailborn Surf & Sound and introduce an exciting new way for both locals and travelers to experience the unique charm of our town,” said Nicolas Montoya, general manager of Trailborn Surf & Sound and former general manager of the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. “Our team has poured their hearts into creating a resort that seamlessly blends modern comfort with the natural beauty of our town and the surrounding coastline. We’re excited to welcome back our neighbors and guests, offering an experience so exceptional that it will keep them coming back time and time again.”
Trailborn Surf & Sound signals the next step forward for the historic property, which has existed since 1897. The property has seen several chapters, from initially opening as the Seashore Hotel, then reopening as the Ocean Terrace Hotel in the mid-1900s and, most recently, operating as the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. The property is 15 minutes from Wilmington International Airport (with direct flights from cities including New York City, Miami and Atlanta) and downtown Wilmington, and approximately a 2.5-hour drive from the Raleigh-Durham area.