Idyllic destination in the charming town of Duck, North Carolina, beckons Outer Banks visitors and residents with a reimagined version of its elegantly understated seaside style
See also: Theodosia by the Sea
In 1985, The Sanderling Inn stretched herself out between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound on a 13-acre parcel of the idyllic barrier islands known as North Carolina’s Outer Banks, or OBX to locals and local wannabees. This year, for her 40th birthday, she was gifted a makeover.
Though The Sanderling Resort still sports the familiar, understated, blend-into-the-environment exterior, her inner beauty was reimagined. Sidestepping all the beach resort cliches like tropical drinks with paper umbrellas, coconut palms, and thatched huts, the Sanderling stays true to the Outer Banks’ brand of paradise.
The resort’s clusters of low-rise taupe buildings perch gracefully along both sides of NC12, embracing the local beach cottage vernacular of cedar shakes and siding, covered porches, and cupolas. But the interiors—including all 123 guest rooms—were transformed.
Ward + Gray, a New York City-based boutique interior design firm, did the honors, imbuing the spaces with their trademark storytelling which grows out of a sense of place.
And this is a storied place of breathtaking sunrises to the west, Gulf Stream-sculpted shorelines to the east, wild horse herds up north and Blackbeard’s legendary hangout at the southernmost tip. In between is the charming village of Duck, just over 4 miles south of the resort, which sets the tone for this relaxed stretch of highway where restaurants, retail and rustic natural beauty seamlessly coexist.
Duck exudes bike-to-breakfast, kayak to lunch, and walk-to-dinner vibes. The renovated resort takes its upscale, but not uptight, cues from its neighbor. Low-key living with high style undertones permeates the property. Stepping inside the Sanderling Resort’s Beach House, where guests are welcomed at check-in, is a little like discovering that, since your last visit, the family vacation home went to a modern-day finishing school.
Flanked by the North Inn with its family pool and lawn games and the South Inn with its adults only tranquility pool, the central Beach House is like the hotel’s living room with its soaring ceiling, loft library and fireplace, welcoming bar, and tasteful retail space that reads like a contemporary twist on a vintage kitchen, complete with farm table, sideboard, and open shelving.
Bold but restrained patterns in an unexpected palette suffuse the guest rooms and public areas, including the sound side Sunset Ballroom, whose vaulted ceilings and lantern lighting occupy the space of the former indoor pool. And then there is Theodosia, Vivian Howard’s destination restaurant where vine-ripened tomato pie is rivaled only by the nightly show in the western sky.
Tranquility and timeless, relaxed luxury pervade the spa with its ten treatment rooms overlooking the calming waters of the Currituck Sound. Plantation shutters filter the afternoon sun, while a muted palette, cozy throws, and natural materials and motifs—driftwood and shells, sisal rugs, and rattan furnishings—slow down time.
The Lifesaving Station is located oceanside in the Caffey’s Inlet Life Saving Station No. 5. There you will find an inviting bar, private dining upstairs, and a fireplace-warmed restaurant with what some insist is the best breakfast on the Outer Banks. While the establishment still boasts its crisp blue and white palette, rope wrapped columns, and other references to maritime history, its outdoor spaces are refreshed, as are those of the al fresca Beach House Bar.
Ward + Gray’s take on breathable formality leans into luxe materials and decorative details. Colors and patterns hint at the historical past of the wider region while embracing a lighter and breezier sensibility: think 18th Century Georgian grandeur meets Carolina covered porch chic. Reaching back further into the design canon are classical elements like decorative running borders and moldings in updated versions of Greek keys and Vitruvian waves.
Bringing the whimsy are four-poster beds whose modern woven stake on pencil posts features finials in the shape of waterfowl, a presumed nod to original owner Earl Slick’s donation to the National Audubon Society of significant land surrounding the resort.
Tailored stripes, trellis motifs and tassels join piping, paisley, botanicals and bold geometric patterns in sage greens and soft blues with warm accents. Wainscoting, wavy ceiling sconces reminiscent of oyster shells, and wood trim, both natural and painted, are softened by upholstered headboards and tufted benches, Asian area rugs, and contemporary carpet. The subtle juxtaposition of breathable formality and coastal cottage casual feels easy and effortless.
Guests choose from a variety of studios, queens, kings and suites in one of the resort’s trio of oceanside buildings. Intact dunes preserving the fragile coastline limit expansive ocean views on the lower levels. However, knowing that environmental stewardship helped drive the site design makes the dune views that much more appealing. And in the Southern Inn, private fire pits and s’mores kits sweeten the deal.
Together, the overnight accommodations, amenities, and activities—from yoga on the beach to biking, board games, and birdwatching plus stargazing and self-guided painting en plein air—mean there is little reason—or motivation—to venture elsewhere.
But if morning coffee and evening cocktails are as active as you want to be, you will find a stylishly appointed nook or conversation area for every mood. And in cooler months, public firepits between the Beach House and the dunes host conversation and conviviality in the round.
Rounding out resort offerings are a boutique and fitness center adjacent to the spa and an expanded portfolio of event spaces including the Great Hall also nestled along the shore of the sound. Overlooking the Atlantic are The Event House with its seamless indoor-outdoor space, The Observation Deck perched atop the dunes, and The Lawn, a revitalized area bordering the southern dune line for oceanside ceremonies.
The future of The Sanderling looks as bright as the sun glittering off the ocean and as dynamic as the prevailing winds that sweep these shores.
Learn more at thesanderling.com.
All photos (except food photo) courtesy of The Sanderling Resort
Betsy DiJulio
Betsy DiJulio is a full-time art teacher, artist and curator with side hustles as a freelance writer, including for Coastal Virginia Magazine, and a vegan recipe developer, food stylist and photographer. Learn more on her website thebloomingplatter.com.
