Hotel Review: Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center – Birthday Vibes, Battleships & Loft-Style Cool
This stay had a lot going for it: a brand-new city to explore, a historic hotel with modern design, and my very first time staying at an Aloft. Oh, and did I mention it was my birthday weekend? The Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center ended up being one of the most unique and teen-friendly hotels I’ve stayed at so far. From loft-style rooms to epic river views, here’s what went down.
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First Impressions & Check-In
We arrived in the early afternoon after spending the morning on the road. Right away, the vibe felt different—in a good way. The building is historic (built in 1884!) and used to be the Atlantic Coastline Railroad HQ until the 1950s. You can still see some of the original details throughout the hotel, which now blends old-school architecture with Aloft’s modern aesthetic.
Ella greeted us at the front desk, and she was awesome—super friendly and full of helpful info about things to do in Wilmington. Check-in was quick, and the lobby area was really cool. On one side, there’s the WXYZ Bar; on the other, a lounging area with a massive rectangular couch and some quieter seating nooks beyond it.
Right next to that is Re:fuel by Aloft, their 24/7 grab-and-go snack shop. And just past that is a giant communal table stocked with a full deck of playing cards and game instructions. I’m not saying they built this hotel for me… but Uno battles in the lobby? Come on.
Our Room: Loft-Style Birthday Surprise
We originally booked a 2 Queen Room but got upgraded to a 2 Queen Suite with a balcony. Best. Birthday. Gift. Ever.
The layout totally fits the “loft” vibe. You walk into an open-concept bathroom with a huge walk-in shower (great water pressure!), a funky wallpapered toilet room, and a large vanity sink area. Just remember to close the curtain when you shower—unless you want to give the room a show.
Past the bathroom, you’ve got two queen beds, a mounted TV, and a bench. Then the space opens up into a living room with a comfy pull-out couch, two ottomans, a second TV (yes, TWO), a desk with a chair, and this cool vinyl record wall art. There’s also a mini fridge and coffee maker.
But the best part? The balcony view. It overlooks the Cape Fear River and you can see the Battleship North Carolina from it. Unreal.
Wi-Fi & Nintendo Switch Setup
The Wi-Fi here was decent. Not the fastest I’ve ever tested, but totally good enough for browsing, streaming, and some light gaming.
I connected my phone, laptop, iPad, and Switch without any issues. The TV in the living room area was easy to hook up my Nintendo Switch to—no hidden ports, no weird remotes, just plug and play.
For the bedroom TV, you can connect a console, but you’ll want to bring a long HDMI cable and a power bar because the outlets aren’t super accessible. Trust me on that one.
Gym Vibes & Outdoor Hangouts
There’s no pool at this Aloft, but that didn’t bother me much because the gym and patio more than made up for it.
The gym had a solid mix of cardio machines and weights with lots of natural light—big win for a quick workout.
The outdoor patio space was seriously underrated. It had fire tables, outdoor heaters, a bunch of seating types, and just an overall chill vibe. Plus, it connects right to ABREW and the WXYZ Bar, so snacks and drinks are never far away.
Food & Drinks: Rooftops, Bakeries & Gelato
This hotel has a bunch of food options either on-site or within walking distance:
- ABREW: The in-house bakery café. We grabbed pastries and breakfast sandwiches in the morning, and they were so good. Bonus points for the fact that their baker starts baking at 3 a.m. That’s commitment.
- WXYZ Bar: Open Tuesday through Saturday for drinks and small bites. Great for quick eats or just hanging out.
- aView Rooftop Bar & Bistro: Located on the 7th floor. Adults can grab drinks, but teens are welcome too! Amazing views of the river, especially at sunset. My parents surprised me with a slice of PB&J cheesecake up here for my birthday, and it was incredible.
Walkable spots worth checking out:
- Gelarto: A gelato shop with Vespa-inspired seating and an old-school Fiat 500 bench. Yummy gelato and fun decor? Yes, please.
- Front Street Brewery: We grabbed some apps here since we weren’t starving. The wings were huge and so good. Also… I bought a souvenir T-shirt. 😎
- Floriana: We didn’t go this time, but it’s an Italian place nearby with cool balcony seating. Leaving a spot unvisited gives us a reason to come back.
Things to Do: History, Riverwalks & Battleships
Let’s start with the hotel itself. Besides the lobby card table, the WXYZ Bar area has a pool table, board games, jumbo Jenga, and cornhole. So yeah, lots to do even without leaving the hotel.
But step out back, and you’re literally on the Wilmington Riverwalk. It’s a beautiful place to walk, eat, people-watch, and enjoy the Cape Fear River views. You can also explore nearby streets filled with shops, restaurants, and historic spots.
Right across the parking lot is the Wilmington Railroad Museum (check seasonal hours online before you go).
And the main attraction? The Battleship North Carolina. I’d never been on a battleship before, and this place blew my mind. I even got to sit inside one of the deck guns with my sister—which was so cool. It’s definitely something every teen should check out if you’re visiting Wilmington.
Explore the Area (Map)
One of the best things about staying at Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center is how much there is to do without needing a car. I’ve pinned the hotel, on-site dining, walkable food spots, nearby attractions, and a few bonus locations so you can see exactly what’s around the hotel.
Final Verdict: This Teen Travelz Approved ✅
This hotel delivered on all fronts. It was my first Aloft stay and totally exceeded expectations. The staff were some of the friendliest I’ve met—huge shoutout to Ella and Kris. Kris even gave me a tour of the hotel and shared stories about the building’s history, which made the stay even cooler.
Between the awesome loft-style room, the balcony views, the location right on the Riverwalk, and the hotel’s fun layout and energy, this place is officially one of my top picks. If you’re a teen visiting Wilmington (or convincing your parents where to stay), this is the spot.
Totally This Teen Travelz Approved.
– Mateo / This Teen Travelz
Planning a trip to the Tar Heel State? Check out my North Carolina Hotels – Teen Hotel Reviews roundup for all my NC stays.