This Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel review started out pretty chill—but quickly turned into one of the most unforgettable hotel experiences I’ve ever had. Located in Raleigh’s walkable North Hills area, the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel had fast Wi-Fi, an easy gaming setup, tons of restaurants nearby, and even an NHL player sighting… before a surprise water outage changed everything.
Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel First Impressions
We stayed here during our spring break road trip heading south. It was our first time at this property, and right away we were greeted by friendly hotel staff, both outside and inside.
The lobby looked modern but nothing super fancy. There’s a cool winding staircase and a wall behind the front desk that (in my opinion) looked like it had a bunch of speakers behind it. Check-in was quick, and I had no problem finding a luggage cart while my dad parked in the indoor garage.
Room Tour at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel
We booked a Club Level 2 Queen Room, and it was solid! Two queen beds, a pull-out sofa, and a nice stand-up shower in a roomy bathroom. The whole place was super clean, and the TV was massive—around 50 inches—which made relaxing way better after a long travel day.
For a Renaissance Raleigh review from a teen perspective, the room checked a lot of the right boxes: space, comfort, a big TV, and easy tech access.
Wi-Fi and Gaming Setup at Renaissance Raleigh
This hotel nailed it.
✅ Easy Wi-Fi connection on all my devices (Switch, iPad, phone, laptop)
✅ Fast enough to stream and game without any issues
✅ Super simple HDMI hookup for my Switch
Pro tip: Bring a power strip—outlets fill up fast with everyone’s devices charging overnight.
Pool Vibes? Not Here.
No pool. No gym. This was the first hotel I’ve stayed at that had neither. Kinda weird for a Marriott Renaissance, but I wasn’t too bothered since we planned to explore the area.
Food and Restaurants Near Renaissance Raleigh North Hills
We didn’t try the in-hotel restaurants (Leo’s Italian Social and 41Hundred), but the good news is there are tons of restaurants in the North Hills area—all walkable. We ended up going to Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, and it was packed and amazing. Highly recommend!
Some other options we considered:
- Five Guys
- Chick-fil-A
- The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House
- The BBQ Lab
- bartaco
After dinner, we walked off our food by heading to Target (yes, Target) right around the corner. There are plenty of shops in the area, and even a Regal Cinema nearby for movie night.
Map: Restaurants and Things to Do Near Renaissance Raleigh North Hills
Here’s a quick map of the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel and some of the nearby restaurants, shops, and entertainment spots we either visited or considered during our stay.
Bonus Moment: NHL Sighting!
When we got back to the hotel, we saw two big buses parked out front… turns out the Calgary Flames NHL team was staying there too! I even ran into a couple of the players in the elevator. Definitely one of the cooler moments of the trip.
The Water Crisis… Yep, It Happened
And here’s where things got wild. My mom tried to take a shower that night, and there was no hot water. Actually—there was no water at all. We woke up the next morning to find a letter under the door explaining that the hotel’s main water pipe had burst. 😬
The hotel quickly pulled together a complimentary breakfast setup in the lobby (pastries, juice, coffee), but we had originally booked a room with full breakfast included. We never got to try it. Since there was no ETA on water repairs, we had to cancel our second night and leave early.
Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel Review Verdict
Before the water disaster, everything was going great.
👍 Clean, spacious room
👍 Fast Wi-Fi and easy gaming setup
👍 Cool restaurants and shops nearby
👍 NHL players casually hanging out
Overall, this Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel review is tough because the stay had a lot going for it before the water issue happened. The hotel staff did what they could to make up for the problem, and I’d totally be open to staying here again—hopefully next time with working plumbing!
Even without water, this stay definitely wasn’t dry on experiences! 😄
— Mateo
This Teen Travelz
FAQ: Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel Review
Is the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel good for teens?
Yes, the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel can be a good option for teens because the room was comfortable, the Wi-Fi was fast, the gaming setup was easy, and the North Hills area has restaurants, shopping, Target, and a movie theater nearby.
Does the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel have a pool?
During my stay, there was no pool available at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel. That was unusual compared to many other Marriott hotels I’ve stayed at, but the walkable North Hills location helped make up for it.
Is the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel good for gaming?
Yes, the hotel worked really well for gaming during my stay. The Wi-Fi connected easily on my devices, and the HDMI setup for my Nintendo Switch was simple.
What restaurants are near the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel?
There are lots of restaurants within walking distance in North Hills. During my stay, we ate at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. Other nearby options included Five Guys, Chick-fil-A, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, The BBQ Lab, and bartaco.
What went wrong during your Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel stay?
The biggest issue was that the hotel’s main water pipe burst during our stay. We had no water, could not use the shower properly, and ended up cancelling our second night because there was no clear timeline for repairs.
Would you stay at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel again?
Yes, I would consider staying again because the room, Wi-Fi, gaming setup, staff, and location were all strong before the water issue happened. I would just hope for a normal stay next time with working plumbing.
Explore more:
From Wilmington to Raleigh to Charlotte, I’ve reviewed multiple NC hotels. See them all in my North Carolina Hotels – Teen Hotel Reviews guide.