Refreshing A Classic: Renovation of Carolina Hotel Guest Rooms and Lobby, Addition of Outdoor Space Begins

While Pinehurst Resort’s charms have been cultivated over more than 125 years of history, it never ceases to evolve and remain relevant to today’s guests. The next iteration of Pinehurst’s continued evolution begins in December with the phase one renovation of The Carolina Hotel’s guest rooms and lobby, as well as the creation of an expanded outdoor seating area with fire pits situated outside the Ryder Cup Lounge.

Much of the project will be completed over the winter months and first half of 2022, while the guest rooms renovations will be done in three careful stages to ensure only a limited impact on the guest’s stay. The extent of the room renovations will be finished ahead of the 2024 U.S. Open.

“Pinehurst has enjoyed a period of significant enhancements, updates and changes over the last decade,” says Bob Dedman Jr., Pinehurst Resort’s Chief Executive Officer. “This is another opportunity for us to continue to improve on the overall experience.”

Since opening in 1901, The Carolina Hotel’s signature copper cupola has signaled a welcome destination. That tradition continues as The Carolina’s guest rooms enjoy an expansive transformation, blending the modern luxuries the traveler has come to expect with the historic charm and comfort Pinehurst is known for. The refreshed rooms will be brighter in tone and feature all new fixtures, finishes and custom-built furniture. The rooms will be reconfigured with expanded bathrooms, while lighting and soundproofing will be improved.

The hotel’s lobby, room corridors and coffee shop will also be reimagined. Like the 2011 restoration of Pinehurst No. 2, careful attention will be taken to what came before in the 120-year-old hotel. The lobby’s floors, walls and ceilings will be updated, as will the lighting throughout. But all of it will have a nod to Pinehurst’s past, much like the Resort’s 2019 renovation of another of its historic hotels, The Manor.

“For over a century, The Carolina has stood as a storied landmark in our area,” says Tom Pashley, President of Pinehurst Resort. “We will draw inspiration from its origins to incorporate into the design of the interior spaces of this grand hotel. It is important to us that The Carolina serve the needs of today’s guest, but also that its original charm can be felt at every turn.”

The improvements will continue outside as well, none more evident than the Ryder Cup Terrace. For decades, Pinehurst’s guests have retreated to the sweeping verandas circling the Carolina Hotel, soaking in the sounds and pine-scented air that make the Sandhills of North Carolina so unique. Steps off the veranda and adjacent to the Ryder Cup Lounge, the Ryder Cup Terrace will feature cozy fire pits and soft seating, making it the perfect setting to begin an evening with a pre-dinner cocktail, or to wind down after a round.

As the return of the U.S. Open approaches and with the recent acquisition of The Magnolia Inn and Villaggio Ristorante & Bar, Pinehurst Resort continues to evolve.

“As we like to say, ‘It’s always Pinehurst, always better,’” Dedman says. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to give our guests the very best experience they can possibly have at Pinehurst.”