America 250 Years: A Look at the Changing Hospitality Industry

ORANGE SLICES

Astronauts visiting for training at Morehead Planetarium were frequent guests of the old University Inn. “They loved our pool,” says Charlie Nottingham.

By Laurie Paolicelli
Guest Columnist

Chapel Hill has always welcomed weary travelers with open arms, but where they’ve stayed the night has changed dramatically over the decades. In the 1960s, the hospitality landscape was simple but memorable, anchored by a collection of roadside motels and early chain hotels along Fordham Boulevard, NC-54, and Raleigh Road. Visitors arriving for UNC games, family weddings, or business meetings knew exactly where they were headed: the Tar Heel Motel (later a Day’s Inn), the Holiday Inn, the Quality Inn, and the University Motor Inn, owned and operated by the Nottingham family. These properties weren’t just places to sleep — they were landmarks in a growing college town.

Charlie Nottingham recalls that era with fondness. “Our hotel was a favorite among University visitors. In fact, they would book their room a year ahead of time. The astronauts who trained at Morehead Planetarium loved to lay out by the pool and always stayed with us. It was a small town then, and the former Planetarium Director Tony Jenzano lived down the street from us and loved our Inn. We had 84 rooms, and we also operated the adjoining Pines Restaurant.”

Hospitality, even then, was woven into Chapel Hill’s identity. “It was a popular village back in the day, and not just a one-horse town,” says longtime resident Bob Ward. “Visitors came here for college games, weddings, educational camps. The Morehead Planetarium brought busloads of students from across North Carolina and beyond.” 

The Sheraton Hotel

For generations, people have said the same thing about Chapel Hill: there is a feeling here that never leaves you. The town has grown, changed, and modernized, yet that familiar come-as-you-are spirit — shaped by its people, food, shops, and even its politics — still greets every visitor the moment they return.

Manish Atma owns and operates Sheraton Chapel Hill which is a big draw today.

Local hotelier Manish Atma, who owns several area properties including the Sheraton, Tru Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, and Hampton Carrboro, describes his connection to the community simply: “I’ve always loved Chapel Hill, and I believe in its success in North Carolina’s Research Triangle. There will always be a love affair with this place, and I am proud to be a part of it.”

Chapel Hill Hotels include AC by Marriott on Rosemary Street, Graduate and Aloft Hotels

Today, the Graduate brings UNC spirit to Franklin Street with its popular Michael Jordan–themed Room 23. Downtown’s AC Hotel attracts guests who want to stay steps from the action. In Carrboro, the Hampton is a favorite for travelers who appreciate walkability and live music. Aloft at East 54 remains a family hit with its dog-friendly vibe and lively lobby. Nearby, the Residence Inn is especially valued by hospital visitors and wedding parties for its small kitchens, while the Courtyard by Marriott continues to serve guests attending programs at the UNC Friday Center.

The only dim note is the temporarily closed Siena Hotel — modeled after an Italian villa — which remains a beloved landmark and is currently undergoing repairs following a fire.

Carolina Inn hosts hundreds of conferences annually.

Of course, no discussion of local hospitality is complete without The Carolina Inn. Built in 1924 and gifted to UNC, the Inn remains one of Chapel Hill’s strongest lures.

Today’s visitors still come for the University. Many love the culture and the farm-to-fork food scene at restaurants such as Hawthorne & Wood, Proximo, Nomad, and Lantern. The trees are also a big draw. “I feel as if I’m in a city in a forest,” said a recent visitor from Florida.”I’ve always been curious about this place and now I want to move here.

International soccer tournaments bring new visitors to Orange County.

The region’s appeal continues to grow. UNC Athletics has turned Kenan Stadium into a year-round venue, hosting international soccer clubs like Wrexham, Chelsea, Mexico, and Türkiye — drawing fans from as far away as Glasgow for Celtic vs. Man City. In 2026, Chapel Hill will welcome the Savannah Bananas for a two-day event expected to sell out, with conversations underway for even more concerts and large-scale events.

Mexico and Turkey fans unite at Soccer Match in Chapel Hill.

Down the street, the county seat of Hillsborough has captured the attention of national travelers. Thanks to the renovated Colonial Inn, Riverwalk, a thriving arts community, and standout restaurants such as Wooden Nickel, Antonia’s, and Saratoga Grill, Hillsborough continues to build its love affair with tourists.

Cat’s Cradle and live music concerts bring new visitors to Orange County.

Carrboro, meanwhile, continues its evolution from mill town to creative hub—home to restaurants, pubs, art spaces, Weaver Street Market, and the iconic Cat’s Cradle. The election of Mike Nelson as North Carolina’s first openly gay mayor in 1995 signaled the inclusive identity the town still embraces.

No matter how much the region grows or how travel trends shift, Chapel Hill and Orange County will always greet visitors with a warm smile—and the promise of a visit that just might change their lives.

Total Visitors Revenue

Wake County

The nineteen million visitors who traveled to Wake County spent a record-breaking $3.4 billion in the county in 2024, a 5.1% increase over 2023.

Durham County

Domestic and international visitors to Durham County spent $1.16 billion in 2024. 

Orange County

Orange County, NC, experienced record-breaking tourism in 2024, with visitor spending reaching a new high of $280.04 million, an increase of $13.08 million from 2023.

For more information, contact the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau.

Share your thoughts with me here,

Laurie Paolicelli

Disclaimer: Published by Orange County’s Tourism Department through its Public Relations team, this story includes interviews and repurposed content from websites and partner press releases. For more, visit www.visitchapelhill.org or contact Laurie Paolicelli.

Laurie Paolicelli is executive director for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, a position she has held since 2005. Laurie has worked in tourism and marketing for twenty-five years, having served in leadership roles in Houston and California convention and visitor bureaus. She is a native of the Twin Ports of Duluth, MN/Superior Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Communications from the University Wisconsin-Superior and graduate certification in Technology In Marketing from the UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media. This reporter can be reached at Information@TheLocalReporter.press