A downtown Manteo inn near Shallowbag Bay's waterfront shops and restaurants
White Doe Inn sits on Sir Walter Raleigh Street in downtown Manteo, the walkable waterfront town that anchors Roanoke Island's history. Guests are close enough to Shallowbag Bay to wander down for dinner or an evening walk along the water, with the shops and restaurants of Manteo's compact downtown just outside the door.
The inn makes a solid home for exploring Roanoke Island's historic sites — Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Elizabethan Gardens, and the Waterside Theatre, home to The Lost Colony outdoor drama — all clustered on the island's north end, a short distance from downtown by car. Roanoke Island Festival Park, with its recreated 16th-century ship and hands-on museum, sits just across the water in downtown Manteo — one of the easiest historic stops to reach from the inn.
This corner of the Outer Banks carries a different weight than the beach towns to the east — it's where England's first attempt at a permanent New World colony vanished in the 1580s without a confirmed explanation, a mystery historians still haven't resolved. Staying downtown puts that history, plus Manteo's waterfront dining and shopping, within easy reach.
595 reviews
2 weeks ago
We had such a wonderful experience at the White Doe Inn! The property is absolutely beautiful, full of charm, and even more special in person. Tonia was incredibly warm, welcoming, and helpful, and took the time to answer all of our questions and make us feel completely at home. The rooms are beautiful and you can tell how much care goes into every detail. It's also in a great location. We loved it so much that we are now planning to have our wedding there! Five stars!
a month ago
We had the pleasure of staying at the White Doe Inn this past weekend, and it exceeded every expectation. This beautiful historic property is full of timeless charm, elegance, and character, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. Dave and Tonia are exceptional innkeepers whose genuine hospitality made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Tonia's culinary talent truly shines. It's clear that they pour their hearts into every detail of the guest experience. If you're looking for a memorable stay in the Outer Banks, we can't recommend the White Doe Inn highly enough. We can't wait to return!
4 weeks ago
My wife and I stayed here for 2 nights for a short getaway primarily to see the Lost Colony Play. The White Doe Inn is in a very convenient location for the play, and all the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. You can walk, drive or borrow one of their bikes to downtown Manteo for some great restaurants or just walk the boardwalk along the waterfront. Happy hour each day was a nice touch with wine and cheese and a great way to meet your fellow guests. The breakfast each day was also very good and not just you regular bacon and eggs. Our room was very nice and the king size bed was very comfortable. Our room had a separate small TV room in case one wants to sleep and the other wants to watch TV. Our room had a big clawfoot tub with vintage exposed pipes. Pretty cool to look at but If you have mobility issues you may want to ask if other rooms have a different setup. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and would not hesitate to recommend to our friends.
2 months ago
From the moment you arrive at White Doe Inn, you know you're somewhere special. If you're looking for the perfect place to stay in the Outer Banks, you've found it. Our stay exceeded every expectation. Tonia and Dave are wonderful hosts. They are warm, friendly, and so helpful, and they have created such a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. The inn is beautiful, comfortable, and in the perfect location, just a short walk to the shops, restaurants, and everything downtown Manteo has to offer. Breakfast was truly the highlight of our stay! Every morning we couldn't wait to see what Chef Tonia had created, and every breakfast was fresh, creative, and absolutely delicious. Happy hour was another favorite and such a fun way to unwind, enjoy great food, and gather with the other guests to share stories after a day of exploring. One of the things we loved most was how Tonia and Dave naturally brought everyone together and made the experience feel so personal. A special thank you to Donna and Kirsten for also helping make our stay so memorable.
5 months ago
I want to start by saying this review is long overdue. We’ve been coming to the White Doe Inn for several years. The hosts, Dave and Tonia, have made our stay for the last two years quite enjoyable. The upgrades that they have put in are very pleasing. The breakfasts are delicious, and quite often we don’t need lunch. Afternoon happy hour is a delightful event, and the cookies that are always available hit the sweet spot every time. Most of all, we appreciate the family-type atmosphere that we have experienced. Whether relaxing in our room, in the first floor living room, or in the beautiful garden areas around the property, we enjoy a feeling of peace and contentment. We look forward to many more visits in the future.