The 9 Best Hotels in Hickory, NC [+Bed & Breakfasts]

Planning a trip to Hickory, North Carolina? This list of 9 hotels and Bed and Breakfasts are top-rated and come with a wide range of amenities.

We’ll also give you info on their pet policy, in case you’re traveling with your best friend.

Things to do in Hickory

Hickory, NC, tucked away about halfway between Statesville and Asheville, is packed with adventures and fun things to do with the family. It is the county seat of Catawba County and was founded in the early 1800s. It has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic community with a population of over 40,000 people.

Hickory is home to a number of historical landmarks and attractions, including the Catawba County Historical Museum, which showcases the area’s rich history through a variety of exhibits and educational programs. The city is also home to the Hickory Museum of Art, which features a collection of American art from the 18th century to the present day.

In addition to its cultural attractions, Hickory is also known for its beautiful natural surroundings. The city is located near Lake Hickory, a popular spot for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities. The surrounding area is also home to a number of parks and nature preserves, offering opportunities for hiking, camping, and other outdoor recreation.

Lastly, Hickory is well-situated and only a one-hour drive from both Asheville and Boone. Be sure to check out my posts on the Best Snow and River Tubing in Boone and on the beautiful Nantahala National Forest for more things to do in the area.

The Holly and Ivy Inn

Address: 603 N Main Ave, Newton, NC 28658-3143

The Holly & Ivy Inn is a bed and breakfast situated in a historic home that dates back to the early 1900s. The owners spent around 2 years renovating this historic charmer back to its former glory for your enjoyment. This place is our top choice for accommodations in Hickory.

They have a variety of charming rooms and suites. The Master Suite has a clawfoot bathtub, just like in the old days! The Farmhouse Room is also very cozy.

The continental breakfast really shines here. It is self-serve and features fresh coffee, breakfast sandwiches and burritos, bagels, muffins, fruit, yogurt, pastries, various hot and cold drinks, and more. The dining room is also stocked with snacks for guests to enjoy throughout the day.

Guests can stroll two blocks to downtown Newton for a meal, boutique shops, a local museum, stage production, and wine tastings or cocktails.

Rates are actually among the lowest on this list, which I was surprised by. Most rooms only run around $150 per night.

Pet Policy

Pets are not allowed. 

Hilton Garden Inn

Address: 1320 17th Street Dr. SE, Hickory, North Carolina 28602-5105

The Hilton Garden Inn Hickory is a great luxury hotel option. Like other hotels in the Hilton chain, this location truly stands out. Located in Catawba County, Hickory, the hotel is easily accessible via multiple major highways and interstates.

The Hilton Garden Inn Hickory offers a range of guest rooms and suites, all of which are equipped with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini-fridges. The beds here are amazing!

Other amenities include an indoor pool and fitness center, a 24-hour business center, and free WiFi throughout the hotel. The hotel also offers an on-site restaurant, the Garden Grille and Bar, which is great for travelers wanting to relax after a long day or wanting to grab a bite to eat before heading home.

Rates run around $200 per night – a very fair price for all you get here. And pet-friendly rooms are available!

Pet Policy

Hilton Garden Inn is a pet-friendly hotel. It charges a pet fee of $75 per stay for stays ranging from 1 to 4 nights, and the same fee applies for stays of 5 nights or more. You are allowed to bring up to 2 pets with a weight limit of 74 lbs per pet, and there are no breed restrictions.  

Hampton Inn

Address: 1956 13th Avenue Drive SE, Hickory, North Carolina, 28602

The Hampton Inn Hickory is located just off I-40 and is another great hotel in the Hilton chain. It is in an especially convenient location if you are traveling after just a night or two in the Hickory area.

The Hampton Inn has some great amenities. It includes an indoor pool, free WiFi, a fitness center, and a free hot breakfast. There is also a great business center with computers and a printer. For businesses, they have a spacious conference center with lots of seating and tables.

Standard rooms are available, as well as suites. The suites are very spacious and come with a kitchenette. In fact, the suites can sleep up to 5 people. Rates for standard rooms run around $200, depending on the room type. 

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Inn is located only 0.3 miles from Valley Hills Mall, 12 miles from the Catawba Valley Medical Center, and 9 miles from the Pinnacle Golf Club. If you want more fun, visit Eastridge Mall (only 2 miles away) and Burke’s Garden Amphitheater, recognized for its acclaimed live musical concerts.

Pet Policy

Hampton Inn is also pet-friendly. Pets are allowed at the Hampton Inn for a $50 fee for 1-4 nights and $75 for 5+ nights. The hotel allows a maximum of 2 pets of any size, and it welcomes both dogs and cats.

Crowne Plaza

Address: 1385 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd. SE, Hickory, NC 28602

The Crowne Plaza Hickory is one of the best hotels in Hickory. Like other IHG hotels, this one is a real treat.

Amenities include a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, free high-speed WiFi, and even Starbucks coffee in the room. There’s also an indoor saltwater pool – a unique feature rarely found at other hotels. The fitness center is not just a small room with a treadmill or two. 

Unlike many places, they also have free weights, an elliptical, a stationary bike, and a stair stepper. The business center is open 24/7 and has copying, printing, scanning, and office supplies. Pets are allowed here.

It’s all those small things that put this hotel on the list. And for all that, I saw rates as low as $117 per night when I checked. From there, it goes up to around $180 at the most.

Pet Policy

You can bring two pets, regardless of size, to Crowne Plaza Hickory for an additional $50 per stay. This policy applies to both dogs and cats.

Pet-friendly accommodations have exterior access, making them more convenient for guests. Only crated pets are allowed to be left unattended in the hotel room. The hotel also has a designated grassy space on the site for your pets’ relief.

Red Roof Inn Hickory

Address: 1184 Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard SE, Hickory, North Carolina 28602-5169

The Red Roof Inn Hickory is a smoke-free hotel located less than a mile from major attractions such as Valley Hills Mall, the Hickory Metro Convention Center, the Hickory Speedway, and Hickory Furniture Mart.

Each of the 107 rooms provides comfort features like air conditioning and additional amenities, including complimentary WiFi and comfortable desk chairs. Other room amenities include pillow-top beds, private bathrooms, 42-inch flat-screen TVs with premium channels, refrigerators, microwaves, and complimentary infant cribs. 

This hotel offers some of the cheapest rates in the area. The Standard Room rates range from just $69 to $82 per night.

Pet Policy

Pets are welcome at the Red Roof Inn Hickory! You can bring one pet weighing up to 80 pounds with you at no extra price. This pet-friendly policy applies to both dogs and cats, although pets should not be left alone in guest rooms.

Best Western Hickory

Address: 1520 13th Avenue Dr. SE, Hickory, North Carolina 28602-5183

If you’re looking for the best hotels in Hickory for your family getaway, Best Western Hickory may be a great choice for you.

At a cost of approximately $99 per night per room (as of September 2023), the hotel offers free WiFi, a complimentary hot breakfast, access to the indoor pool, a fitness center, a poolside bar, and on-site laundry facilities.

All 118 air-conditioned rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, wardrobes, coffee makers, refrigerators, and microwaves. Moreover, sofabed is available in King Suites.

If you want to go shopping, the hotel is also close to the Hickory Furniture Mart. If you’re here on business, the hotel is close to the Hickory Metro Convention Center, which caters to events and business travelers.

Whether you’re in town for a special event, for a family vacation, or simply looking for a peaceful getaway, Best Western Hickory offers the best stay, prioritizing its guests’ needs and comfort.

Pet Policy

Best Western Hickory welcomes two pets weighing up to 80 pounds each for an additional cost of $25 per pet per night. Guests with pets must call (877) 411-3436 before making a reservation to ensure the availability of a pet-friendly room and avoid any potential cancellation charges.

The hotel welcomes dogs and cats, and you can leave well-behaved pets unattended in their rooms. The hotel even gives snacks to their canine guests. In addition, the property has a grassy area with a waste station for your convenience.

Baymont by Wyndham Hickory

Address: 1120 13th Avenue Dr Southeast, Hickory, North Carolina 28602

Book a room at Baymont by Wyndham Hickory for a comfortable and enjoyable stay during your next visit to Catawba County. Whether you’re visiting Lenoir-Rhyne University, enjoying the luxurious amenities of Rock Barn Golf and Spa, or attending an event at the Hickory Convention Center, the hotel’s location makes it all easy to reach.

Kickstart your day with a complimentary continental breakfast. Handle your business with the on-site business center, which includes computer access and fax services. After you finish your job, you can enjoy a BBQ cookout or take a refreshing dip in the lovely outdoor swimming pool.

For more comfort and convenience, all rooms have comfortable pillow-top mattresses and essential amenities like a flat-screen TV, a coffee maker, a microwave, and a refrigerator. 

You can bring your entire family because there is no additional charge for children under 17 if they’re staying with their parents.

Pet Policy

Baymont by Wyndham Hickory welcomes two pets, each weighing up to 25 lbs, for an additional fee of $20 per pet per night. Cats and dogs are both welcome. You can leave well-behaved pets alone in the guest room.

The property also offers grassy spaces for pet relief while asking you to bring your own waste bags.

The Sleep Inn Hickory

Address: 1179 13th Avenue Dr. SE, Hickory, North Carolina 28602-5176

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Sleep Inn provides affordable rates without sacrificing comfort. The Sleep Inn Hickory, located just off Interstate 40, provides a comfortable and pet-friendly stay in Hickory, North Carolina.

This three-story property offers a variety of room options, including two-room doubles, single queen rooms, and upgraded rooms with jacuzzi tubs to choose from. Whether you want smoking or non-smoking accommodations, the hotel has everything to suit your needs.

Other hotel amenities include free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, a 24-hour business center, and on-site laundry facilities.

For those looking for surrounding attractions, Hickory Motor Speedway is only a 5-minute drive away, Lenoir-Rhyne University is only a 10-minute drive, and Lake Norman State Park is a 31-minute drive away. 

Pet Policy

This pet-friendly hotel welcomes up to two pets, each weighing up to 50 lbs, in specially designated rooms. There is an additional fee of $15 per pet per night. 

Guests traveling with pets can only book Standard rooms with two Double beds or one Queen bed. Both cats and dogs are welcome. However, only crated pets can be left alone in the rooms.

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hickory

Address: 1725 13th Avenue Dr Nw, Hickory, NC, 28601

​The Days Inn & Suites is another great budget option in Hickory, located right near Lake Hickory. In fact, it’s only about a 10-15 minute walk to the lake, about a 20 minute walk to the L.P. Frans Stadium, and a 5 minute drive from the Hickory Regional Airport (HKY).

Amenities here include free breakfast, a seasonal outdoor pool, a small gym with a few cardio machines, and a basic business center with a computer and printer.

Like other Days Inn locations, this is a comfortable accommodation that’s also easy on the wallet. Rates are lower than $100 per night here, and can lower than even $80 per night.

Pet Policy

Pets are welcome here for a $100 deposit plus a charge of $15 per pet, per night. Up to two pets weighing 80 pounds each are allowed. Service animals are welcome and exempt from fees.

If you’re staying only a night or two, that per-night rate isn’t that bad. But for longer stays, you may want to check other hotels on this list that offer a one-time pet fee. The Crowne Plaza may be a good option.

The Bottom Line

I hope that this list of the 8 best hotels in Hickory will help you make an informed decision for your stay in this North Carolina city. 

Whether you prefer comfort, affordability, or specific amenities, Hickory has a variety of options to meet your needs. Consider your interests and priorities, choose the hotel, and enjoy a pleasant and memorable stay in Hickory, NC.