Having both attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Michael and I share a certain fondness for The Carolina Inn, a beautiful historic hotel located right on the Carolina campus. I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to shoot a few weddings at the inn, and after shooting a wedding in the area last summer, I decided to treat myself to a night at the inn to experience it as a guest for the first time.

First off, let’s start with The Cookie. The legendary warm chocolate chip cookie you receive upon check-in lived up to my expectations. It immediately puts you in a cozy, at-home state of mind, amongst the classic, Southern decor of the inn and hospitality of the staff.

The room was delightfully decorated with aspects of the inn’s branding (the key) everywhere you look. Carolina and Chapel Hill history adorn the walls, and everything about the place seemed light, bright, and cheerful.

Sunday morning brunch included the fantastic Cinnamon Brioche French Toast from the hotel’s restaurant, Carolina Crossroads– I couldn’t imagine a better post-wedding breakfast!

I’m looking forward to returning to the inn for a visit with Michael, perhaps on a future visit to Chapel Hill for a basketball game – it’s a well-known fact that the Carolina basketball team hangs out at the inn before home games. I’m sure seeing them would send Michael over the moon!