Name: 21c Museum Hotel Durham
Address: 111 North Corcoran Street, Downtown Durham, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America, Durham, Durham County, US
Price range: $121–$521 per night
Rating: 8.25

What guests think

21c Museum Hotel Durham stands out for its on-site art museum within a historic bank building and a walkable downtown location near DPAC, the Carolina Theatre, and restaurants, offering a distinctive stay that many guests find memorable.

Staff are frequently described as friendly and helpful. However, reviews repeatedly note building issues, including unreliable elevators and recurring HVAC and hot water problems. Room experiences are mixed, with some spacious and comfortable, but others dark, dated, noisy, or needing maintenance and deeper cleaning. Expect a unique, art-forward stay in a central spot, with variability in room condition and operations.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Guests love the on-site galleries and appreciate the sauna, steam room, and gym. Common complaints include slow or out-of-service elevators and valet-only parking that some found pricey or slow.

Related guest reviews

6

Will

May 14, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Hotel is in an old bank has some character but also has poorly running elevators and check in on the second floor

8

Margaret

Sep 2, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great restaurants within walking distance. The exercise room and sauna were really nice. Really enjoyed the art gallery as well. Overall great stay.

10

Angela

Aug 24, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location, close to everything. Love the museum. Sauna and steam room were a big plus!

6

Kathleen

Sep 28, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Elevators are very slow - and confusing; room was comfortable but very dark - not enough lights. Shower was great.

6

Dianna

Dec 8, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Only one elevator was working, leading to lengthy waits for the elevator.

8

Julia

Oct 10, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was clean! Love the shampoo/conditioner/lotions. Liked the Nespresso machine but it was tricky to work even with directions (more pods are needed also - my daughter chose medium roast & I was stuck with Dark Roast which was way too strong). When we arrived, my room was extremely hot. I let the front desk know & they said they’d send “engineering” to fix. My daughter and I turned the air down to 65 degrees and left for four hours. Came back and the room was still stifling hot. I called front desk again and they assured me it had been fixed. We went to bed very hot and woke up in the middle of the night freezing. Staff was very kind. The hotel seems to be under some level of construction or is just run down. For the price we paid, I would assume it would be a pristine hotel. The location of the hotel is ideal. Valet parking is your only option and VERY pricey.

10

Erin

Jul 18, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This hotel is unique with an art museum inside the hotel. As you walk down the halls, you enjoy paintings, sculptures as well as small exhibits. The room was comfortable and had everything you need for a nice stay. We loved the reusable water bottles waiting for us in the room. The restaurant, The Counting House, has a small dinner menu, but everything we had was delicious. This old bank building is charming and has some of the original features of the bank including the large vault in the basement. There was a sauna and a steam room, a small fitness room with enough free weights and exercise bands to get a decent workout. It was a hot summer weekend so I would have loved a pool, but other than that, everything was great! We used the municipal garage down the block instead of the valet parking. There are nice coffee shops, restaurants and bakeries all within a few blocks of the hotel. I highly recommend this hotel for an evening at the Carolina Theater.

10

Cathy And Dwight

Aug 4, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Staff was welcoming and always smiling. Location was perfect for us getting to the Durham Bulls baseball stadium. The only negative thing was mandatory valet parking.

8

Madison

Nov 3, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

We enjoyed our stay at 21C with the exception of a few things. The facilities themselves had a few issues including no working AC in our room, limited elevator access, and some issues with the outlets in the room. However that being said, the staff was WONDERFUL. Each issue we had they handled professionally and with the utmost apologies. They upgraded our room after we brought the issues to their attention and made sure we were as comfortable as possible the remainder of our stay. The art galleries and spa were fantastic and we had no issues with those facilities. The steam room and sauna were a HUGE plus for us! We loved the area around the hotel as well. Super easy to walk around and shop/eat/enjoy the area.

10

Thomas

Jul 28, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Absolutely wonderful hotel! Great service. Incredible art exhibition. Super gym, great steam, sauna and spa.

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Cleanliness

Cleanliness feedback is mixed: many note clean rooms, but multiple reviews cite stained or worn carpets and furniture, dusty hallways, dirty or smelly linens, and occasional maintenance grime in bathrooms and elevators.

Related guest reviews

6

Jimmie

Jan 26, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Enjoyed the “drink cards”. Polite staff. Dirty sheets. Worn furniture

6

Christopher

Feb 22, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Pros: Let us check in a little early Bathroom/shower was nice Great gym/spa Nice bar/restaurant Interesting artwork on the property Cons: “Luxury” room far from luxurious Tile floor in room was FILTHY. Beds hard, sheets scratchy TV remote didn’t work properly Steam room in gym not functioning No parking included Elevators dirty, key card to get to floor not functioning properly in one elevator I only stayed for one night, and it was OK. I was expecting more from the room based on the description. The main part of the room felt old and dated. The tile floor part of the room turned my socks black. It was filthy. It seemed like they never mopped the floor. Made me weary of how clean they keep the rest of the room. The beds were hard and the sheets weren’t nice. The bathroom was almost as big as the main part of the room. Bathroom/shower seemed updated and was really nice. I was very happy with the gym. The steam room was not functional, but the sauna was great and the spa facilities looked nice (I did not use the spa). There was no secure place to put your belongings at the gym, though. Just lockers that don’t lock. The museum was really interesting. There’s a lot of cool stuff to see on the property. I appreciate them letting me check in an hour early. I don’t think I’d stay here again, though.

10

Amanda

Oct 22, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was clean. Location is excellent to DPAC, Durham Bulls and downtown. It’s walking distance to The Novus Apartments and to the Bodega. The smoothie shop Juice Keys is next door and it’s my absolute favorite! I love the art gallery that’s on the second floor. It’s open 24/7 and allows you to walk and enjoy art.

4

Sarah

May 5, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Buildings smells. Towels smell very dirty. Water filters in the filling stations were expired. AC in first room didn’t work and had to move. Elevators are also dirty.

8

Juleanna

Dec 11, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The hallways, bathroom vents and corners, and carpet around bed was dirty. It was also inconvenient that they took payment so many times during my stay instead of incidentals at the beginning and final price at the end.

8

David

Jun 19, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very nice place - well kept - very clean and modern. Art museum running through three floors was a very nice addition to the experience. Bed, however, was rock hard. I’m sure everyone has their individual preference but I’ll have to stay somewhere else in the future just for that reason. Excellent neighborhood and great restaurants all around.

10

mary jo

Feb 20, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

It was very clean and comfortable and the bathroom shower had good water pressure! The staff was friendly and helpful.

2

Jason

May 22, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The hallways on the room floors are incredibly dirty and have been swept or mopped in months. The room was fine, certainly dated and overpriced. The hotel is close to train tracks, so there’s lots of noise during the night. Our minibar was disgusting and still had takeout from a previous guest. The front desk was quick to come up herself and clean the fridge. The building fire alarm went off at 6:30am and seemed to be a false alarm, but didn’t save us from going down 12 flights of stairs bleary-eyed to then have it, thankfully, be a false alarm. Many of the outlets in the room didn’t work and one of the bedside lamps didn’t work either. Definitely not worth the $500/night price tag. The restaurant is great, but next time will skip this hotel.

2

jimmy

Apr 24, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff at the hotel was really nice but the room was in bad condition. There was hair in the drain and mold on the shower curtain. There was dust everywhere. You could also hear noises from the other room.

6

Monica

May 3, 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

Nothing special about the room. Other than “hang your towel to reuse”, no other eco-friendly features. The room was cleaned daily however since we arrived and throughout the stay cotton balls from previous stay remained on the floor. When we got there there were hair strands on the shower wall. The safe was not working, a technician came couldn’t fix it. We were promised a second visit and a “safe” safe but that never happened. The restaurant downstairs which is independent to the hotel but serves breakfast to hotel guests is an excellent choice. We liked the museum exhibits.

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Rooms

Room quality varies widely: some are spacious and comfortable, but others feel dark or dated, with hard beds, noise from elevators or streets, and limited workspace. Recurring maintenance issues include malfunctioning TVs, safes, lighting, and HVAC controls.

Related guest reviews

4

Yesenia

Sep 2, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was ok until it wasn't. Avoid room 706 specifically. Its located right above the elevator shaft (travels to floors 1 -6 only). The elevator noise everytime its used is clear even while showering & you feel the vibration in the pillow once your in bed. AC was not functioning because apparently the thermostat in the room is not actually connected. We were told when your checked in the front desk must turn it on in thier system.

6

Anthony

May 10, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I felt like the room was way overpriced! I also felt that the lighting in the room was a lot to be desired. The way the buttons worked, either all the lights were on or all the lights were off. That was the most unusual thing I’ve ever seen in our room, and I travel quite a bit! I also felt my throne was very small with little or no sitting space.

8

Regina

Aug 17, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Cute hotel and very friendly staff. Furniture is outdated though and rooms have a loud wind-like and popping sound going through the vent.

6

Kathleen

Sep 28, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Elevators are very slow - and confusing; room was comfortable but very dark - not enough lights. Shower was great.

6

Peter

Jun 6, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Rooms were clean, great bed! Not very pratical for business travel, no workspace in the room I had. Going more for the funky look than functionality. In a very quiet and safe area.

8

Glenn

Aug 2, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice concept. Interesting building. Large rooms.

6

SCOTT

Aug 12, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location, very different with the art work to look at, but the "king" room was mostly filled by the bed. Two people in the room was too much. Kept running into each other. Only one seat. AC and fridge were very noisy. Plus traffic, racing motorcycles, multiple trains going by, not a restful night.

8

David

Jun 19, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very nice place - well kept - very clean and modern. Art museum running through three floors was a very nice addition to the experience. Bed, however, was rock hard. I’m sure everyone has their individual preference but I’ll have to stay somewhere else in the future just for that reason. Excellent neighborhood and great restaurants all around.

10

Jane

Jan 26, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very impressed with our first stay here. Unique hotel. Spacious room. Great staff.

10

shorouk

Feb 4, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Loved the artwork throughout the hotel and the updated artsy style of the rooms. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. Conveniently located near the Durham Performing Arts Center and surrounding area was cute with lots of restaurants and cool little shops. Highly recommend it

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Service

Staff are often praised as friendly and accommodating, with some helpful recoveries when issues arise. However, several guests reported slow or delayed check-in, inconsistent responsiveness, housekeeping misses, and occasional rudeness.

Related guest reviews

4

Paul

Sep 22, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Load room. Terse Front Desk. Couldn't check in on-time. Won't be back.

10

Kirsti

May 19, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Amazing staff and managers! It was such a fun art gallery combined with a very comfy room. The location is also awesome! You can walk to a ton of good restaurants and be sure to check out The Parlour if you want a scoop of ice cream.

4

Karen

Jan 15, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

To start with the staff was very friendly, I only rated that area 3 star because it said staff and services. There was no heat in our room from the minute we arrived. The first call to inform them we were told the heating was turned on by motion sensor, give it an hour. Our second call they said well we could bring up a heater and some extra blankets. It took a third call to get them to the room. The heater helped but the comment well it is an old building and was a bank in my mind was no excuse. Considering it is known as an art hotel the wall color in our room was incredibly boring s as was the art work. ( The lobby was very well appointed so we did not expect this). Room service was dismal. So many things forgotten requiring multiple trips back to the kitchen. Food was ice cold at breakfast. On Saturday morning we asked for two soft boiled eggs and two hard boiled eggs. I had the order repeated back to me. We received 4 hard boiled eggs. When they called to see how things were we told them about this and she said she’d tell her manager and get back to us which never happened. It’s been a very, very long time since we have had a poor experience at hotel. We were quite taken back by this. Again the staff was very friendly but we will not be back.

6

Leslie

Jun 9, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I would rate higher but our check in experience set us of to a tough start. Check in is at 4pm. We arrived at three and rooms were not ready which understandable. We had a drink at the bar and went back up about 415pm. We saw numerous guests checking in ahead of us. Most of them getting rooms. I was told they were sold out the past two nights and still working on getting rooms ready. I told check in we had 530 dinner reservations. We finally got into our room about 515pm. Only other issue the room was out of shampoo and I had to ask 3 times before receiving it. Favorite part for me was the hostess at the counting house and mid day bartender. Great conversation and wonderful drinks.

4

Bohan

Jun 2, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good hotel overall but they gave be a double when I booked a king bed and after I went back to tell them, they blamed it on the Expedia system and couldn’t give me the room I booked. One of the staff said to leave my contact info at the front desk and they would talk to the manager but no one at the front desk took my contact information.

8

Ginger

Dec 19, 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

I arrived for check in at 4:10. Room wasn’t ready until after 5pm (check in is at 4). Had dinner reservations at 5:30 and had to get ready in the hotel bathroom and my friend’s room. At my bidding, they offered a $25.00 voucher for the restaurant. Not happy with that considering it is considered a higher end hotel. Other than that, it was wonderful. Not a fan of some of the art, but overall the hotel is great.

10

Joyann

Dec 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

21C Museum Hotel in Durham was a funky spot. We liked the decor in the rooms and access to artwork on various floors. Staff was helpful and interesting. Convenient walk to DPAC, restaurants and bars.

10

William

Oct 20, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

We loved our stay and will always come back if we come back to this area. The Hotel is great, it is very different from other Hotels and looks very modern and the over all vibe is very inclusive. The Hotel is close to many places and there are some very nice Restaurants and Bars within walking distance. Our check in was delayed by 15 minutes, but we received coupons for free cocktails at the Bar because we had to wait. We will recommend this Hotel to others!

8

Madison

Nov 3, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

We enjoyed our stay at 21C with the exception of a few things. The facilities themselves had a few issues including no working AC in our room, limited elevator access, and some issues with the outlets in the room. However that being said, the staff was WONDERFUL. Each issue we had they handled professionally and with the utmost apologies. They upgraded our room after we brought the issues to their attention and made sure we were as comfortable as possible the remainder of our stay. The art galleries and spa were fantastic and we had no issues with those facilities. The steam room and sauna were a HUGE plus for us! We loved the area around the hotel as well. Super easy to walk around and shop/eat/enjoy the area.

10

Sam

Sep 15, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff at this hotel is what makes this my favorite in Durham.

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Location

Central, walkable location close to DPAC, the Carolina Theatre, Durham Bulls, and many restaurants. A few guests mentioned concerns about the immediate area at night.

Related guest reviews

10

Amanda

Oct 22, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was clean. Location is excellent to DPAC, Durham Bulls and downtown. It’s walking distance to The Novus Apartments and to the Bodega. The smoothie shop Juice Keys is next door and it’s my absolute favorite! I love the art gallery that’s on the second floor. It’s open 24/7 and allows you to walk and enjoy art.

6

Lawrence

Jul 21, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The Hotel was ok and the art was nice. The amount homeless people in the park next to the hotel was a bit concerning at night. Thats disappointing to see.

10

tanya

Mar 30, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location

10

Robert M

Jun 24, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

In town for a play at DPAC. Great location walking distance to both the theater and dinning options. In an older solid building so you get very little hallway noise. For next seasons plays this is going to be top of the list for us.

10

Joyce T

Jul 7, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The location is excellent as so many great restaurants and cafes are within walking distance. The staff is friendly and so helpful! I would highly recommend this hotel.

10

Nathan

Sep 18, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent location for walking to restaurants and entertainment venues. The art museum on premises was a definite added value.

10

Ronald

Jan 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Fascinating stay in the heart of Durham. Superb view from 11th story roomy room. Don't miss seeing the old bank vaults in this restored bank building. Interesting art also. Easy and inexpensive parking in the city garage almost next door--far cheaper than valet! Many eating places within short walk.

10

Gina

Jul 12, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Fantastic Location!

6

Juan

May 31, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Hotel was average. hotel had a very intriguing vibe but the buildings interior screamed for simple updates & upgrades. The room hallways and floors appeared to be that of a extremely unkept senior citizens building. Some moments you could get positively lost in the “museum” type deco vibe,& then you would come back to reality upon seeing smudged finger and hand marks on the walls that appeared like the hotel’s interior was that of a buildings exterior walls. Our rooms appeared pleasant at first glance, but as you inspected, you can see areas of filth as well as the smell of wet rug. Our rooms faucet was broken and would poor water throughout the sink top and floor. Average hotel at best, but the location allowed access to more areas and restaurants which was a plus. Ultimately the stay was average, the hotel was ok but the worse part was being consistently greated by the homeless individuals upon our nightly returns to the hotel. By far the most unpleasant experience was the homeless people waiting near the hotel and hassling you for money. 2 out of the 4 experiences of vagrant harassment turned into down right verbal assaults and intimidation. When you’re with family and children it’s the last thing you wanna deal with. Ultimately it’s not the hotel’s responsibility to deal with the homeless but i want to make a clearer picture of our stay. To bring some positivity to the review, I did find the check in staff very professional & helpful. I wll not be returning.

10

Dyson

Jan 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The location is great for going to DPAC--Durham Performing Arts Center.

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Dining

On-site dining and bar receive mixed feedback: many enjoyed tasty meals and cocktails, but others found limited menus, inconsistent quality, slow or uneven service, or closures during certain hours.

Related guest reviews

6

Bindu

Aug 14, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Overall our stay was good. I just wish the housekeeping/maintenance paid attestation to what was not working in the room. One table lamp and the safe did not work; the lighting in the room was very low, soft such that getting dressed, putting on makeup etc. felt like we were doing it in the dark The restaurant staff was great but the cook seemed to be having issues - he was not willing to prepare listed menu items and when the food did, the quality of the food was not the best. We only had one breakfast meal there and that was more than enough.

6

Kim

Jul 1, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Museum was wonderful. Food was inconsistent most days just okay, to

10

Thomas

Jul 15, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

It was convenient to the Flying Home swing dance at the Durham Armory. Museum had quality art. The open bank vault in the basement was interesting. Valet parking was efficiently run. I recommend a $5 tip. Counting House restaurant was very nice. Their biscuit was more like an English muffin, but not a great one. Everything else was excellent.

8

Hoang

Jul 4, 2024

·

Stayed 7 nights

Great service and convenient location. The art exhibits on the 2nd floor lobby were also great additions to the experience. Highly recommend the hotel’s restaurant, Counting House, for a nice dinner.

10

Lynda

Nov 21, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Loved hotel & restaurant - dinner & breakfast were both 5 star

10

Erin

Jul 18, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This hotel is unique with an art museum inside the hotel. As you walk down the halls, you enjoy paintings, sculptures as well as small exhibits. The room was comfortable and had everything you need for a nice stay. We loved the reusable water bottles waiting for us in the room. The restaurant, The Counting House, has a small dinner menu, but everything we had was delicious. This old bank building is charming and has some of the original features of the bank including the large vault in the basement. There was a sauna and a steam room, a small fitness room with enough free weights and exercise bands to get a decent workout. It was a hot summer weekend so I would have loved a pool, but other than that, everything was great! We used the municipal garage down the block instead of the valet parking. There are nice coffee shops, restaurants and bakeries all within a few blocks of the hotel. I highly recommend this hotel for an evening at the Carolina Theater.

10

Kimberly

Oct 22, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Great walkable location. Room, bar/restaurant and of course the art, were wonderful and every staff member was professional and accommodating.

10

Alysia

Aug 11, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Likes: Staff was great! Art work on several floors, nice decor, roomy, comfy bed and great cocktails! Dislikes? NONE. Would def stay again! Look out for the pink penguins!

10

Alexander

Aug 6, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Not just a place to stay. The Museum Hotel in Durham brings you in. This old bank building with strict exterior and vast spaces holds a wealth of fantastic art. The bar was a perfect place to destress while awaiting test results and Sharri made exceptional expressions of a Martini and an Old Fashioned that hit to the heart of doing something simple with care. The art exhibit was extraordinary in the power that was communicated. Coming from Cuban ancestry, I associated deeply with the wealth of Cuban themes in the art.

10

Amy

Feb 19, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

In walking distance to dining and shopping. Hotel has a great restaurant. Makes for a nice weekend getaway.

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Month	Average price
January	$167
February	$172
March	$197
April	$249
May	$213
June	$221
July	$187
August	$179
September	$223
October	$235
November	$209
December	$173

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14 $185	15 $231	16 $295	17 $266	18 $292	19 $208
20 $121	21 $141	22 $143	23 $218	24 $234	25 $282	26 $242
27 $139	28 $154	29 $173	30 $162

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $174	2 $284	3 $344
4 $157	5 $167	6 $202	7 $195	8 $200	9 $351	10 $368
11 $151	12 $159	13 $264	14 $264	15 $411	16 $420	17 $521
18 $167	19 $169	20 $169	21 $169	22 $169	23 $296	24 $294
25 $166	26 $169	27 $203	28 $289	29 $289	30 $253	31 $253

Select dates to see prices and availability

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Luxury Double Room, 2 Queen Beds

Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds, Hearing Accessible

Deluxe Suite, 1 King Bed

Suite (21C)

Suite, Terrace

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed

Luxury Suite, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed (Hearing Impaired)

Deluxe Room, 2 Double Beds, Accessible

Deluxe Room, Accessible (Roll-In Shower)

Deluxe Double Room, 2 Queen Beds

Luxury Suite

Luxury Room, 1 King Bed

Guest reviews

Very good

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about 21c Museum Hotel Durham

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Prices for upcoming dates