University Inn Duke

Hotels
8.7 (938 reviews)
502 Elf Street , Durham , US
+1 919-286-4421

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Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
24-hour front desk
Heating
Pets allowed
Lift / Elevator
Laundry
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Cleanliness
Location
Friendly staff
Shuttle service
Cons:
No breakfast bar
Parking fees
Noise from thin walls

Categories

Cleanliness
8.48
Room was mostly clean, but thin walls caused noise disturbances.
Service
9.05
Several comments highlight friendly and efficient staff.
Location
9.29
Many guests praised the hotel's proximity to Duke and other amenities.
Room Quality
8.74
Rooms were generally described as clean and spacious.
Amenities
8.57
Shuttle service appreciated, though some expected breakfast options.
Value for Money
8.73
Good value based on cleanliness and location, but parking fees noted.
Food and Beverage
7.78
Lack of breakfast options and paid parking impacted perception.
Overall Experience
8.95
Overall feedback indicates a pleasant stay with noted concerns.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 14:51

Property Description

Charming Boutique Hotel near Duke University Medical Center

Convenient Amenities: Enjoy the convenience of a free transfer service to the hospital, along with in-room microwave, refrigerator, cable TV, and free WiFi.

Exceptional Services: Benefit from a 24-hour front desk, on-site laundry facilities, and a complimentary local area shuttle service on weekdays.

Nearby Attractions: Explore Durham easily with a short drive to Durham Bulls Athletic Park and Thomas Executive Conference Center, or take a leisurely stroll to Sarah P Duke Gardens.

Book your stay at University Inn Duke for a comfortable and well-equipped experience in Durham.

Important information:

Please note the hotel provides a free transport to/from hospitals, clinics and other locations within a limited radius, between the hours of 07:00 - 21:00. Guests are kindly requested to contact the hotel for further details.

One parking pass for one vehicle will be provided per reservation, passes for additional vehicles will have a cost of $8 per day.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: RDU

Location

Guest Reviews

8.7
Based on 938 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.48
Service: 9.05
Location: 9.29
Room Quality: 8.74
Amenities: 8.57
Value for Money: 8.73
Food and Beverage: 7.78
Overall Experience: 8.95
M
Maria Laura • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-10-30 • via Nuitee
B
Brightbill • couple • us
9
For our trip to Durham, the hotel was just what we needed!
Pros:

The property was clean and recently upgraded. The room was very comfortable and the mattress was awesome!

Cons:

Parking was a bit tight!

2026-10-26 • via Nuitee
J
Justin • family_with_children • co
4
Poor customer service and unfair pricing.
Pros:

Near Duke. Bed was good.

Cons:

They have signs posted everywhere of a $114 a night stay and free parking, but if you book through Booking they charge for parking and way more per night.

Nothing worse than walking into an unfriendly employee who doesn't even say hello, have her cross the rate off the paper she wants you to sign with a marker, and then charge you more.

2026-10-25 • via Nuitee
M
Miriam • extended_group • us
6
Clean but very basic and no frills
Pros:

Room was clean, very comfortable bed, safe covered parking

Cons:

Front desk person was not friendly or welcoming at all (Friday afternoon Oct 16 check in and Oct 18 check out) although another lady was there Saturday evening and she was very sweet. The king suite had a tiny, awkward bathroom and the sofa bed was awful, not a viable sleeping option. It was family weekend at Duke and the price was inflated, had to pay for parking. Also no facilities at all, very basic property for the price

2026-10-19 • via Nuitee
N
nachiket • couple • in
8
2026-10-16 • via Nuitee
N
nachiket • couple • in
9
2026-10-16 • via Nuitee
H
Hayes • family_with_children • us
10
Pros:

Everything was fine

Cons:

Nothing

2026-10-15 • via Nuitee
Y
yan • couple • us
8
2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
A
Anthony • family_with_children • us
9
2026-10-10 • via Nuitee
K
Keyser • solo_traveller • us
5
Pros:

Booked it On my App. 3rd party ! Desk clerk was very rude at Check - in ! And Charged me $10 to Park & gave my elderly Wife a Room end of Hall way ? Very nasty , should not be in Cust. Serv. JOB.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
M
Mayra • couple • us
4
Pros:

me cobraron parkin adicional

Cons:

la recepcion de la noche malisima , no aparecia mi reserva y su trato fue poco amable

2026-09-09 • via Nuitee
S
Stephanie • couple • us
10
2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
B
Bénédict • couple • ch
9
2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
P
Pamela • solo_traveller • us
10
2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
H
Hina • couple • us
7
2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
L
Lester • solo_traveller • us
8
2026-08-26 • via Nuitee
A
Alvaro • couple • us
10
Pros:

Everything was great, but what really impressed me and was truly excellent was the service provided by the lady on duty when we checked in—sometime between 5 and 6 PM. It was excellent customer service; she was so personable and warm, making us feel like family.

2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
E
Eugene • couple • us
5
Cons:

Charged $10 for parking, no insulation between rooms (noisy!)

2026-08-23 • via Nuitee
E
Eleanor • solo_traveller • us
7
2026-08-22 • via Nuitee
O
Omaira • couple • us
10
2026-08-16 • via Nuitee