Trailborn, a fast-growing name in outdoor hospitality, is known for its beautifully designed boutique hotels, destination dining, and curated experiences in extraordinary locations. The brand recently announced the opening of Trailborn Surf & Sound in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Formerly known as the historic Blockade Runner Beach Resort, this revitalized property blends mindful luxury with the beauty of one of the East Coast’s most beloved surf towns.
“Trailborn is thrilled to uphold the legendary status of this coastal gem and create a higher quality experience that ensures the hotel continues to be a beloved spot for locals, while also meeting the evolving expectations of travelers,” says Mike Weiss, co-founder and co-CEO of Trailborn.
Designed to immerse guests in relaxation and adventure, Trailborn Surf & Sound, the brand’s fourth property, offers breathtaking ocean and sound views from every room, direct access to invigorating water activities, and thoughtfully curated wellness programming. Guests can savor nourishing cuisine at La Duna Paradiso, a destination restaurant serving fresh seafood and house-made pasta, unwind at Bar Duna, the hotel’s vibrant lobby bar, or embrace laid-back beachside living at Blockade Surf Bar, where frozen drinks, tropical cocktails, and comforting coastal flavors set the tone for effortless indulgence.
“Trailborn Surf & Sound will have so much to offer—including a one-of-a-kind location with both beach and sound access, elegantly designed guest rooms and spaces inspired by the region’s maritime heritage, and curated experiential programming perfect for enjoying the town’s incredible coastal activities and offerings,” says Ben Weinberg, co-founder and co-CEO of Trailborn.
Upgraded Public Spaces and Guest Rooms
As part of Trailborn’s extensive renovations, the team worked with Post Company, an award-winning design firm, to breathe new life into the public spaces, guest rooms, and food and beverage concepts. The idea was to create an on-property experience deeply inspired by Wrightsville Beach and the hotel’s unparalleled location.
Renovation highlights include a refreshed arrival, with the exterior enhanced by white-brick accents and Juliet balconies. A new wood-accented entryway with a minimal wood and stone-clad desk warmly greets guests. The property’s dynamic lobby space is furnished with an abundance of comfortable seating areas, French doors leading to the beach, and artwork inspired by the surrounding coast and beach town. The lobby serves as the heart of the on-property experience and channels guests to the hotel’s extensive boardwalk and the property’s expansive lawn and beautifully landscaped gardens. There, guests can enjoy curated programming. The lobby’s new retail market brings the property’s eclectic and playful spirit to life with thoughtfully curated items like goods from North Carolina brands such as Big Spoon Roasters, Carolina Chips, and local beer brands, as well as limited-edition merchandise and custom frisbees and pool and toys.
Each of the 151 guest rooms has undergone a redesign intended to encourage relaxation after a day in the sun, and all include either full balconies opening up to the ocean or picturesque Juliet balconies providing views of both the ocean and sound. Inspired by the maritime location, rooms feature rattan-accented benches, ceilings with blue detailing, blue-hued tile flooring in the spacious bathrooms, a subtle wave motif at the minibar, and locally curated artwork.
New Food & Beverage Concepts
Trailborn Surf & Sound will unveil a variety of new dining options opening this spring that will serve as new spaces for travelers and locals to gather and enjoy seaside dining. Guests will be able to indulge in Italian and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine at La Duna Paradiso, the resort’s destination restaurant, featuring fresh seafood and house-made pasta. The vibrant atmosphere, adorned with natural materials, patterned fabrics, oak floors, patinated leather, and ocean views, creates the perfect backdrop for festive brunches and dinners. For events and gatherings, La Duna Paradiso will also include La Costa, a private dining room capable of seating groups of up to 14.
Bar Duna, the hotel’s forthcoming lobby bar, will offer both bar and lounge seating and serves as a perfect spot to grab a coffee or pastry in the morning, take a break from the sun for a casual lunch in the afternoon, or have a laid-back cocktail before or after dinner. Bar Duna is a centerpiece of the hotel experience, a nexus between restaurant and lobby. The space will feature a wooden bar detailed with tile and a surrounding lounge space outfitted with brass accents, textured terracotta flooring, vintage armchairs, ceramic wall sconces, natural leather lounge chairs, plush seating, and wood wall paneling to impart a sense of warmth and timeless design.
The property’s renovated Blockade Surf Bar, a nod to its previous incarnation, will serve a selection of crowd-pleasing bites and dishes for lunch and dinner, along with a full bar featuring a selection of tropical cocktails, frozen drinks, and a selection of local beers on draft. One of the few bars in Wrightsville Beach offering direct beach access, Blockade Surf Bar is ideally situated between the resort and beach, welcoming all who are looking for a respite from the sun.
New Experiential Offerings
To ensure guests can make the most of Wrightsville Beach, Trailborn Surf & Sound provides a variety of exclusive experiences and programming, such as surf lessons, boat cruises, fishing trips, and sailboat, surfboard, paddleboard, and kayak rentals. At the resort, guests can also rent complimentary bikes or reserve pool cabanas, beach chairs, and umbrellas. The property will also host a variety of events for guests and locals, such as live music, yoga, bonfires and s’mores, beachside barbecues, and culinary events. For families, Trailborn Surf & Sound hosts kids’ programming like treasure hunts and partners with North Carolina Aquariums on an educational series. A pillar of Trailborn’s commitment to sustainability through its “Keep Extraordinary” initiative, the property will donate a portion of every direct stay booked on trailborn.com to the NC Coastal Federation to support the organization’s efforts on cleaning coastal waters, living shorelines, thriving oysters, effective coastal management, and marine debris removal.
“We are incredibly excited to unveil Trailborn Surf & Sound and introduce an exciting new way for both locals and travelers to experience the unique charm of our town,” says general manager Nicolas Montoya. “Our team has poured their hearts into creating a resort that seamlessly blends modern comfort with the natural beauty of our town and the surrounding coastline. We’re excited to welcome back our neighbors and guests, offering an experience so exceptional that it will keep them coming back time and time again.”
Trailborn Surf & Sound signals the next step forward for the historic property, which has existed since 1897. The property has seen several chapters, from initially opening as the Seashore Hotel, then reopening as the Ocean Terrace Hotel in the mid-1900s, and most recently, operating as the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. Throughout each iteration, the hotel has continued to be a top destination for locals and travelers. The debut of Trailborn Surf & Sound marks a new era for the hotel. It is located 15 minutes from Wilmington International Airport (with direct flights from cities including New York City, Miami, and Atlanta) and downtown Wilmington, and approximately a 2.5-hour drive from the Raleigh-Durham area, making it the perfect getaway for beach lovers returning to Wrightsville Beach or looking to explore a new destination.
