Summit Hospitality Group replaced a block of office buildings at the edge of Glenwood South with a new 147-room AC Hotel by Marriott, opening in 2021 with a rooftop lounge, The Willard, right at the entrance to Raleigh's nightlife district.
The essentials
Group Marriott (AC Hotels), operated by Summit Hospitality Group
Opening July 2021
Rooms & suites 147 rooms
Segment Upscale/Lifestyle
Designer NC
Entry rate From $230 Learn more → The place A new seven-story hotel at 9 Glenwood Ave, at the southern tip of Glenwood South, Raleigh's restaurant-and-nightlife district; the site was previously a cluster of brick office buildings and a surface parking lot, cleared for construction in 2020.
The concept Raleigh-based Summit Hospitality Group developed this AC Hotels by Marriott property, opening it in 2021 with 147 rooms, ground-floor retail and an integrated parking structure. The brand's signature minimalist, European-inspired design and lack of a traditional lobby-desk layout are meant to draw a design-conscious traveler rather than a business-standard one, and the hotel doubles as a gateway into the Glenwood South bar and restaurant strip right outside its doors.
Dining & wellness The Willard Rooftop Lounge, an independently branded rooftop bar just steps from the hotel entrance, serves cocktails and small bites with skyline views; further sit-down dining details are to be confirmed.
Our take The rooftop and the location inside Glenwood South's nightlife are the real draw here: a five-minute walk gets you to most of downtown Raleigh's bar scene. The guest rooms themselves follow the AC Hotels playbook closely, so don't expect much that differentiates from other AC properties.
Google guest reviews 4.2/5 · 287 reviews
Had booked a hotel room for last night and showed up and was told they had overbooked the hotel and we would have to stay at another hotel 30 minutes away….. WHAT? We had booked it purposefully to be close to a show we were going to and we paid the extra money to be close to the venue! We could have booked a cooler hotel if we knew we were going to have to stay in Durham!
Also, why weren’t we alerted before we got there? Why couldn’t they call us and tell us instead of having to struggle to find parking and finally getting there and then telling us we can’t stay. Wild management.
We stayed at this hotel while getting ready for our wedding at Melrose Knitting Mill, and it ended up being such a great choice. We booked two parlor rooms along with our own suite, and everything was very clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully laid out. We worked with someone to setup a hotel block for guests and other family coming in and they did a great job making sure the rates were honored and fitting people in appropriately.
The parlor rooms were perfect for spending time with our wedding parties while also having enough space for hair and makeup. We had around 7–8 people in the room at a time, and it never felt cramped. The pullout Murphy bed was also a really helpful feature—it gave us an extra place for guests to stay without taking up space during the day.
We also really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Breakfast the next morning had a good variety of options, and the dinner menu was solid too. I have to mention the burger—it was honestly so good, especially for a hotel restaurant. The bar area was one of our favorite spots to relax, with a modern but cozy feel and great drinks.
Another thing we loved was the outdoor space and the beautiful views. The hotel has outdoor heaters available for chilly evenings (as long as there isn’t precipitation), which made it even more enjoyable.
Overall, we had a really positive experience and would absolutely recommend this hotel for a wedding weekend or any special event—especially if you want to stay in downtown Raleigh and be close to everything.
The hotel itself was great. However, our room was right on the corner next to the bar ‘The Avenue’, and they were incredibly loud. It was literally louder in our room than in the hallway which struck me as bizarre. That being said, on our last night we were able to move our room more in-center of the hotel which was incredibly helpful. You could still hear it, but not as much. So, if you are looking to sleep, make sure you don’t stay on the edge and definitely not Friday-Saturday between 11pm-2am when they have a DJ.
Alexandreia Bourbonais · 3/5 My fiancée and I stayed at the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown on the night of the Stanley Cup game. Unfortunately, our experience at check-in left a very negative first impression.
When we arrived, a former employee was standing behind the front desk and repeatedly flirted with my fiancée, making her visibly uncomfortable. What was most disappointing was that the employees working behind the counter did nothing to stop the behavior or ask the former employee to leave the front desk area. Instead, they seemed to engage with the situation as though it was entertaining.
As paying guests, we expected a professional, respectful, and welcoming environment from the moment we walked through the door. No guest should be made to feel uncomfortable during check-in, especially because of inappropriate conduct that staff members have the ability to address.
I hope hotel management reviews this incident with their team and reinforces the importance of maintaining a safe, professional atmosphere for every guest. One uncomfortable interaction at check-in can overshadow an otherwise enjoyable stay.My fiancée and I stayed at the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown on the night of the Stanley Cup game. Unfortunately, our experience at check-in left a very negative first impression.
Bumble Bee Tiny Homes · 1/5 Great hotel. Have to stay there for work. Square toilets are unusual, but the rooms are good size and bathrooms are very nice. 7th floor has a restaurant and bar. Service is great, cost reflects the convenience of not having to Uber and plenty of room to unwind with colleagues.
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