New Bern hotel opens after years of delays

NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) - After nearly seven years of delays, the long-awaited Holiday Inn Express & Suites has its open sign up and is finally ready for business.

“Wow, that’s amazing! I’m glad it’s finally open, it definitely took a while,” New Bern resident Robbie Evans said.

The $6 million, 100-room hotel began construction back in 2019 with an original opening slated for 2021 and again in 2023.

In 2025, East Coast Hospitality, the developers of the hotel, announced that it would open in September, but the opening was delayed to November and then targeted for a soft opening in December.

Hotel developers say the reason for the setbacks was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages, and the higher cost of supplies from inflation.

For residents in Craven County, the extra rooms mean more choices, especially during big events.

“I think there’ll be more economic impact because with MumFest and the Seafood Fest, people have more choices,” Havelock resident Alan Frazier said.

The hotel is located behind the New Bern Mall and off Highway 70.

For restaurants like Sake, also located off Highway 70, they say they’re happy about the opening and welcome guests from the new hotel.

“I think it will bring more customers here and keep our business up,” Sake owner Lucy Liu said.

City officials say a grand opening celebration for the hotel is in the works for March.