Gastonia sits roughly 20 miles west of Charlotte, the largest city and urban hub of North Carolina. Gastonia, meanwhile, is a smaller city of about 75,000 people, lacking Charlotte’s popularity and recognizable name. But don’t worry, there are attractions in Gastonia as well, like the Schiele Museum of Natural History or the city’s attractive, historic downtown district. Fish camps are a popular type of restaurant in these parts, serving up generous heaps of fried catfish, shrimp, flounder and many other kinds of seafood. You can work off those deep-fried calories at the nearby Crowder’s Mountain State Park.
Planning a trip to Gastonia? We’ve chosen three affordable hotels for you to check out. We made our selections based on location, price and past customer ratings, opting for slightly higher prices if a property’s ratings were above the 8.0 mark on Booking.com.
From $82/ night
Whether you’re traveling by Interstate 85, US 74 or Highway 321, this property offers access to all three. It also offers a free hot breakfast with plenty of options, from eggs to meat to yogurt to fresh, juicy fruit. (Rushed business travelers, fear not: a to-go bag is available for the earliest risers.) After breakfast, you can visit some nearby attractions, like the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden or the Schiele Museum of Natural History. If you’re in more of a consumerist mood, there are numerous shopping centers nearby. If all that doesn’t tire you out, there’s a fitness center and pool —and complimentary access to the local YMCA. At the end of the day, relax in your room, which comes with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and hairdryer.
From $95/ night
Traveling with pets? This Holiday Inn can accommodate your furry friends. It also boasts an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, BBQ grills and business center. There’s breakfast, too, served buffet style, and past guests have rated it kindly. Most attractions are a 15-mile or so drive away, so eat be sure to get plenty of fuel in the morning. (Much closer is Rankin Lake, only 1,600 feet away.) Then, you (and your pets) can enjoy a well-deserved night’s rest in your room, which includes a fridge, microwave, TV and coffeemaker.
From $90/ night
Your room at Gastonia’s iteration of Fairfield Inn will include a kitchenette, fridge and microwave, meaning you can eat dinner in your PJs. But you can also try some of the nearby restaurants and cafés within walking distance, like Waffle House, Cracker Barrel or Texas Roadhouse. Speaking of food: a hot breakfast is served up each morning in the large dining area, stocked with not only waffles but Jimmy Dean-branded breakfast sandwiches. There’s no pool or gym, but there is free wifi and parking.