Tucked behind Moore County’s luxurious Carolina Hotel and just a two-minute walk from the Village of Pinehurst sits the Sacred Heart Church, built in 1919. Employees from the resort village filled the pews of the Old English Gothic-style church, and Father William Dillon — who’d previously offered sacraments door to door on horseback — led from the pulpit.

“The Old Church” became a private residence in 1994, and now, 30 years later, anybody can experience its rich history by booking a stay in it as a short-term rental. “It feels both grand and deeply comfortable,” describes owner Dan Keane. “It’s a place where family and friends can truly gather — there’s room to spread out, share meals, laugh late into the night — and still find their own cozy corner. The soaring ceilings and open space give it that ‘wow’ factor, but the warmth and thoughtful details make it feel like home.”

More than anything, Dan and his wife, Jenna, fell in love with the idea of bringing new life to a historic space. “Moore County has such a timeless charm — it’s a place that invites people to slow down and connect.” Across the Sandhills region, an array of inns, homes, and hotels give guests a soft landing and an inspiring launchpad to explore the area. As you plan your visit, here are six additional properties to consider.

The storybook-like Telephone Cottage can accommodate up to five guests. Photography courtesy of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen

Telephone Cottage at Pine Crest Inn

Like the Old Church, Telephone Cottage, a little white storybook-style house with green shutters, is a Pinehurst neighborhood institution. The cottage beside Pine Crest Inn got its start as a “switching cottage” that held all the telephone equipment for the Village of Pinehurst.

Andy Hofmann, who runs the inn with her husband, Bobby, says the house has its own fan base with guests who appreciate its history. “Bobby’s parents bought Pine Crest Inn and the switching cottage in 1961, when he was 9,” she says. “We have people who only want to stay here when they come. It’s like getting the crown jewel.”

Telephone Cottage accommodates two queen beds and an alcove with a single bed. “When families come during the U.S. Kids golf tournament, it’s perfect for them,” Andy says. “And you can walk everywhere from here.”

The scent of fresh pine needles and a crackling fireside greet guests when they step foot inside The Holly Inn’s cozy lobby. Photography courtesy of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen

The Holly Inn

Up the street from Telephone Cottage, The Holly Inn stands proud as Pinehurst’s first hotel, which opened its doors to guests in 1895. With exterior architecture inspired by Queen Anne revival and arts-and-crafts styles, the hotel’s interior showcases botanical wallpapers and intricate wood carvings.

In the winter, the elegant 1895 Grille feels extra cozy, inviting diners to engage in conversation surrounded by dark wood paneling and soft lighting. On warm nights, The Holly Inn’s patio is a graceful extension of the inn itself — a place to sip your morning coffee or linger over a post-dinner cocktail.

Settle yourself on the swing at 1878 Bed and Breakfast’s gracious porch and enjoy scenes of Historic Cameron around you. Photography courtesy of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen

1878 Bed and Breakfast

Like the guests who stay in her 1878 Victorian “gingerbread house” in downtown Historic Cameron, Elizabeth Nhambure sees the beauty in architecture and furniture others might dismiss.

Nhambure’s Carthage Street bed and breakfast is filled with treasures she collected during 24 years of travel with the military, as well as local antiques and original art. “I never knew I was into antiques until I bought this house and started unpacking all my stuff!” she laughs. “It’s a combination of vintage goods, antiques, and modern pieces — almost like staying in a museum.”

The baby grand piano, for example, was given to Nhambure by a local. “His grandfather gave it to his mother, and then he inherited it from her. Ultimately, he wanted a way for it to be appreciated,” she says. The original paintings are courtesy of a Virginia art professor and personal friend from Ghana.

While Nhambure’s conversations with guests may start with art and antiques, they’re guaranteed to turn to food. “I serve three meals a day to my guests,” she says. “Before they even arrive, we decide on lunch. And at lunch, we’ll talk about dinner — maybe a Southern dinner with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Usually, we end up in the kitchen together, talking over a cider or beer or glass of wine. It’s just like going home.”

At Tanglewood Farm, the warm welcome extends beyond O’Reilly’s hospitality — even your four-legged neighbors wait to greet the hotel’s guests. Photography courtesy of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen

Tanglewood Farm

When guests show up at Lindsay O’Reilly’s 10-acre horse farm, they’re greeted by a flock of chickens. “This is immersion in Southern Pines culture,” O’Reilly says with a laugh, referring not only to the welcoming committee but also to the balcony views that overlook grazing horses and the huge live oak tree that often compels passersby to stop for an impromptu photo shoot.

For a full dose of fresh Sandhills air, book a short-term rental in one of the farm’s three apartments: the Fox Den, Horse and Hound, or Tally Ho suites. Each offers a private entrance, kitchen, and living area.

Southern Pines locals recognize O’Reilly from her Tanglewood Farm food truck (she’s known for her gourmet burgers and grilled cheeses — “I take the flavor vibes from my pastry school days,” she says). O’Reilly doesn’t offer food truck cuisine to guests, but you can place an order for her pastries. “I make rustic quiche pies and homemade pop-tarts. It will be waiting for you when you arrive.”

Old Buggy Inn

“What do you think?” Scott Chase emailed his wife, Karyl, in 2019, with a link to a real estate listing for the Old Buggy Inn in Carthage. Karyl, who’d always dreamed of running a bed and breakfast, typed back right away. “It is everything I ever wanted, and then some.”

The home befits its legacy as a gift from W.T. Jones, the 1800s president of Tyson and Jones Buggy Company, to his wife Florence Dockey. The 1880 Victorian manor house features a wrap-around porch, grand front doors, a stunning staircase in the foyer that leads to four guest rooms upstairs, each with their own private bathroom.

Now at the helm of the Old Buggy Inn Bed and Breakfast, Karyl prides herself on breakfast, which ranges from French toast with locally baked challah bread to gourmet egg casseroles. “This winter, I’ve been making apple cider doughnut waffles with spiced apples on the side,” she says.

Guests are an easy walk to Carthage’s boutiques and antiques shops. “It’s such a fun surprise to meet everybody who walks through the doors,” Karyl says.

The largest of the Cottages at No. 8, The Centennial, invites larger groups to unwind between eight spacious bedrooms. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst Resort

Cottages at No. 8

Pine stands, natural sandy expanses, and a gently rolling green: This is the view from all nine of Pinehurst Resort’s luxury cottages. Positioned along Pinehurst No. 8, the Resort’s Centennial Course, these cottages are amply accommodating. Guests can also choose from a four- or eight-bedroom cottage or The Centennial, a grand, 13,950-square-foot, eight-bedroom house.

Golf groups appreciate the plush, comfortable living spaces, kitchen, and recreation room complete with a pool table that encourage guests to unwind together and bond. These are the perfect gathering pads for old friends who want to golf by day and relax around a firepit by night.

Ready to plan your stay? Click here to learn more about all the hotels, inns, B&Bs, and short-term rentals that await in the Sandhills and book your next home away from home.