You're driving down the I-40 or maybe cutting through the North Hills traffic, and you see it. The yellow sign. Honestly, most travelers see a Days Inn and immediately put it into a specific "survival mode" box in their heads. It’s the place you go when the flight is canceled or when the bank account is screaming for mercy. But the Days Inn by Wyndham Raleigh Midtown is a weirdly specific case study in why you can't always trust a brand name to tell the whole story. It’s located at 3117 Wake Forest Road, which, if you know Raleigh, puts it right in the crosshairs of where the "old Raleigh" charm meets the hyper-polished "new Raleigh" development of North Hills.
Staying here isn't about luxury. Let's be real. It’s about location and the cold, hard math of saving $100 a night compared to the glass towers just a mile up the road.
The Reality of 3117 Wake Forest Road
Most people looking at the Days Inn by Wyndham Raleigh Midtown are trying to solve a problem. Usually, that problem is: "I need to be near Duke Raleigh Hospital or North Hills, but I don't want to pay $250 for a room I'm only going to sleep in for seven hours."
Location is the primary currency here.
You’ve got the hospital practically within shouting distance. For families dealing with medical stuff, that’s not just a convenience; it’s a lifeline. Then you have the shopping. North Hills is this massive, sprawling outdoor mall/living complex that feels like a different planet compared to the gritty utility of Wake Forest Road. You can stay at the Days Inn, save your cash, and then walk or take a two-minute Uber to spend that saved money on a steak at Ruth's Chris or a movie at the fancy theater.
It’s a contrast.
The building itself? It’s a classic two-story, exterior-corridor layout. For some, that’s a nostalgia trip. For others, it’s a dealbreaker. But there's something to be said for parking your car right outside your door and not hauling luggage through a maze of carpeted hallways and slow elevators. It feels like the road trips people took in the 70s, just with better Wi-Fi.
What the Reviews Don't Tell You (The Nuance)
Online reviews are a battlefield. One person says it’s the best value in North Carolina; the next person says they found a hair in the sink and the world is ending. The truth about the Days Inn by Wyndham Raleigh Midtown lives in the middle.
It’s an older property. That’s just a fact.
Wyndham has certain standards, but an older building has "bones" that show. You might find a slightly noisy AC unit or a bathroom tile that’s seen better days. But you’re also getting a level of accessibility that’s hard to find elsewhere. If you're an expert traveler, you know that "budget" doesn't have to mean "bad." It just means "unfiltered."
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The staff here often gets high marks for being "real." They aren't corporate robots scripted to say "it's my pleasure" every five seconds. They are locals. They know where the good BBQ is (hit up Ole Time Barbecue if you have a car, or just settle for the nearby chains if you’re tired).
The Amenities Check
People always ask about the breakfast.
Look, it’s a Daybreak breakfast. It’s not a brunch at a five-star resort. You’re getting coffee, maybe some cereal, some yogurt, and those little packaged muffins. It’s fuel. If you want a "real" breakfast, you're better off heading to Snooze or Big Ed’s. But for the price? It’s a win.
- Wi-Fi: Usually solid enough for a Zoom call, though it might struggle if the hotel is at 100% capacity with everyone streaming Netflix.
- The Pool: It exists. In the summer, it’s a godsend for kids who have been trapped in a car for six hours.
- Pet Policy: One of the big reasons people choose this specific spot. It’s more pet-friendly than the high-end boutiques nearby.
Why This Specific Spot Beats the Airport Hotels
RDU airport hotels are fine, but they are soul-crushing. You are stuck in a bubble of asphalt and rental car lots.
Staying at the Days Inn by Wyndham Raleigh Midtown puts you in the actual city. You’re close to the beltline (I-440), which means you can get to NC State’s campus in ten minutes. You can get to downtown Raleigh—to the museums and the capitol—in about the same time.
It’s the "middle" of Midtown.
If you’re a sports fan coming in for a Hurricanes game at PNC Arena, you're about 15 minutes away. If you're here for a concert at The Ritz? You are literally right there. You could almost walk, though I wouldn't recommend it across those busy lanes of traffic.
Facing the "Budget Hotel" Stigma
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Some people are scared of budget motels.
They worry about safety. They worry about cleanliness.
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The Days Inn by Wyndham Raleigh Midtown manages these expectations by being part of the Wyndham Rewards ecosystem. This means there is corporate oversight. It’s not an independent "No-Tell Motel." There are standards for security and hygiene that must be met to keep that sun logo on the sign.
Is it perfect? No. Is it functional? Absolutely.
I’ve found that the people who enjoy this stay the most are the ones who use it as a base camp. They aren't spending the afternoon lounging in the room. They are at the North Carolina Museum of Art, or they are visiting a student at Shaw University, or they are in town for a convention at the Raleigh Convention Center but didn't want to pay downtown parking fees.
The Financial Logic
Mathematically, it’s hard to argue with the value proposition.
Raleigh’s hotel tax is 13% (6% occupancy tax plus 7% sales tax). When you apply 13% to a $280 room at the Renaissance or the AC Hotel, you’re paying nearly $40 just in taxes. That $40 is almost half the nightly rate at the Days Inn some weeks.
For a three-night stay, you’re looking at a savings of $400 to $600.
Think about what you can do in Raleigh with $600. That’s a world-class dinner at Second Stack, tickets to a show, and a shopping spree at Quail Ridge Books.
Things to Consider Before You Book
Don't just click "reserve" without a strategy.
First, check the calendar for North Carolina State University events. If it’s graduation weekend or a home football game, even this Days Inn will see prices spike.
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Second, ask for a room away from the road if you’re a light sleeper. Wake Forest Road is a major artery. It stays busy. The hum of traffic can be white noise for some, but for others, it’s a nuisance.
Third, manage your expectations on the "Midtown" branding. In Raleigh, "Midtown" is a relatively new marketing term for the area around North Hills. Some parts of it are incredibly shiny and new; other parts, like where the Days Inn sits, are still in that transition phase. It’s safe, but it looks like a normal commercial district, not a postcard.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you decide to book the Days Inn by Wyndham Raleigh Midtown, do it with a plan.
Join the Rewards Program. Even if you never stay at another Days Inn, joining Wyndham Rewards can sometimes get you a lower "member rate" immediately. It also gives you a bit more leverage if there’s an issue with your room and you need to talk to corporate.
Check the Duke Raleigh Hospital Rate. If you are in town for medical reasons, call the front desk directly. Many hotels on this corridor offer "compassion rates" or hospital-adjacent discounts that aren't always publicized on the big travel sites like Expedia or Priceline.
Navigate the Traffic. Avoid trying to turn left out of the parking lot during morning or evening rush hour. Just turn right and U-turn later or navigate through the back streets. Your blood pressure will thank you.
The Food Secret. Don't eat at the hotel every morning. Walk or drive over to Big Ed's North Hills for a real Southern breakfast. It's iconic for a reason, and it’s very close.
Ultimately, this property serves a specific purpose. It isn't trying to be a boutique experience. It’s a place for the worker, the budget traveler, the family on a move, and the person who realizes that a bed is just a bed. By acknowledging that it's an older, functional space in a high-value location, you can stop worrying about the "budget" label and start enjoying the fact that you have more money in your pocket to actually experience Raleigh.