If hitting up the original location of Duck Donuts to take back a freshly-baked dozen to your OBX beach cottage is a cherished summer tradition, you’re going to love a new offering arriving just in time for National Donut Day on June 4.
National chain Duck Donuts, which was founded in 2006 in its namesake North Carolina beach town and now has more than 100 locations across the country, has teamed up with the AAA Four Diamond-rated Sanderling Resort to offer guests a doughnut-themed getaway. Dubbed The Sweet Escape, the package includes an accommodation that’s decked out in doughnut bedding, pillows, artwork, wallpaper, sprinkle curtains, and pool floats. But it doesn’t end there. Experiences like a doughnut wake-up call, an in-room coffee and doughnut decorating bar, and a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at an original Duck Donuts store are like the rainbow sprinkles on top of that glazed cruller.
The room and package were inspired by the need to make this summer extra special as we collectively begin to recover from the pandemic and return to travel, according to Sanderling Resort managing director Geoff Young. “Part of what makes the Outer Banks such a unique destination is our local community and the experiences they create for those who visit—and that includes Duck Donuts,” he says. “Sanderling is proud to be based in the hometown of the cult-favorite Duck Donuts brand and is excited to incorporate their story into ours.”
Before their stay, guests will be contacted by Sanderling’s doughnut concierge to let them know the amenities and what to expect, as well as coordinate the day, time, and flavor selection for the doughnut wake-up call to their guest room door. And the room will be stocked with more than two dozen donuts in anticipation of their arrival. The in-room coffee bar features a Keurig coffee maker, Duck Donuts’ Beachcomber Blend coffee, Duck Donuts coffee cups (which guests can take home as a souvenir), and three doughnut decorating kits, each with a doughnut, icing, and a topping.
Once everyone is sufficiently caffeinated and sugared up, they can head to a Duck Donuts location for a private tour offering a peek into how these beloved cult doughnuts are made. “The Sweet Escape is designed to be a one-of-a-kind getaway for donut lovers,” Young says. “We hope guests come to indulge—not just in donuts, but also in a vacation that will re-energize and refresh them.”
Reservations for The Sweet Escape are open now for stays May 28 to June 30. Nightly rates start at $599 based on dates and availability, and reservations can be made on the resort’s website.
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