Great Places to Stay: The Record Rack Loft

July 28, 2023

Downtown Goldsboro is anything but typical. In fact, each street has a little something you wouldn’t expect. There’s a restaurant owned by the former chef to the King of Thailand. A vintage gas station has been transformed into a microbrewery. Then, as if showing off, F-15E jets soar across the sky on the regular. Downtown Goldsboro is a unique place, that is for sure. So, if you are going to visit, you need a place just as interesting to stay.

Welcome to the Record Rack Loft. Sure, there are lots of perfectly comfortable hotels in and around Downtown Goldsboro. But this newly renovated Airbnb offers visitors a little history, space to find their rhythm, and convenience to everything local.

This 1,600-square-foot overnight hideaway is located right in the heart of Downtown with free, easy, and safe parking. Entering through a private entrance, visitors climb a small set of stairs framed with music-inspired images, an homage to the past and a clue as to what awaits at the threshold above.

The Record Rack stood as a staple in Downtown Goldsboro from 1984 to 2008.

Owner Stanley Hartley, lovingly known as "Stan da Man" kept the store stocked with the latest and greatest releases, from 45s to 8 tracks. The store became a gathering spot for music lovers across Wayne County. When Downtown Goldsboro purchased the building a year ago, they decided to use the first floor as their office space and transform the upstairs into a boutique rental with a wink to the past.

The loft features 2 full bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen, a convertible sofa in the living room, free WiFi, and a washer/dryer unit on the property at only $150 a night. The space alone for the price is worth looking at here first, before going with a typical hotel nearby. But add in the design, charm, and convenience and you start to realize how much of a deal this place is.

Entering the loft, you encounter the first bedroom on your left. It features a clean and modern 9 ft. glass privacy wall, giving a unique touch to the space. There’s definitely room to sprawl out in here, with tons of floor space around a queen-sized bed, a desk, and a bathroom conveniently located right in the room.

Moving into the main living space, the loft is airy and filled with the light of windows that almost touch the floor. The original Record Rack sign that once hung outside the building glows a bright yellow, mounted above the couch in the living room – a couch that can convert into a bed for overflow. To the side, you’ll find a vintage audio system, a record player, a variety of vinyl to listen to, and two guitars which all supply the tools to make any audiophile’s dreams come true.

The full kitchen located right next to the main living area is open concept and would be the perfect spot to cook up a meal. The kitchen is stocked with pots and pans, dishes and silverware, glasses and stemware, and standard kitchen appliances. And don’t worry coffee drinkers, there is a Keurig to support your addiction. Not feeling like making a meal? There are many food and drink options just a few steps away.

Heading towards the main suite, a neon sign hanging right outside the door yells in a bright yellow the words you know in your heart to be true, "This must be the place." The décor is chic and contemporary. The King bed sits in front of an exposed 100-year-old brick wall. A sleek desk waits for your laptop. Room-darkening shades make the space your own personal cave for sleeping in.

Beyond the price, the design, and the comforting details, the final piece that makes the Record Rack Loft amazing is the location. It is right in the heart of Downtown Goldsboro. And we mean right in the heart. Try your hand at an escape room. Book a local spa day. Enjoy a hand-rolled cigar in a tap room. Or just browse through aesthetic boutique shops. When you get hungry, choose from one of the many locally-owned restaurants. From 12 to 12 brunch to a meal prepared by the King of Thailand’s former personal chef, because, why not?

Our recommendation is to book your next weekend’s getaway in Downtown Goldsboro with a stay at the Record Rack Loft. This city finally has a place to stay that is as unique and worthy of the destination. For music lovers and all visitors, this accommodation should go to the top of the charts.

>> Where to Book: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/654999208205111519?source_impression_id=p3_1673378812_5eSPUuSrO0kOCnKx
>> Nightly Rate: $150 per night (Price may vary per season)

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