Unscripted Durham - JDV by Hyatt

Really cute modern hotel with an amazing location. Many cute shops and restaurants super close by. As a Hyatt globalist, I got upgraded to a wonderful studio suite (room 409). I would imagine the other rooms would be smaller and more basic. What is a true standout of the hotel is the staff. Every single one of them went out of their way to make sure I had a wonderful stay. Really appreciate you *Yvette*!!!

Decided to choose Unscripted for some photos for an upcoming project. The older look of the hotel was what I looking for and it did my photos justice. The hotel gives off an 60's, 70's or 80's vibe which I thought was cool. The rooms were nice and comfortable. The igloo restaurant added and touch of Christmas holiday vibe. Pleasant views of downtown Durham from the pool deck. Overall my stay was very good.

Excellent location, great area as well. Hotel staff was wonderful. However our room didnt have a window, and the only other time that's happened for me was staying downtown Manhattan. So, very unexpected and disappointing. Great time otherwise! My boyfriend and I were able to walk to DPAC, and we recommend the nearby restaurant "Queeny's"

IGLOO RESERVATION EXPERIENCE; We were called 30 minutes before our reservation and informed that the temperature was dropping below 20 degrees and that the igloos were not maintaining heat. At that point it was far too last-minute to make other plans, so we decided to show up anyway. Once we arrived, it took almost 20 minutes to get seated, all while standing outside in freezing temperatures. When we were finally seated, it was not the cozy, well-appointed igloo that’s advertised. Ours lacked blankets, warmth, and the aesthetic shown online, which was disappointing given the price and expectation. I will say the manager and our server were very accommodating, and I appreciate their effort. However, the drinks were overwhelmingly strong, and the food was honestly below average for a place positioning itself as upscale. The pork chops had a nasty aftertaste, to the point where I stopped eating them because something felt off. The steak was hard and undercooked. Since it was already 8:30 PM, on an SUNDAY. After leaving, I experienced severe stomach cramps, and I am confident I got food poisoning from this meal. Overall, the entire experience felt cheap, rushed, and poorly executed, especially for something that’s marketed as a premium dining experience. Unfortunately, I do not recommend this place at all, and I would not return.

Durham Unscripted is my go-to hotel whenever I’m in Durham. The location is unbeatable—right in the middle of everything, with great dining options all around within easy walking distance. Service is consistently superb: friendly, professional, and genuinely attentive. The atmosphere is stylish yet relaxed, and the beds are extremely comfortable, which makes a big difference after a long day. Between the location, nearby restaurants, comfort, and service, this place delivers every time. I always stay here when I’m in Durham and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

The hotel was fairly clean, and its location is great but otherwise unremarkable and sort of a let down. The one employee we encountered was very kind. The bed was fine, and the room stayed warm. If you look at the photos online it appears they have this great outdoor area, obviously the pool would be closed this time of year but no fire pits, none of the cute igloos shown online. Your hallway is all outdoors like an old motel. No dresser drawers, no place to sit really but the bed, no desk because the tv and coffee pot cover the small space there may have been. Honestly, it would be fine if I paid $100 a night but at $225 a night, you’d expect a little more. More than anything, it just isn’t what I expected from pics online. Again it wasn’t a bad stay, just a let down.

Igloo dining experience: Signage could possibly be improved as i was slightly unsure of how to get to the patio as a local. We were seated quickly upon arrival and loved the igloo with two couches, two chairs, a table and fireplace heater. It was much warmer than I thought it would be. When it comes to drinks- stick to what you like. 1st course we both ordered the gem salad. It was great, the caeser dressing was slightly different in a good way on 2 romaine hearts. 2nd course i had the ravioli which was slightly sweet and made for a great contrast in flavor. My fiancee got the shrimp cocktail that came on a bed of arugula with a nice sauce. I just think a shrimp or two more would be nice. 3rd course we both got the steak frites. My medium rare was nice but her rare was even better. The whole course was a blend of flavors that really melted me into the couch. 4th course we both decided on the chocolate cremeux and were not disappointed with a slight saltiness to counter balance the sweetness. Overall our server was awesome, drinks were strong and great, good was perfectly portioned and flavored. We will definitely be returning next year!