The south-eastern state of North Carolina stretches from the heights of the Appalachian Mountains in the west to the narrow, sand-spit beaches of the Atlantic coast. In between, there are cool cities with cutting-edge industries, charming historic towns and thousands of farms. From sleek skyscraper-hotels to intimate inns, boutique hideaways and mountain lodges, there's plenty of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, too. This is definitely a state of contrasts, with the best places to stay in North Carolina offering a fantastic array of experiences for visitors from across the world.