Family and Pet Friendly, steps from the beach - Vacation rental home in Sunset Beach, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 9
• 4 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• Private vacation home

Welcome to Grateful Dunes! It’s a second-row home - right across the street from the beach access. It’s laid out with a central open floor plan, so that you can talk with family in the living room while cooking in the kitchen. On each side of the big central room, there’s a suite of 2 bedrooms, connected by a bathroom, ideal for families or friends. We're always improving the home - this year we added a new refrigerator and microwave, did some painting, and created a shuffleboard court.

INDOOR LIVING:
The kitchen is well-supplied because we live here - with good knives and cutting boards, coffee paraphernalia, and fun stuff like a panini maker, a mini waffle iron, and a whirly pop (which will forever spoil you for microwave popcorn), and of course a blender and toaster and tons of good pots and pans. And we've installed a new gas range, and a reverse-osmosis water purification system.

We’ve put a lot of thought into making the home family friendly, including:
- a wall of bookshelves, completely outfitted with books for adults and kids
- a stereo system and some records and CDs
- tons of games and cards and puzzles and art supplies
- a low cabinet with plastic plates and cups, so the kids can get their own snacks
- a 5-gallon water cooler, so the kids can get their own drinks,
- a tea event set
- a portable crib, high chair, and stroller
- cleaning supplies stored on a high shelf, out of reach of little ones
- new washer and dryer

Bring your own sheets and towels - or we can recommend a local linen rental service.

OUTDOOR LIVING:
- right across the street from the beach access!
- a big shady porch deck with tons of comfortable seating,
- since we’re on Main Street, there’s great people-watching.
- an outdoor shower,
- a picnic table with benches,
- a Weber grille.
- beach chairs and sand toys.
- shaded shuffleboard court in the carport!

PLEASE NOTE: Although the home has more than one floor, the rental is the first floor only. We have just fulfilled a lifetime dream of moving to Sunset Beach, and we’re delighted to have found a home that we can share with guests, while we move upstairs to the “crow's nest” apartment. So if you need help replacing the water cooler bottle, or want a knitting lesson or recommendations for the best fish market or organic farm market, you only have to text us. But don’t worry, even though we’ll be upstairs, there’s a big empty space between the main home and the little apartment on the 3rd floor - because there's no second floor! So there's tons of privacy - we won't hear you, and you won't hear us.

About the Area

Located in Sunset Beach, this vacation home is near the beach. While the natural beauty of Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can check out Cherry Grove Pier.
Ingram Planetarium and Museum of Coastal Carolina are also worth visiting. Kayaking, fishing, and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking nearby.

Special Instructions

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Pet Policy

2 total pets

Our top Rental property booking tips and tricks:

Sticking to a rental budget:

• Book your rental as early as possible. Rental schedules generally become available a year in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many groups reserve their Summer rental homes during Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• June, July, and August are high season in the Wilmington, NC area. Booking in Fall or Spring is our favorite way to save money on your vacation home. Rates are lower, and you'll find a better selection of suitable properties. Many vacationers use this method to find larger homes within budget, or to book an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during the Summer. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Wilmington, NC vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday on the coast? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with friends and family at your favorite beach.
• Some property managers offer discounts or promotional rates for veterans and active duty military. Remember to ask your property manager if rate reductions are available for your group.
• Property management companies typically offer their guests an option to buy vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which commonly costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for program terms and fees.
• Look for your local Wilmington, NC area magazine upon arrival. If your rental doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local grocery stores and visitor centers. In addition to great information, visitor guides have discounts for local shops and restaurants.

Filter your search:

• First and foremost, have your family agree to trip dates and a spending budget.
• Decide how many beds and the bed configuration your group requires. Family and Pet Friendly, steps from the beach has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts is usually accessible on booking websites. If they are not listed, email the host before booking the home. Note that most property listings specify maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes pull-out couches. You'll need to establish what is suitable for your group.
• Traveling with pets? Many vacation homes allow animals, but guidelines and restrictions apply. Type of pet, size and breeds may be limited. Make sure to ask before booking, and study your agreement thoroughly! Additional fees or charges could be applied to your invoice.
• Is your group looking for particular amenities? Most rental websites include amenity lists and search filters. Use these to your advantage to find the perfect rental home.
• Proper accessibility can make or break a vacation for persons with disabilities. Confirm all necessary amenities are available before reserving a rental.

Considerations for your stay:

• Take a copy of the owner's contact number and arrival/departure procedures for your .
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a hot tub, television set or appliance. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief text message prevents lots of issues.
• Keep the property locked while you're out! Don't let crooks spoil your family vacation.
• Record any issues with the property during check in, and immediately contact the owner. We especially recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain time stamps that are valuable if damages are assessed.
• Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking restrictions can make a stay more pleasurable. You'll magnify your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors are often a fantastic resource to find the best local spots.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Locals can often point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to order the best nachos, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for bird watching?
• When it's time to leave, complete a walk-through to make sure you have not leave anything behind. Re-check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden items. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Document the condition of the property at check-out. We recommend taking a video during your final walk-through.
• Did you have a excellent stay? Many rental websites make it easy for guests to provide feedback. If your rental and/or property management company was wonderful, they would love to hear about it. If anything was amiss and they failed to address it in a reasonable manner, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make it a point as part of your comments.