• As low as $298/Night
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
rental image 1

General Features

  • 2 bathrooms
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Air conditioning
  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Dishwasher
  • English
  • Garden
  • Heating
  • Living room
  • Onsite parking
  • Pet friendly
  • Porch or lanai
  • Property does not allow children
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Smoke-free property
  • Towels provided
  • TV
  • Unit size: 900 sq ft (84 sq m)
  • WiFi available

About this Property

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Private vacation home
  • Approximately 900 square feet

3-nighttime minimum stay - Step inside the Mad River bungalow and you will want to stay forever. Constructed over a century ago and surrounded by centuries-old live oaks, the two-bedroom bungalow is the ideal getaway for a week or a weekend away from home. Inside you’ll be delighted by the cheerful color pallet and comfortable furnishings. Outside you’ll have the opportunity to sip your morning coffee on the modest screened porch or dine al fresco beneath a lumbering live oak. You’ll be walking distance from everything the village of Southport offers—from boating to shopping to dining to fresh local seafood and of course all the famed spots featured in the Safe Haven movie—- all are just steps away from the bungalow. Plus, if it’s beach time you crave, you’ll be a short 15-min. drive to all the white sand and ocean waves you can imagine! Come savor one of the happiest oceanside towns in America and stay in the Mad River Cottage...it may be your first time but we’re sure it won’t be your last! Oh, and if you're wondering why it’s the Mad River Cottage check out this website: madriverdesigns.com, and be sure to stop by the Mad River Studio & Store for the best shopping in Southport.

Pet-friendly property on a case by case basis.

Intelligent TV available(no cable).

About the Area

Southport is home to this vacation home. Franklin Square Gallery and North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Southport Marina and The Clubs at St. James. Bald Head Island Information Center and North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher are also worth visiting.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets allowed

Tricks and tips for getting the best Wilmington, NC rental experience:

Getting the best rental home value:

  • Book your rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules usually become available 12 months in advance (or in September just after Summertime ends). Many families reserve their Summer rental homes during Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
  • June, July, and August are the most expensive months in coastal NC. To get the best value, try shifting your family's Wilmington, NC vacation dates to the Spring or Fall seasons. May, September, and October offer warmer weather, , and reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this method to reserve larger homes, or to book a beach front vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during June, July, and August. 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 loved ones at your favorite beach.
  • Hosts sometimes offer special rates for veterans. It's always a good idea to check with your property manager to see if special discounts are available for your group before you book.
  • Booking websites frequently offer renters an option to purchase vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which generally will cost you between 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed vacation time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a life-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for program terms and fees.
  • Look for your local visitors guide when you check-in. If your rental home doesn't have one, you can find them at local grocery stores and visitor centers. In addition to great local articles, visitors guides have money saving offers on nearby shops and restaurants.

Planning and choosing the right Wilmington, NC rental:

  • Start by choosing your potential vacation weeks and a spending budget.
  • Note the number beds and the configuration your family needs. The Mad River Cottage has 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our search.
  • Specific details about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is often accessible on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, call the property manager before you book the home. Remember that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which often includes pull-out couches and bunk beds.
  • Traveling with pets? Although a number of vacation homes allow pets or animals, guidelines and costs vary per property. Type of pet, size and breeds may be limited. Make sure to ask before booking, and study your agreement! Pet fees or charges may be applied to your invoice.
  • Are you looking for special amenities? Most websites include search filters for amenities.
  • Proper accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for those with limited mobility. Remember to confirm all necessary amenities are available before reserving a rental

Advice for your stay:

  • Be sure you get the owner's phone number and arrival/departure procedures for your . We recommend storing the manager's information in your smartphone and wallet.
  • Ask questions. You may want 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 away! Don't let crooks spoil your holiday.
  • During check-in, make note of any damages to the rental property and immediately contact the property manager. Record all coorespondence.
  • Respecting quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You will enhance your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors can be a great resource to find the best local spots.
  • Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Neighbors can usually point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to book the best tours, have a great night out, or the best spots for fishing?
  • Don't leave anything behind! Before departing, take a walk through the rental property to confirm you've collected all personal items. Remember to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden treasure. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
  • Record a video to document the condition of the property.
  • Remember to leave a review! Property managers rely on excellent reviews to compel new reservations. They'll be grateful for your review. Alternatively, if something went awry, other vacationers will appreciate that you share your review and help them have the best future vacation. Remember to be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the host could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to solve it.

Nearby Restaurants

Nearby Activities

Nearby Shopping

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Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based in Carolina Beach in the coastal Cape Fear region, Victory Beach Vacations has more than 100 vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes to ensure that every vacationing family can find their dream home away from home on the beach.   When you book your Cape Fear getaway with Victory Beach Vacations, the fun doesn’t end when you leave the beach, it continues with an array of privately-owned properties outfitted with all of the amenities needed for a fabulous beach vacation.   Jenna Lanier, General Manager, explains that her family first opened the rental and property management business in 2002. At the forefront of Victory Beach operations is Lanier’s mother, Caroline Meeks. Meeks is both the Broker in Charge and co-owner with husband, Buck Meeks, who manages the Field Services team with Lanier’s husband, Scott.   For nearly 20 years, the Victory Beach team has worked tirelessly to establish a network of top-of-the-line rental properties for Cape Fear visitors to enjoy. “As far as our properties go,” explains Lanier, “they are all updated, well-furnished and appointed. “We have always performed post-cleaning inspections and since the pandemic, have put freshly laundered duvets over all of the comforters between rentals.”   Lanier emphasizes how important the guests experience is “we strive to give our guests a relaxing, stress free, memorable vacation.” This emphasis on customer service has led to Victory Beach Vacations having a 4.8 Google rating with over 300 reviews by happy owners and guests.In addition to Victory Beach’s superior sanitation practices, the company offers properties for every type of visitor. Choose from luxury oceanfront houses and condos to more reasonbly priced 2nd row properties with oceanviews. Many properties include pools and hot tubs as well, perfect for outdoor entertaining, and many are dog friendly.   Lanier also notes that all properties are within walking or driving distance to Pleasure Island’s main attractions – Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The former, as described by Lanier, is the more commercialized of the two destinations and features a boardwalk, outdoor dining options and a plethora of weekly activities including fireworks, live music, amusement park pop-ups, and movies under the stars. Kure Beach offers a more residential feel with its fishing pier, intimate restaurants and family favorite, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.More water fun awaits, too. “There is a harbor and a canal that feed into the intercoastal. We have several properties on the harbor so guests can bring their boat, kayak, [or jet ski] and travel between islands,” says Lanier.   A stay with Victory Beach Vacations is an annual pilgrimage for most. “A large percentage of guests are previous guests. Some even reserve the same property for the next year as they’re checking out,” Lanier says. “It’s almost like it’s their personal vacation home.”   Even before guests arrive at their vacation destination, the Victory Beach Vacations’ website greets them with a live beach cam and exquisite aerial footage of both Carolina and Kure Beaches. See for yourself by scanning the QR code and call Victory Beach Vacations at 910.458.0868 to book your Cape Fear getaway. Start making your memories today! —Grace Silipigni