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. Sunset River Marketplace and Museum of Coastal Carolina are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Ingram Planetarium and Tribal Island. Planet Fun and Molten Mountain are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking, fishing, and swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

2 total pets

Tips for getting the best vacation home experience:

Finding the best rental value:

• Summer is the most expensive season in the Carolina Beach area. Book your Carolina Beach rental home in the Fall or Spring shoulder seasons to get the benefit of warm weather while saving money and avoiding crowds. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to book an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during the high season.
• Reserve your vacation home as soon as possible. Rental schedules usually open twelve months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many families reserve their Summer vacation rentals during Winter holiday get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property owner or host if your family qualifies for a price reduction or discount.
• Property managers typically offer renters an option to purchase vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally will cost between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for days missed as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel stay or additional fuel expenses. Trip insurance might be a a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for additional information.
• Look for your local Carolina Beach area magazine upon checking in. If your rental doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and fuel stations. In addition to great local stories, visitor guide magazines contain discounts for nearby accommodations, tours and attractions.

Choosing and booking the bestrental:

• Select a group lead, choose your dates, and choose a maximum budget.
• Determine how many beds and the configuration you need. Family and Pet Friendly, steps from the beach has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed types is almost always available on booking pages. If they are not listed, reach out to the property management company before you book the rental. Remember that most property listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which often includes sofa beds and bunks. You'll need to determine what bed configuration is best for your vacation family.
• Are you looking for specific amenities? Most rental websites include search filters for amenities. Use these filters to your advantage to find the perfect rental home.
• Appropriate accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for the less-mobile. Confirm all required amenities are available and included before reserving a rental.
• If your group is traveling with pets, filter your search for a rental that allows animals. Request information on breed, weight, and type requirements. Usually, property managers require additional pet deposits and fees.

Additional considerations:

• Review arrival and departure procedures before traveling. Add a note with the directions to your phone, and take a printed backup.
• Document any issues with the rental upon arrival, and immediately e-mail them to the host. We specifically recommend texts and e-mails, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that are useful if damages are assessed.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a hot tub, elevator or washer/dryer. Contact your property manager. They are there to help! A brief text message prevents lots of issues.
• Respect the neighborhood. Often, adjacent homes are occupied by permanent residents. Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking policies reduces conflict and allows everyone to enjoy their day.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Neighbors can typically help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to enjoy a steak with a view, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Protect the owner (and your things!) by keeping the rental locked up while you are away, just like you would at home.
• Double-check the property to confirm that you've packed everything at departure. Remember to check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Inspect the rental one final time and look for damages to contents or the property itself. We advise inspecting the property with the property manager whenever you can. If the host is not available, ensure that you take pictures of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Did your family have a fantastic time? Most rental management companies make it easy for guests to provide feedback. If your rental property and/or property manager was fantastic, they would love to hear it. If anything was defective and they failed to correct it in a reasonable manner, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make a note as part of your review.