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-outfitted 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, entirely supplied 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/biking trails.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

2 total pets

Getting the best vacation property experience:

When to reserve a Wilmington, NC rental home & When to go:

• Book your vacation home as early as possible. Rental schedules often open a year in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many groups reserve their Summer vacations during Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• June, July, and August are the most expensive months in Sunset Beach. Booking in the Spring or Fall is our favorite way to save money on your rental home. Rental rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of desirable homes. Many vacationers use this method to find larger homes within budget, or to reserve an oceanfront rental that would otherwise be unavailable or 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? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with friends and family at the beach.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager or host whether your group qualifies for a discount.
• Property management companies often offer guests an option to obtain trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally costs between 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for additional information.
• Look for your local Wilmington, NC area magazine upon checking in. If your rental doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and fuel stations. In addition to great local stories, visitor guides have offers and deals for local attractions, tours, restaurants, and shops.

Use filters to narrow your rental search:

• Select your vacation dates and maximum budget.
• Decide how many beds and the bed configuration your group needs. Family and Pet Friendly, steps from the beach has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed types is commonly available on booking websites. If they are not listed, reach out to the property management company before booking the vacation property. Note that most property listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes pull out couches in living rooms. You will need to establish what is best for your trip.
• If your group is bringing pets, you'll need to book a rental that allows animals. Make sure to ask for specifics on breed, weight, and type requirements. Be aware that some hosts charge pet deposits and fees.
• Are you looking for specific amenities? Most rental websites include amenity lists and search filters. Filtering by amenity will allow you to quickly find the best rental home.
• Appropriate accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for those with limited mobility. Confirm all required amenities are available before booking.

Tips for your stay:

• Store the host's information in your smartphone and wallet.
• Hosts are there to help! Don't be shy to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Lock your rental home while you are out and about. Protect the owner's property and your things!
• Note any issues with the property during check in, and immediately send them to the owner. We especially recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain time stamps that can be useful if there is a dispute.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay more pleasurable. You'll increase your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors are often a great resource to find the best local beaches.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Locals can typically help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for shopping?
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before you drive away, walk through the rental to reconfirm you've collected all of your things. Check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden items. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Please make sure to walk through the rental a final time and look for any damage. We advise walking through with the host whenever you can. If the property manager is not available, ensure that you take video of the rental to record its condition.
• Did your group have a fantastic time? Many vacation rental websites make it easy for travelers to provide feedback. If your rental and/or property manager was fantastic, they would love to hear about it. If anything was out of order and they failed to correct it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make it a point as part of your review.