The Mad River Cottage - Vacation rental home in Southport, NC

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

How to get the best Southport rental home experience:

When to visit & When to book:

• In the Wilmington, NC area, The sooner you can reserve a home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable vacation rentals are booked very early. Booking your rental 6-12 months before your vacation is recommended. Holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving are excellent times to search for and reserve your rental property.
• To get the best value, try shifting your family's Wilmington, NC vacation week to the Spring or Fall shoulder seasons. May, September, and even October offer pleasant temperatures, less crowded beaches, and greatly reduced traffic. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Wilmington, NC vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with friends and family at your favorite beach.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective vacation rental company or host whether your family qualifies for a discount.
• Booking websites typically offer guests an option to buy vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally costs 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed days as a result of medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for details.
• Often, rental management companies supply Wilmington, NC area travel guides that include special deals, either offered directly by local businesses, or through a relationship with the management company and the business itself. You can also find visitors guide and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Planning, picking, and booking the rightvacation home:

• Choose vacation week and budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your group requires. The Mad River Cottage has 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our Wilmington, NC rental home search.
• Precise descriptions of bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is commonly available on booking websites. If not, contact the property owner before reserving your home. Note that most listings specify maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes sofa beds in living rooms. You'll need to determine what is right for your trip.
• Some properties allow pets, but some do not. Acceptable types of pet, weight and breeds may be restricted, and additional fees may apply. Ask the property manager about allowable pet guidelines before booking.
• Looking for specific amenities? Most rental search websites include search filters with amenity lists. Filtering by amenity will allow you to quickly find your ideal rental.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for the less-mobile. Confirm all necessary amenities are available and included before booking.

Additional considerations:

• Review check in & check out procedures before leaving home. Save the directions to your smartphone, and take a printed copy.
• Hosts are there to help! Feel free to ask any questions during your stay.
• Protect the rental owner (and your stuff!) by locking the rental while you are gone, just like you would back home.
• During arrival, make note of any damages to the property and immediately contact the property manager. Record all correspondence just in case a dispute arises.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like unpleasant vacationers bothering your peaceful home life. Practice the golden rule for best judgement. Happy residents may even recommend great beaches and places you would have not otherwise known!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Residents can usually point you in the right direction. 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?
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before departing, walk through the property to make sure you've collected all belongings. Re-check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden treasure. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Inspect the rental one final time and scan for any damage. We suggest walking through with the host whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the property manager isn't available, ensure that you take pictures of the property to record its condition at check-out.
• Leave feedback! Property managers rely on great ratings to stimulate more reservations. They'll be grateful for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other vacationers will will be grateful for your review and help them have the best future vacation. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the host had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to remedy it.