2nd Row Classic Beach Cottage Ocean Views Great Location Convenient Beach Access - Vacation rental home in Holden Beach, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 3 Bedrooms
• 1 Bathrooms
• Private vacation home
• Approximately 1100 square feet

**SUMMER 2025**

In 1961, my grandparents set out from their roots in SC to embark on a new adventure that landed them on a sandy, sparsely inhabited and largely undeveloped stretch of land in North Carolina known then as Holden's Beach. As post-war America began to take shape, my grandfather recognized the opportunity such a handsome place could offer. Charming, handsome, and a well-educated law graduate from the University of South Carolina, he swapped life in SC politics for a new career in real estate sales, and in 1962, along with my father, they bought Holden Beach Realty Corp and began marketing Holden Beach as the ideal vacation destination for families to rent and build summer homes where special lifelong memories would be made, away from the distractions of hordes, noise and bustling industry. In 1964, my grandparents constructed their own piece of heaven on Holden Beach--this modest 3-bedroom bungalow that would be their permanent residence and the place where the grandchildren and extended family gathered every Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve from 1964-2002.

Although there have been a few upgrades since 2007 such as vinyl replacement windows throughout, ceramic tile in the kitchen and bathroom, a new HVAC system in 2015, and a new roof in 2021, today, the bungalow remains much as it was: A modest 1100 sq ft 3BR/1BA whimsically furnished, open floor plan located on a favorably located 2nd-row lot, with a view of the ocean. The original wood floors, knotty pine walls, and ceilings all glow with history and the patina of 60 years of appreciate, laughter, and lives lived completely. On at least two corners of the wall down the hallway are faded hash marks from the 1970s, made by my cousins and myself, comparing our height to the years previous!
Outside, the cavernous front porch beckons for feet-up relaxation and there is the added convenience of a deeded (not maintained by the Town of HB) beach access directly across the street. There is an outdoor shower (cold water only) to rinse beach sand, a laundry room downstairs, and a roomy parking area that can accommodate 2-3 cars. We also offer a modest grilling patio and a modest entirely enclosed backyard area for family pets.

"Carolina Country" is a singular experience best suited for smaller groups of 5 or less. If you're looking for chic granite bathrooms and dry-walled bedrooms with wall-to-wall carpeting, this property is not for you. Guests of "Carolina Country" tend to be those that savor authenticity, appeal and nostalgia without sacrificing modest modern amenities such as a Keurig coffee maker (there is a conventional coffee maker included as well), outlets with usb charging stations and 2 Roku streaming tv’s. Ours is a home with a true family history that is woven within the framework of Holden Beach and we invite our guests to come experience the enchantment that few other homes on the island can still offer.

About Us:

My husband and I are Holden Beach natives and we, along with our 3 daughters, are still locals in this community. We take pride in our long-standing history at Holden Beach and in ownership of our family home so we strive to be good hosts and to offer our guests a most welcoming, comfortable, and calming vacation experience. In doing so, we choose not to delegate routine maintenance or cleaning tasks to a vacation rental company or maid service. We appreciate our guests and get excited about preparing the home! We clean, maintain and manage the property each week in anticipation of Saturday's arrival! If there is ever something we missed, we are personally available to address it immediately.

We have seen firsthand the many changes in the island since my grandparents moved here over 60+ years ago. Amid the ever-expanding size of the homes that continue to surround us, the impact of town building codes and FEMA regulations on older homes like ours prevent major constructive upgrades so, many of the older family homes end up being sold and then removed or destroyed to make way for bigger places that may be out of reach and impractical for a modest family or couple... Thankfully, our family has been fortunate enough to be able to maintain our little bungalow by the sea through 5 generations to date.
Having weathered many storms both literally and figuratively, ‘Carolina Country' stands firm as a shining example of the life and energy of the excellent family that still calls Holden Beach and this home, home.





Keywords: Beach House, Cottage, Vacation, Beach, Family, Pet-Friendly, Kids, Last-min. vacation

About the Area

Located in Holden Beach, this vacation home is near theme parks and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Holden Beach and Ocean Isle Beach. Magic Mountain Fun Park and Planet Fun are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Special Instructions

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

Know Before you Go

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Pet Policy

1 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)

Our top Rental home tips:

Sticking to your budget:

• To find the best value, try shifting your group's vacation dates to the Spring or Fall months. May, September, and even October offer warmer weather, fewer crowds, and greatly reduced traffic.
• Reserve your vacation home as early as possible. Rental schedules generally become available a year in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many families reserve their Summer vacation rentals during Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Property managers sometimes offer rate reductions for active duty military and veterans. Remember to ask your property manager if discounts are available for your group.
• Property management companies often offer customers an option to add trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which commonly will cost you between 1% - 5% of the booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel or additional gasoline expenses. Trip insurance might be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for more information.
• Look for your local Wrightsville Beach area magazine upon checking in. If your rental home doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local grocery stores and visitor centers. In addition to great information, travel guides contain discounts for local attractions, tours, restaurants, and shops.

How to choose the perfect rental in the Wrightsville Beach area:

• First and foremost, have your family choose the best dates and a budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration you need. 2nd Row Classic Beach Cottage Ocean Views Great Location Convenient Beach Access has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our Wrightsville Beach rentals search.
• Precise details about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is commonly available on booking pages. If not, email or call the property manager before you reserve the home. Remember that most property listings specify maximum guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds in living rooms.
• Visiting for a single event? If so, use a map search to find nearby properties.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for persons with a disability. Remember to confirm all necessary amenities are available before reserving a rental
• Some properties allow pets, and some do not. Acceptable types of family pet, size and breeds may be restricted, and added charges may apply. Ask the property manager about pet restrictions before booking.

More considerations:

• Put the host's information in your smartphone.
• To make certain damages are not attributed to your stay, make note of any problem areas during arrival. Make contact with the property manager right away to document any issues. If there is a dispute, having a record of problems and contact attempts will be helpful.
• Hosts are there to help! Feel free to ask questions during your stay.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking regulations can make a stay significantly more pleasurable. You'll magnify your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors are usually an incredible source for finding the best local attractions.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Residents can typically help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to book the best tours, have a great night out, or the best spots for BBQ?
• Protect the rental owner (and your stuff!) by locking and securing the home while you are away, just like you would at home.
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before departing, walk through the property to confirm you've collected all personal items. Check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden items. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Walk through the rental one final time and keep an eye out for any damage. We advise inspecting the property with the property manager whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the property manager is not available, remember to take photos of the rental to record its condition.
• Did your family have a excellent time? Many rental websites make it easy for vacationers to provide reviews. If your rental and/or property management company was wonderful, they will likely appreciate your kind words. If anything was amiss and they failed to correct it within reason, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make a note as part of your review.