Planning a return visit, this time with the grandparents

We had such a wonderful time in Carolina Beach last September that we are planning a return vacation this fall, and we%26#39;re bringing my father and stepmother with us. I talked to the realty company we rented from last year (Victory Beach Vacations -- highly recommend them by the way) and she mentioned that the recent Nor%26#39;easter did some damage along the beach. Can any of the locals give me more info on that? We%26#39;re torn as to which area of the beach to stay in this year.

Last year we stayed in a condo a bit south of the Mariott and just loved the area. The beach was fairly wide and very clean and definitely not crowded. During one of our many drives through the island we drove around the north end of the beach and found some of those areas to be incredibly crowded with house upon house upon house and some of it rather rundown. Were our impressions correct? We have found a stunning rental at the northern end of the beach but hesitate because of our first impression. I would hate to turn down a gorgeous rental if our opinion of the northern end is misguided. Can anyone describe the beach area north of the Marriott?

Our other alternative is a HUGE condo at Ocean Dunes in Kure Beach. It looks like a nice enough area, and fairly quiet. How is the beach there? Our kids loved the pier and arcade at Kure so we%26#39;re not ruling that out.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Planning a return visit, this time with the grandparents

maya..We stayed at Ocean Dunes 2 years ago and LOVED it! The beach area right in front of our condo and also to the south of us was perfect. Gently sloping, no erosion at all. However, just to the north of us the beach was terribly eroded. Basically no sand at all. (our condo number was in the 2000%26#39;s...so anything much lower might not be as nice) Ask whoever you are renting from about the beach in front of your condo.

Having said that...Ocean Dunes is a great resort. Very clean, nice pools (3), tennis courts, fitness center. Nice quiet area.

We also used to stay in a nice house in the northern end of Carolina years ago. Yes, some houses were run down even then..but it made no difference in our vacation at all. The beach was nice and not crowded. Nice walks in the morning over to the marina area and up to the pier.

Planning a return visit, this time with the grandparents

Thanks Beachlady. The Ocean Dunes condo we%26#39;re looking at is in the 1800s so I assume that%26#39;s fairly close to the one you stayed in??? It%26#39;s a very large resort so I%26#39;m not 100% sure of the layout. I will ask the realty company about the beach conditions there.

It%26#39;s nice to know you had a good experience at the northern end of Carolina Beach. I%26#39;m really torn as to which place to stay!

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