Leaning Lorelei: Light & Airy Downtown Cottage - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms
• 1 Bathrooms
• Private vacation home

Leaning Lorelei is a appealing 120-year-old bungalow located in the heart of Downtown Wilmington, only a 15 min walk/5 min drive to the Riverfront. Located across the street from a park and just two blocks to local coffee stores, dining, and shopping. Recently refreshed and full of gorgeous architectural details, such as tall ceilings, upsized windows, and original wood floors. 2BR/1BA, 2 work desks, 2 car private driveway, modern appliances and furnishings, completely equipped kitchen.

Located in Wilmington's Castle Street Arts District, this turn of the century (the 1900 one) bungalow was originally constructed in 1903, the same year the Wright Brothers made their historic flight, and has been made new for 2023. The bungalow is an eclectic mix of new and old, blending broad renovations and upgrades with old world appeal and character.

Visiting Leaning Lorelei is like taking a trip back in time. As you enter into the sizable central hall you will immediately notice the tall ceilings, original wood floors, and an abundance of upsized windows which fill the space with natural light. That theme carries over into the two bedrooms, each equipped with a desk ideal for remote work. The front bedroom even has the original coal burning fireplace (although no longer functional) and ties into the fireplace in the living room (also inoperable). The full bathroom is packed with charm – you will adore the clawfoot tub/shower combo with a floor-to-ceiling tile surround, as well as the refinished antique sink vanity. Several stained glass windows carry the whimsical nature of the home all the way through the back door, leading you to an outdoor dining area and huge fenced yard.

The bones of the home remain intact (including that old home lean!), otherwise everything is new as of 2022. Features include 2 car private driveway, fenced in yard and back patio, new furnishings, Fiber internet, Intelligent TV with all streaming services (use your own login), record player with constructed-in Bluetooth speaker, board games, washer and dryer, 100% cotton linens and towels, USB charging hubs and sound machines in both bedrooms, and a well outfitted kitchen that comes with all the essentials (e.g., plates/bowls/cups/silverware, pots/pans/baking sheets, knife block, cutting boards, microwave, toaster oven, blender, drip coffee maker, coffee, filters, tea, etc.). Other amenities include hair dryer, iron and iron board, and shampoo/conditioner/body wash.

Appreciate coffee in the morning or wine in the evening as you relax on your rocking chair front porch overlooking Robert Strange Park. The park, located directly across the street from the bungalow, has well maintained tennis/pickleball courts (open to the public), a community pool ($3/day/adult, $1/day/kid), playground, Fit for Fun Center (kids play place), and an adult exercise center. You will find four pickleball paddles at the bungalow for your use.

Kids are welcome, but the home is not childproof (100+ year old uneven hardwoods, brick hearth fireplaces, raised transitions between rooms, etc.). Pack ‘n play and high chair included.

About the Area

Located in Wilmington, this vacation home is in the city center. Travelers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Battleship North Carolina, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. Traveling with kids? Consider Cape Fear Museum and Carolina Heights.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Booking the best vacation property experience:

When to reserve a Carolina Beach rental home & When to go:

• Book your vacation rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules generally open twelve months in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many groups reserve their Summer rental homes during Christmas and Thanksgiving get-togethers. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Reserving a rental home in the Fall or Spring shoulder seasons is an excellent way to save on your vacation. Rental rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of desirable properties. Many vacationers use this method to find larger homes within budget, or to book a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the Summer months.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property owner or host whether your family qualifies for a special rate.
• Management companies and individual rental owners usually offer customers an option to purchase vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which costs between 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed days as a result of medical-related catastrophes or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your property manager for more information.
• Find a copy of your local visitors guide when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental home doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and fuel stations. In addition to great local articles, visitor guide magazines contain discounts for local tours and attractions.

Planning, picking, and booking your prefect Carolina Beach vacation home:

• Start by having your family select date ranges and a max budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration you need. Leaning Lorelei: Light & Airy Downtown Cottage has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our vacation rental search.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed counts is generally available on booking websites. If they are not listed, email the property owner before you reserve your rental. Remember that most listings specify maximum guest capacity, which frequently includes pull out couches in living rooms.
• If your family is traveling with pets, search for a pet-friendly rental. Get information on breed, size, and type requirements. Be aware that some property managers require additional pet deposits and fees.
• Are you looking for special amenities? Most rental websites include search filters for amenities. Amenity filters help you quickly remove less-optimal properties.
• Suitable accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for guests that require the use of a wheelchair. .

Know before you go:

• Get the property manager's contact number and entry/exit procedures for your rental. Put the manager's information in your smartphone.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a fireplace, television set or washer/dryer. Contact your property manager. They are there to help! A brief call can prevent a lot of concerns.
• Protect the owner (and your stuff!) by locking the rental when you are away, just like you would back home.
• Note any issues with the property upon arrival, and immediately contact the owner. We specifically recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that can be beneficial if there is a dispute.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like loud vacationers bothering your quiet neighborhood. Practice the golden rule for common sense. If they like you, locals might even recommend great local food and scenic spots you would've never otherwise known about!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Residents can usually help. Who better to ask where to spend a rainy day, have a great night out, or the best spots for fishing?
• Re-check every room of the rental property to confirm that you've packed all of your belongings on check-out day. Check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden treasure. Clean the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Go through the rental a final time and scan for damages to contents or the property itself. We recommend inspecting the property with the host whenever possible. If the host is not available, remember to take video of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Did your group have a fantastic stay? Most rental websites make it easy for clients to provide reviews. If your property and/or host was fantastic, they would love to hear it. If anything was defective and they failed to fix it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make a note as part of your feedback.