Original 1945 Cottage on 6 Very Private Acres - Vacation rental home in Oak Island, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 12
• 4 Bedrooms
• 3 Bathrooms
• Cottage

Summary:
Feel a home of enduring warmth and beauty. Constructed in 1945, on the highest hill for miles around, knotty pine walls and oak floors glow with eight decades of family fun. Screened porch facing the ocean awaits you; private boardwalk carries you to the beach; lookout tower features 360-degree vistas; stairs descend through virgin maritime forest to your private dock. An elegant property we are lucky to share with you. Modest wonder guests return and return!

The Space:
'Folly Hills' is the second home constructed on Oak Island. Designed by my grandfather, A Leon Capel, it was constructed in 1945 by a team from the Capel Rug Mill in Troy NC. Those days the island was accessible only by barge, then tractor or Jeep. Now it's a convenient 2.5 hours from Raleigh. The home has 4 comfortable bedrooms and tons of common living space to accommodate the activities of everybody in your family.
Your rental helps to preserve arguably the most special property on Oak Island, featuring a beautiful private walkway to the ocean, commanding 360-degree vistas, a sizable bowl of virgin maritime forest often filled with wildlife, and a outstanding private dock from which to fish, crab, or just watch the sun set.

Guest Access:
You'll have full run of the home, front beach, undisturbed maritime forest and dock, 68 stairs down behind the home. The parcel is just short of 5 acres. Bring mud boots if you're interested to discover the wilder parts of the property... and do remember the insects, chameleons, songbirds, raptors, deer, raccoons, and other animals you'll see have made their home there long before you.

Note: a $1000 security deposit will be held at the time of booking and released 5 days after departure. We reserve the right to withhold any amount of the deposit after evaluating the condition of the home upon departure.

The Neighborhood:
It's said my grandfather bought this property (and constructed the second home on the island) when he learned it was the highest point directly on the water from Maine to Florida. We don't know if that's a fact (and it could be, depending on your criteria), but it is true that from Folly Hills's lookout you have an unimpeded 360 degree view, from horizon to horizon, Bald Head Island to the South Carolina border. Behind the home runs Davis Creek, and behind it, the Intracoastal Waterway. Sixty-eight stairs lead down the back of the hill to our dock where you can catch fish, big blue claw crabs, or just watch the wildlife.

Getting Around:
A reasonable grocery selection is 10 mins. away by car at Food Lion in Yaupon Beach; a new Lowe's Foods is better, across the new Middleton Island bridge. Haag Seafood, also in Yaupon, is considered one of the region's very best. Many fresh vegetable stands pop up during summer. Driving to Southport (with its many eateries and retailers, Walmart among others, and ferry to Bald Head) takes about 25 mins.. In summer we use our boat to fetch fresh seafood from the many shrimping boat depots.

Other Things to Note:
'Folly Hills' is completely air-conditioned. But if you're looking for wall-to-wall carpeting and giant granite bathrooms, this is not that home. Here you can open the windows to let the warm ocean breeze blow through, nap while ceiling fans turn lazily in every room, savor sunset beverages on the lookout tower, luxuriate in your private access to an expanse of white sand beach, rinse off in the world’s most phenomenal outdoor shower — this is an enchanting experience of original North Carolina beach living like you’ll find nowhere else.

Our Renter's Agreement must be signed and $1000 security deposit and $250 pet fee must be paid prior to rental. If no issues are encountered, deposit will be refunded within 7 days of evacuation. Thanks for leaving no trace!

Interaction with Guests:
The property is managed with the help of local cleaning and repair staff. We'll be available to help as much as we can given other obligations. Please keep in mind that, no matter how hard we work to make your stay issue-complimentary, spending time in a 80 year-old beach home is a participatory sport! House features internet, Nest thermostats and Sonos sound (please understand everybody must do his/her own tech support nowadays — try ChatGPT, it's striking!).

About the Area

Oak Island is home to Original 1945 Cottage on 6 Very Private Acres. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Holden Beach and Ocean Isle Beach. Magic Mountain Fun Park and Bald Head Island Information Center are also worth visiting.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Note from host: Charge may apply

Strategies to get the best Carolina Beach vacation property experience:

Finding your perfect rental home:

• Book your rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules often become available twelve months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many families reserve their Summer vacations during Winter holiday gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• To book the best vacation home within budget, we highly recommend reserving in the Spring or Fall. You'll enjoy lower rates, greater selection, gorgeous weather and the absence of giant crowds at local restaurants, tours, and activities.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective host if your family qualifies for a price reduction or discount.
• Property managers often offer customers an option to buy vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally will cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed days as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel or extra fuel expenses. Trip insurance might be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for details.
• Many property management companies supply Carolina Beach area travel guide magazines which include coupons, either offered directly by local companies, or through a relationship between the property management company and the business itself. You can also find Carolina Beach visitors guide and coupon books at local gas stations and shopping centers.

Use filters to search efficiently:

• Start by selecting your potential vacation weeks and a maximum budget.
• Determine how many beds and the configuration you need. Original 1945 Cottage on 6 Very Private Acres has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
• Specific information regarding bedrooms and bed types is normally accessible online. If they are not listed, email or call the property owner before you book the home. Note that most property listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which usually includes pull out couches in living rooms. You'll need to establish which bed configuration is right for your group.
• Are you traveling with furry, four-legged family members? Many vacation homes allow animals, but guidelines and restrictions apply. Allowable pet type, breed, and size are often limited. Make sure to ask before booking, and study your agreement thoroughly! Additional pet fees or costs might be applied to your contract.
• Visiting for a specific attraction or event? If so, use a map search to locate nearby properties.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for those with limited mobility. .

Have a wonderful stay:

• Add the host's information to your smartphone. Understand and take a copy of arrival/departure procedures.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a fireplace, A/V setup or kitchen appliance. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief telephone call prevents lots of concerns.
• Lock your rental property while you are out! Don't let crooks ruin your family vacation.
• Make a record of any issues with the property during check in, and immediately e-mail them to the host. We especially recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that are useful if damages are attributed to your stay.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like obnoxious vacationers disrupting your peaceful home. Use the golden rule for common sense. If they like you, locals might even recommend great beaches and scenic spots you would've never otherwise known about!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Locals can frequently point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to find the best bike paths, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for shopping?
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before departing, walk through the rental to make sure you've collected all of your things. Re-check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden items. Clean the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Go through the property one final time and scan for damage. We recommend inspecting the property with the host whenever you can. If the manager isn't available, remember to take video of the rental to record its condition.
• Did you have a wonderful vacation? Most rental management companies make it easy for guests to provide reviews. If your rental property and/or property management company was fantastic, they would love to hear about it. If anything was inoperable and they failed to fix it in a reasonable manner, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make it a point as part of your review.