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

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms
• 4 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 appreciate 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. 

Please note this is not a pet-friendly property. 

Intelligent TV available (no cable).

About the Area

This vacation home is located in Southport. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Kure Beach and Carolina Beach, while North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach Boardwalk are popular area attractions. North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport 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

Pets not allowed

Tips to get the perfect vacation rental experience:

Get the best value:

• To get the best value, try shifting your family's Carolina Beach trip dates to the Spring or Fall seasons. May, September, and October offer great temperatures, less crowded beaches, and reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to reserve an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during the Summer months. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Carolina Beach vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday near the ocean? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with friends and family at the beach.
• In the Carolina Beach area, The earlier you can book a rental home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable rental homes are booked very early. Reserving your rental property up to 12 months before your vacation dates is recommended. Holiday gatherings are excellent times to search for and book your vacation rental.
• Hosts sometimes offer special rates for active duty military and veterans. Ask your property manager if special offers are available for your family before you book.
• Property management companies typically offer customers an option to add trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which usually will cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed days as a result of personal medical-related issues or weather, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for additional information.
• Find a copy of your local Carolina Beach area magazine upon arrival. If your rental property doesn't have one, you can find them at local grocery stores and visitor centers. In addition to great local stories, travel guide magazines contain coupons for local tours and attractions.

How to pick the best vacation rental:

• Choose a group leader, select your dates, and choose a max budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the configuration your family needs. The Mad River Cottage has 2 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our rental home search.
• Specific information about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is almost always available on booking pages. Otherwise, email or call the property owner before reserving the home. Remember that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes sofa beds. You will need to determine what bed configuration is right for your vacation family.
• Does your group require specific amenities? Most rental search websites include amenity lists and search filters. Amenity filters help you quickly remove less-optimal properties.
• Proper accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for persons with a disability. .
• If your family is traveling with pets, you'll need to book a pet-friendly vacation rental. Ask for details on breed, size, and type requirements. Usually, property owners charge pet deposits and fees.

Advice for your stay:

• Add the host's contact info to your phone. Understand and take a copy of arrival/departure procedures.
• Upon arrival, note any damages to the property and immediately alert the owner. Record all coorespondence.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, intercom or WIFI setup. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief text message can prevent many difficulties.
• Respect the neighborhood. Often times, adjacent homes are occupied by permanent residents. Respecting late-night noise limits and parking regulations can make a stay significantly more pleasurable.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Locals can typically point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to order delicious takeout, have a great night out, or the best spots for BBQ?
• Keep your rental home locked while you're gone! Don't let thieves spoil your holiday.
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before you drive away, walk through the rental to reconfirm you've collected everything. Check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• Did your group have a great stay? Many rental home management companies make it easy for vacationers to provide comments. If your property and/or property management company was terrific, they will likely appreciate your kind words. If anything was amiss and they failed to fix it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make a note as part of your feedback.