Entire home

Charming Beachfront Cottage on Historic Registry

Photo gallery for Charming Beachfront Cottage on Historic Registry

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
On the beach
Exterior
Property grounds
Interior

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Entire home

5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Charming Beachfront Cottage on Historic Registry

Are you looking to coast back to simpler times? “Reel Simple” is a beachfront Wrightsville Beach cottage listed on the Historic Registry! Featuring stunning ocean views from porches that span both floors and plenty of space for the entire family, this is the prefect home for folks who enjoy a traditional family beach vacation.

The outdoor space that the cottage offers is truly a rare find. Two large porches wrap around the exterior of the property and are lined with rocking chairs, comfy loungers, and give endless views of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Several screen doors line the porches and allow for lovely cross breezes on warm summer evenings with the waves crashing in the background. There is a large shaded screened-in dining area off the kitchen which makes a perfect spot for gathering!

Guests of this charming cottage will be welcomed into the home by way of a lush tropical garden that passes by a small neighboring cottage. An exterior staircase leads you to the porch and the main door to the home is accessed through the screened porch. As you enter the home and walk into the kitchen, you are instantly met with tons of charm and gentle nods to the history of this amazing family home. The kitchen boasts beautiful wooden walls that carry through the ceiling and while it is upfitted with modern conveniences, it holds true to the age and simplistic feel of this classic beach cottage.

To the left of the kitchen is a large laundry room that leads to a full bathroom with a walk-in shower. There are two twin beds in the laundry room that are not included in the occupancy of the home and are not intended for guest use. Passing through the kitchen again, you will arrive in the dining room which is furnished with a sizable kitchen table and an antique buffet that houses games, puzzles, and books. The wonderfully aged hardwood floors compliment the historic photos that tell the story of this home which has been loved by many generations. The cozy master bedroom is accessed off the dining room and provides a full-size bed, neat half bathroom, and has two windows that let in natural light.

Through the dining room is the spacious family room that offers a sitting area, comfortably furnished living room with TV, and boasts original glass paned French doors that lead to the first-floor ocean front deck. Take a second to stop and admire the antique wall décor and historical memorabilia as you ascend the stairs. The top floor bathroom has a large claw foot tub and services the four nearby bedrooms. An oceanfront guest room with two twin beds, a queen bed, vanity table, an TV makes a great accommodation for guests of all ages with two large windows that overlook the ocean and a convenient door that gives access to the top floor deck. The second guest room is furnished with two twin beds is a great place for children as there is no exterior egress. Another guest room with two twin beds offers direct access to the ocean front deck and has a small sink. The fourth guest room on this floor is outfitted with a queen-size bed and offers a small sink.

Occupancy: 12
Stay Requirements: Sunday to Sunday rental in Summer. Minimum of two night stay other seasons.
Bedding Configuration: 1 King, 3 Queen, 2 Twin, 1 Bunk, 1 Sofa Bed
Parking: Parking 2 vehicles in driveway (not under carport).
Prohibited: Smoking, Boat Trailers.
Pet Policy: Dogs welcome with a nonrefundable fee that is charged per pet. Maximum of 2 dogs per reservation.
Special Amenities: Private beach access, Outdoor shower.

Please note that the small guest cottage at the front of the property is not included with this rental and carport parking is strictly reserved for this cottage.

Bryant Real Estate, established in 1952, is a professionally operated firm that is licensed in North Carolina and hired by the property owner to manage “W238 – Reel Simple” as a vacation rental.

Property manager

Bryant Real Estate

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Parking and transportation

  • Limited onsite parking (max 3 spaces)
  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near laundromat

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Limited housekeeping
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near the ocean
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo

Things to do

  • Ecotours nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Surfing/body boarding nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

Similar properties

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 30

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
MONETIZATION_ON

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
217

About the neighborhood

Map
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

What's nearby

  • Wrightsville Beach - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Aussie Island Surf Shop - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • South End Surf Shop - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Johnnie Mercer's Pier - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Wrightsville SUP - 3 min drive - 2.1 km

Getting around

  • Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Oceanic - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Bluewater An American Grill - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Shark Bar And Kitchen - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Dockside Restaurant - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Beachfront Cottage on Historic Registry pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Charming Beachfront Cottage on Historic Registry?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Beachfront Cottage on Historic Registry?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Charming Beachfront Cottage on Historic Registry located?

Nestled on the beach, this Wrightsville Beach vacation home is within a 10-minute walk of Wrightsville Beach and Aussie Island Surf Shop. South End Surf Shop and Johnnie Mercer's Pier are also within 1 mi (2 km).

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Charming Beachfront Cottage on Historic Registry Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 36 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 36 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 36 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 36 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 36 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kim K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect house for us!
We loved the feel of this amazing house and it had everything we needed. Will definitely stay here again!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tammy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful view and location
My family and I have stayed there before and we will stay there again. It is a cool old house with lots of space. Beautiful porch with hammock and rockers. Beautiful view.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Harriett B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay
We enjoyed our experience.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

robert w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beach
We had such a great time. Perfect location and such a cool old house. Thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michele D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Graduation Weekend
This is a true vintage beach house . We rented 10 years ago when my daughter graduated from UNCW and again this year when my son graduated . Nothing had changed but the stove in kitchen ! We love the location and true vintage Wrightsville Beach experience . Everyone who visited needed the full tour and loved it. Definitely no frills , but very clean , all white linens and towels , we had everything we needed !! ❤️
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tammy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful View. Lots of Character.
Really loved the pirches, with rocking chairs and hammock. Large outside, eclosed table for eating, and inside. The house has great character. Stayed with 5 to 62year olds. Direct short walk to beach. Bunnies in the dune behind house... Absolutely wonderful!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Shay J.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Rustic charm
This historic WB home has so much charm and character. It’s truly for beach lovers not boogie luxury….simple and beautiful. My only wish is that it would get a little TLC to keep it alive for another 100 years
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Patrick B.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Old school
This house is certainly not for everyone, but we loved it. An old beach house as it’s supposed to be. If you’re looking for a sterile , cookie cutter modern behemoth stay next door. If you’re looking for a soulful, low key, beach house they don’t get much better than this.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Leslie H.

Happy Place!
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was very clean. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: This is the third year we have stayed at Reel Simple & loved it! It's a total gem, full of character, beautiful old school beach house. The views and the vibe are exactly what we love about this place!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jim H., Charlotte USA

Charming beach cottage
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was very clean. I was very happy with the location. I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Perfect stay in an old-school beach cottage right on the beach. Celebrated my mother-in-law's 75th birthday and could not have been happier with the accommodations. Fully-equipped kitchen had everything needed for meals, and it's just a very short walk from a coffee shop and several restaurants if you don't want to cook. We hope to return soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

mary a.

shelter in place at Reel Simple
Rating Details: The property manager was more than helpful. The vacation rental was very clean. I was very happy with the location. I was somewhat dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: This was a good family gathering place though we had to call for repairs to the porch railing since there were several posts that were broken which was dangerous for a toddler. During most of our stay, the power went off in 2 of the bedrooms, and the electrician did not fix the problem during our stay.

4/10 Poor

Joe G., Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy
False advertising creates bad experience
VRBO website said pet friendly with no exclusions and only when reading fine print of Docusign rental agreement did I learn of cat exclusion so my daughter’s service animal pet could Not make the trip. The weather sucked for 2.5 days too which shortened our stay
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dennis S.

Keep it Simple
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was very clean. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Would not change a thing about this place. We had four households comfortably housed for the entire stay. Great location within walking distance of restaurants and easy kayak put-in on canal side. The vintage vibe was perfect and had a great stay. Hope to be back. Easy in & out with Bryant Real Estate.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Catherine P.

Reel Simple - A Piece of Beach History
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was very clean. I was very happy with the location. I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Many thing to love about this old beach house! History revealed in magazine articles framed and hanging in the stairwell. Amazing collection of seafood cookbooks and jigsaw puzzles. Wide decks with hammock and rockers facing the ocean breeze. Dining area (covered screened porch) with a tropical garden on one side and ocean view on the other. Pet friendly with gates on the upper and lower decks. Inside, a table big enough for a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle plus another 4-person game table. Easy walk to beach, grocery, restaurants, and boat tours. Could use some improvement for housekeeping, pest control, and longer strings for the ceiling fans.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

John B.

Reel Simple
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was clean. I was very happy with the location. I was somewhat dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Location is outstanding. Home is large. Linen service is great. On the other hand: floors in main rooms were filthy black, roaches & ants all over the place - eewww!, doorknobs to bedrooms kept falling off, 2 coffee pots...neither worked so I purchased a new one & left it for the next guests, dishes in cabinets were ALL dirty, and the showers in both bathrooms just sucked. House could use a deep cleaning & some moderate maintenance.I guess is a mixed review but we expected “better”. Still had a great time and would consider renting here again under the right circumstances.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Robert F., Charlotte

Old beauty needs some help
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was very dirty. I was very happy with the location. I was very dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We’ve been staying off and on at the Landis house since the 90’s. It needs some help. The beds are even worse than they were back then. The doors are often not functional, and the dirtiness of the place may be mistaken for “patina.” I do t know why the owners don’t keep the house up. There are even Raul spindles missing and broken on second floor porches. It would be lovely if the owners saw fit to put some money into it. I even saw the price went up for next summer. That’s wild. A lot has changed on this little island. We love the location and the lovely porches.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Karyn G.

Another Great Stay at Reel Simple!!
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We returned back to Reel Simple 3 months to the day from when our oldest son was married just down the road at the Carolina Yacht Club! It was wonderful returning back to the home that already held so many precious memories from our sons wedding. All 4 of our boys were actually able to make it at some point during our stay...not easy to do once they are grown and gone! We celebrated our second oldest birthday on July 1st. This was the first time he has had a beach birthday since he was very little! So much space in this incredible home for everyone to spread out or for everyone to gather!! There is construction going on next door, but surprisingly, the crew was very respectful of their vacationing neighbors and noise was very minimal. The house was well stocked and the AC worked great! Although, weather was close to perfect!Many thanks to the owners of this fantastic home for providing a place where our family has already made so many great memories! We look forward to returning in the years to come.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Mary S.

Old Age is Never Easy
Rating Details: The property manager was more than helpful. The vacation rental was somewhat dirty. I was more than happy with the location. I was somewhat dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Although we really appreciated the history behind this vintage cottage, we were disappointed with the primitive accommodations. The bathrooms were below standard and many of the sinks in the bedrooms were rusty. If you went barefooted inside, the bottom of your feet were black and the kitchen had greasy pots, pans and utensils that did not seem clean. The dishwasher and refrigerator were fine but the washing machine and dryer were past their prime, as were some of the mattresses on the beds. We had leaks in the kitchen when I it rained and the lamps needed brighter bulbs or at least a bulb that worked. This being said, the beach was wonderful and the walk way in, enchanting. We spent most of our time out on the the beach or the decks and had almost perfect weather. Iif this cottage could talk, I know it would tell of years of wonderful family get togethers , but it really needs some upgrading to meet todays standards and meet the expectations of the rental cost .’

6/10 Okay

Molly A.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Wonderful historical property BUT not as advertised in any way!
We love rustic historical properties so let's not think we are to pretentious to enjoy this place. It was not as advertised at all!!! When reading the listing description now that we have spent 3 nights and 4 days here we are really disappointed! The listing states 3 bathrooms. NOT AT ALL TRUE! There is only one full bathroom with a very small stand up shower. It is located downstairs by the laundry room with 2 small twin beds. The other bathroom with a vintage clawfoot tub/shower leaked through the ceiling and we could not use it after we realized this. It also did not have a sink in it just the bath and toilet. I encourage anyone considering this to really look at the reviews and talk to the listing office. If some MAJOR repairs are not done ASAP someone might get hurt. The wood is not taken care of and the upstairs balcony needs to be secure. My husband had a pretty significant wooden splinter from inside of the house's wood floors. We did not have enough toilet paper, trash bags etc. Limited supply of pretty much everything. Not as advertised either. This property really needs A LOT OF TLC before I would consider going back.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Karyn G.

“Reel” perfect for our son’s wedding weekend!
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was clean. I was very happy with the location. I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We could not have asked for a more perfect and roomy location for our family, as we gathered for our oldest son’s wedding. Walking distance to the venue location. Plenty of room for everyone and convenient to everything Wrightsville Beach has to offer!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2022
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Reel Simple in October
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was very clean. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: The perfect location for a fall escape. We loved the charm and ambiance of this classic beach cottage. We fell in love with the upper porch; rocking, reading and watching the fishermen just off the surf. Our dog enjoyed the porch too, especially the rabbits that came out at dusk. The cottage was clean and the kitchen well stocked.

2/10 Terrible

Cheryl

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

James J.

Vintage in every way - clean and special, just needs help
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was very clean. I was very happy with the location. I was somewhat dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We really enjoyed the location and being able to take our pups. Thank you! With that also came a rustic, vintage experience. It’s clear this home used to be a nice place but hasn’t been really updated in years. Which is fine if you want the vintage experience. What is not ok is the condition of a few key items. I had to cut a piece of clothesline to ensure the gate was securely fastened and wouldn’t fall open. My wife and daughter both became trapped in the small upstairs bathroom when the door locked and the 1920s-era doorknob fell out. They had to call us on their cell phones to get help as we were out of earshot. And it was difficult for me to get the bathroom door open. The general condition just needs 2000 dollars and a handyman to go around and fix things. All that aside, we loved the feel of it and didn’t mind the vintage nature of it at all. It was completely clean and comfortable and we weren’t worried about hurting anything because it was in that state. Really appreciate the institutionally cleaned towels and sheets. I would recommend the owner buy some new cooking and eating utensils and pots / pans in addition to hiring a handyman for a day or two. Id recommend some landscaping and improve the beach shower area. I’d give particular attention to safety items. I’d also recommend you market it more clearly as the vintage experience it is. It’s next to many high-end properties but it is definitely not high end. But it’s pet friendly, it’s on the beach (!) clean, and the support staff were very sharp and professional. I would stay here again but not at the price I paid having now seen the well-worn state of the property. I must say though that the sun rising over the ocean from the second floor porch almost negates anything I have said here. It’s a special place, the beach view and proximity is spectacular, you can tell a special family has owned it for a very long time, and it is

10/10 Excellent

Paul A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxed, relaxing time
Old-school. Small sinks in each bedroom, old-fashioned. Authentic, historical, fun.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Leslie H.

Another great stay!
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: This was our 2nd year staying at the Reel Simple Cottage and we loved it! Great location, great views and vintage cottage full charm!