Original 1945 Cottage on 20 Very Private Acres. - Vacation rental home in Oak Island, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 10
• 4 Bedrooms
• 3 Bathrooms
• Private vacation home
• Approximately 2500 square feet

My grandfather was a man for adventure. In the summer of 1946, having bought a remote property on Oak Island accessible only by ferry, then by Jeep, he loaded up a crew from his rug mill in Troy and constructed a cabin on the highest dune for hundreds of miles.

At the close of World War II, America was excited by the promise of development; today we seek visitors who will appreciate the originality that this property represents. Above the home the lookout tower retains a remarkable 360 degree view of ocean and river, original live oaks, distant lights, blinking water towers and fireworks — from Bald Head Island to the South Carolina border. The home overlooks more than a quarter-mile of undeveloped, south-facing beachfront with nearly half a mile behind of undisturbed, original maritime forest, with new stairs down the hill to access our dock on Davis Creek. The intracoastal waterway beckons beyond..

The bungalow remains as it was, four bedrooms and three baths. Knotty pine walls and oak floors glow with 70 years of patina. A screened front porch runs the full width of the home. Tall windows open in every room, one with a big sink installed to wash a new infant, my mother, Blanche. The kitchen and back porch were modernized in 2005, with heat and air-conditioning installed throughout the home.

Folly Hills is a singular experience for up to 10 people. If you’re looking for dry-walled bedrooms, wall-to-wall carpeting and granite bathrooms, this is not your home. If you want to open the windows and let the warm ocean breeze blow through, savor sunset beverages on the lookout tower, go crabbing from the dock behind the home, walk down your private access to a giant expanse of white sand beach, details of 75 years of history, the world’s most magnificent outdoor shower — this is an enchanting experience of original North Carolina beach like you’ll find nowhere else.

About the Area

Located in Oak Island, this vacation home is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Caswell Beach and 57th Place West Access Park, while Smith Island Museum of History and Franklin Square Gallery are cultural highlights. Bald Head Island Information Center and North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport are also worth visiting. Snorkeling, water skiing, and windsurfing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling nearby.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Note from host: Dogs are permitted for $30/day pet fee.

Tips to get the perfect Oak Island vacation property experience:

How to get the best rental value:

• June, July, and August are the most expensive months along the coast of NC. Booking in Fall or Spring months is our best tip for saving money on your vacation rental. Rental rates are lower, and you'll find a better selection of acceptable homes. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Cape Fear area vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation on the coast? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with loved ones at the beach.
• Reserve your vacation home as early as possible. Rental schedules generally become available twelve months in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many families book their Summer vacation rentals during Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Some hosts and property managers offer discounts or promotional rates for active duty military and veterans. It's always a good idea to check with your property manager to see if discounts are available for your family before you book.
• Management companies and individual rental owners frequently offer customers an option to add trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which generally costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed time as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or additional fuel expenses. Trip insurance can be a a life-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for additional information.
• Look for your local Cape Fear area visitors guide magazine upon checking in. If your rental property doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers. In addition to great local information, visitor guides contain deals for local tours and attractions.

Narrow your rental Search:

• Start by having your group decide on vacation dates and a spending budget.
• Decide how many beds and the configuration your group needs. Original 1945 Cottage on 20 Very Private Acres. has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our Cape Fear area rentals search.
• Specific details about bedrooms and bed counts is almost always available on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, email the property manager before booking your home. Note that most listings specify maximum guest capacity, which usually includes sofa beds and bunks.
• Looking for special amenities? Most websites include search filters for amenities.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for persons with disabilities. Make certain to inquire about wheel chair entry, pool lifts and specialized equipment needs.
• If your family is bringing pets, you'll need to book a pet-friendly vacation rental. Request information on breed, weight, and type restrictions. Be aware that some property owners charge pet deposits and fees.

Advice for a wonderful stay:

• Add the owner's information to your phone. Print and take a copy of arrival/departure procedures.
• To make sure no damages are linked to your stay, note any problem areas when you arrive. Make contact with the property manager right away to report any issues. If there is a dispute about legal responsibility later, having a record of concerns and contact attempts will be very helpful.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a fireplace, elevator or kitchen appliance. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief text message can prevent a lot of difficulties.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like disrespectful visitors bothering your quiet neighborhood. Apply the golden rule for best judgement. Happy residents may even recommend great restaurants and attractions you would've never otherwise known!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Local residents can typically help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to get the best breakfast in town, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for BBQ?
• Ensure you protect the rental owner (and your stuff!) by locking the property when you are out, just like you would at home.
• On check-out day, complete a walk-through to confirm you didn't forget any personal items. Remember to check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Go through the property one final time and scan for damages to contents or the property itself. We advise walking through with the property manager whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the property manager isn't available, take video of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• After your trip, leave a review! Hosts rely on great ratings to stimulate future reservations. They'll be much obliged for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other families will will be grateful for your feedback and help them have the best future vacation. Please be fair with your feedback If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to remedy it.