Entire home

OCEANFRONT:7 Bed;8 Bath;2 Heated Pools;4 Whirlpools;Spa;Private Walkway to beach

Photo gallery for OCEANFRONT:7 Bed;8 Bath;2 Heated Pools;4 Whirlpools;Spa;Private Walkway to beach

East View Overlooking Oceanfront Pool and Ocean
West Elevation Overlooking Landscaping and Driveways to Carports for 4 Cars
Sunrise at Castle by the Sea
View from Top East Deck overlooking Pool, Hot Tub, Baby Pool, Waterfall & Ocean
View of ocean from East Elevation Top Deck

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
7 bedrooms7+ bathroomsSleeps 18520.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Hot tub

Explore the area

Map
Corolla, NC
  • Currituck Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Currituck Beach Lighthouse
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Corolla Beach
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Elizabeth City, NC (ECG-Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Regional)
    ‪107 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 6

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 7

1 Single Bed and 1 Crib

7 bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 3

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 4

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 5

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 6

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 7

Toilet

Bathroom 8

Toilet

Bathroom 9

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

OCEANFRONT:7 Bed;8 Bath;2 Heated Pools;4 Whirlpools;Spa;Private Walkway to beach

With a private walkway from the oceanfront pool and spa over the dunes and directly onto the beach, this stunning oceanfront home was built as close to the ocean as possible and was custom designed to maximize exceptional ocean views from every room.

Enjoy spectacular sunrises over the ocean, play in the 40’ pool with elevated baby pool and 4’ waterfall, then relax under the stars in the poolside hot tub at your very own “Castle by the Sea”!

The house features 4 master bedroom suites on the oceanfront, 3 additional bedrooms on the west side of the house, and 8 bathrooms including the poolside cabana. New upgrades are added each year, including: Oceanfront hot tub for 7; 65” 4K TV in raised living area; Kitchen tile; New tile, vanities and fixtures in 2 bathrooms; 53” HD TV in Master Bedroom on top level; 40” HD TV in Game Room; Private walkway from oceanfront pool cabana over dunes right onto the beach; Professional quality pool table; Repainted interior, Updated bedroom décor; 6 HDTV's and Blu-ray 5.1 surround sound system.

Arise early for a cup of coffee with family or friends (on the elevated gazebo with built-in seating at the end of the private boardwalk), and share the experience of spectacular sunrises illuminating the ocean waves with purple, pink and red hues.

Spread your towels, your tent and even your playpen (from the house’s baby closet) on the beach at the end of the private walkway for a day of tanning and playing in the roaring ocean waves—all visible from the Raised Living Area, Dining Room, Breakfast Room and Master Bedroom by members of your party who prefer or need to remain inside.

When it’s time to relax in the shade, return to your “Castle” where you can play in the 40' x 20' oceanfront pool with elevated baby pool and 4' waterfall or read on the pool deck, one of 4 other decks or in the library-- private places even with large family groups. You can even request to have the pool heated for an additional fuel fee.

Prepare dinner in the fully-stocked kitchen with excellent ocean views, downdraft grill, oven, 2 Cooktops, Micro-convection oven, 2 Dishwashers, 2 Coffee Makers, 2 Blenders, Food Processor, Crockpot, Pots, Pans and Wet Bar with free-standing icemaker. Then serve the whole family at the dining room table for 10, the Breakfast Room for 6 or the Library for 4.

When the day is done, relax under the stars in the oceanfront, top-of-the-line, therapeutic spa with integrated MP3 Bluetooth 5 speaker system, LED water columns, custom waterfall , exterior LED lighting and jumbo footwell jets.

Before retiring to one of 4 master bedroom suites, sip a glass of wine with friends and family on the upper level decks while admiring the mesmerizing light of the historic Corolla lighthouse that has served as a warning beacon for ships off the Outer Banks for almost 150 years.

Watch your favorite show or movie on the 65” 4K TV with Surround Sound in the Raised Living Area, or play a competitive game on the professional pool table.

For a more tranquil setting, sit in the rockers or glider on the oceanfront decks and let the stresses of the world slip away to the comforting rhythm of the rolling waves. Or, from the decks on the north and west sides of your “Castle” let your mind drift to the tales of the Outer Banks while you observe the warning beacon of the historic Corolla Lighthouse guiding the fishing vessels on their nightly rounds along the coast.

Top Level: Enjoy the endless ocean view from the built-in bench seat under the window wall in the elevated sitting area with a fireplace, 65” 4K TV, Blu-ray Player, and 5.1 Surround Sound System. The fully furnished gourmet kitchen has 2 cooktops, 2 dishwashers, an island seating 5, and a wet bar with icemaker. Seat the whole crowd for meals at two dining tables overlooking the ocean, and another table in the adjacent library. This level has a half bath off the kitchen and a Master Bedroom with Queen bed, HDTV/DVD combo, 5.1 Surround Sound, Whirlpool overlooking the ocean, separate Shower and an adjoining Nursery with Permanent Crib, Changing Table, and Daybed.

Mid Level: Master Bedroom #2 in Center of East side of house with King bed, HDTV/DVD, Desk, Whirlpool Tub with Shower, Master Bedroom #3 on Northeast corner of house with Queen bed, HDTV/DVD combo and adjoining Bathroom with 2 person Whirlpool Tub overlooking ocean and a separate Shower; Master Bedroom #4 on Southeast corner of house with Queen bed, HDTV/DVD combo and adjoining Bathroom with 2 person Whirlpool Tub overlooking ocean and a separate Shower. All 3 master bedrooms have access to the oceanfront deck overlooking the pool. Bedroom #5 has a Double bed and a Single Bed (sleeping a total of 3 persons) TV, access to deck with beautiful ocean views and hallway access to bathroom #5. Bedroom #6 has a Pyramid Bed with Double bed on bottom and Single bed on top (sleeping a total of 3 persons) and a bunk set with two single beds (sleeping a total of 2 persons), TV, access to deck with beautiful ocean views and hallway access to bathroom #6.

Ground Level: Devoted to play, this level has a professional grade pool table, Full-size Commercial Grade Cabinet Arcade Machine with over 3,500 classic arcade games (including Asteroids, Centipede, Donkey Kong, Galaga, NBA Jam, Off Road Challenge, PacMan, Galaga, Space Invaders) 24 Cu. Ft. Side by Side Refrigerator, 5.1 surround sound receiver, TV, DVD player, mirrored Exercise Room, Half Bath, Queen sleep sofa, HDTV, and DVD player. There is also a laundry room with Washer, Dryer, Ironing Board, Drying Rack and Iron. Outside, you will find a fully fenced and gated pool area with multi-tiered sun and shade decks, a Hot Tub, gated Baby Pool with waterfall, Cabana with Shower, Toilet, Sink, separate Changing Room, and a private beach walkway with dune-top seating.

Extras: Private pool (20’ X 40’)--available from May 1 to September 30 (heated upon request with additional charge), Hot Tub, WIFI, Fireplace, 6 HD tv's, 7 DVD players, Blu-ray player, 3 Stereo Receivers w/ 5.1 Surround Sound, Games, Books, 2 Dishwashers, 2 Icemakers, 4 whirlpools, Permanent Crib, Pack ‘N Play, High Chair, Baby Gate, Basketball Goal, Poolside Picnic Table, Baby Swing, Fish Cleaning Table w/sink, Private Walkway onto beach. No smoking. No pets.

Keywords: Castle by the Sea, Oceanfront, Beachfront, Beach House, Outer Banks Rental Home, OBX, Oceanfront with pool, Northern Outer Banks

Property manager

Bill

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Corolla

Located on the beach, this holiday home is in Whalehead Beach, a neighbourhood in Corolla. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Outer Banks Beaches and Corolla Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education and Corolla Adventure Golf and Bumper Cars. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Corolla, NC

What's nearby

  • Currituck Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Whalehead - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Currituck Beach Lighthouse - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Wild Horse Museum - 3 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Corolla Beach - 6 min drive - 3.6 km

Getting around

  • Norfolk, VA (ORF-Norfolk Intl.) - 126 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Off The Wall Tap House - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Uncle Ike's Sandbar & Grill - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Sun Fish Grill - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Corolla Pizza & Deli - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪The Chill Spot - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does OCEANFRONT:7 Bed;8 Bath;2 Heated Pools;4 Whirlpools;Spa;Private Walkway to beach have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is OCEANFRONT:7 Bed;8 Bath;2 Heated Pools;4 Whirlpools;Spa;Private Walkway to beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at OCEANFRONT:7 Bed;8 Bath;2 Heated Pools;4 Whirlpools;Spa;Private Walkway to beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at OCEANFRONT:7 Bed;8 Bath;2 Heated Pools;4 Whirlpools;Spa;Private Walkway to beach?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is OCEANFRONT:7 Bed;8 Bath;2 Heated Pools;4 Whirlpools;Spa;Private Walkway to beach located?

Located in Whalehead Beach, this beachfront holiday home is in the city centre, just steps away from Outer Banks Beaches and Currituck Beach. Whale Head Bay and Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 51 out of 69 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 69 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 69 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 69 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 69 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Ernie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

great Thanksgiving get away

Very nice spacious house ......oceanfront in great neighborhood.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Luann W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

We had a wonderful stay The house , pool and beach were Great
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brandon L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

Best layout of any place we've stayed in OBX. The host was friendly and responsive. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Beach Trip

We loved our stay at Castle By The Sea! There’s plenty of space for a family, to spread out and enjoy private time as well as family togetherness. The owner is very reachable and attentive to any problems that may arise. The attention to detail at this property is superb with directions on using everything from the remote controls to the coffee maker…which we fully appreciated. The kitchen is labeled for ease in finding and returning things to their proper place. The house is laid out so beautifully for viewing the ocean from everywhere. And the pool…..magnificent. We highly recommend this home in Corolla- Castle by the Sea.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

DENISE J., Westfield Center

DJ

Great time was had by all. Plenty of room, each large bedroom with it's own bath. Beautiful pool area and wonderful beach access. Would highly recommend, we will not hesitate to return!! Owner was very helpful and accommodating.

10/10 Excellent

Linda B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great week at castle by the sea!

What a view from every room! 18 of us (mixed ages from 50-4) stayed for the week. House had plenty of space for all of us and was clean. Kiddie pool was nice for the little ones to splash around in. Great beach access. House had a lot of great amenities. Host was responsive and accommodating. We would stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bruce G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Castle by the Sea

Truly enjoyed our week long stay at Castle by the Sea. Excellent beach front location close to a large public park in Corolla. Walking distance to stores and restaurants made it convenient for everyone in our party. The house was very clean and well equipped with everything necessary to enjoy the beach, pool and summertime fun. The well equipped game room was popular with the teens in our party and the pool and hot tub were great when we were not at the beach. All bedrooms were freshly cleaned and very roomy. The house was very spacious with plenty of room in the family room and dining areas that allowed us all to have meals together. Bikes and beach toys were also provided. I would highly recommended this property for any family looking to enjoy the beach, pool and making a memorable summertime vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Lucinda B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Please replace the tile.

The kitchen tile was cracked and loose. As was the pool tile. Pool leaked water.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

JENNIFER L., Hughesville, MD

EXCELLENT VACATION

I have stayed at plenty of rentals in my past but none of them compared to this one. My family and I had my wedding there and we absolutely loved it. It had plenty of room and well maintained. And of course absolutely beautiful. I definitely recommend this rental to everyone. I know I will be returning NEXT YEAR.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Marjorie O.

Great for families

It's a beautiful sprawling kind of house. Magnificent location directly on the beach with the most wonderful sunrises and views of the ocean. The house is very well appointed. Lots of space for everyone to move around. The house has some years on it, and we were there at the end of the season so the wear and tear of the season was evident. Folks new to the Outer Banks should be warned about the number of steps involved.

10/10 Excellent

Patty H., Durham

Damn you, Forence!

We were so looking forward to a full week at the beach, but Florence had other plans. After one day on the beach, mandatory evacuation. Hoping to get back again for our real vacation. The owner is a pleasure to work with, very clean home with a very functional set up. Well stocked.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house & location for our family of 13

Great house and location for our family of 7 adults, 1 teenager, and 5 children 12 & under. Lots of bedroom and bathroom options, pool, hot tub, game room, large dining table, books, games, and all the amenities. Great ocean views from great decks. The expansive beach really is just over the dune behind the house. Corolla has everything we needed. Some of the commercial activities may be more of a drive away, but we didn't need those things. The house decor is slightly dated, but that had zero impact on our stay. 3 stories, so get ready for some effort by old knees. Great for our family and we would rent that again!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Christy D.

Beautiful views!!

This is a gem by the sea!! The deck furniture was one of the nicesest we have had at the obx. The beds were decent. Each queen and king (just one on mid level) had something unique and nice about it. There was a nice bathroom by the pool and ocean so you didnt have to go in all the way. It is right by public access which was a slight negative. We came before pool season so the pool will look beautiful but it wasn't ready (as expected). The kitchen was pretty well stocked. There was just one fridge and a small wine fridge downstairs. The owner was very responsive.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Terrific Time - Great House - Awesome Service by Owner

This was our second year at Castle By the Sea and we are planning on doing it again. The home is designed very nicely to accommodate a large group; 7 adults and 5 children in our case. During our week a hurricane was just offshore and due to the cool weather we decided to have the pool heated (Additional cost). The owner accommodated our request immediately and we got a lot of use out of the pool...especially on the days the beach was closed due to rip tides. Also, the refrigerator in the basement was broken and he ordered a new one to arrive while we were there. The owner ensured we had an excellent time in his home....definitely a pleasure to work with him!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David G.

Dream days

We spent a wonderful fall week at this lovely home. The decks, the pool, the family areas, the kitchen were all delightful. We ate all our meals at the castle. We were able to create wonderful meals in the well appointed kitchen while the dining area provided unsurpassed views. Loved the ice machine in the wet bar! Multiple master suites will appeal to large groups. The beach gave us hours of enjoyment. We walked daily...appreciating the mile marker on the beach that is just north of the house. The WIFI was a little difficult to access but we were finally successful and enjoyed face time with our family at home,sharing our dream days. We had a problem with the hot tub and it was resolved quickly by the service company. The pool table and space invaders pin ball machine brought back memories, The owner was available and gracious when we contacted him with questions, This home has been well used and will benefit from the owner's TLC this winter but our dream days were just that...thank you,

6/10 Okay

Lee G.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

No doubt used to be a castle

We spent a week with friends and family at the end of the 2020 season during pandemic. It was a great way to travel safely and be away from the pressures of Covid. The house is mostly as advertised. There are no gross inaccuracies in the description, but it is obviously a full-time vacation rental and the house is a bit “tired.” The owner was incredibly responsive when the pool broke on the first day and had everything repaired within 24 hours. However, we were disappointed to find that at this price we felt nickel and dimed on the small stuff. There were not nearly enough linens for the house, none for the basement sleeper sofa even after request, and really a scarcity of floor mats that are so crucial to keeping sand out of a beach house. The Beach toys are present but mostly broken, carpets very worn thin, no broom, and no working vacuum. This was all overshadowed by having a private boardwalk to the beach and a pool that is in the afternoon shade. Overall, a lovely time if the niceities can be forgiven.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Keri C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun Family Vacation

We had the best week in this Castle by the Sea!! The layout of the house was perfect for a family, with ample cooking space in the kitchen, and tons of room for family meals and games in the dining room area. The bedrooms were all well sized and very comfortable. One of our favorite admiring activities was sitting on the top deck with our coffee watching for dolphins. The pool area was perfect for our group with plenty of space to spread out. It also gets late afternoon shade which was perfect for when we were ready to get out of the sun, but not quite done playing for the day. The beach was just a short walk away, which was perfect for families with little kids who can’t decide where they want to be. Also, after dinner time, the beach was very quiet, leaving plenty of space for afternoon beach games and quiet gatherings to watch the stars. There is plenty to do right near the house if you want to get out with restaurants, putt putt go karts and grocery stores all right within a 10 minute or less drive. If you have littles, this house has so much for them! Indoor and pool toys as well as DVDS. We did have an issue with the one of the AC units, but I only include that to say that the owner was very quick to respond to get someone in for a fix as soon as possible. These things happen, but the response time was very much appreciated. If we make our way back to Corolla, we will definitely be looking at staying here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Dianne c.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Rental in Corrola

The house was very spacious. It gave everyone their own space if they needed it. Loved that it was on the beach and we had perfect weather the entire week. Lots of activities close by. The house itself could use some sprucing up but we enjoyed our week in Corolla. The biggest drawback is the speed limit on the road to the house. I would recommend the property!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Joetta M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

This was my first family vacation and we enjoyed it very much we want to return to the OBX next yea

We enjoyed the experience and had a very good time the lack of dining Facilities was hard to plan around
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

6/10 Okay

Mary Ann S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

may2022

Had an awsome vacation, awsome weather, nice roomy house but could use some improvements, clean windows would be great, having bikes and the pool toys was great! Overall evry thing was good!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tina S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect spot for relaxing

This house has everything you need plus some. The pool was amazing. The sounds of the ocean are literally all through this house. The board walk takes you almost to the water if the sound isn't close enough. Sun rise and coffee was my favorite every morning. The updates on the house are beautiful. What I loved most was the new decking they are upgrading. Not just because the deck was beautiful and the design is magnificent, but the owner himself was doing it. He is a hard working man and what America was founded on, dreams. This home was his wife's favorite, her art still hangs in the house, and the love they have for family shows in every room, detail, and extra amenity they added. Some you won't see listed in the details. I will loved to have my family back again next summer. If you get a chance to stay in the castle by the s sea be sure to decorate a family shell to add to the basket in the library.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Castle has what you need

Great location. Great house layout. All the amenities that you would need. Gameroom with retro arcade fuzzball and pool table was enjoyed by all. Owners have thought of everything for a great vacation. There were a couple issues that did not bother us. Other reviews mention the cleanliness of the house. It is little dated and could use a little work. New kitchen counters being installed apparently which will make the kitchen very nice. Two things that are good to know for future guests. One is that the hot tub is not available except during pool season which is a shame . The other thing is that it is listed as a seven bedroom however 1 of the bedrooms is a small room accessed through the master on top floor. It would work well for small kids but i don t think an adult would enjoy it as there is only a crib and daybed in the room. Overall i think this home is great for a family vacation and the owners are quick to respond to questions
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

4/10 Poor

Teresa C.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Filthy

If you want a clean house, this is not for you. If you want basic necessities provided such as toilet paper, paper towels, soap, and enough towels for each bathroom, bring your own. If you don’t mind dirty windows and hermetic seals broken, then you’ll be fine. If you don’t mind cobwebs dangling from the light fixtures and ants in the food-stained cushions on the chairs, then go for it. I was shocked upon arrival, and within ten minutes of entry, contacted the owner who really didn’t seem surprised to hear from me. He did send the pool maintenance person and the owner of the house cleaning company the next day. This put us in an awkward position, having to greet these folks who were clearly irritated to have had complaints waged against the house that they are supposed to be maintaining. We had to listen to their stories about how the owner doesn’t pay them enough to do the deep cleaning that is needed for this property. The pool person was especially belligerent saying “I hope your kids enjoy the hell out of the pool!” There were beer bottle caps, cigarette butts, and even a pair of boxer shorts around the perimeter of the pool and he tried to tell us that those things weren’t there the day before. (Strange thing is, he never cleaned up those items even after we pointed them out) The owner defended him saying he is such-and-such in the community. Doesn’t matter…the guy was angry and rude. The entire back side of the house has mold spots on all of the white woodwork – we envisioned sitting out on the decks enjoying the view, but you’d literally have to face outward and not look behind you because you’d see dirty cobwebs and mold on the house. I wish there was a way to post pictures, as I did take several. Upon notifying the owner, he offered an extra night if we didn’t give a bad review. I declined and have decided to tell the truth about this property so that no one else wastes their hard-earned money on a place for their family vacation. This was a once in a lifetime event for us, and I couldn’t have been more disappointed in the house itself. To be fair to the owner, he immediately offered a full refund if we found another place right away. Many other issues, but not enough room here to post. I’m only doing this to spare another family the disappointment we experienced.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

1st visit to OBX a wonderful experience!

From 5to 68 we all had a wonderful time! The house was very clean, room for all 11 of us! The pool was ready and heated as we requested. Couldn't be closer to the beach. The weather was awful the 1st couple of days and we still enjoyed every minute! Thank you for a wonderful time!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

About the host

Hosted by Bill

Host profile image
Our four children and Father-in-Law (who lived with us until he passed away at age 96) all enjoy the many faces of the ocean--from calm blue waves lapping on the wide beach to churning whitecaps generated by storms at sea.

After vacationing on the beaches of New Jersey as children, we enjoyed our first family reunions on the beaches of Delaware and Virginia which were too crowded for us. We then moved our reunions farther south to the clean, family-friendly beaches of North Carolina.

Renting first in Duck for a couple of years, we started moving farther north each year in search of larger homes with more amenities and less crowded beaches. After many years of searching, we found our perfect beach community—Corolla. This community offered some of the nicest homes on the Outer Banks with less traffic and uncrowded beaches because it was literally the “end of the road”. North of Corolla, there is no asphalt road; transportation is by 4 wheel drive vehicles driving on the beach.

During our vacations at each of the houses at which we stayed over the years, we made mental notes of features that had worked well for the three generations attending our family reunions. When it was time to build our first beach house, “Castle in the Air”, Bill devoted over 600 hours on a CAD system to incorporate the best features from each of those houses.

We understood the importance of addressing the varied needs of individuals during a multi-generational vacation. Children need an area in which to be children and to play without infringing on the private space required by some adults using the vacation to de-stress. Comfortable beds for all, multiple TV’s so everyone can simultaneously watch their favorite shows, a quality sound system for listening to music, a fully-stocked kitchen with an excellent ocean view, a quiet Sun Room overlooking hundreds of acres of an undeveloped Estuarine Sanctuary.

Bill satisfied all of these requirements in designing the house after which he

Why they chose this property

Following three years of rave reviews by our guests at "Castle in the Air", we decided to build a second, larger home as close to the ocean as federal and state laws would permit. Using the floorplan about which our guests had showered us with compliments at Castle in the Air, we bumped the exterior walls out 3 feet in each direction, adding almost 2000 square feet of living area: a Breakfast Room overlooking the oceanfront pool and the ocean, three master bedroom bathrooms with two person spas overlooking the ocean and an even larger heated, inground, gunite pool—this time with a separate heated baby pool and oceanfront cabana with a private walkway directly to the beach.

Again, Patrice chose the interior furnishings and decorated the house with her unique, artistic beach décor that she offers for sale at her Etsy shop, Sea Treasure by Patrice.

This larger, oceanfront property we named, “Castle by the Sea”. Designed for multiple generations, this property has also consistently received outstanding reviews by guests—many of whom return year after year to enjoy the upgrades we add to the house during each offseason.

What makes this property unique

Castle by the Sea was designed to accommodate multiple generations. With four master bedroom suites that overlook the ocean and two additional bedrooms on the West side of the house that can easily accommodate two more adults and six children, the house is comfortable for extended family groups.

The open kitchen was designed with a center island that serves as a gathering place for the family while the cook has both company and excellent views of the ocean.

The library is a favorite of grandparents and those who enjoy a little quiet time while easily participating in all of the family fun.

The middle level is for sleeping, and the ground level is for recreation, particularly suited to children, teenagers and men who like to play pool. The pool table overlooks the oceanfront pool, and the cabana from the oceanfront pool opens to a private walkway onto the beach.

We make improvements to the property each year. For example, during recent off-seasons, we installed new tile in the kitchen, upgraded two of the bathrooms with new tile, vanity and fixtures. We installed a 65” 4K TV in the raised living area, a 53” HD TV in Master Bedroom 31 and a 40” HD TV in the Game Room.

We also repainted the interior of the property and completed a new commercial quality walkway from the oceanfront pool cabana over the dune and onto the beach. In this way, we like to keep our properties current and comfortable for our guests.

Languages:

English