8 Fun “Stay In” Ideas to Make the Most of Your Vacation Rental

It’s time to rethink your travel itinerary for your next vacation to the North Carolina coast. Instead of packing every day with time and the beach and excursions, block out some time to simply enjoy the pleasures of staying in some of the most stunning coastal properties in the country.

Staying in doesn’t mean an “off-day.” It’s one of the best times to enjoy the myriad of amenities offered at your accommodation, spend bonding time with family and friends, and catch up on sleep. Here’s why you’ll look forward to your “day in” on your vacation.

Explore featured amenities

Fun is closer than you think when you select the right vacation rental. On-site pools, game rooms, gyms, and spas are just the beginning of what you might discover without even leaving the property. Rough water conditions at the beach is the perfect time to stay in and enjoy a poolside afternoon at Epic Abode. If the rain keeps you inside from exploring the Carolina Beach Boardwalk arcade, the on-site community arcade at Atlantic Towers satisfies your video game cravings.

Guests staying in vacation rentals that are part of a resort or community will have access to shared amenities available only to the complex residents.

Enjoy home entertainment

Back-to-back activities got you tired? Your vacation doesn’t always have to be jam-packed with tours and excursions. Paradise can easily be spending a chilly evening snuggled on the couch with a blanket to binge-watch that new Netflix series your best friend was raving about.

The sizable living room at Bluewater Villa can accommodate as many of the 20 guests staying at the property for movie night. For that movie theater feel, draw the shades and flick on the wall-sized projector screen inside Salty Towers.

Enjoy the views

Once you experience the breathtaking views of the North Carolina coast, you’ll understand why travelers come back time and time again to stay at one of our Sea Scape Vacation Rentals. Imagine waking up to views of morning surfers catching the first waves of the Atlantic Ocean from the deck of Station One. Or enjoying a dazzling sunset over the Intracoastal Waterway every night of your stay at the Harbor Tide Estate. For even more expansive views, the rooftop deck at A Place to Be offers a 360-degree view of Carolina Beach.

Relax

No alarm clocks necessary on this vacation. The rest you get on vacation is the best sleep you’ll have outside of your own bed. And with beds as cozy as you’ll find at Sea Scape Properties vacation rentals, it’s easy to “sleep in.”

Unplug for the night and wake up naturally to the sound of the Atlantic Ocean outside your bedroom. Properties under our management include fresh linens and bedsheets so that every night can feel like it’s your first time lying down in them. In addition to your bed, couches and chairs are other tasteful furniture that make relaxation just a seat away.

Be Productive

Taking work on vacation? You won’t have to sneak away to a local coffee shop to squeeze in a couple of hours of work because your vacation rental keeps you connected! If the group consensus is to stay in, you can stay productive with high-speed Wi-Fi, which is featured in most vacation rentals. Utilize the office nook attached to the primary bedroom of the Hakuna Matata to clear your morning emails or duck off into the private office at the Blue Aerie to take that urgent Zoom call. Nobody will hardly notice you’re gone!

Play games

Game night is underrated for creating some of the most memorable moments during your vacation. Videos of your boomer dad singing pop singles from the 2000s during karaoke will go viral in your family text thread. It’s finally a chance for that rematch in Uno against cousins you haven’t seen since the last family reunion. And a game of charades will give one family the bragging rights for the rest of the holiday. Grand Topsail Villa and Coastal Calm come stocked with board games, so you don’t even have to pack your own. The Perfect Kure even has a retro arcade game right in one of the bedrooms!

Check out these 13 vacation rental-approved games that will give you hours of fun!

Cook or get food catered

The coastal North Carolina region has no shortage of must-try restaurants during your trip. Seafood is the local specialty—for obvious reasons. But if you’re like most vacationers, you won’t be dining out every night. Especially when you have a modern, newly renovated kitchen equipped with the latest appliances at your disposal. Whether preparing a meal for two at the Waterway Condos or cooking for 20+ in Sea Haven’s open-concept kitchen, each space is designed to make sure every meal is “chef’s kiss.”

Don’t feel like cooking? Sea Scape Properties partners with local companies to offer catering and private chef services to our guests. Get a personalized meal prepared by your very own personal chef from Della. Get a taste of the coast with a DIY seafood steam pot from Topsail Steamer.

Host an event

Large vacation rentals are more than just a place to lay your head during vacation. They can also double as an event venue for a private engagement. A large yard, spacious living areas, and multiple bedrooms are all signs of a suitable property. Use the expansive backyard at Sea Tranquility to host your harbor-view wedding. The open floor plan of Sunset Tide makes it an excellent pick for celebrating a birthday trip with up to 20 people. The Wine Gal, one of our preferred partners, can turn any “night in” into a wine-tasting party.

Check out our curated selection of coastal properties perfect for weddings and events.

Your “Night In” in Coastal North Carolina

Sea Scape Properties manages stunning coastal properties in North Carolina. Our vetted properties provide the space and comfort to make “staying in” one of the most memorable times during your vacation. Browse our vacation homes to create those timeless memories in on your next trip!