The accommodations were good. The proximity to the ocean was excellent, said however the steps leading from boardwalk to ocean were washed away making it more difficult to return from the beach. Also the grill was not in good condition. Overall our experience was good and the outdoor pool was a nice feature.
Stayed July, 2017
Our family of 8 travelers enjoyed Terrapin Station so much. The house is laid out well for get-togethers upstairs, and it also offers nice privacy across multiple levels and bedrooms. The pool is super, but mostly we preferred the fun waves, hunting shells, and sitting in beach chairs under the EZ-Up on the sand instead. This is really a wonderful environment, with no crowds whatsoever.
Lots of coffee was consumed on the upper deck in the mornings, and the surf is the perfect audio backdrop to that. The ocean is truly RIGHT there (and if it's a full moon, as it was for us, the view is spectacular).
North Topsail is quiet-- which encouraged us to stay put (after a short -- and daily-- trip to Food Lion in Snead's Ferry for provisions) and to really embrace the beach and the setting. We cooked on the grill (not so convenient as it has to stay down on the driveway for fire safety) and then made trips into Surf City to satisfy our need for more "action" and a bit of shopping (and gourmet popcorn at MM8).
Plan on sunrise walks and maybe a jog the opposite direction to the pier (beware-- 6 miles round trip). Speaking of the pier, the casual restaurant there is a pretty sweet breakfast spot-- affordable and friendly.
House stuff: The elevator proved finicky (we had to re-set it multiple times) and the ice maker was uncooperative. Certainly our older folks would have liked to avoid the many stairs, but it wasn't the end of the world. Everything else was functional and comfortable. It's nice to have a W/D (so you can pack lightly) and a kitchen big enough to spread out and make meals in.
Stayed June, 2017
Our family, 8 adults and 3 children, would absolutely recommend this home for your vacation. We were very comfortable for our week stay. The house had everything we needed, sans food! The pool was perfect, clean, and warm, perfect for the little ones who aren't quite ready for the ocean! The views from the top deck couldn’t be beat, we’d sit out on the top deck and get a beautiful view of the sunrise and boats on the horizon. The rooms and common areas were all clean and in great shape, subtle signs of wear on the furniture and permanent fixtures, but that’s to be expected! The elevator was a lifesaver! Really helped get the luggage and groceries to the upper floors! The area was quiet, not too much commotion, perfect for a relaxing stay! We recommend going to Lo-re-lei’s Pub and Grill for lunch – amazing food, laid-back atmosphere, and attentive staff and don’t forget to stop by Bada-Bing for ice cream!
Stayed August, 2016
Thank you so much for a great time at Terrapin Station. The size of the house for the 7 of us (5 adults, 11 yr old and 14 yr old) was great. Probably had more space than we needed but we really liked it. The views from the top deck were amazing and something we will treasure about our vacation. Went fishing from the beach right in front of the house and loved the quiet beach as it was full of only other house guests nearby. The margarita maker was fun and we made drinks in it every evening. Also loved the massive game collection and the private pool, especially our nephew who was not so fond of the sand. What a great property for a multi-generational family visit! North Topsail is a great location that is quiet enough to relax and enjoy but close enough to nearby things. Thanks again!
Stayed July, 2016
House in excellent shape and right on the water. Great place to swim. Well equipped home and clean nice pool. Elevtor such a big help.
Pronlems-weak wifi, ice machine frozen, no beach chairs
Stayed July, 2016