Miracles by the Sea cottage
As I type this review, I am sitting at the table at the end of what has been a glorious week at Holden Beach, NC while staying in the Miracles by the Sea cottage. Before I detail the wonders of this beautiful home, allow me to share some of my travel credentials. I have been blessed to visit almost 40 of our nation’s states, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. I have stayed in the Presidential Suite at a Ritz Carlton and in huts in South Africa. So I think I know a little something about accommodations.
I want to share my travel credentials in the hope that you’ll believe me when I say this cottage is wonderful. As soon as you walk in, the decor says “Welcome to the beach!” Our hosts have organized and supplied the home with everything you need to have a comfortable stay. The kitchen is painted in white with accents of ocean blue and coral red. They have crafted an open concept with shelves (instead of cabinets) and hanging utensils. The idea is that everything you need is easy to find. And, I should add, it has all been tastefully arranged. There is an ample dining table for six where you can have dinner and conversations about anything you want. The kitchen is supplied with a range of appliances that allow you to cook if that is your preference. They even have a washer and dryer for those who might need to wash their clothes.
The living room has one of those couches the whole family can sit on and a table for playing cards, chess, or any of your favorite board games. Beware of that couch. You can lay down to watch your favorite TV show and find yourself waking up at 3am wondering where you are … it’s THAT comfortable. They have smart TVs with cable service, so you can either enjoy cable’s offerings or sign-in to your own YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, or AppleTV accounts. There are TVs in the living room as well as all of the bedrooms.
The bedrooms have retained their original wood cabin feel, but have also been tastefully decorated to make you feel like this is home. The beds are comfortable and there are plenty of pillows. You will also find plenty of storage in each room for your clothes and personal belongings. The bathrooms are well-maintained and provide you with everything you need after a day at the beach.
The front porch is set up with places to sit and their are two hoses outside that you can use to rinse the sand off of your feet when you come off of the beach. You can see the ocean from the porch, but I most enjoyed it at night when the breeze off the ocean was refreshing and you can see the stars above.
But the “pièce de résistance,” the magical moment of the trip, comes when you discover the outdoor living room under the house. That’s right … should the rain come and attempt to ruin your day, our hosts have arranged an outdoor living room under the house so you can still spend time outdoors despite the weather. It has comfortable seating, a hammock, and fans to help you circulate the air. Perfect for a spritzer, or what they call is Italy, “un aperitivo.”
We spent the week with another couple and their adult daughter. This home allowed us to create memories that will last us a lifetime. Kudos to our hosts and all those that work to make Miracles by the Sea a magical experience. My wife and I have already expressed our desire to come back. If you are looking for a rental to create your own special family memories, reach out and make your reservations.
Stayed August, 2021