Sea Trail Resort in Sunset Beach, North Carolina

I won’t claim to know everything there is to know about dining out, great hotels, or even knowing that many attractions within a given area. But from one hopeless romantic, maybe a simple guy out there would appreciate knowing how good it can be. The ocean views, the secluded quiet atmosphere, the ambiance of everything being perfect, are exactly what is meant by “money can’t buy you everything.”

Sea Trail Resorts, in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, was my choice for several reasons. It wasn’t right on the beach, which, given the season, was not the main issue for her or myself. But it was only two miles at the most from the sparsely populated sands. The villas offered almost every amenity we wanted, from a separate guest room for our son, to coffee brewed when you are ready for it, not waiting for it to brew. I read on one review that the beds they were provided were “squeak-less”, which I have to agree with, adding that the headboard probably could have used wall mounts. Otherwise, the sleep quality was superb. And the best part, for me anyway, was having everything a cook needed to prepare breakfast, lunch, or dinner right in the cupboards.

Well, except of course, for the food. Yes, we bought food from the local grocer, and cooked breakfast right there in the room. I mean sausage, eggs, toast, orange juice and coffee. We could have even washed the dishes in the dishwasher if we were so inclined, which of course we were informed by the front office that just loading it was appreciated. There’s your own private washer and dryer, iron with ironing board, and internet service. Each villa is privately owned but maintained by a hotel-like staff, only better.

Dinner was a nice outing to a nearby seafood restaurant in Calabash. Not far from there, in Shalotte, was a large movie theater. You see, Sunset Beach is situated amidst Shalotte, Calabash, Myrtle Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach, which can also make it a prime window of opportunity to read up on the history of the area. There are plenty of attractions within these towns to give a couple more than they can plan in one twenty-four hour period.

What about the beach? Yes, sugary sands, feathery blows across the dunes, gulls searching for food, outstretched piers like fingers on the pulse of the ocean. It was cold, but beautiful, and probably more so to not be crowded with tanning surfers and bustling seashell collectors. Winter doesn’t mean the beach is closed, fellas. It’s just a little more private.

I would recommend Sea Trail Resort, and for once guys, don’t let a little more from your wallet spoil the evening. Chances are, it’s less than your monthly payment on your mortgage. It’ll be worth it!