Entire home

For Beach Connoisseurs: Classic Beachfront Cottage!

Photo gallery for For Beach Connoisseurs: Classic Beachfront Cottage!

View from Dune Deck
New Countertops and Dual Sink
New Dual Sink
New Countertop and Look-through Bar
Dining Room Looking Into Kitchen

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Isle of Palms, SC
  • Front Beach
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Isle of Palms Beach
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Wild Dunes Resort Golf Course
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Charleston, SC (CHS-Charleston Intl.)
    ‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Den

2 Single Beds

Downstairs bedroom

2 Single Beds

Master bedroom

1 King Bed

Thomas's room

2 Single Beds

Will's room

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Downstairs

Toilet · Shower only

Master bedroom

Toilet · Shower only

Upstairs

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

For Beach Connoisseurs: Classic Beachfront Cottage!

Our classic (newly renovated - please see pics) beachfront cottage features a private path to the beach and a private dune deck right at the beach and is a block away from any public walks so the beach seems a little more private. My grandmother convinced my father to buy the house in 1964 from an old girlfriend who was trying to raise money to get her manuscripts published. The "ex"? She wrote the NY Times bestseller "Charleston" and went on to be selected by Margaret Mitchell's heirs to write the sequel to "Gone With the Wind"! We have pictures of the house and beach at different periods of our family's involvement. Everyone who enters breathes a sigh of relaxation because of the beautiful views and open layout that invites the constant breeze and sea air. We have retained all of the charming and necessary features for full beach enjoyment such as a large screened-in porch looking out over the ocean and the Charleston shipping channel with a comfortable sofa and chairs, a porch dining table with six chairs and room for more, and a hard to resist hammock. In addition, we have provided modern amenities such as Keurig coffee/cocoa/tea maker, wireless internet, Dish Satellite and Flat screen TVs. There is an additional television with DVD player in the downstairs teen hangout room. Of course there is central heating and air if there is not enough sea breeze to open up the two sets of new French doors and keep the house cool.

Our favorite spots are the Pawley's Island Hammock on the full-house, screened-in porch (which we call the "front") facing the beach, the lounge chairs on the deck that face the beach, and the dune deck that allows you to perch above the rest of the beach goers and watch the surfers and ships. The full kitchen with new gas stove and powerful hood, and dining room make it so you never have to leave this great spot to eat. However, there are fabulous restaurants on the Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island in addition to the many in Charleston. It is a five-minute drive to Target and Towne Center, where there are boutiques, a movie theater, a Lowes, and a department store. There are dozens of highly rated golf courses within a 20-mile radius. All of the bedrooms have ceiling fans, blinds, functioning windows and screens to allow for the refreshing sea breeze. The HVAC system is new. The master bedroom has a king-sized bed, charming tile bathroom with shower, two closets, and TV (w/ Roku). The other two bedrooms on the main floor, twin and queen, have built-in dressers and full closets, and share a newly-renovated bathroom with shower and tub and brand new dual sinks and vanities and a back-lit 48 in. frameless fashion mirror. The first floor bedroom has twin beds, its own bathroom, and two showers adjacent to it. Downstairs is another den with TV and a futon/bunk bed perfect hang out for teens!

Keywords: beach front, house, cottage, private, family, renovated, dune deck

Property manager

Devon Hanahan

Languages

English, French, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 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
ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING! Smoking is not allowed in the house or on the screened in porch.
No pets - a $500 cleaning fee will be assessed if evidence of pets are found on the property.
Guest are required to provide the purpose of their trip and all guest names.

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
Long-term renters welcome
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

About the area

Isle of Palms

Located in Isle of Palms, this holiday home is on the beach. Fort Sumter and USS Yorktown are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Isle of Palms Beach and Front Beach. Patriots Point and South Carolina Aquarium are not to be missed. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and ecotours nearby.
Map
Isle of Palms, SC

What's nearby

  • Front Beach - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Isle of Palms Beach - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Isle Of Palms Recreation Center - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Isle of Palms County Park - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Wild Dunes Resort Golf Course - 10 min drive - 6.7 km

Getting around

  • Charleston Station - 24 min drive
  • Charleston, SC (CHS-Charleston Intl.) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Refuge - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Coconut Joe's - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Windjammer - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Oystercatcher Restaurant & Bar - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪King Street Grille - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is For Beach Connoisseurs: Classic Beachfront Cottage! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at For Beach Connoisseurs: Classic Beachfront Cottage!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at For Beach Connoisseurs: Classic Beachfront Cottage!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is For Beach Connoisseurs: Classic Beachfront Cottage! located?

Nestled on the beach, this Isle of Palms holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Isle of Palms Beach and Front Beach. Isle Of Palms Recreation Center and Isle of Palms County Park are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

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. 67 out of 117 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 32 out of 117 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 117 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 117 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 117 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

8.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Stan M.

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

College graduation celebration

8 adults celebrating my daughter in laws college graduation.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carter L.

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

Weekend trip for a wedding

The property was better than expected. Great location and the host was easy to deal with. Planning on going back in the near future
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lynette L.

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

Great

Very comfortable, plenty of room for all. The porch was a great success with everyone. And the private beach was wonderful. We all had a great time.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Howard S.

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

Wedding trip

Classic old style beach home, with warmth and character. Perfect location on IOP!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jack T.

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

Great!

Awesome property, location and host!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris F.

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

Family vacation

Our family stayed for a week and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The oceanfront views were spectacular, and the house location is terrific. My family particularly enjoyed hanging out on the porch overlooking the ocean/beach and my kids consistently fought over who would get the hammock. Thank you for a wonderful stay. It was truly a cozy home away from home.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stewart N.

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

Great place to enjoy the beach and town.

The host was very communicative even when there was an issue with the AC, the host had someone out to fix it right away. The house is a great location to enjoy the beach and the restaurants and bars nearby.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas G.

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

Fantastic access to the beach

Great trip with my wife and 3 small children. Everything we needed to feel at home while also having amazing access to the beach. Would and will go back!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily H.

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

Great Weekend Getaway

Perfect location and original home. Great weekend with friends.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Travis K.

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

just what we were looking for

This beach house was just what we were looking for as a family. Great beach access, wonderful screened porch. Basically we were only inside to sleep because we come to the beach to be outside. The host was terrific especially with communication and answering questions. A very well cared for property. We felt very comfortable and hope to come back in the future.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Sarah L.

Liked: Communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanksgiving at IOP

Great location but house needs work.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kylie A.

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

Great stay!

Property is exactly as described. Very clean and access to the beach was incredible! Stocked with plenty of beach chairs for the whole group. Devon was very responsive to questions. Would stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Victoria F.

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

Nice and convenient

It was rustic which we liked, felt very homy
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Pat B.

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

Trip

Great location. Walk way to the beach in the backyard. Had a little dock to watch the sunset.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

lewis n.

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

Great place

Loved our time here. The house (porch and common room in particular) is way bigger than pictures show. Plenty of room. Definitely rustic. The proximity to the beach was super convenient.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Scott S.

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

Family reunion beach house

Used for a family reunion of 10. Owner was very accommodating and easy to communicate with. Cozy private “beach cottage”.close to stores and playgrounds for the grand kids. Would definitely rent again !
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy H. H.

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

Will return

Property owner was very communicative and available. We had a small issue that was fixed immediately upon contacting him. We will definitely return next year!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly S.

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

Stepping back in time, in the best way possible!

If you are looking for a great beach house with an unbeatable location, this is it. This property is the epitome of what a beach house should be. If you are looking for a newer luxurious beach mansion, this is not it. However, if you are looking to experience beach life as it's meant to be... this is perfection. Our group, which mainly consisted of teens just loved the feeling of slowing down. Everyone put their phones down, enjoyed the beach, the beautiful yard and the best memories were made playing board games at the dining room table! The home had everything you need to entertain, there is a grocery store 2 minutes away, enough beach gear for a big group and ample sleeping accommodations for everyone. The screened in porch was the highlight, sitting outside at night and listening to the ocean waves was like having a "sound machine" but the ocean sounds were real! Our entire group just kept saying, "this house has "great vibes" - in teen speak, that is a huge compliment. :-) Is this house for everyone? Probably not. BUT if you are looking to step back in time and enjoy what a traditional oceanfront cottage has to offer, I can't recommend this property enough. My daughters keep thinking of reasons we need to go back for another stay. I can't say I blame them! We all loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Johanna W.

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

Great opportunity to stay ocean front in an upscale neighborhood

The location of this property is perfect! We loved having our own private access to the beach. The house is old and shows some wear...or charm depending on how you look at it, but the listing is accurate. It is an easy walk to the shops in "town" and a quick drive to so many great restaurants or Charleston. The hosts were very kind and gave us some good suggestions of where to eat. We had a wonderful family get away!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Martha Y.

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

Historic beach house, great location

Location was fabulous, and so glad the owners are choosing to preserve this beach cottage. Several in our group have allergies, so we were not able to utilize the downstairs areas. The screened in porch with a great hammock was a favorite spot. The deck on the dune was ideal for watching Independence Day fireworks. I read other reviews commenting on the vintage wooden drawers in the kitchen being a hazard, but they reminded me so much of my grandmother's kitchen. If you are looking for a sleek modern property this might not be for you, but if you want to step back a bit and relax it is perfect.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Devon H.

The Real Deal

I came as a guest of people renting, and I have to say that this is just what I pictured and needed. The house is clean and airy, with heart of pine floors and walls. With the windows all open and the breeze blowing through it was like being in a tree house! All of the amenities and supplies were in great condition, and my bed was super comfortable. I will be back!

8/10 Good

Diana P.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Decent for the price

Good location, upstairs was fine, the basement was rough. It needs a lot of improvement and we did not use it. Not livable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Beach trip

Our favorite thing about the property was a huge screen porch. It was so nice sitting out there. The house is very roomy, the beds were comfortable, and the kitchen is well stocked. It could use some updating and a deep cleaning. The owner was very friendly and very easy to work with. We had an issue with the air conditioner, but he took care of it right away. In fact, we kind of enjoyed the fresh air blowing through that night. Overall, we were pleased. This was a group of college friends from 55 to 60 years ago. We’ve been getting together every year for the past 17 years and going to the beach
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

jp w.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Place Needs Serious Attention

All and all, the house is just not up to VRBO standards; we have been renting in IOP since 2014 and have never come across the conditions we witnessed at this place. Yes, it's old and "vintage" but that does not give a free pass to having hazards and smelly and dirty conditions. (I am trying to attach photos of many of the these conditions) The cutlery drawer almost fell out onto my feet -Hazard! Patio was not swept or tables wiped off. Walkway had multiple nails and boards sticking up - Hazard! Debris around the yard, buckets, bottles. Multiple windows could not be closed, locked, and/or stay open. Drapery was super dusty and moldy. Multiple electric outlets were unsecured - hazard! Blinds could not be opened because sticks were broken. Kitchen lighting was inadequate. Lastly, but most importantly, was the moldy smell. Bottom line is that everything should work, be clean, and not be a hazard.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

About the host

Hosted by Devon Hanahan

Host profile image
This is a family house. We enjoy it with children and cousins of multiple ages, and there is something for everyone. We live in Charleston and use the house when we can, so it is kept in prime condition and we have rented the house for more than 30 years, so we know what needs to be done to create a positive, comfortable experience for renters. We are in the process of passing the house to our sons for estate planning purposes to continue the tradition, thereby preserving the house for the family for a third generation, and more, we hope! No pets allowed. We love ours, too, but don't allow them in that house.

Why they chose this property

Central location, private path and dune deck (sunrise and sunset!), classic family front beach cottage, location on the beach - great beach for children and all ages, close proximity to Charleston. The Isle of Palms is a safe, welcoming, and supportive community. You can walk to the grocery store, post office, restaurants, ice cream, fresh seafood store and - the Windjammer complete with beach volleyball courts and beach stage! The playground is in walking distance and has tennis courts, a basketball court, gym, soccer, football, and baseball fields and coming soon - pickleball courts! The public park with lifeguards is within sight of our house.

What makes this property unique

We are located in between two of the public access paths, so we are away from the crowds! This is the best surfing area on the beach- the best break is just the to the left of our dune path, which you can see from our porch. We have a full beach and do not experience erosion problems and seldom have any real current since we are in the middle of the island. We love to look for loggerhead turtle nests and have witnessed both the laying and hatching of eggs and do a lot of running and biking on the beach and on the bike path on the marsh side of the island. All of our friends (even the ones who live here on the Island!) love to come to this house to go to the beach!

Languages:

English, French, Spanish