The Villages at Ocean Edge

Getting around was a struggle because there was absolutely no cell service or Wi-Fi. My phone was basically a decorative brick all weekend, and it felt like being sent back to the 1800s. It might have been charming if I hadn’t needed to coordinate with friends for a wedding. The AC blew funky-smelling air, and there was visible mold in the vents. That’s not the rustic experience I wanted, especially for what this place costs. They tell you to call the front desk for the shuttle, but they don’t pick up, and there’s no service anyway. The location was perfect for our trip. Amenities? Don’t breathe too deeply, and hope you don’t need Google Maps. Bring a compass, a gas mask, and maybe a carrier pigeon if you need to reach anyone.

We loved everything about our stay. The room was huge, with a beautiful full kitchen and living area, and the creek view was stunning. Great area, highly recommend.

We stayed at the villages, and my daughter and husband slept on the pull-out sofa. They started complaining about itchy bug bites, which turned out to be bed bugs. I called several times but was told I’d have to speak to a manager and none were available. I left my name and number, but nobody called me back.

This was supposed to be a luxury stay, but a lot left me disappointed. The room had a mini kitchen and a refrigerator-freezer, but no way to get ice made. I waited 45 minutes and called the front desk twice to have some sent up, with no luck so far. My room was so far from the front desk that driving over to complain in person would be a long trip. Be warned.