Carolina Reef

Our condo was exactly what we wanted and looked stunning. It was easily the best place we’ve ever stayed, and we’ll be back in a few weeks. From now on, this is where we’ll stay. We’re getting married in September, and forget Hawaii, we’re coming back HERE! (906) Robert Wheeler and Kristi Carpenter Five out of five, and if a ten-out-of-ten rating were possible, it’d get that too!

The balcony and its beautiful view were what made the week worthwhile. I loved the comfy blue adirandak chairs out there, and the location worked well for me since family was staying five condos down the beach. I could walk over and spend time with them. For the convenience and view, I might stay here again. In 704, the bedroom was right by the elevator, and light came in through the bedroom window. There are shutters, but room-darkening curtains would help. There was very little room for luggage: the closet was tiny, with a vacuum and two very sandy body boards in it. I cleaned the boards and kept them on the balcony during my stay. The chest of drawers was shallow, and the bed was a queen, despite Condo World advertising it as a king. The refrigerator kept the front door from opening more than about two-thirds of the way. Bedroom lamps were very dim, and the ceiling had dark stains that might have been from smoke, dust, or mold. The tile floors were nice, and the kitchen had useful utensils, bowls, knives, paper towels, and dish soap. But there were no dish towels or rags. The floor looked clean except under the bed, and the place could use a deep clean. The vents were thick with dust, the bathroom ceiling vent had chunks of dust, and there was some mold around the bathroom air vent. The bathroom seemed original, as did the stove, which had crusty old burners, one broken in half. The microwave seemed new. Though advertised as updated, the updates seemed limited to the floors, kitchen backsplash, counters, and sink. The keys were difficult to use. I stopped locking the deadbolt when I went out because it took so many tries to unlock it, and I worried I wouldn’t get back in. Keyless entry like some other rooms have would be nice. People in 804 smoked on their balcony all week, so sometimes I had to put up with the nasty smoke while eating breakfast or lunch outside. There’s a five-star review of Carolina Reef below from someone named Kristi Leigh. The pool in her pictures isn’t Carolina Reef’s pool, it’s the one next door. I suspect she didn’t stay there.

We arrived to find both condos my family had rented dirty. There were clothes left by previous renters in dresser drawers, a smashed fly on the wall, a long dust bunny hanging from the curtains, hair in a shower tub that was supposed to be clean, black mold visible around the AC vent, and floors the cleaning crew hadn’t swept. There was more, and the pictures speak for themselves. My mother had booked with Elliot Rentals at Carolina Reef for many years, but for the last two years the condos have been dirty when we arrived. After driving 10-13 hours, we had to clean the vacation condo before we could even start our trip. Unacceptable! The after-hours customer service person was VERY RUDE when we complained about both condos. We will NEVER rent at Carolina Reef or use Elliott rentals again!

We stayed and loved it so much. I’ll be back.