Staying at a beach house...

[AndreaDM]

and want to make sure I don't forget anything! We've rented before, but it was from friends who had a beach house they used every weekend, so it was well stocked. This time we are renting in NC from a rental company and I want to make sure we have all the important stuff. I know we can buy anything we need there, and we will stock up on groceries the first day, but want to avoid paying more for the basics if I can bring them along. I know some homes are incredibly well stocked, even with all the spices, salt & pepper, etc., but this one didn't have a huge description plus it's new, built last year I think, so it may not be as well stocked yet. Anyway, I made a list, but thought I'd check to see if there is anything I've forgotten, so those of you who have rented beach homes, what do I have to bring? TIA!

 

[Jeafl]

We've rented beach houses on Ocean Isle Beach a few times, and most of the houses did not come with linens. Make sure yours does, or you will have to get some when you arrive.

For the most part, the kitchens have always been very well stocked. I can't think of anything we've needed (besides food) that we've had to go out and buy.

If you have a GPS, it comes in really handy. Ours tells you where local restaurants are, as well as gas stations. We take it pretty much everywhere with us when on vacation. They are good for more than just driving directions.

Have a great trip!

 

[AndreaDM]

O yes, forgot to mention, we are doing the linen package so we won't have to drag those along. All we'll need to take as far as that goes are beach towels.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Beach chairs?

 

[luvmy3jewels]

The main thing that I can think of is paper products (tp, paper towels, tissue, etc). Maybe bring some games/movies/books in case of a rainy day, but a lot of cottages keep those on hand for guests also.

You may also want to bring a small grill to cook steaks or fish on. Lots of sunblock and beach towels!

 

[MAKmom]

With a beach house you can pack in laundry baskets instead of a suitcase. That way you can just put your dirty clothes back in the basket.

The laundry basket is also great to take to the beach if you have small children. Babies can sit in them & play with a bucket of water...you have to hold onto the basket. When they splash all the water out they are sitting in it & they like that too.

-Toddlers can sit in them to eat, if they drop their food it does not land in the sand. When it is time to leave just put all the towels into your basket. You can also flip them over to play cards on the beach

 

[RunningGirl]

The main thing that I can think of is paper products (tp, paper towels, tissue, etc). Maybe bring some games/movies/books in case of a rainy day, but a lot of cottages keep those on hand for guests also.

You may also want to bring a small grill to cook steaks or fish on. Lots of sunblock and beach towels!

These are all good! Also, if it has a washer/dryer I bring my own detergent.

 

[Promomx2]

Toilet paper, soap, hair dryer, paper and pen to write down the tv channel numbers. We rent whenever we go on vacation and it's frustrating to spend the week asking "what channel is weather channel?". We also go by chick-fila and load up on the condiments so we don't have to purchase a full bottle of ketchup/mustard for just one week.

 

[1stluvispooh]

Even though the kitchens are well stocked I always bring my own knife. I am very particular about the knife I use. I also bring, salt, pepper and olive oil. I also have collapsible measuring cups because 1 house we rented didn't have any. By all means don't forget the sun screen.

 

[SpecialK]

I bring a knife, too. Also - skewers for roasting marshmallows, condiments, basic spices, can/bottle opener. I've taken a fry pan when I've had room after a couple of bad experiences with pans that were in the house.

I always take some a bottle of liquid hand soap, a flashlight, foil, ziplocs and clothes pins. They can be used for clothes, as bag clips, to hold drapes closed, etc.

 

[Abbie]

Sitting in our beach house as I type! The things I usually forget are dish soap, dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, and napkins. I also always throw in disposable bathroom cups, kleenex, and hand towels and wash cloths. If you don't think they will have much in the way of spices (and you're planning on cooking at home) toss in your most-used spices. I usually stock up on crackers and snacky-type things from the warehouse store ahead of time because to buy all the food down here would be expensive, especially since we have 8 of us here and all the "kids" are 16-25 so they eat a LOT!

I've only been to a NC beach house once and remember being surprised that you can only buy beer and wine easily. If you want rum or something else you need to find an ABC? store and they were few and far between. We always bring one of those buckets of daiquiris or margaritas and mix it up ahead of time.

We do not travel lightly here, lol! We bring a whole crate full of games, movies, and even the wii. We bring chairs, umbrellas, bikes, crabbing equipment, tennis rackets, and on and on. Oh yes, and two cars!

 

[minniebeth]

Everyone has great suggestions! Definately flashlights for the beach at night! Bug spray and like a Benadryl spray to keep in the frig. for any bug bites.

Your own knife like 1stluvispooh said is a great suggestion, most of the knives in the houses we've had have been so dull they are almost dangerous to use them.

Others have mentioned paper products like paper towels and napkins, etc. and to add to that, we do a lot of paper plates and bowls for breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. I don't want to have to be doing dishes anymore than I a have to on vacation!

We always make sure to have lots of bottled waters for the beach and baby powder to easily brush the sand off your hands with when you want to eat something.

Have a great time!

 

[Pembo]

For our rented condo stays the first things that come to mind are trash bags, kleenex, tp (I like my Charmin), dixie cups, hand soap, and napkins. I also bring plastic cups for my kids...I don't feel safe with them using real glass...

On our vacation in June I forgot shampoo!!!

 

[Jane-in-PA]

I always bring along some first-aid kit items: bandaids, antiseptic spray, Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, etc. And aloe-vera lotion for sunburn!

My kids always loved to have a small net for finding "sea treausres", which we usually had to buy since we never remembered to bring one!

Oh, we always have a jig-saw puzzle to work on, too.

Have a great trip!

 

[minkydog]

Why not call the rental company? Surely they should know what's in the house.