OCEAN ISLE BEACH / SUNSET BEACH, NC. (February 04, 2010) – With a TV commercial highlighting vacation rentals having aired in Sunday’s big game, football fans are discovering why renting vacation homes, condos, villas and cabins is a favorite choice for many versus hotels. Beyond the experiences families and friends build by staying in a home away from home in Ocean Isle Beach or Sunset Beach, NC there are numerous benefits to choosing vacation rentals – sometimes in ways they’d least expect.

Whether trying vacation rentals for the first time or if you’re one of the nearly nine in 10 travelers who plan to rent again,* Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach travel and vacation rental expert, Whitney Sauls of Sloane Realty Vacations, offers the following planning tips and insights as a post-game update for visiting Southeastern North Carolina:

·         KNOW YOUR DESTINATION: Whether you are a first-time traveler to Ocean Isle Beach or Sunset Beach or not, it’s recommended that you become familiar with the state’s special events, seasons and offerings. Here are some activities that guests find most enjoyable:

o   North Carolina Oyster Festival - Each year, over 30,000 people, including locals and visitors, attend the North Carolina Oyster Festival to pay homage to the mighty mollusk. 2010 will mark the 30th anniversary of the festival, which will be hosted by the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce on October 16-17, 2010.  http://www.brunswickcountychamber.org/OF-nc-oyster-festival.cfm

o   Summer Concert Series, Ocean Isle Beach – live music every Friday night in the park Memorial Day through Labor Day at the Ocean Isle Beach park. Pack your picnic and bring your lounge chairs and sit under the ocean breezes as you listen to live music ranging from rock n roll, beach music, big band and more. It’s a tradition that many families have grown to love!

o   North Carolina Fourth of July Festival - The North Carolina 4th of July Festival:  Where history, art, celebration and patriotism come together every year on the banks of the Cape Fear River. We look forward to seeing you there! http://www.nc4thofjuly.com/

o    Blue Crab Festival, Little River, SC – just 15 minute drive from Ocean Isle Beach, the Blue Crab Festival is one of the largest festivals in the southeast. Prior to the actual festival on May 15-16, much additional festival publicity and excitement will be generated through the following ancillary events: Festival Queen Pageant, 5K Run, Motorcycle Poker Run and Golf Cart Raffle, and other events still under development.
This year's festival will feature approximately 175 truly arts and crafts vendors, specialty food vendors, tremendous entertainment, and phenomenal children's area. http://www.bluecrabfestival.org/

·         LOOK FOR PACKAGES: During certain seasons, vacation rental packages can provide even more value, some with 4-bedrooms starting at just $800 per week, plus 1 to 9 bedroom homes and condos. Visit www.sloanevacations.com to become familiar with various vacation rental types, reservation rates as well as travel specials available in Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach, NC.

·         AVOID AIRLINE BAGGAGE FEES: Most Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach vacation rentals come equipped with washers and dryers, and Sloane Realty Vacations also provides free starter kit of toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap and some properties even offer complete linen service. Travelers may choose to use these perks to pack less clothing and toiletries, avoiding commercial airlines’ baggage fees and restrictions.

·         USE SPACE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE:  Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach vacation homes and condos can be from 900 to more than 3500 sq. ft., often costing less than a single hotel room by sleeping up to 29 guests versus just a few.

·         SAVE ON DINING OUT: With full kitchens, and sometimes, outdoor grills, Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach vacation rental travelers often make and store meals and snacks for less, including football favorites like homemade nachos during postseason trips. Use local ingredients and recipes for more memorable mealtimes, like fresh mahi, grouper, flounder, trout, shrimp plus more caught just off the shores of Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach. This also provides healthy travel options, cutting the amount of calories typically consumed while on vacation.

·         ASK ABOUT AFTER-HOURS SERVICE: When looking into any vacation rental accommodations, check to see if there is an accessible customer service number for emergency needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and for after-hour requests.

·         ENTERTAIN FOR FREE: Most of Sloane Realty Vacation’s vacation homes, villa rentals and condos include amenities not found in hotels, some with private swimming pools, whirlpool spas, fireplaces, DVD players, Internet access, game consoles and multiple living rooms. All are also in communities with access to parks and the beach. 

·         ASK ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS: Beyond the ability to live like a local in Ocean Isle Beach or Sunset Beach, vacation rental guests can also take advantage of our relationships with activity providers, shops, restaurants, tour companies and more. Sloane Realty Vacations’ offers tee time bookings and golf packages to fit your needs and we also offer coupon books to area restaurants and amusements. Guests can also opt for concierge-type services, including grocery delivery, catered meals, in-home massages and spa treatments to name a few.

·         REMEMBER BIG EVENTS: Whether it’s for football championships or national Bowl games, concerts, baseball series’, basketball or other events, vacation rentals can save fans from the hassle of finding multiple hotel rooms during big events, and on the cost of multiple reservations.

·         TRANSPORTATION: Other relationships to remember are those made between vacation rental managers and transportation providers, whether it’s rental cars, shuttle services, golf carts, bicycles or more. For example, Sloane Realty Vacations can provide assistance with airport transports or rental car recommendations.

To learn more about available vacation rental options in Ocean Isle Beach or Sunset Beach, visit www.sloanevacations.com as a comprehensive resource. Also visit http://www.brunswickcountychamber.org/VA-visiting-our-area.cfm, which lists more ongoing events in the area.

For general answers to frequently asked questions about vacation rentals or for more information, visit http://www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com as an official category resource. Also connect with travelers and experts in the Facebook vacation rental community at http://www.facebook.com/DiscoverVacationHomes, and join the conversation on Twitter @GoVacationHomes.