Sunnybank, OCEANFRONT, website: sunnybank-nc.com

Our multigenerational group — four couples, one solo adult, and two kids — spent a wonderful week in this spacious six‑bedroom home tucked away in Corolla’s 4×4 Carova Beach area. Here’s what stood out: What we loved Roomy main house Every bedroom felt private and comfortable, and the elevator made move‑in day (and grocery runs!) a breeze. Dream kitchen Thoughtfully stocked with cookware, appliances, and even a spice rack. Two cooks could work side‑by‑side without stepping on each other’s toes. Stunning views & wildlife Sunrise coffee and sunset cocktails on the top deck became a daily ritual. Wild horses wandered by more than once—pure Outer Banks magic. Pool, hot tub & game rooms The heated pool warmed up quickly, the hot tub is placed well for privacy, and the two game areas kept kids and adults entertained whenever the beach breeze got too chilly. Clean & well‑kept The house was spotless on arrival and felt well cared for inside and out. A couple of fixes would make it perfect The kids’ bunk‑room half‑bath only has a pedestal sink; adding a small vanity or shelf would give little ones space for toothbrushes and toiletries. The detached guest‑house shower needed attention three times — first a new showerhead, then intermittent hot water because of temperamental propane supply. A more permanent solution would save future guests the hassle. Bottom line If you’re after an “off‑the‑beaten‑path” getaway with sweeping beach‑to‑sound panoramas, wild‑horse sightings, and enough on‑site amenities to keep everyone happy, this house delivers in spades. Address the minor bathroom and propane quirks, and it would be beyond perfect. That being said, all issues were addressed promptly. 5 stars.

We enjoyed our time here! The property was great, and unique with plenty to do. It is in a beautiful area! The house is amazing- from the kitchen to the decorations to the space. I think the photos are a little outdated as there is no kiddie pool and some things were a little run down. We were there on the off season, so it was a little chilly. We paid extra to have the pool heated and had some trouble with that, but host was responsive and resolved the issue. Pool still wasn’t quite warm enough for the cold temps we had- but that’s the weather! Thankful for the hot tubs! We took full advantage of the hot tub and theater room. We also saw some wild horses near the home, with a foal. With that being said- the only issue we really had was getting our vehicles back there. They were all 4WD, but 3 of the 4 could not make it over the sand dunes off the beach. One of them got stuck and the bumper almost fell off due to the weight of the sand and it being a lower profile vehicle with a plate under the bumper that is like a scoop. If you have a Honda- be careful! We followed the directions on the tire pressure and still had issues. We wish we would have had the details on accessing the property, and what we needed to bring, sooner than the night before. We were already half the way there and didn’t pack any of the things we needed to and had to buy them there which ended up being a huge expense. And we had to pay to park our vehicles that couldn’t make it and then we were kinda stuck there most of the week having 11 people and one vehicle. That was our only real issue and it could have been unique to us. I can say that driving on the beach and to the property is super cool if you have the right vehicle and know what you are doing! Overall we enjoyed the property and our stay there! Thank you!

This was our second stay in the 4x4 northern beach area. Sunnybank is a unique, beautifully decorated home. Very well provisioned with everything you could need for a beach get away. We had two of the worst weather days we have ever experienced at the beach, but it was not an issue as Sunnybank was a very comfortable place to hunker down as the tropical depression went by. The manager was available when we had a question and was able to resolve our concern immediately. We often look to stay at a different home each trip to the beach but would certainly consider staying at Sunnybank again in the future.

This house was perfect for our two family group of 9. Our 3 teenage boys loved the privacy of the guest house, and the rest of us enjoyed the peace and quiet of the main house. Loading the vehicle to drive to the beach was so convenient compared to lugging items to the beach, seeing the wild horses every was amazing and the pool and amenities were perfect. It was well stocked with beach chairs, kayaks and surf boards and the elevator made transferring luggage and groceries a breeze. I was a bit concerned about driving the 4-5 miles on beach (F-150) but deflated tires to 18 PSI and never had an issue. Couldn't recommend enough!

The property was in a fantastic location.