Ocean Dunes — Local services in Kure Beach

This is a long read, sorry!We've been staying at various condos at Ocean Dunes for the past 14 years. The condo this year, 1903, was wonderful. This condo fit our family of 7 very well, it was perfect for our wants and needs. We always take our vacays when the kids have off for Spring Break, so we are there during the off-season rates. We decided that we were going to reserve the same condo for our next year's vacay. When I put in our dates, and looked at the total, I thought it must be a misprint, so I called the rental agency to question the price. This year, I paid $3000 TOTAL for the condo. The price for the first week in April next year is $5700! That's almost double, I couldn't believe it. I asked him why the huge increase in prices, he said he's not sure, and that was it. Sometimes, it's hard for us to leave, and we book another night if nobody is coming in the next day. I thought that since I had this guy on the phone, I'd ask about another night. He said sure, that will be $597. We've been pretty lucky in the past. Usually, the agency will give us the extra night for a really good price. This guy, who had the personality of a wet noodle told me no, it's $597. So, that was an easy decision. As for Ocean Dunes in general, it's gone way downhill. The rec center...the pool is good, when it's open. The hot-tub, same. That's about all I can say that's somewhat positive. The grounds around the center used to be nice, but not anymore. Everything is overgrown, run down and shabby. The courts all need redone, and updated. The entire area needs a major makeover! It could be really nice again. The condo buildings are looking pretty rough! The majority of them need a major face-lift. Some of the buildings are looking rough, really rough though. It's changed so much. The outdoor pools, lol. They're always open, but the gate is locked. This year, the pools were open, but the gates had bicycle locks on them. Kure Beach isn't doing the sand renourishment, and it shows. The beach has gotten pretty thin, and the majority of the Dunes are gone. Don't even get me going on the parking, the pay to park everywhere has gotten out of control. We had paid to park, came back and had a ticket. Found a guy, told him, and he said just make sure I show up to court. What?!?! You can buy a non-resident parking pass for a week for $100. I always spend a fortune at the restaurants, stores and such. Not only that, but now I have to pay to park to shop or eat. Too much. Unfortunately, this was our last year at Ocean Dunes, and Pleasure Island. I've reserved a beachhouse, on the water, plenty of space, and even has a private pool for $4200. I'll miss KB, but! Another thing I want to mention about the condo that put me off. When I pay for a condo, I pay a cleaning fee, as I should. What I don't appreciate and find very unprofessional is a note from the cleaner and an envelope. The note had some little message, and then it listed the cleaners different apps to send a tip if you didn't leave any in the envelope. I do vacay turnover cleans in the summer. Never have I even hinted for a tip. If you expect a tip, I expect a spotless condo, which it was not. It's pretty nasty when your phone falls into to the couch, and you grab it along with a handful of crumbs and other nastiness! It was a great vacay, but it's time to leave...

Update 7/14: Sea Coast Rentals has been great. My Aunt emailed them and they ended up giving her a 10% refund + 10% off a future vacation. That wasn't what we intended on happening, we honestly just wanted a wake up call for the owners. As much as they're making a week, they desperately need to update their furniture, mattresses, and find a new cleaning company.

My Family rented Ocean Dune 1302 the week of July 4th, 2016. Upon arrival it looked as though the cleaning company might have just skipped this condo all together the last few weeks. The showers had so much soap scum built up if we scraped it all together we may be able to make a whole new bar of soap. The baseboards and headboards were completely caked in dust. The mattresses are probably 10+ years old, to the point where you can feel every spring on every inch of your body while trying to sleep. In the master bathroom there was white bandage tape stuck to the wall that looked like it came straight from someone's wound. The furniture and the overall decor is extremely outdated- which we could live with, but not the pure muck that filled this condo. After making two attempts to explain the cleanliness (or lack there of) and to report the damages so not to be charged (3 slats missing on the mini blinds, refrigerator door handle was broken) the reality company basically said we don't own this condo so I'll tell my manager. We've heard nothing from anyone. Extremely disappointing to be so excited for a relaxing vacation spent with family and have to worry about everyone living in utter filth. On a positive note the tile downstairs is nice, kitchen has newer appliances (minus the broken fridge), balconies are spacious and have nice furniture, carpet upstairs is newer (not downstairs- barf) upstairs bedrooms and closets are spacious. Just needs a good deep cleaning and some investments in upgrades on the owners part. You can't charge $2,500 a week and not clean the place while you to take a flash back to the 80's. See Yelp...

Past its Prime.... Ocean Dunes (Kure Beach,NC) Shuffle Board Anyone? No surprise here nobody else seems interested and maybe not used for a long, long time. Recreation Center pool closed "due to storm" but this was three hours later.... Three tennis courts, only two had nets, standing water abounds, this area would be better if resurfaced and converted to pickleball courts. No one using the facilities. Vegetation is a little out of control around the Rec Center Grounds (pics) and broken tree limbs in trees and on the ground looks like for some time now. Playground vacant and in a dark area with standing water. The American flag is very tattered and neglected. This soldier has served and needs a proper retirement. This place reminds me of the peak of COVID when everyone was remotely working and common spaces were closed or greatly neglected.

The grounds surrounding the Rec Center are underutilized due to being so very outdated.

The security and office personnel seem very attentive and quick to check credentials 🪪. Glad they are on top of who's coming and going. This place is pretty dead for a Monday in July during peak...