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The Sunset Inn opened its doors to the beauty of the saltwater marsh and island life in June 2000. The honey-colored wood floors in the entrance and living area shine softly in the light that filters through the large windows. The Inn is not your typical B&B; it is larger with 14 rooms but still has that cozy atmosphere that makes folks feel right at home. An expanded continental breakfast is served each morning buffet style. You may choose to have your morning meal in the breakfast room or in the privacy of your own room. Each room has a different theme and decor with a king-size bed, wet bar, refrigerator, love seat and private screened porch with rockers. The four grand rooms each have a jetted tub plus a larger corner porch with rockers & porch swings, robes and IPod docks. Come experience the quiet comfort for yourself.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
The room was clean, roomy and had all the necessities; the view over the marsh from the wooden rocking chairs on the individual screened porch was spectacular--especially for bird-watching. Instructions were clear and precise, from reservation through checkout. The staff was friendly and efficient, while not being obtrusive. We especially enjoyed the wet bar adjacent to the fridge for preparing our evening gin and tonic. All of the equipment worked flawlessly. The shower was particularly nice and robust and the fluffy white towels pristine. The breakfast room was clean, airy and bright; trays were provided for carrying breakfast to the room, if desired. A fresh-baked breakfast bread (e.g. cranberry, cinnamon streusel), hot oatmeal, boiled eggs and a hot dish (e.g. spinach frittata with bacon) were available each morning--made on the premises--along with usual juice, coffee, yogurt cereal, etc. Excellent management and oversight were evident throughout our four-night stay; every light, plumbing fixture and electronic device worked as intended, showing careful attention to detail. As old and jaded travelers, we were very favorably impressed (and comfortable).
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Date of stay: September 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Sunset Inn has a charm from an earlier time that makes it unique and pleasant. The rooms are clean, comfortable and well appointed. The breakfast room provides an inviting gathering place for guests to mingle and share stories over breakfast that is included. The location is perfect for access to the beach.
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Date of stay: May 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â A great location and service with a charm.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Sunset Inn is one of the best decisions we have made for a beach vacation. The inn is quiet, pristine, and all rooms have a screened porch with a marsh view. Andrea and her team were the "directors of happiness". Breakfast was different due to Covid; all items were packaged by the team (boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt, pastry/cake, juices, tea, coffee, snacks) so you could dine on your porch enjoying the morning. We REALLY liked the new breakfast since it gave us quiet time together on the porch. The marshes change with the tides bringing birds and other critters to forage. The ICW, just beyond the marshes, was host to a variety of boats. Sunset Beach is about three blocks from the inn with plenty of free parking, a large shaded gazebo, bathrooms , a safe walk to one of the cleanest beaches I have seen. People respect this beach and pick up litter every time they walk. Sunset Beach is also a turtle sanctuary. Thank you Andrea and team for making our vacation spectacular!
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Date of stay: May 2021
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Room Tip:Â Every room is the "best" room!
Stairs are required for both levels.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , General Manager at The Sunset Inn
Responded Nov 2, 2021
We love the description that we were your "directors of happiness"! What a lovely review of the Inn and we are so thankful for your business. Please come back soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My husband and I had stayed at the Sunset Inn several years ago and had a wonderful experience. This time the experience was a little disappointing. Overall, the stay was average. I would not suggest staying here if you enjoy the true bed and breakfast experience. We received an email prior to our stay that instructed us not to use the front entrance or come to the lobby, but to go directly to our room and the keys would be inside our rooms. When we got to our room, an instuction letter was left for us. This letter went over the "grab and go" breakfast along with housekeeping information. Guests are required to place bagged trash outside of their rooms. This also applies to dirty linen. Guests can request more linens by filling out a check-list and taking it to designated holder in the ice room. Clean linens are then hung on the outside of your door. This was different from our first time staying here. I feel like we paid for a B & B experience but instead, it felt like a hotel were guests take out their own trash and dirty linens. The grab and go breakfast would have been much more enjoyable if it had offered more heathy options, hot options, and juices. The breakfast offered one hot option (quiche) but mainly was box granola bars, apples, oranges, bananas. Sunset Beach is a beautiful, quaint beach that is off of the beaten path. We will return but will check into alternative places to stay.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
As usual, we had another great stay at the Sunset Inn. Our room was spacious, clean, and comfortable with a very short walk on the front porch to a delicious breakfast. Now breakfast here is not like a restaurant but still very good and pretty healthy depending on what you decide to eat. We enjoyed one breakfast while sitting on the front porch deck chairs and soaking in the sun, and we enjoyed the screened in porch located on the rear of our room facing the marsh during the midday.
This inn offers a nautical southern charm with laid back type of sophistication for couples. The staff are approachable and accommodating and the guests always seem to be so nice.
My advice is to make sure and read the few little instructions written in each room manual so you'll know what you need to do to have a more pleasant stay, and that includes learning about what the inn offers in terms of storage, and when breakfast is served, trash pickup, towel replenishment etc.
Lastly, you can find some great eats at The Shack in Cherry Grove, go there early as the place is pretty popular.
We stay here at least once and sometimes twice per year, even with so many other nice accommodations available on the strand.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
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Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
As an older couple we were reluctant to travel during this pandemic but we were familiar with this Inn and decided to get away for awhile. Lots of precautions have been instituted to make this a safe place to stay.
Each lovely, quiet room has an outside entrance which we considered a plus.
Once in the room no one else comes in unless you request it. Extra linens etc were left (wrapped ) outside the door and the bed was easy for me to neaten each day. There is a small sink in the main room AND this is one of the few places I have stayed where the mini-fridge is actually cold !! Since most of our meals were "pandemic take outs" an in room microwave would have been handy but there is a community one off the breezeway and hopefully these strange times won't last long.
Staff are very nice and responsive.
Location is fantastic - about a block to the beach on the front side of the inn. An easy walk on sidewalks or you can drive straight into the beach parking area.
The backside of the inn (and the screened porch of each room ) all face the intercoastal waterway and a large , beautiful , bird filled marsh that extends from the waterway to almost the edge of each porch .
So tranquil. The break we needed.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , General Manager at The Sunset Inn
Responded Dec 15, 2020
Thank you for the lovely review of the Inn. We really appreciate the kind words and are glad you felt safe here! We hope you will return for another visit!
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A friend recommended this place to us. We went recently in late September. The views of the marsh were beautiful even with the road being nearby. Their attention to detail is awesome. The room was wonderfully decorated. When we checked in they had soft music playing on the tv, an air freshener running and had a small bottle of champagne with 2 fluted glasses waiting for us. Our anniversary was a few days away. The inn is located on the marshland which makes it perfect for watching the birds in the area. The sun sets to the left end of the inn and we spent both nights sitting in chairs on the upper deck watching the sun go down. That was my favorite part! In the mornings, it was so nice going to the lobby, filling up our breakfast tray and going back to our room and eating our breakfast on the screened in porch off our room, which overlooks the salt marsh. At that time of day it is very comfortable. During the evenings it was a little nicer sitting on the deck in front of the building because you got more of a breeze. The beach is only a short walk away. We walked down to the Kindred Spirit mailbox, Bird Island and the inlet, which all together was 3 miles down and back. It was beautiful. When we returned we sat on the fishing pier and enjoyed the surroundings. If you are going to be in the area or want a nice trip, I highly recommend staying here at least a few nights so you can enjoy the ambiance of the inn.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very clean and quiet place to stay. The ladies who work there are very nice. The private screened in porches were the perfect way to see the awe inspiring beautiful sunsets! Each room has a different theme and charmingly decorated ! Breakfast was very tasty and quick.and convenient. Always were supplied with reolacement things we needed such as towels, etc. The room was like a breath of fresh air everytime we came back. It is very handy and close to Sunset Beach and Bird Island where the Kindred Spirit mailbox is. Would definately recommend!
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , General Manager at The Sunset Inn
Responded Nov 2, 2021
Thank you for the review! We are so happy you enjoyed your room and the breakfast. We appreciate you staying with us and hope that you'll plan a return visit!
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My fiance and I stayed here and had a wonderful experience. First off, we booked extremely last minute and they only had 1 room available for the 1st night and a different room available for our 2nd night, so we would've had to move rooms halfway through. Not a huge deal, we were willing to do that, however Andrea told us she'd work to see if there was a way to move couples around so we could remain in the same room. Maybe I've just experienced such bad customer service at so many other places in my life so my bar is low, but the offer to try in and of itself was above and beyond for me. Not to mention she actually made it happen! The nature of our trip was stressful in the first place, so Andrea taking care of this seemingly small detail really did take one thing off of our plate that was appreciated and helped us relax. Check in was smooth, easy. A HUGE book of activities, brochures, information, history, etc. on the island. I've been going to Sunset Beach for 25+ years and from Andrea's book found my new favorite restaurant, Inlet View Bar & Grill in Shalotte! The rooms were clean with plenty of towels/linens and had a good supply of bathroom toiletries, even a makeup wipe! Our favorite part was definitely the cute little porch with rocking chairs overlooking the water. They also had a pretty nice continental breakfast each morning with cute beach themed trays to bring it back to your room. Homebaked breads, oatmeals, yogurts, fresh coffee, fruit, and even little breakfast bakes of different varieties each day with eggs, sausage, cheese, etc. It was really a beautiful place to stay and you could tell in all of the small details, effort, and service that they truly care. My family has been vacationing at Sunset Beach since I was a child and this really was a lovely way to remember those times. I would highly recommend this Inn to any couple looking for a quaint, quiet place to stay that really cares!
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Date of stay: March 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a wonderful stay. The cleanliness, amenities and staff were absolutely perfect. Everyone was extraordinarily friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend and return for another getaway! There are lots of steps, but the inn has a lift for certain rooms and the beach has multiple ramps with wheelchair access directly to the sand!
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunset cruises are still offered out of Calabash (appx. 10 miles). We also have a company that offers sunset kayak tours right here on the island.
Yes, each room has its own private bathroom.
Charlotte, North Carolina102 contributions52 helpful votes
If by vegetarian you mean "meat" free there are certainly enough choices to make a full meal at breakfast. If you are also a lacto/ovo free vegetarian your choices would be limited. I am not sure about gluten free options but I am sure the Inn manager, who shops for and prepares the breakfasts would be happy to answer your question.
There are more places to choose from in the Sunset Beach area.
PRICE RANGE
$235 - $262 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the sunset hotel sunset beach
LOCATION
United StatesNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina CoastSunset Beach
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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What are some restaurants close to The Sunset Inn?
Conveniently located restaurants include Sunset Slush of Ocean Isle Beach - Classic Italian Ice, Calabash Deli Bakery & Gourmet Shop, and Calabash Creamery.