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Historic Cottage Steps from the Beach and Dog Friendly!

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A beautiful little piece of history and just the right spot for your vacation!
Comfortable living room for conversation, reading, watching TV or just relaxing.
Original cabinets installed in 1954 add to the air of simpler times.
Little houses are very special in their own way!
Upper left aerial shot was taken in 1960. Windswept Bungalow is visible!

Reviews

9.8 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 458.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1 West

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2 East

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Historic Cottage Steps from the Beach and Dog Friendly!

Built in 1954 and added to the Kill Devil Hills inventory of historic homes in 2015, this cottage harkens to a more simple and enjoyable vacation experience. Steps from the beach, dining and Avalon Pier, but in a quiet location with a good deal of privacy!

Enjoy the salt air and ocean breeze without leaving the property! Rocking chairs and bar stools provide seating in the side porch/breezeway. The ground level deck in back has bench seats and throw pillows for your comfort.

While in the breezeway, take a look at the rustic stand created by a local artisan using the home's original solid wood front door and heart pine lumber harvested from the Roanoke Island property of the one and only Andy Griffith!

Everything you need to begin the best vacation is provided! Just drop your bags and take a stroll to the beach!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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  • Washing machine
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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Parents responsible for safety of their children.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Dogs only. Must be crated when alone.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Please wash all used dishes, utensils, etc.
Please see check out instructions on the refrigerator.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Absolutely no pets, wet towels, bathing suits, etc. on the furniture, beds, etc.
No locals, please. Guests are 100 percent responsible for the safety of their children and the actions of their pets. Clean-up after dogs always!
Home is on a septic system. Please review and respect signage indicating what can and cannot be flushed or washed down sink drains.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Kill Devil Hills

Located in Avalon Beach, a neighbourhood in Kill Devil Hills, this cottage is near a water park. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Outer Banks Beaches and Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, while Glazin' Go-Nuts and Wright Brothers National Memorial are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Consider Paradise Fun Park, or check out an event or a game at Full Throttle Speedway. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and hiking/biking trails nearby.
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Map
Kill Devil Hills, NC

What's nearby

  • Glazin' Go-Nuts - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Avalon Fishing Pier - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Paradise Fun Park - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Kitty Hawk Beach - 2 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf - 3 min drive - 2.7 km

Getting around

  • Manteo, NC (MEO-Dare County Regional) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Jolly Roger Restaurant - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Ashley’s Espresso Parlour - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Henry's Beef & Seafood Restaurant - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪1903 Bar And Kitchen - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Barefoot Bernie's Tropical Grill & Bar - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Cottage Steps from the Beach and Dog Friendly! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much does it cost to stay at Historic Cottage Steps from the Beach and Dog Friendly!?

As of 4 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Historic Cottage Steps from the Beach and Dog Friendly! on 6 July 2026 start from AU$478, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Historic Cottage Steps from the Beach and Dog Friendly!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Historic Cottage Steps from the Beach and Dog Friendly!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Cottage Steps from the Beach and Dog Friendly!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Historic Cottage Steps from the Beach and Dog Friendly! located?

This family-friendly Kill Devil Hills cottage is located in Avalon Beach, within 1 mi (2 km) of Glazin' Go-Nuts and Outer Banks Beaches. Paradise Fun Park and Kitty Hawk Beach are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 21 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 21 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 21 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wendi K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved the property and all the amenities!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Oct 2025
So happy to hear you enjoyed your stay! Thanks again for choosing my property for your visit!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent Stay!

Perfect spot, close to the beach, quiet, and very clean! Excellent host and very nice accommodations!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jody M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great beach house

Such a great place and Sandie was very welcoming
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug 2025
So happy you enjoyed your recent stay and thrilled you chose my property for your visit. Hope to see you again next year!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brandy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My family and i absolutely loved staying at the bungalow!!!!! It was very comfortable and nice. Everything we needed for cooking, showering and sleeping was available. We will definitely being staying here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Aug 2025
Thanks again for choosing my property for your first visit to the Outer Banks. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and your lovely family! Hope to see you again in the future
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carrie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy property in a nice, quiet neighborhood. Two minute walk to the beach!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Aug 2025
Thanks so much for choosing my property for your recent visit to the Outer Banks. I am so happy you enjoyed your stay. It was a pleasure meeting and chatting with you. I hope you will visit again in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erika R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

OBX Stay

This house was perfect for us and our pup. The location was very convenient to get to the beach and enjoy restaurants in the area. We appreciated the extra touch of treats for us and the dog. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 16 June 2025
I enjoyed meeting you both ... and your sweet pup, of course! Thanks again for choosing my property for your stay. I look forward to the opportunity to host another visit on the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Megan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a cozy cottage

I loved the location of this cute cottage. It was close to the beach and I loved the outside patio area as well. The hospitality was the best we have ever had. This is a great location for a quiet getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 June 2025
Thanks again for choosing my property for your visit to the Outer Banks! I genuinely enjoyed meeting you and your family and am thrilled you enjoyed your stay!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I LOVE THIS PLACE, AND THE HOST IS WONDERFUL! Sandy met us at check-in and showed us everything about the house. The place does the pictures justice and more. She provided treats for the dog, lotions & soaps & sunscreen for my wife and I, coffee for everyone. I really like this place and highly recommend it.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Sept 2025
Thanks again for choosing my property for your recent visit --- I am so happy to hear you enjoyed your stay! It was a pleasure to meet you, your wife and the precious pups.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bungalow getaway

We enjoyed our stay in your bungalow. The location is nice with close proximity to beach access. The interior and exterior of the property are very well maintained. The interior furnishings and amenities also are very nice. We enjoyed meeting you and hearing some history of your property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 July 2025
Thanks again for choosing my property for your "pre-vacation" stay. I enjoyed meeting you, your wife and Addy!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kill Devils Hill Stay

Our stay was great and we would rent this property again. Great location to everything
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug 2024
It was a pleasure to host your visit and I was so sorry when it was cut short. I hope to have the opportunity to host another visit from you in the future and wish you all the best!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hannah G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great weekend

Cozy little house with absolutely everything we could want for a weekend away. You can tell the owner really cares for the property with the little touches she puts in the house! Very clean and comfortable. Beach is a very short walk away.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 20 July 2025
It was my pleasure to host your recent visit and I enjoyed meeting you. So happy to hear you enjoyed your stay and hope to host you again on the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Esther L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy Cottage Walking Distance To The Beach

We felt right at home as soon as we checked-in. We were welcomed with a sweet surprise of snacks and treats for our dog. House was clean, organized, well stocked and inviting. The host was very attentive during our stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 19 June 2025
I truly enjoyed meeting you. Carlos and Duke! Thanks again for choosing my property for your first visit to the Outer Banks!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Adelia T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Happy Dog, Happy People

We scheduled a quick runaway trip to take our four year old golden retriever to the beach for the first time. This charming cottage was just the right spot for our little family of two humans and delighted dog. And no detail was overlooked in this magical, cozy place. Thank you for the gracious hospitality for two and four legged guests.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 13 May 2025
It was such a pleasure to meet you and host your recent visit!! Thanks again for choosing my property for your stay --- I hope to have the opportunity to host another visit from you in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deborah N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely perfect!

Everything was perfect as it seemed online. Sandie provided us with all the information we needed and showed us around her beautiful cottage. The kitchen was equipped with everything one needs. Beds were comfortable and the bathroom was spotless.Sandie went over and beyond to make our stay comfortable. Thanks for a wonderful weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 May 2025
Thanks so much for choosing Windswept Bungalow for your recent visit to the Outer Banks. I really enjoyed meeting you, Meg and the lovely Gidget!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jody F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Little Cottage

This property is immaculate! It was perfect for my husband and I and our dog. The owner was very courteous and easy to communicate with. She even had bowls and treats ready for our dog! The location is walking distance to the beach, fishing pier and restaurant. We enjoyed our stay very much!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Sept 2024
Thanks again for choosing my property for your Outer Banks visit. It was lovely meeting you, your husband and that precious puppy! I look forward to the opportunity to host another of your visits on the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sue B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfection

First off, the place was adorable. My daughter and I especially loved the aesthetic. I now realized that a place that has my vibe is so much better than a barebones, cookie cutter place. The provided things big and small, made the place so thoughtful for guest needs. We enjoyed the outside and inside spaces. Super good television, air conditioning and lighting. Plenty of places to charge electronics. We loved the neighborhood. People were friendly and quiet. Beach access very close and it has a lifeguard. The owner lives in town, knows what she is doing and is more than helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug 2024
Thanks again for choosing my property for your Outer Banks vacation. I am so happy to hear you enjoyed your stay and hope you will visit again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mike M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Weekend Getaway

My family and I, to include our 2 dogs, took a weekend to travel to OBX so we could introduce our newest dog to the beach. Knowing not all places accommodate pets, we were delighted to find Sandie's place and its prime location. As we arrived, Sandie was there to great us and share details about the property. That was different from my past experiences with rentals, I thought it was a great touch. The property was exactly as advertised, and she did a great job using the space and making it feel comfortable and inviting. She had everything we could want in a getaway to include treats and bowls for our pups. We had a great stay enjoying the beach, the restaurants close by, the comfortable beds, the provided puzzles, and the TV entertainment for an evening movie. Thank you for providing such a great space.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Nov 2024
I am am so happy to hear you enjoyed your stay! It was such a pleasure to meet you and I hope you and your family will visit again in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Morgan E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cute bungalow steps away from the beach

This place was great! It was me, my husband, and our pup Marcy. This cute bungalow from the 50's has been refreshed yet still has so much of its original charm. Sandy was wonderful to work with, she communicated with us well leading up to the trip and was a phone call away if we needed her during our stay. She not only had some sweet treats for us when we arrived but for Marcy as well. This place is not even a 10 minute walk from the door to the beach, you couldn't ask for better. The house was very clean and had everything. We cooked 2 nights and had all the cookware, utensils etc, that we needed. The outdoor shower was a favorite for sure! It was nice because we were able to use that to wash up Marcy the afternoon before we departed. And lastly the beds slept great! I've stayed in VRBOs before that did not and it can definitely affect your trip so I now look to see if that is mentioned in reviews and try to always mention it for others. I would stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 June 2025
It was a pleasure to host your recent visit and I enjoyed meeting you all! Thanks again for choosing my property for your stay.
Verified

4/10 Poor

Lisa E.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Disappointing

This historic house is adorable and so nicely decorated. The property owner was also good at communicating and left muffins and sodas in the fridge which was a nice gesture. All that said, when I went to the kitchen one night, I spotted a huge cockroach crawling on the refrigerator. I let the property owner know about this. She explained that the bug I saw was a Palmetto bug (which is another name for a cockroach). After seeing the roach, my happiness with this property was greatly diminished. I also noticed that the floors were not clean underneath the bed and furniture. I had initially planned to rent this property again, but after the encounter with the roach, have changed my mind. The beach access is also not ideal. There is a steep bank of sand you must maneuver to access the beach. Definitely not the best for older folks.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Aug 2025
I am so sorry you did not fully enjoy your stay. There is another access to the beach at the pier which might have been easier for you and, if you stay in the area again, might be worth checking out. Not sure what could have been under the beds since they are dry mopped at each cleaning but I will definitely double check them in the future. And as I mentioned, spraying continues for our friends, the Palmetto Bugs, who occasionally insist on joining us inside after a rain.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Danielle R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Small, but cute!

What a sweet little bungalow! My husband and I stayed there with our two schnauzer pups. Windswept is a great little cottage in a perfect central location. It's a super quick walk to the beach, Awful Arthur's and Avalon Pier. It was immaculately clean, and our check-in with Sandie was great! The amenities went above and beyond your standard home rental, to include coffee service, fresh muffins, shampoo, soap and a first aid kit. The entire house is well thought out and beautifully decorated throughout. The indoor shower was a bit petite, and challenging to navigate, however, the outdoor shower more than makes up for it- just shower outside. It's more fun anyways! :) The breezeway and outdoor sitting area were perfect for early morning coffee and late afternoon cocktails. We'll be back, for sure! Thanks for allowing us to stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Aug 2024
I so enjoyed meeting you, your husband and those darling, chatty pups! I know what you mean about the shower --- people must have been a bit smaller in the 50s --- but that outside shower more than makes up for it!! I look forward to hosting another of your visits in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linda J.

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

About the host

Hosted by Sandie Markland

Host profile image
My husband and I retired and moved to our vacation home in Kill Devil Hills over 20 years ago and have never looked back. We met, married and raised our family in Northern Virginia. Pete is a retired Police Officer and I retired from Federal service on Capitol Hill. Pete loves to fish and engages in a variety of interests and hobbies. I am an obsessed gardener and collector of a wide variety of things --- primarily Talavera pottery and sea glass! I have built a successful business creating and marketing sea glass jewelry and my original hand-carved Stone Spirits. I have also come to love my little corner of the hospitality industry. I first started hosting visitors in our Kitty Hawk townhouse rental in 2018 and look forward to hosting guests in our new historic cottage.

Why they chose this property

Windswept Bungalow is located in a peaceful, quiet neighborhood --- a mix of seasonal guests, second homes and full time residents. It is located on one of the original streets built in Kill Devil Hills along with several other of the original flattops built here. You can hear and smell the ocean always! The cottage is within easy walking distance of the beach, Avalon Pier, Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar/Restaurant and Beach Shop. You can watch the July 4th fireworks from the front yard or stroll out to the beach for a spectacular view!

What makes this property unique

Built in 1954 and declared historic in 2015 by the Kill Devil Hills Historic Landmarks Commission, Windswept Bungalow is one of the few original flattop cottages remaining on the Outer Banks. Sadly, these homes are disappearing rapidly in favor of the larger homes currently in favor --- even many of those remaining have exchanged their leaky tar and gravel flat roofs with a less expensive and more easily maintained pitched roof.

This cottage was originally built as a reasonably priced summer home for individuals working in the Hampton Roads shipyards and was used for that purpose for several years. Eventually, new owners converted the property to a full time rental. The ravages of time and deferred maintenance took a toll on this property but a bit of elbow grease, the skill of local tradesmen and lots of love have restored this home and made it better than ever!

The Markland Cottage (Windswept Bungalow) remains true to its original design with two small bedrooms, a bathroom that boasts a shower but no tub and that unmistakable flat roof! The old, leaky tar and gravel roof has been replaced with a new membrane roof but one which remains faithful to that original style!

You will find it difficult to find another home here that is the subject of such love and devotion! It was my long time dream to own and restore one of these little homes --- Yes! Dreams do come true!!

You can take a look at the process by visiting the following Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550966455193

Enjoy!

Languages:

English

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