Anyone ever stayed at The Winds Resort at Ocean Isle Beach? I know that it doesn't look as good as the pics on the website. I read some reviews on tripadvisor and realized that! I don't really mind as long as it's not a dump!
We stayed there a couple of years ago. It was fine. Not a dump but not high class either. Food options are limited in the area.
My husband were actually given a trip to The Winds for our honeymoon this past November and I really loved it. Granted it was in the winter, it was still really nice. We stayed in what you'd consider the penthouse and had a jacuzzi in it and at the top is the dolphin watch and the first morning we were there saw dolphins. In the winter time a lot of the close resturants were close so we had to drive a few minutes away, but it's really nice. I have more photos of the place if you are interested in seeing. It's definitely worth the money you pay, at least IMO. There is also the Orton Plantation about 30ish minutes away (they filmed a number of movies there) and it's really beautiful. I would give the place a chance, if you don't like it - you don't. But I really liked it, esp. since it's not as crowded as say, Myrtle Beach. BTW - if you drive maybe 10 minutes to Sunset beach, there are a LOT of knickknack shops and The Boundary House - you should definitely give that place a try!
