From the location, to the hosts, to the amenities provided by them this was an unbeatable experience.
We had 4 adults and 4 children, 3 teens and a 5.5yo. The property has a lot of well furnished common space, bedrooms are sufficiently sized with many options for sleeping arrangements. The media options inside the home are various and extensive. The gaming options were a big hit, both electronic and board/card. Everything was very clean and well thought out, it is obvious that this is a family vacation home that the hosts extend for our use.
As for the important stuff: The access to the beach is local and less than a 2 block walk. There is parking if you prefer. The hosts have kindly provided multiple options for chairs, shade cover, sand and surf implements and carts/wagons specifically to navigate the sand. There are also adult sized bikes with accessories for children available. The outdoor shower was so nice we found ourselves using it as the main shower, again hosts were generous with providing soap, body wash, shampoo, etc. One needs to rinse off from the beach anyways, and it provides privacy and is fully functional plus being out in the air is wonderful.
Around the homestead there is plenty of space and furniture provided outside for lounging etc. The Atlantic Beach shopping and dining (may we suggest Roma Pizza if you want an enjoyable locally owned, non-seafood meal) is minutes away with Moorhead City just over the bridge from there. The main tourist hustle and bustle is on the south end of the island in Emerald Isle, so it is accessible but you aren't in the thick of the hubbub. There is a great aquarium minutes away, a fun go kart/mini golf spot not much further down, then in Atlantic Beach, just a 5 minute drive away, there is a Food Lion (grocery store) and kitty corner is a public park with a skate park, splash pad, mini golf, snack bar, lots of space to hang out, and while we were visiting they had free family movies in the park on Friday nights.
Finally, as for Neal and Marietta, they are prefect hosts. Very responsive and available if needed, but do not bud in to be a part of your vacation. The home away they have provided is remarkable, and they have a few simple, reasonable requests to help maintain the space for everyone. We received a couple of timely reminders at the beginning and end and nothing else unsolicited. We desperately want to return, SOON!