Everything was as pictured and the view was better than what's shown on the website!

This house is well designed with two spacious decks overlooking the beach and dunes. The kitchen is generously appointed and a pleasure to cook in. The absence of clutter and simple but comfortable furnishings - with large windows everywhere - makes the ocean the focal point here! Thanks to Laura at Carova Cottages for facilitating our stay and providing detailed information!!

We fell in love with the home and the location immediately. The entire stay was tremendous. The only complaint is we had to leave after 7 days.

Escape got the weekend in the remote outer banks but be sure to rent or own a four wheel drive vehicle; it’s worth the added hassle. Enjoy wild horses, a remote beach, and a nice house to base your adventures from.

Place is just as described, clean, modern with great views. It’s down on the island so be prepared for a nice beach ride to get there, it’s about 7 miles down the beach. Must have 4X4 to get around, no joke there. It’s such a unique beach experience, and there are horses! We had a few that came around the property while we were there. Quiet, if looking for a low key, quiet get away this is the place to visit.

Manager's Response

This is a fairly new home and the photos online don’t do it justice. The house is absolutely beautiful and the views are amazing; beach view and sunset views. Beautiful hardwood floors. We love that the house decor is minimal because it’s less dust to accumulate on decor sitting around. The kitchen was well stocked. The carpets were vacuumed but the floors (especially the bathroom floors and kitchen) were not cleaned. Hair, sand, dirt were clearly visible.

I would suggest blinds for the upstairs windows in the kitchen and dining room only because when the sun is setting, it’s very blinding and you cannot even sit in the room or prepare a meal because it’s so blinding. We love all the open window concept but blinds in those windows would cut down on the intense glare. I would also suggest bigger wine glasses. Other than that, the house was perfect for us and we enjoyed it.

Manager's Response

Harper house was great and easy to get to once you've figured out the tide cycles. The entire family loved the house and open layout. Horses were very abundant and often came right up to the house. We would recommend this house to any family or small get together, you'll have a great time.

Manager's Response

My family had a great vacation at this property! This house was perfect for my family of 5: my husband and I and our 9, 6, and 4 year old. When we arrived, we were all very happy with the accommodations. Everything was clean and ready for us to unpack and relax.

Manager's Response

We all loved the house and the beach and wildlife. For the cost of the rental I did expect the owners to provide more basic necessities such as salt and paper, olive oil, laundry detergent, and more toilet paper, etc.

Manager's Response

Great and easy rental experience. Rental company communicated well.

Manager's Response

Wonderful cottage close to beach with nice view. Cottage feels brand new with beautiful kitchen, comfy beds, and 2 wrap around decks. Kitchen has everything you need, and we saw horses near the cottage every morning, as well as on the beach on a few occasions.

Thank you Laura for letting us stay in your beautiful house. The view of the the ocean at sunrise and sun set was incredible. The wild horses were so beautiful to see come right up to our house. The adventure of driving down the beach in order to get to the house is so much fun. We loved every minute and did not eat to leave. I will 100% recommend this house to friends and family. We will also be back for a second vacation. Peaceful and relaxing vacation.

The house is gorgeous, with exceptional views of the ocean from two decks. Walk to the quiet beach is easy.

Great, new home with an amazing view. Almost Oceanfront without the price tag. Wish we couldn’t stayed another week, ours flew by. Management company good to work with.

Great, new home with an amazing view. Almost Oceanfront without the price tag. Wish we couldn’t stayed another week, ours flew by. Management company good to work with.

Great little house in the Outer Banks 4x4 area! Nicer newer house with great views and a great location! Everything was awesome for our stay and the house was the perfect compliment for an awesome week at the OBX!

The house was absolutely beautiful. The location to the ocean was very close. It rained one day, but you can just look out the massive windows and doors and see the ocean. The porches had plenty of sitting space. The kitchen had very nice dishes and cookware. The floors are beautiful. Loved this house and it’s location. We definitely will be back. The house was very clean. I highly recommend this house, Laura from the management team was very helpful and friendly.

Manager's Response

My husband and I travelled to the Outer Banks in early September 2021. We had the best vacation. The Harper house was brand new, clean and beautiful. The views of the ocean and other homes on the dunes were stunning. Every morning we woke up to a beautiful sunrise and wild horses in our yard. We would recommend this home/vacation spot.

Wonderful house fitted with all the amenities you need to have an incredible vacation. The keyless entry was very convenient, we had horses in the yard and on the beach daily. Truly a magical place, surrounded by pristine beaches. You most definitely need a 4WD vehicle to access the house, but the drive on the beach is well worth it! Hoping we can return soon to this house. It isn’t beachfront, but you have amazing views of the ocean, and you drive your vehicle right onto the beach, so there’s no lugging gear every time you want to go to the beach. And if you want to walk to the beach, access is just one house away. Highly recommend the Harper House!!

House is in a great location and is clean and well-stocked. Love the new deck! Laura and David are very responsive and great to work with. Looking forward to another great year in 2026!

nice to get away from the usual routines and relax

Manager's Response

Year 7 was wonderful! We love the house and amenities! A little sad we will have neighbors next door next year, but that was to be expected eventually. We cannot wait until year 8! (Still subtly hinting for an ice machine ;) )

Manager's Response

This was our 7th year going to this house. We enjoyed ourselves as usual but had some issues during our stay. The AC had issues most of the week but Laura was quick to bring us window units so we could sleep comfortably. The house was very clean when we arrived except for the gazebo on the dune. There was piles of sand everywhere and the chairs were also dirty and covered in sand. We hosed out the entire thing so we could enjoy it all week. The house could definitely use some TLC. The decks on all floors and around the pool need updating as does the master bath. Toilet wouldn’t flush right and the shower drain was massively clogged, not to mention the shower itself could be replaced. The stepping stones from the pool area to the bottom door could definitely be bigger and more sturdy, it’s hard to walk on them especially at night. The upstairs AC vents were all leaking water onto the floors and tables but this may have been due to the AC issues we were having. All in all it was still a great vacation but comparing year 1 to year 7 it’s definitely time this house got some TLC. We’d love to return if it was pet friendly but we will look elsewhere now since bringing our dog is easier than finding a dog sitter at home.

Manager's Response

Everything about this rental from the early stages was A+. The rental agent was by far one of the best I have ever dealt with. Very quick to respond to any questions / issues we had. This location could not of been better and was the best stocked kitchen we have ever had in all our years of renting. Only negative and was the condition of the deck around the pool. It definately needs replaced soon but even with that I would rent this property again. Hence the 4 stars on the general condition.

the house was exactly as stated and very clean and well supplied with everything needed for a very pleasing vacation

Manager's Response

the house was exactly as stated and very clean and well supplied with everything needed for a very pleasing vacation

Manager's Response

This was my fourth year renting Ten Down. Despite being a rental it always has a homey feel to it. Love the house and the location. Plan on returning next year.

Manager's Response

This was my fourth year renting Ten Down. Despite being a rental it always has a homey feel to it. Love the house and the location. Plan on returning next year.

Manager's Response

Six years in a row, and still loving this house like year one! Laura was a pleasure to work with, as always. Although this house needs nothing (an ice machine would be amazing, though ), we are excited to read that there will be future updates to the decks. We cannot wait to visit and create more memories next year for year seven!

Manager's Response

Had a wonderful time. Weather was great. Some small annoying issues. Had to plunge bath tub. One bathroom toilet will not stop running until you take the top off. Air vent missing from the bed room with two single beds. Had to pound nails around the pool area.

Manager's Response

We loved TEN DOWN! Great get away from the heat and busy-ness of the summer. I loved the time to disconnect and enjoy family dinners, cards, pool and beachtime. Truly incredible seeing the wild horses in the morning, while drinking my coffee and watching the ocean too. Everything we needed was in the house and provided. It was very clean and easy to just enjoy yourselves!

Manager's Response

We stayed at Ten Down this year again and it did not disappoint. Love the upgrades; Keurig, arcade game and the new table and chairs in the screened porch. We had a great time, great weather. Some suggestions we had were the master bathroom shower could use an upgrade and bigger stepping stones on the ground floor from the pool. We enjoyed our stay as always.

Manager's Response

We stayed at Ten Down this year again and it did not disappoint. Love the upgrades; Keurig, arcade game and the new table and chairs in the screened porch. We had a great time, great weather. Some suggestions we had were the master bathroom shower could use an upgrade and bigger stepping stones on the ground floor from the pool. We enjoyed our stay as always.

Manager's Response

We have been coming to this house for many years and it continues to get better and better. Location is perfect..only steps from the beach and close to the VA line. The house is fully stocked and clean. Overall amazing experience with both the rental company and the house itself.

Manager's Response

We have been staying at Ten Down for the past five years. There were several wonderful updates to the house for 2022! Laura was amazing to work with and answered all of my questions and concerns. We are all looking forward to year six at this beautiful house!

Always a joy staying at this lovely home.Master bathroom a little dated. But a lot more pluses than minuses.

Had another wonderful week at Ten Down! This was our 6th summer trip to Ten Down and we just love this home. This year we were greeted with new carpet, bedding, and better bathrooms towels (ones that you’d have at home instead of hotel like towels). It was a breath of fresh air. The home is also under a new management company and I can’t say enough about them! They drove a full propane tank down to us in a tropical like rain storm just so we could grill our dinner! The house was immaculate when we got there as was the pool and hot tub! It was a great week we love the gazebo by the beach and just the views from the house they are amazing!! We can’t wait to stay here again and are counting the days til next summer!

Had another wonderful week at Ten Down! This was our 6th summer trip to Ten Down and we just love this home. This year we were greeted with new carpet, bedding, and better bathrooms towels (ones that you’d have at home instead of hotel like towels). It was a breath of fresh air. The home is also under a new management company and I can’t say enough about them! They drove a full propane tank down to us in a tropical like rain storm just so we could grill our dinner! The house was immaculate when we got there as was the pool and hot tub! It was a great week we love the gazebo by the beach and just the views from the house they are amazing!! We can’t wait to stay here again and are counting the days til next summer!

We had a wonderful week in Carova at the beautiful Ten Down property. The house is in a great location and came well-stocked with anything you could possibly need. The rental agency was fantastic. Great communication, house was clean and the house contained many appreciated updates this year. We will definitely return next year!

Location was awesome! House was great, could not have been happier. We loved the remote location, away from the crowds, seeing the horses every day. On-line description was accurate! Be prepared to eat in, as the drive back to town is long, and the restaurants are crowded. We planed to stay at the house most nights so it was great for us.

We loved this house it have everything you could think of! Loved all the nooks and crannies that were more than just randomly placed but thought out with intent! The decor and attention to detail, in every bedroom bathroom and main Rooms were met beyond our expectations.The inviting colors, the room themes. (My fav the pink flamingo) This houses overalll beach themed was perfect for our large little family. Our kids loved the baby-pool, hot tub, game room , movie room the captains watch was a hit playing games with one another. The kitchen was beyond stocked, and easy to use with a great set up for my mom’s home made dinners every night! The distance to the beach was perfect, the views and the location made it a serene private vacation. Laura with Carova Cottages, was one of the best rental agents I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with. She far surpassed all of our expectations, it was easy simple and we had zero issues booking, Making deposits and payments and she was just plain nice and. It was nice to Work with some own so easy going. This is our 6th year in a row down there vacationing in the OBX, we stay for 2 weeks . Our time frame is always the same dates every year and that won’t ever change, some years it can be trickier book said dates and houses depending on the way the daters fall that particular year. But we will always be in OBX in or around the dates 8.6. Our families and friends have come together every year to be together during The Angeleverary of my 7yo daughters death. Having houses, different rentals companies, days and dates to work out has always been no easy walk in the par. Trying to workout all those details with so many diff people, I can say Laura just made it so easy, so we could just enjoy our time and precious moments and memories together. To All agree AND then enjoy this house was a surprisingly peaceful feat and bonus we achieved I am forever grateful. We hope to be able to utilize Carova Cottages again

It was my family, 6 adults & 3 kids. The house was extremely clean & with many extra curricular activities. Games, puzzles, pool table, air hockey etc.. Kitchen was loaded with all kinds off cooking gadgets. 2 refrigerators was really nice. Gas grill was fine but the charcoal grill was in rough shape. Need a new one. The pool was used alot, along with the kiddie pool. Hot tub some. The large dining table was really nice for family suppers. The basement was great for the adults after the kids were in bed.
Summary,the best rental I have had since we started going to Carova over 15 years ago. Highly recommended for big families.
Now. Carova Cottages & Laura. There is a reason why I always rent with them for the past few stays. Everything was in order, easy booking & always there when you need help. I had a vehicle problem which involved a replacement part by a mechanic at the house. Laura worked with me,calmed me down really,and I was able to get my truck repaired & gone before the next family came in. Laura went above & beyond to work with me through my difficult situation.
Carova Cottages & Solstice by the Sea. Great combination!!

This was a wonderful experience! The house was clean and the amenities were incredible. There was a brief issue where they forgot to include towels upon check-in, but Laura hand delivered them to us within the hour. Exceptional service! The only real complaint I had was that the volleyball court needed some tlc. It was a bit overgrown. But that is just nitpicking. Will absolutely stay here again and I recommend it to anyone who wants to just get away!