The Sand Dunes

2.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Sand Dunes

Aerial view
Front of property
Sundeck
Suite, 2 Bedrooms, Pool View | Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
On the beach

Reviews

8.8 out of 10

Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Parking included
    Parking included
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
133 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, NC, 28449
  • Kure Beach
    2 min walk
  • Ocean Front Park
    3 min walk
  • Kure Beach Pier
    3 min walk
  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
    38 min drive

Room options

Suite, 2 Bedrooms, City View

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Beds

Suite, 2 Bedrooms

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Beds

Room, City View

  • 220 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Standard Room

  • 300 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Balcony, Poolside

  • 358 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, City View

  • 300 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, City View

  • 300 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Room, 2 Double Beds, City View

  • 226 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Room, 2 Double Beds, Kitchen, Oceanfront

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Kitchen, Oceanfront

  • 358 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Suite, Oceanfront

  • 450 sq ft
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Double Beds and 1 Queen Bed

Suite, 2 Bedrooms, City View

  • 529 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Beds

About the neighborhood

Kure Beach

With a stay at The Sand Dunes in Kure Beach, you'll be on the beach, just steps from Kure Beach and a 2-minute drive from Carolina Beach. .This beach hotel is 2.6 mi (4.2 km) from Carolina Beach Boardwalk and 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

What's nearby

  • Kure Beach - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Ocean Front Park - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Kure Beach Pier - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Carolina Beach Boardwalk - 6 min drive - 2.7 miles
  • North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher - 6 min drive - 2.8 miles

Getting around

  • Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM) - 38 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Ocean Grill - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪El Cazador 2 - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Britt's Donut Shop - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Seawitch Cafe & Tiki Bar - ‬7 min drive

About this property

The Sand Dunes

Sun and fun on the beach, near Kure Beach
The Sand Dunes offers 38 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps). 43-inch Smart televisions come with cable channels and Netflix. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and complimentary toiletries. Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided once per stay.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include an outdoor pool.
Make yourself at home in one of the 38 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and Smart televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include microwaves and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided once per stay.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a terrace.
Free self parking is available onsite.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • Limited onsite parking (max 1 space per unit)

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • Fenced pool
  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Outdoor pool
  • Pool gate

Conveniences

  • Guidebooks

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Housekeeping (once per stay)

Outdoors

  • On the beach
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • 3 buildings
  • 3 floors
  • Smoke-free property
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 43-inch smart TV with cable channels
  • Hulu
  • Netflix
  • Streaming services

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 35.00
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
The check-in location differs from the property location; go to: [Admirals Quarters 129 Fort Fisher Blvd S Kure Beach, NC 28449]
Guests will receive an email 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code; access will be through a private entrance
Guests will receive a text message at 11 AM on the check-in date with check-in instructions.

Access methods

Access code, private entrance

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 50.00 per accommodation, per day
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 40 lbs per pet)
Pets cannot be left unattended
An off-leash area is available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Destination fee: USD 3 per accommodation, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Pet fee: USD 50.00 per accommodation, per day
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in fee: USD 35.00 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
The seasonal pool will be open from April 15 to October 15
Pool access available from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Property is also known as

The Sand Dunes Hotel
The Sand Dunes Kure Beach
The Sand Dunes Hotel Kure Beach

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 202 out of 319 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 69 out of 319 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 24 out of 319 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 16 out of 319 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 8 out of 319 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Ralph

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Hole in floor under carpet, balcony door very hard to open, steps to beach slick due to water leak and algae everywhere
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Mold
The room we stayed in (114) smelled like mold as soon as we opened the door. The carpet was damp from the moisture. It was a very unpleasant place to sleep because of the mold and we cut our trip short because we couldn't stand being inside the room. Check-in was all virtual, super easy.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Omar

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

sahaon

Traveled with family
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
It is a simple place right on the beach. Exactly what we were looking for a short trip
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Van, Anchorage

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
I would stay here again but things are used and starting to get old. The thing that needs to be upgraded immediately are the beds. Both beds were very old. No cushion on top. Springs feel like they are coming through the top and both mattresses sink down in the middle. You could not lay on the bed without rolling to the middle. Uncomfortable to sleep on.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Donte

Traveled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Musty, stall.... Funky air... Cleaning was needed, but overall for last minute... You get what you get
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The serve and staff were excellent, very friendly, and clean. But the beds were discomfortable, and very old. That is one thing we can’t be satisfied, Another thing is you can hear what next door people say.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stay away
It is incomprehensible why this property scores high in reviews. Stay away. Do yourself a favor and find something slightly more expensive but light years better in terms of cleaniness, service, and maintenance. Do not ruin your vacation by trying to save a few dollars. It is not worth it. To put it short: my wife refused to sleep in in our suite and slept in our minivan instead. One of our children joined her too. Thank God we only stayed in the hotel for one day only on our way to elsewhere. I cannot imagine being stuck there for a week or so. It is extremely outdated, dirty, wet and moldy, with tiny rooms that cannot accomodate a family. The ancient AC units are as loud as tractors and blow cold air directly in your head so you can get sick easily, unless you wear a hat while sleeping. One of them did not even work. The windows are next to your bed and the blinds do not block the light. The chairs' upholstery has huge rips half the size of the seat. Again, I have no idea how on Earth this property managed to collect favourable reviews. I guess they might have faked them. There is no way I will stay there again and pay my money for it. Their daily rate is slightly lower than in other beachfront properties, but trust me - it is not worth it. I doubt I would even want to stay there for free.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

4/10 Poor

Kelli

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Outdated and Misleading
Pictures were very misleading. Looks like they haven’t been updated in several years. Beds were horribly uncomfortable, likely several decades old, and not the size stated (was supposed to be queen, but mattresses were full sized). Bathroom was barely big enough to fit a single person, and our original room was barely big enough to fit the bed. There were no pictures of said room on the website, so we talked to management and they “upgraded” us to the room with 2 “queen” size beds. We were supposed to stay for 3 nights and ended up only staying for 1. Fair warning though, if you don’t ask to leave before 11am they will still charge you for that night, so despite only staying 1 night they charged us for 2. I’ve stayed in Carolina/Kure beach many times in my life, but this was by far the worst. Will not be returning. We also were not the only ones feeling mislead, as there were multiple people in the lobby waiting to complain about the same things when we checked out. The people at the front desk were accommodating and understanding as much as they could be though.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Michael

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
As soon as I walked in the door the room smelled of strong mold/mildew. They have an oven so we bought frozen foods from a market across the street because the nearby restaurants were closed. The food was for the oven (not microwaveable) so we heated up the oven but could not find a baking dish or cookie sheet or anything for the oven. We called the desk and they came to our door stating that they did not have anything for us to use even after they had checked all the vacant rooms. So we had to eat snacks for dinner. Everything else was great. For over $300 a night I would have expected much better service as well as a clean smelling room.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Traveled with group, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hannah

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

4/10 Poor

Starr

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The windows had broken blinds and no curtains so the fluorescent lights shown in the room all night making it impossible to sleep or feel safe considering anyone could see straight in the room. The window seals had dust/dirt all in them next to the bed and you could tell where drinks had been sitting and housekeeping did not even bother to wipe up anything from previous guest. There was no table or desk to sit items items on. My husband had to take our trash out daily and track someone down for clean towels daily. Our bed had a flat sheet, a comforter type insert then another flat sheet instead of an actual quilt/comforter set. There was construction going on the property so every morning we were woken up by lovely hammering outside the room and all kinds of randon items such as tables, laundry baskets, etc to walk around while they worked. Our vacation was not very relaxing!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Tim

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff was very friendly, the property is a bit older but in good shape. Good value for beachfront property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and well maintained.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Colleen

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location; needing a few updates
The check in process was great- super slick and hotel was very quick and responsive to my questions via text! The view and access to the beach is unbelievable! We loved the pool- it was small but it was all we needed to cool off after a day at the beach. They do provide pool towels which is nice! You cannot beat the location!! Some things to improve: 1. The mattresses were bad. They were very bouncy and you sunk into them. Any time any loved position, you would get woken up and the home bed would be moving. 2. Clarification on which are beach view rooms. The pictures for the room we selected showed a beach view, so I assumed we would. Our view was a brick wall of the hotel next to us. We were only there one night, so we were ok about it. If we were there longer and paying that much a night, I would have been really upset. 3. The lights outside our door was so bright it was hard to fall asleep. Easily fixed with black out curtains. We would stay there again, but would be contacting the manager to make sure of the room and view.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Susan

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It reminded me of the old 60's-70's beach motels that use to dot each beach town. First time to Wilmington and was amazed how many older beach motels are still around. Unlike Panama City who tore everything down. It's not exactly walkable to restaurants, but the pool and convenience to walk right to the beach was great.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with partner, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
I love the Sand. Dunes I don’t wanna go anywhere else. I mean their is your normal issues here and there but they are very personable there and I love it esp Rozz
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with partner, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
They are so sweet and really go all out to make sure your happy and comfortable, anything you need they make sure to get it quickly and every time I set the dirty laundry out side the door their was new clean ones out there so quick. The staff is so awesome, Rozz is the sweetest and she makes me feel so happy to be there. David is so awesome and he really made up for a bad experience quickly and made us very happy and comfortable. I don’t like going anywhere else at the beach this is my place.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good as it always is
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

scott

Traveled with family
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
People upstairs making noise all night. No chairs in the room. Clean.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Thais

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy access to the beach and walking to arcade, pier and dinning options.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrea

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved our stay here....so close to everyghing. Staff was great!

10/10 Excellent

Teresa

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A little dated, but clean and staff is great!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda, Asheboro

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very close to kure beach pier and had easy acess to the beach which was much less crowded than other areas
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024