If your idea of the perfect vacation is to settle down with all the comforts of a home away from home, the Outer Banks is a perfect choice. By far the most popular accommodations here are private beach cottages. More than 13,500 rental cottages are available in Dare County, and that's not including the thousands of cottages available in Corolla in Currituck County or on Ocracoke Island in Hyde County. From the unique off-road beaches of Carova just south of the Virginia line to the removed island of Ocracoke, accessible only by plane, boat, or ferry, you'll find a tremendous variety in price, location, and character. Although most vacationers stay for a week, longer- and shorter-term rentals are available throughout the year.

Most beach cottages are owned by individuals and are represented by a property management firm. Usually, these cottages reflect the individual tastes and preferences of their owners. Although property management firms or rental companies will set their own minimum standards for the homes they represent, beach homes vary widely in design, decor, and the amenities they offer. You can rent anything from a palatial nine-bedroom oceanfront mansion with a private pool, home office, and media room to a cozy little saltbox on the sound side.

Rental companies compete rigorously to secure the greatest possible number of bookings for their owners, and the trend is to add more amenities, thus encouraging guests to return again and again. In recent years, many companies have encouraged their cottage owners to add greater value to a week's vacation by including, as standard, amenities that used to be luxuries. Whirlpool baths, hot tubs, appealing interior decorating, book and video libraries, fireplaces, baby cribs, and playpens are becoming increasingly common, particularly in the newer properties. Veteran visitors to the Outer Banks are accustomed to bringing their own linens and towels, but more cottages now supply linens. Only a few property management firms require their owners to provide linens.

Of course, you'll pay more for these luxuries. Rental prices are based primarily on the season, the cottage's proximity to the ocean, the number of occupants it "sleeps," and the amenities it offers. The peak, most expensive, season runs from mid-June through the end of August. Substantial discounts are offered in the fall and spring, considered "mid-season" by most companies, and, of course, the best bargains are from late November to late March. More vacationers are discovering the joys of the Outer Banks during seasons other than summer: With its temperate climate, the Outer Banks offers a great variety of outdoor activities to enjoy, even if the weather is too cold for ocean swimming or lounging on the beach.

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