When you're traveling, whether it's a business trip or a vacation, packing is undoubtedly the worst part of prepping. "What does the beach house come with?" "Should we rent items there instead of bringing our own?" and "How should I dress for the weather?" are just some of the many questions that come to mind. Luckily, we're here to provide you with the inside perspective on how to pack more efficiently and effectively for your IOP getaway!
What does my beach house or condo come with?
All rental properties come equipped with an initial set up of toilet paper, trash bags, paper towels, soap, dishwashing soap, and dishwasher detergent. These items are not replenished once they run out. You should either plan to bring extra supplies and any other paper or cleaning products you may need during your stay, or purchase them after you arrive.
All of our rentals have full-sized kitchens. These include dishes, flatware, and basic cookware (pots, pans, baking dishes.) Items like blenders and coffee makers are also on our master list of inventory that all rentals should include. For questions about specific coffee makers or kitchen items, you will often find these answers either in the property's photos or by calling our Guest Services team.
Linens include bedding for all beds (bedding for sofa beds may be in a nearby closet or can be sent by our housekeeping team,) and one set of towels per person per the property's capacity. You can find the capacity for your specific property on the property's page on our site. Beach towels are not included.
What items can we rent instead of bringing from home?
The possibilities are endless when it comes to rental items! You can rent everything from beach towels to beach chairs and umbrellas through Beach & Games To Go, and even baby essentials like cribs and high chairs from Charleston Baby's Away.
The most popular rental item with our guests is the beach chair and umbrella set-up/take-down service through IOP Beach Chair Co., which you can actually add to your Island Realty reservation! Just talk to our Front Desk team, and they'll get you squared away! If you're visiting us in the off-season and it's too chilly to rent beach chairs, try their bike rentals! IOP Beach Chair Co. offers bike rentals year-round and delivers them to your rental property before you even check-in, so they'll be waiting there for you when you arrive.
What should I pack/how should I dress for the weather?
We may not get drastic seasons like in other areas of the country, but the Lowcountry definitely has its own weather patterns you'll want to learn. If you're visiting in the summer, make sure to bring light layers for those windy nights on the beach. Plan for hot and humid weather during the day; this means lots of shorts and tank tops and of course your hats and sunglasses! The island is also very walkable, so be sure to bring comfortable shoes for exploring!
If you consider yourself more of a snowbird, you'll want to bring plenty of warm clothing! While it rarely snows here, we do experience those coastal winds that add to the chill factor.
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