Family Reunion at Ocean Lakes: How to Book Multiple Houses Together

Family Reunion at Ocean Lakes: How to Book Multiple Houses Together

Ocean Lakes is a great destination for family reunions. With so much to do for all ages, it’s been a no brainer for families who want to make memories together. I’m Shawn, I rent 34 houses at Ocean Lakes and I’ve hosted plenty of family reunions and milestone celebrations. This is the practical guide to doing it well.

Let’s talk group sizes. Once a family group hits about 15 people, one rental house rarely works. You either cram everyone into a 5-bedroom and have people sleeping on couches, or you book two houses and give everyone room to breathe. For Ocean Lakes specifically, the two-house model is the standard for reunions above 15 guests, and Dune Life has done enough of these that we’ve worked out the logistics.

 

When does a family reunion need more than one house?

Here’s our rough guide based on what actually works for people over a full week:

– 10 to 12 people: One large house works. Site X-8 (sleeps 12, 4BR, 3BA) or Site 1027 (sleeps 12, 5BR, 4BA) can hold this comfortably.

– 13 to 20 people: Two houses. Usually one larger house for one branch of the family + one smaller for another, or two comparable houses split by generation.

– 21 to 30 people: Two large houses or three medium houses.

– 30+ people: Three or four houses. Rare but possible.

The one-house threshold isn’t just about beds. It’s about bathroom count, kitchen capacity, and living-space overflow. Twelve people in one house works for a weekend but starts to strain over a full week.

 

What are the best Dune Life properties for a family reunion?

For the biggest single-house option: Site X-8 (12 guests, 4BR, 3BA) and Site 1027 (12 guests, 5BR, 4BA). Both include a golf cart.

 

For two-house reunions, the strongest combinations are:

– Site X-8 + Site 1027: two largest houses in the portfolio. Sleeps 24 combined.

– Site X-8 + Site 1581: X-8 (12g) + Site 1581 (8g) = 20 combined.

– Site M5 + Site 1547: M5 (9g) + Site 1547 (7g) = 16 combined. Both mid-park, similar sections.

The specific inventory available in your date range shifts week to week. Text me at 336-382-1415 with your dates and guest count and I’ll tell you what combinations are possible.

 

How close together can two houses actually be?

Not always adjacent. Dune Life’s 34 properties are distributed across different sections of the campground. Getting two houses on the same street depends entirely on what’s available for your dates.

For a family reunion, “same street” is nice but “same section” is usually enough. A 2-minute golf cart ride between houses is completely manageable and honestly better than sharing a house because it gives everyone a home base.

If having two adjacent houses is non-negotiable for your reunion, book 6-9 months in advance and be flexible on dates.

 

How do we split the cost of a two-house reunion?

Practical options based on how families I work with do it:

Option A: Whoever booked which house pays for it. Simplest. Each branch handles their own.

Option B: Split the total cost by number of guests per person. More complicated but “fair” if the sizes differ.

Option C: Grandparents or the event host pays for both. Common for milestone-birthday or anniversary trips.

Option D: Pay one person to book, everyone Venmos. Simple accounting but one person carries the credit card exposure.

We handle Dune Life bookings per-house, so however you split it internally is up to you.

 

How does check-in work for a two-house reunion?

Same as any other Dune Life booking. Each house has its own door code, its own golf cart instructions, its own wristbands. Both parties receive the arrival info via email 24-48 hours before check-in.

There’s no group check-in event. Everyone lets themselves into their assigned house and coordinates from there.

 

What about kids and teens moving between houses?

The advantage of two houses on the same golf cart route is that kids and teens can move freely between them without an adult supervising the walk. This is a real quality-of-life improvement for parents who otherwise wouldn’t get any downtime.

For families with young kids under 6, having a designated “kids’ house” (usually with a crib set up and quieter bedtime routines) and an “adults’ house” (louder, later dinners, adults staying up) works well.

 

What about meals across two houses?

The two main models:

Central kitchen model: One house becomes the meal hub. Everyone cooks and eats there for at least one meal per day (usually dinner). Requires that house to have a large enough kitchen and porch for the whole group.

Distributed model: Each house handles its own meals. Everyone convenes for one shared meal per day (often lunch at the beach or dinner rotation).

For 20+ people, the distributed model is usually more sustainable. Cooking dinner for 25 in one rental kitchen is a lot of work every night.

Delivery and takeout also work. Myrtle Beach has plenty of delivery options within 10-15 minutes!

What events can we do inside Ocean Lakes for a reunion?

The campground itself becomes a reunion venue:

– Group beach day: claim a section of the private beach with umbrellas and coolers. Ocean Lakes’ beach is nearly a mile long, easy to spread out.

– Water park half-day: Sandy Harbor Water Park is included with wristbands. Multi-generational groups mix well here.

– Mini golf tournament: 18-hole course. Groups of 15-20 can play in shifts.

– Group dinner at the porch of the larger house: golden hour, fairy lights, wide porch table.

– Golf cart parade at sunset: silly but memorable. Kids and grandparents both love it.

– Optional external: Prestwick Golf (Ocean Lakes’ sister course, 1 mile away) for the adults who want a serious round.

What if we want to have a wedding, milestone birthday, or memorial gathering?

Dune Life properties are private rentals. You can host a family gathering, cake cutting, or small ceremony on the porch or in the house. If your gathering exceeds normal residential use (large tent, catering setup, amplified sound), talk to me first and I’ll check with Ocean Lakes on the specific event policies.

When should we book a family reunion?

Book at least 6 months in advance for peak summer weeks (June-August). For July 4th week or the week of Labor Day, 9-12 months out. For shoulder season reunions (May, September), 3-6 months out.

Multi-house reunions specifically often require booking earlier because you’re trying to lock down two properties on overlapping dates.

 

Frequently asked questions

What’s the largest single house Dune Life offers?

Site X-8 (12 guests, 4BR, 3BA) and Site 1027 (12 guests, 5BR, 4BA). Both include golf carts.

Can I book two houses on the same street?

Sometimes, depending on availability. Book early and be flexible on dates.

Do you offer a discount for booking multiple houses?

Not a standard discount, but I’ll work with you on the total booking if you’re bringing 20+ guests across multiple houses. Call 336-382-1415 to discuss.

What about pets on a multi-house reunion?

Depends on the properties. Filter for pet-friendly on each house individually.

Can we host a group meal outside the house?

Yes. Ocean Lakes has grill areas, picnic tables, and beach access. The Sandy Harbor Café patio is available for casual group meals during operating hours.

Do you help coordinate the reunion logistics?

I can help match the right houses to your group size and section preferences. Actual reunion planning (meal shifts, event schedule) is on your family, but I can point you to services if needed.

How does the wristband situation work for multiple houses?

Each rented house gets its own set of Sandy Harbor wristbands for the number of guests staying in that house. If you have friends visiting for the day, they need day-guest passes from the front office.

Can we combine cars from two houses for parking?

Each Dune Life property has designated parking, typically 2-4 vehicles. If your group has more cars than parking spots across both houses, Ocean Lakes has overflow parking near the front gate.

Sources

– Property capacity and cart info: booking.duneliferentals.com/all-listings

– Ocean Lakes campground info: oceanlakes.com

– Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center: Ocean Lakes Sandy Harbor page

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Last updated: September 16, 2026

About the author: Shawn Huffines runs Dune Life Rentals at Ocean Lakes and has coordinated more reunion two-house bookings than he can count. He’s very good at telling families whether their kid count matches their bathroom count. Text or call 336-382-1415.