Ocean Lakes for Grandparents: What to Know Before the Multi-Gen Trip

The multi-generational Ocean Lakes trip is the highest-satisfaction vacation type I host. Three generations under one roof, a mile of private beach, a golf cart to move everyone around, and a week of shared meals and shared memories. It’s the trip people remember for years!

But it works best when the trip is planned around what the grandparents actually need. This guide is the specific “what to sort out before the trip” list for families bringing grandparents along. I’m Shawn, I rent rental houses at Ocean Lakes and I’ve hosted a lot of these trips. Here’s what the successful ones share.

 

Which house layout works best for grandparents?

Two priorities to check before booking:

Priority 1: Single-story or main-level bedroom access. Not every Dune Life property is single-story. If grandparents can’t do stairs, or find them exhausting, the house needs a bedroom + bathroom on the main level. Text or call me at 336-382-1415 with your dates and I’ll tell you which of my properties fit this.

Priority 2: Walk-in shower vs. tub-only. Older guests almost always prefer a walk-in shower. Most Dune Life properties have at least one, but the specific bathroom setup varies by house.

Beyond those two, the general principles: a comfortable master bedroom close to a bathroom, a porch big enough for a chair or swing that grandparents can spend time in, and a kitchen table that seats everyone for meals.

 

What section of Ocean Lakes is best for grandparents?

Quieter is usually better. Lakeside and inland sections (3000 and 4000) tend to have less foot traffic during peak season. Oceanfront sections are prettier but louder in July and August because everyone’s heading toward the same stretch of beach.

Mid-park sections work well for multi-gen groups because the amenities (water park, mini golf, Camptown Center) are close for the grandkids and the beach is a short cart ride for grandma and grandpa.

 

What about the golf cart?

The cart is a huge quality-of-life feature for grandparents specifically. Walking from a rental house to the water park or beach takes 15+ minutes in Ocean Lakes’ 310-acre layout. A cart makes it 3 minutes. For guests who can’t do the long walk in Myrtle Beach heat, the cart isn’t a perk. It’s what makes the whole vacation accessible.

33 of our 34 properties include a complimentary cart. A few larger multi-gen properties include a Limo Golf Cart (6 passengers) or two carts. If your group is 8+ people, ask which properties give you the cart capacity you need.

What does Ocean Lakes offer for guests with mobility challenges?

Ocean Lakes has a dedicated handicap access page on their official site covering campground accessibility features. The private beach has designated accessible access points. Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center is accessible. The Camptown Center buildings are accessible.

Individual rental properties vary, I recommend you ask specifically about:

– Ramp access to the porch or front door

– Bathroom grab bars

– Bedroom on the main floor

– Doorway widths

Not every house has all of these, confirm before booking.

What activities work for grandparents at Ocean Lakes?

Ranked by what actually gets used:

1. Porch time. The single most-used activity for grandparents. Big porch, comfortable chair, coffee in the morning, sunset in the evening.
2. Beach walks in early morning or late afternoon. Cooler temperatures, quieter beach, less UV.
3. Watching grandkids at the water park. Sandy Harbor has parent lounge areas near every pool.
4. Mini golf. 18-hole course, mostly flat, accessible pace.
5. Sandy’s Meet n’ Eat café for breakfast or coffee.
6. Prestwick Golf (Ocean Lakes’ sister course, 1 mile away) for grandparents who golf.
7. Golf cart rides at sunset.
8. Reading on the porch while everyone else is at the water park.

What food setup works for a multi-gen kitchen?

The main kitchen at a Dune Life property is equipped for full cooking. But cooking for 8-12 people at every meal is exhausting for whoever ends up doing it. Here are our favorite options:

– Rotate cooking duty across the family. That way Grandma or grandpa doesn’t have to cook every night.

– Plan one takeout or delivery night per 3 days. Myrtle Beach has options within a 10-minute drive.

– Use Sandy Mart inside the campground for the small-thing runs so grandparents don’t have to leave the gates for milk or coffee.

– Big grocery shop on arrival day at Food Lion or Lowes Foods (10 min drive).

 

What about medications, medical needs, and accessibility support?

A few pre-trip things worth confirming:

– Refill any needed prescriptions before the trip.

– If grandparents use a CPAP machine, confirm the master bedroom has convenient outlets. Bring a power strip.

– If mobility aids (walker, wheelchair) are needed, plan the loading logistics in advance.

– The nearest hospitals include Grand Strand Medical Center and Conway Medical Center, both within 15-20 minutes of Ocean Lakes.

What should we pack that’s grandparent-specific?

Beyond the standard Ocean Lakes packing list:

– A comfortable chair or backrest for the porch if grandparents like a specific setup

– Medications with a full-week supply plus a buffer

– Extra reading glasses (they will get left somewhere)

– A power strip for the master bedroom

– A light jacket or wrap for evening porch time (Ocean Lakes evenings cool down)

– Any specific pillows grandparents can’t sleep without

– A printed list of contact info (grandparents don’t always want to look at phones)

What are the noise levels like at Ocean Lakes?

Family-friendly, but not silent. Sound carries between houses in the summer, especially oceanfront and mid-park sections. Halloweekends in October brings more foot traffic and evening events.

For grandparents who go to bed by 9 PM, book lakeside or inland (3000 or 4000). For grandparents who don’t mind normal family-vacation noise, mid-park is fine.

Frequently asked questions

Are your rentals single-story?

Some are. Call me at 336-382-1415 with your dates and I’ll match you to a single-story property if that’s a priority.

Are there walk-in showers?

Most Dune Life properties have at least one walk-in shower.

What section is quietest?

Lakeside and inland sections (3000, 4000) tend to be quieter than oceanfront or mid-park.

Do all properties have golf carts?

33 of our 34 do. Grandparents specifically benefit from cart access.

Is Ocean Lakes accessible for wheelchairs?

The campground has accessibility features documented on the Ocean Lakes handicap access page.

Are there elevators in any of your properties?

No. Two-story properties have stairs only.

What’s the closest pharmacy?

Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart Pharmacy are all within 10-15 minutes outside the gate.

What’s the closest hospital?

Grand Strand Medical Center and Conway Medical Center, both about 15-20 minutes.

Can grandparents get their own wristband for Sandy Harbor?

Yes. Wristbands are included with the rental for every guest staying in the house.

Do you have any properties on the ground floor of a duplex or with no stairs at all?

Yes, a handful. Ask specifically when booking.

Sources

– Property inventory: booking.duneliferentals.com/all-listings

– Ocean Lakes handicap access: Ocean Lakes handicap access page (https://www.oceanlakes.com/amenities/handicap-access/)

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Last updated: September 23, 2026

About the author: Shawn Huffines has spent enough time on Ocean Lakes porches with somebody’s grandparents to know that the porch swing is worth more than any amenity in the brochure. He runs Dune Life Rentals. Text or call 336-382-1415.