Beach vacation suggestion for NC/SC?
 

Now that DD1 will be moving to Durham, NC area, we are interested in renting a beach condo for the week of Labor Day near NC or SC that will be a maximum of 3-4 hour drive for her so she can visit for the holiday weekend.

We have been to the Outer Banks (Corolla) and to Topsail Island (meh). Our preference would be something more akin to HHI where there are lots of options for shopping, golf, beaches, restaurants and sightseeing (day trips). We are NOT sit on a beach for 7 days people, need some activity during the day and evening and it is NOT a vacation for me if I have to cook 24X7.

A condo with oceanfront access and a pool would be ideal. The girls are 19 & 22.
Mother (80) is planning to go, so we need something low rise or with an elevator as she has mobility issues. There will be 4-5 of us, a 3 bed, 2 ba would be ideal. Wilmington seems to be the closest beach point, but as mentioned above we didn't like Topsail Island, it was too remote for us. Any suggestions Fodorites? TIA!

I am an HHI fan. Sounds like an excellent location for your group.

Look at www.vrbo.com
www.seapines.com
www.marriottvacations.com

At Sea Pines we like the Beach and Tennis Villas as well as South Beach Club.

Stump, sorry but HHI is not in the running. DD can only get away for the holiday weekend and we need a beach suggestion within 3 hours of Durham, NC.

Wilmington will not feel as remote as Topsail - a lot more going on in/around Wilmington. Other than heading down to the Myrtle Beach area (which some find too commercial/tacky), I think Wilmington area is your best bet.

I agree w/Brian, really your only option w/the time constraints + wanting activities to be nearby. Oak Island has some things + it is near Southport.