My wife and I booked this stay 4 months in advance, looking forward to a stay after the crowds of summer had gone. Our stay was during Labor Day week and we were not disappointed. We could see the ocean from our 2nd floor room and walk to the water's edge in maybe 3-4 minutes. There are a few nice, neighborhood stores in easy walking distance that cater to most needs and offer basic dining and the shopkeepers are really friendly. Met several people in the neighborhood and they were friendly as well.
The unit accepts pets, but you'll need to bring supplies and equipment for your pet. There's a good supply of dishes and silverware that will need to be handwashed as you use them since there isn't a dishwasher, but unless you're doing some serious cooking, it only takes a few minutes anyway. The days were in the mid-80s and the AC unit was able to keep the room comfortable and easy to operate. The ceiling fan also helped with comfort levels. The love seat was a nice size for the two of us to sit on and watch TV, though we really didn't watch it much. The queen size Sealy bed mattress was comfortable and pleasantly firm, but not too firm.
If you are looking for the offerings of a more commercialized area, Ocean Isle is only about 10-15 minutes away. We liked that option because Sunset Beach was nice and quiet.
Would we stay here again? Absolutely.