May 2008 | Sunset Beach | By Marlane Bundock

Sunset Beach, North Carolina Site Visit

Off The Atlantic Coast's Beaten Path To 'Sea Trail'

Tucked between Wilmington, N.C., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., North Carolina's Brunswick County may not be as well known as its neighbors to the north and south, but it's this unfamiliarity that makes it so intriguing. The county offers a strand of islands and mainland towns where the condo phenomenon has not made its reach; instead, wooden planked homes resting on stilts remain the preferred style of residence.

The most southern island in the county is Sunset Beach. Similar to the other Brunswick Islands, Sunset Beach has a pristine beach that graces the Atlantic Ocean. Yet, Sunset offers a 900-foot fishing pier and the Sea Trail Golf Resort and Convention Center, which can be found just across the island's one-lane Intracoastal Waterway bridge on the mainland.

Sea Trail is a 2,000-acre, three-course golf resort that houses one of the largest convention facilities on the North Carolina coast with more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and function space, most of which is found within its convention center and other unique settings.

The well-serviced convention facility, the Sea Trail Convention Center, is able to host events such as the 2007 North Carolina Governor's Conference on Tourism. Here, the Carolina Ballroom can be divided into three salons, each with 3,382 square feet of meeting space and theater-styled seating for up to 350.

Ideal for receptions and other casual events, the 9,600-square-foot Palm Court Center is a climate-controlled special events tent that is situated along a lagoon and gardens.

The Jones/Byrd Clubhouse is adjacent to the convention center and between the 18th holes of both the Rees Jones and the Willard Byrd-designed golf courses. The clubhouse has several meeting rooms, including a ballroom that can serve a catered dinner for up to 300 and local fare and live music at Magnolias Fine Food and Spirits, a newly renovated dining facility and bar.

These meeting venues are not only surrounded by the three golf courses but also by the area's natural wooded terrain, guest rooms and villa-styled accommodations. The resort also offers a golf pro shop and the availability to have custom golf clubs made for each guest.

For relaxation and for group events, the Village Activity Center provides an indoor and outdoor pool, whirlpools, a massage facility and a small events room.