Lighthouse Condominiums by Bender Vacation Rentals

The balcony was a highlight, with a table and four chairs, two gliders, and a chaise lounge. We were right on the beach, close to dining, and the unit had its own washer and dryer, which I liked.

Our condo, 407, was spacious for three guests, nicely decorated, and had comfortable beds and furniture. It was also so quiet that with the doors closed we couldn't hear the waves. The view was amazing. The one issue was the master bathtub: its drain stopper gets stuck closed, and the water heater doesn't provide enough hot water to fill the tub for using the jets.

Lighthouse Condominiums felt secure, with a private beach, wristbands required on the grounds, and several security guards. Staff were friendly when we saw them. The beach is extremely easy to reach, probably a football field or less from the water. The complex is centrally located, an easy drive to gift shops, restaurants, and activities. The pool and lounge areas were clean and roomy, including a heated indoor pool, two outdoor pools, and two hot tubs. Open pool hours, 8:30AM to 10:30PM, gave us lots of time to enjoy the Alabama sun, and it never felt too crowded even over spring break. There was also a gym that looked clean. Parking took some care because of the straight-on spaces, support beams, one-way traffic, and tight turns, but it was nice to have the car covered. Chairs and umbrellas are available to rent for $45 for two chairs and an umbrella, plus $20 for an extra chair. I'd suggest bringing your own beach gear. We booked through AirBnB, so I'll review our room and stay separately there.

We spent a very enjoyable week here with my wife, April 19th-26th. The location is phenomenal and the people working there are great, so I'd highly recommend the place. The issue was the management company, Liquid Life. They ignored phone calls and texts and were very unprofessional. Stay here if you can do it without having Liquid Life as your host.