Seawind by Southern Vacation Rentals

The ocean was right there. We could crack the primary bedroom door and hear the waves day and night, and my MIL, who was sick and couldn’t get to the beach, still felt close to it from the porch or bed. The pools were gorgeous, new, and clean, and the condo itself was spotless, nicely decorated, and felt secure. I did worry about the railings, though. They seemed low for a condo this high, especially with little ones who might climb them. The patio furniture was nice, the sofas and mattresses were comfortable, and having laundry was a plus. There were plenty of dishes and silverware, good appliances, and nice shower pressure. We heard people mention elevator trouble, but from the 18th floor, unit 1802, we always seemed to catch one. This was a favorite spot for us.

The balcony and direct Gulf view were stunning, with the waves rolling in below. That’s what lifted this otherwise four-star condo to five stars for me. Parking was the big drawback: only a few garage spots fit a full-size SUV, and most large vehicles have to use the tight outdoor spaces. If you drive something large, I’d try to get a spot by 5pm. There are plenty of restaurants and shops close enough to walk to. Elevator waits can run long, and the doors shut quickly, so hold them. Bring your own toiletries and supplies. The location is very walkable, right by one of the best soft sandy beaches in the world.

The beach was incredible, with shells, dolphins, a stingray coming right up to shore, little crabs to catch at night, and even jellyfish that were fun to see. We stayed in Seawind 404, and the 50 ft balcony was a dream, with three ways to get out from inside. The condo was beautiful and came stocked with a beach wagon and toys. There was a full kitchen, though the food was awesome. We had to wait for the elevator sometimes, which I expected in a larger condo. My one suggestion is a bigger pool for the number of guests the place accommodates. Everything else was amazing, and I’d highly recommend staying here.

We loved unit 404 and would happily come back. The room had everything we needed for the week, from a well equipped kitchen with stainless appliances to comfortable beds, nice furniture and electronics, and a huge balcony with seating for eight. The tile and stone floors looked great, too. Customer service was spot on: when we had a small issue, Southern Vacation Rentals handled it right away. A few things around the property could use attention. The pool is too small for the number of rooms, and the pool decks and boardwalks need regular cleaning because sand and dirt get tracked everywhere. Also, the vendor sets up 50-60 beach chairs each day, taking up more than half the beach. More than half were empty, making it cramped for guests who don’t want to pay for chairs and an umbrella. Even with those issues, we loved the condo and the property. Highly recommended.