Summerwind West 1403

We'd had bad experiences before with rented houses or apartments that looked different once we arrived, so we were nervous. This place turned out to be great: very clean, a good view, and affordable for what we got. The pool was clean, there was a hot tub and easy beach access, and the pier nearby was clean. The office is only minutes away, and the staff there were very accommodating.

Navarre has beautiful beaches, and the resort itself is nice enough, though not great. They hire private security and are pretty strict about the rules. Drinks can't be within 4 feet of the pools unless it's bottled water, so if you like sipping an adult beverage while relaxing in the pool, this isn't the place for you. The walkway ramp to the beach is narrow, too. When two people with beach carts meet on it, one has to wait for the other to cross. That's just my opinion, but for me the place is neither bad nor great.

The location is the only good thing about this place for the price. We've stayed twice, and both times the room had serious problems: the AC went out on one visit, and the refrigerator leaked water everywhere on the next. They wouldn't fix the AC until the following day, in the middle of summer heat, and never came to repair the fridge. The rules are extremely strict, including no drinks anywhere near the pool. Even though the pool is open until 10, cleaning staff lock the building doors, so you have to walk all the way around to the front entrance to get back in. We gave it a second chance, but won't be back.

After our third stay, and having stayed in all three buildings, we won't be back to Summerwind. The property management is ridiculous. I understand controlling unauthorized parking, but the car boot policy feels like a way to gouge guests after we've paid $5,000 to rent a unit. Our tag blew down in the wind when we opened the door. There should at least be a way to prove you're a resident, or they should install a gate like the other condo properties nearby. Money is tight enough in this economy, and paying $275 to remove a boot that took five minutes or less to put on took money away from my family that could've gone to food or activities. Shame on you all.