Club Wyndham at the Cottages

The rooms are very nice, but our in-room spa tub was a disappointment. When we arrived it wouldn't turn on, and maintenance found that the breaker had tripped. Once it was running, the jets barely moved the water. Maintenance came back and said that was normal and as good as they get. He also said they were removing the spa tubs in the next remodel. I went to the front desk to complain, and they offered to call maintenance again. The same guy? The desk staff also mentioned the tubs were being removed. Not what you want to hear as an unhappy guest. I booked partly because of that tub, so I guess they don't want me back. I also thought I was booking an oceanfront room, but what we got was an ocean-view room.

Our room was on the sixth floor of Tower 4 during Memorial Day weekend, when a bike rally was going on. We barely heard it and had a pleasant stay. The elevator could be slow at busy times, but the room was clean, the people were nice, and the view was beautiful. Yes, we could see the beach.

The indoor pool downstairs was perfect for our little ones when the regular pool felt too chilly, even though it was warm outside. It was rarely crowded. We also enjoyed the hot tubs, the fireplace and rocking chairs, and a Fire Lua show on the pool deck while eating cookout BBQ. The magic show was fun too, and we'd enjoyed karaoke on past visits. I keep meaning to try a craft session, but there's always so much else to do. The game room has free board and card games to borrow, plus oversized Jenga, Connect 4, shuffleboard, air hockey, arcade games with a prize ticket machine, and an old Xbox with a few games. The gift shop has fair prices, toiletries, and convenience items, and the cafe is nearby. Those spaces connect to the pool decks in Tower 2, the main tower on the beach. Getting from Tower 4 across the street to the beach was easy with our infant and toddler. We used a double stroller and the direct route had gentle ramps, so we didn't have to carry much. I'm lazy, so I appreciated how easy it was to get the stroller onto the beach. There's a shower at the ramp to rinse off the sand, and the wristbands with key card access let us get back to the property and pool decks. Even across the street, our porch had a beach view, and we loved having breakfast at its table and chairs. We've stayed here several times and always enjoy it. We've tried both the two- and three-bedroom suites and used the pullout bed in the living room. They're clean and have what we need for the kitchen and bathroom, including soap, pots and pans, and beach towels. The beds were very comfortable, including the pullout couch my parents used. The front door is heavy, so I wasn't worried about my toddler getting out, though next time I might bring something for the sliding porch door, which he figured out how to open. The kitchen made it easy to prepare most of our meals. Kroger and Walmart are just down the street, and we've even had local family over to eat. We've also made Thanksgiving dinner in the room with several families. Parking takes a moment to figure out, but once you know your way through the garages it's easy, even with a large stroller or luggage cart. In mid-May, during Mother's Day week, our extra-long, tall 15-passenger Mercedes Sprinter van fit in the overflow parking lot and garage behind building 4. We parked on the top floor and came and went several times a day without trouble. Peak season might be busier for a tall oversized van like ours. All the staff have been so cheerful and friendly, even when you pass them working away from the busiest areas. They're always smiling and open doors for you.

The two-bedroom deluxe apartment was spacious and comfortable, with a practical layout that gave our group room to relax. The resort has activities and amenities to keep people of different ages busy, and lots of restaurants are just a short walk away, from casual places to fine dining. It's easy to find somewhere to eat. The standout for us was the location: a spectacular view and direct access to the beach, so you can step right onto the sand and hear the waves. If you're not a property owner, be aware that a marketing presentation may be part of the stay. Not everyone will enjoy that, but we found it a minor consideration alongside the location and comfortable, lively setting.