Oceanside 99

The room was huge, right on the ocean, with a large wraparound balcony. It was clean and everything worked, with a good cable package that included HBO and plenty of other channels. Some of the furniture looked dated, but that didn’t bother me. The pool was closed for maintenance for half the week, which was no big deal. Ron and the staff were extremely helpful and gave us lots of information. I also liked the security: the garage locks when the office staff leave, and the gate and doors use room keys. My first stay with 99 was a great one.

The beds were really comfortable, and the patio doors sealed so well that even fierce wind made no noise inside. We visited with friends in December 2022, and the staff were so friendly and accommodating that it felt like we were part of the family. The location is awesome, too. The condos had recently been refreshed, though the bedding and pillows could still be updated. They were like what you’d find in a low-rent motel, so I was glad I brought my own pillow. If you drink tea, bring a kettle, since there wasn’t one in our unit.

The people who come here are still the real treasure, and I remember when the place had more of a family feel. These days, though, I don’t get much of a welcoming vibe from the building or staff. Staff can be friendly when they feel like it, but the nasty notes and threatening messages around the property over trivial things are a real turnoff. There’s very little shade outside apart from an umbrella, so the grills and other outdoor areas are exposed to the weather. This is Florida, and it rains nearly every day. Inside, the couch feels like a cactus, the beds are ancient and uncomfortable, and the pillows and blankets leave a lot to be desired. Appliances are noisy or don’t work properly, the phone doesn’t work, and the TVs are crooked on their mounts. One neighboring unit needed plumbing work, so repairs started at 8 a.m. in a vacation rental condominium. The units aren’t very clean, more like motel cleanliness. It’s not horrible or filthy, but it’s far from clean. There are fewer amenities than in my apartment at home, and there’s no hot tub. The modest pool at home is about the same size. The place has gone downhill since my family owned this week and unit from when it was built in 1985. It needs heavy updating, and it breaks my heart to say this will probably be my last visit. It feels roughly like any modern apartment, and I don’t feel like I’m on vacation.

We’ve owned a week here for 40 years. The suites and balconies are large, with plenty of room for two, four, or six people. We haven’t used the pool since our grandkids were little, but it still looks inviting.