Gulfview I #205

For what we paid, I expected a cleaner, better-prepared unit, but this stay fell far short. The listing photos showed a comfortable, well-maintained place that didn’t match what we found. There was dust on the shelves, furniture, and other surfaces, stains on the furniture, dirty floors, and bugs inside the refrigerator. Empty water bottles left by previous guests also made me question the cleaning standards. The kitchen wasn’t ready for guests either. The sponge looked dirty and used, there were no paper towels, and basic cleanliness was lacking. The listing says the unit accommodates up to six, but we were given only two face towels and four bath towels, which wasn’t enough. There was no beach access despite the property’s proximity to the beach, parking was limited, and there was no washer or dryer. I would not recommend this property or book it again.

The pool is great, whether you go during the day or at night, and the maintenance crew is really nice. The place is kept up very well. The beach is walkable, though it’s a bit of a trek, so bring a wagon or pack light.

We picked these condos for spring break, then found out at check-in that we had to buy $40 wristbands or risk being locked out of our room. That requirement wasn’t in the listing. The bands weren’t just for using the amenities, either. After 8 p.m., someone checked them at every entrance, and guests without one were turned away, even if they were with someone who had a band. I understand wanting to keep things safe, but it felt like a way to make money. If the goal was to let only staying guests in, they could have given us wristbands for free.

They charge for parking, and you need wristbands to use the pool. The guy guarding it had a terrible attitude and didn’t know how to speak to people. At 10:58 p.m. he yelled at us that the pool closed at 11, giving us a two-minute warning. The rooms were really run down, like they hadn’t been updated since the ’80s. The sheets and lampshades were torn. I don’t know how this place has a 4.5 rating.