Commodore's Retreat #205 by Southern Vacation Rentals

The view was lovely, and having an elevator and boardwalk saved time. But the unit was small and dated, with paper-thin walls and floors and unreliable Wi-Fi. We later learned the tub was cracked and leaking into the unit below. The HOA maintenance representative came in without knocking, left without fixing it, and told us we couldn't shower for the rest of the trip. We had just one bathroom, and we were there to enjoy the beach, so a working shower mattered. After several attempts to reach the vacation rental company, their solution was to give us the code to a house where we could shower. It wasn't within walking distance, and we were only allowed to use the shower, not stay there. We had to pack our toiletries, get in our car while still sandy from the beach, and drive over. The code didn't work when we arrived. They didn't offer a late checkout or partial refund, and didn't apologize. Unacceptable.

The rooms were beautiful and the location was excellent. I did worry about the cracks under the building and the elevator's past inspection date. I'm sure everything is fine, but hearing horror stories makes you want to know whether the foundation cracks mean anything.

Getting a two-year-old on and off the beach was easier thanks to all the accommodations, and the buggies by the elevator made unloading and reloading the car a breeze. I honestly loved the place, but it was dirty. Whoever cleaned between guests did a horrible job. When we arrived, there were Cheez-Its under the couch. Now, as I'm getting ready to leave, I've found HIMS pill packets (Viagra) under the dresser and bed, along with loads of dust and insects everywhere.

The ocean area was great, and the view was beautiful apart from a building sticking out to the right and blocking part of it. The beds were uncomfortable, and the top bunk had no guard to stop my daughter falling, which made me anxious. The TV in the living room didn't work, though luckily we're not big TV watchers. Get out early to set up your chair, because the rental place acts like it owns the beach once it arrives. You have to go out to the ocean to actually see sunrise or sunset. There's not much to do in town. You can see it all in half a day, then you'd have to drive an hour for anything else. It's fine if you want a very quiet place. Our last night, people showed up around 2 a.m. and stayed ridiculously loud outside for hours, yelling profanity and waking my other daughter. We couldn't sleep. It would've been nice if someone on the premises could've asked them to quiet down and go inside.