North Breakers #411 by Hodnett Cooper

We had a relaxing two-week stay two weeks after Labor Day. The gated property was quiet, with plenty of parking in the lot and on the ground floor. Our updated, clean end unit faced the beach and was lovely, with a well-equipped kitchen, good furniture, and separate bathrooms for each bedroom. Stairs nearby made it easy to get to the pool, hot tub, and beach walkway, and there was an elevator in the middle of the building. There were several places to rinse sand off feet and beach gear. The walk to the beach was the hard part. Rain all week, along with the marsh and brush behind the dunes, left a muddy slog with water up to 9 inches deep in places. It apparently developed over the last couple of years, and hauling beach gear and kids back and forth was messy. Check aerial pictures and ask whether the path and backwater have dried out before booking. We also had trouble with the pool and spa water. Three bathing suits were bleached out and became almost transparent. After that, I found two unrinsed one-gallon bottles of muriatic acid in the trash, which could have caused severe burns. I didn't have the right gear to handle or rinse them. I had called Hodnett Cooper about the first damaged suit before finding the acid, and they assured me pool maintenance was being done properly. Ask HC whether they've improved the pool and spa water treatment and are disposing of hazardous chemicals properly. The cloudy, rainy weather wasn't the facility's or Hodnett Cooper's fault.

We loved the place and the surrounding area. St Simons is the jewel of the eastern sea board. The beach access is awesome, the pool is nice, the facilities are clean, and there's plenty of parking. It was a heat wave at the end of July, though, and there wasn't any breeze on the balcony.

The town and area were thoroughly enjoyable, and all the staff were super nice and helpful. The beach was great, though troublesome gnats showed up now and then. We loved the fireworks on the fourth, a GREAT DISPLAY. The condo was comfortable and worked out well, though a little dated. I do wish there had been an assigned parking spot!

We stayed in November and December and will return. The grounds and buildings were very well maintained, and the enclosed private property was accessible only to owners and guests. Parking was plentiful, split between the garage and outside. The garage elevator reaches all floors, and the luggage and grocery carts were handy. It's dog friendly, with a potty area and filled bag dispenser, plus two bike racks inside the garage. The tropical landscaping has palms, bananas, and hibiscus. Around the pool there's a deep main pool, a one-foot kiddie pool, a Jacuzzi, lots of loungers, sun umbrellas, and tables. The main pool wasn't heated. There are two charcoal grills, not gas. A gated boardwalk leads to the beach and has a shower and foot wash. The beach is fantastic, very wide at low tide, from about 150 yards to more than triple that from dunes to water. The hard sand makes it easy to walk for hours.