Location: Homes, Single Family, Fort Morgan, Alabama, USA (13.5 m west from Gulf Shores along Hwy 180) View Map
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 6-8)
Keywords: House
This upscale, hurricane resistant vacation home, completed in September 2006, situated on the best spot on the Alabama coastline offers discerning vacationers the best there is to enjoy a quiet relaxed time on the beach. The home has been specifically designed to cater to all those little things you would have wanted in order to provide for a hassle free time on the beach. Gulf Shores and adjacent Orange Beach to the east are rapidly expanding "tourist towns" and offer all the typical amenities expected from Gulf of Mexico beach resorts.
A $500 security deposit is required to guarantee the reservation. This deposit will be refunded within 7 days from the end of the stay, provided there is no damage or staining of the premises. There is an additional $100 deposit if you bring your dog. Max of 2 dogs allowed.
WE OPENED THE GUEST BOOK FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS VRBO WEBSITE IN MARCH 2009. THE SYSTEM IS CONTROLLED BY VRBO AND HOMEAWAY/CONNECT. OWNERS CAN ENTER COMMENTS MADE BY GUESTS IN THE "GUEST BOOK" AT THE COTTAGE. WE HAVE SELECTED A FEW AND ENTERED THEM INTO THIS VRBO COMMENT SECTION. ALL CAN BE AUTHENTICATED IF NECESSARY.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided : Beach towels and beach chairs are provided for your convenience. "Starter" items are provided as follows:Toilet paper in each bathroom and paper towels in kitchen. Hand soaps in kitchen and bathrooms, no bath soaps. Automatic dishwashing detergent but no hand dishwashing liquids. Kitchen all purpose cleaner. Coffee filters and kitchen trash bags.
- Washer
- Dryer
- Covered Parking : 3 cars can be parked on covered parking deck
- Beds
- King Bed : Bedroom 1.Select Comfort. Sleep Number bed
- Queen Bed : Bedroom 3 Select Comfort. Sleep Number bed
- Twin/Single Bed (2) : Bedroom 2
- Convertible Bed : In great room
- Crib : This can be provided on request. Please inquire.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV (4) : Flat panel TV's in great room and all bedrooms
- DVD
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided : There is a wide assortment of cooking and eating utensils and no need to bring anything additional.
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill : The grill is electric and is located on the top deck.
- Deck/Patio
- View/Location
- Beachfront : Walk down the steps and you are on the beach.
- Communications
- Telephone (4) : Only available for local and emergency use at no charge.
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Hot and cold shower and toilet located on parking deck area. Wet and sandy feet? no problem!
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : Two dogs are permitted with prior notice and permission. A $150 additional security deposit is required of which $100 will be returned after the end of the stay provided no damage atributable to the dog occurs.
- Kid Friendly : Gate on the deck for infants. Toilet and shower on parking deck area.
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : The primary renter must be over 21 years of age and accept responsibility for the care of the home.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Parasailing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Miniature golf
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Restaurants
- Shelling
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Great area for birding. Dolphins are often seen from the cottage.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
BOOKINGS ONLY Sat.3:00 PM TO NEXT Sat.9:00 AM. Winter bookings monthly.
Winter 2012/2013 Dec, Jan, Feb ....... $2,304/month.
Spring 2013 Mar 2 - Jun 1 ....... $2,360/week.
Summer 2013 Jun 1 - Jun 29 ..... $3,085/week.
Peak Summer 2013 Jun 29 - Aug 3 ...... $3,270/week.
Early Fall 2013 Aug 3 - Aug 31 ...... $2,232/week.
Fall 2013 Aug 31 - Nov 30 ..... $1,858/week
Rates INCLUSIVE of taxes and all other charges, no additional except for dogs
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Mainstay Cottage on the Beach
Year Purchased: 2004
Why the Owner Chose Homes, Single Family
In 2004 Ralph & Cheryl became very interested in the beach property where Mainstay Cottage is located. They considered it the most desirable location on the Alabama coastline and ultimately persuaded the owner to sell. Three months later it was washed away by hurricane Ivan. This turned out to be fortuitous as they now were able to build a hurricane "resistant" cottage and design it to be what renters wanted in a beach cottage. It typically remains rented a year in advance.
The Unique Benefits at this House
On one of the quietest sections of beach and being able to step down onto the white sands while staying in an upscale home, that is designed for living at the beach, is probably as idyllic as it can get.
Owner's Map of Homes, Single Family
Ralph & Cheryl Gilges retired in 2001 and came to live in the Fort Morgan area on the Alabama Coast. Ralph, who was born in South Africa, and worked in the mining industry relocated to the USA in 1974 and worked with mining companies in Utah, Idaho and Missouri. Ralph became a citizen of the United States in 1985. Cheryl hails from Missouri where she taught school in Southeast MO. In 1991 Ralph & Cheryl bought two pet supply franchise stores in South Bend & Fort Wayne, IN.
Property Photos
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- View from the waters edge - Fort Morgan Vacation House Rental
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- View from Beach Shore Drive. - Fort Morgan Vacation House Rental
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- Looking east from deck over the beach - Fort Morgan Vacation House Rental
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- Lounge area of Great Room
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- Kitchen/Dining area of Great Room
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- View from Lounge area.
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- No. 1 bedroom
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- No. 2 Bedroom
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- N0. 3 bedroom.
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- Another view of deck. Gate at steps can lock (small children & dogs)
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- No. 1 Bathroom (East side)
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- View from the East
Traveler Reviews (38)
wonderful time
Guest: beach
(minnesota)
Date of Stay: 01/01/12
Review Submitted: 02/01/12
Our stay at mainstay cottage was a dream come true for us. It was a beautiful home and the beach was beautiful. We would like to come back here soon.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
The Kurlan Family & Friends
Guest: The Kurlans
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/20/11
Review Submitted: 08/24/11
We so enjoyed our visit to your shore! Thanks for making our stay so "homey". We lacked for nothing. Ralph, we truly enjoyed the lesson of the turtles - you are such a gracious host!
Recommended for:
The Deneault family
Guest: The Deneault family
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/13/11
Review Submitted: 08/24/11
What a wonderful vacation at Mainstay Cottage. Our family enjoyed all the amenities provided, especially the outdoor shower. Favorite beach activities included skimboarding, snorkeling, crab catching and of course fishing. Met a very nice man from Foley who showed us how to catch ghost shrimp in the sand and use as bait. Caught pompano, flounder, whiting. Good eats! Also enjoyed lots of reading and cooking. Your beautiful beach view was amazing. Our children loved the neighborhood and made lots of friends!
Recommended for:
The Citrano Family
Guest: The Citrano family
(-)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11
Review Submitted: 08/24/11
We had a great week the weather & water was perfect. The house was wonderful such a well built, thought out house. Loved all the water hoses, the large parking area. Can't say enough about the place. We had the pleasure of meeting Ralph, such a nice, kind man. Maybe we will meet Cheryl next time. We will be back! Fisjing was great, my husband caught several shark, our son caught a spinner shark that was 5' 8" long. All were released back into the ocean - ASAP! I caught a flounder, red speck and many whiting. Our "4-legged" child loved the proch and people watching. We have been coming to Ft. Morgan for about 10 years. Love this area & the house was perfect.
Recommended for:
The Welter family
Guest: The Welter family
(-)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11
Review Submitted: 08/21/11
Ralph : Cheryl: We enjoyed our week at the beach VERY much!! Your home is beautiful & the views are great!! You really have thought of everything to make the cottage a home away from home. we had a special surprise early one morning - we awoke to the excitement of s sea turtle nesting! She had been captured and tagged and we were able to talk to the "turtle Patrol", take pictures and see "Lulu the sea turtle" be released once she was tagged. We definitely plan to return next year so we will be in touch soon. Thanks so much for the hospitality.
Recommended for:
The Moers party
Guest: The Moers party
(-)
Date of Stay: 06/03/11
Review Submitted: 08/21/11
Dera Ralph & Cheryl: Oh my goodness what and absolutely wonderful house and location - - you all have thought of everything to make a perfect week at the beach with family and family dogs!!! Our dogs loved the porch. We really enjoyed reading your book about the cottage and what all went into the rebuild! Can't wait to plan our next trip here.
Recommended for:
The Kessler Family
Guest: Kessler family
(-)
Date of Stay: 03/26/11
Review Submitted: 08/21/11
Ralph & Cheryl We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. All the thoughtful touches for pets, the very well equiped kitchen, the perfect location on the beach, the comfortable beds and furniture - made us feel right at home. By far one of the best places we've ever stayed! Thank you so much for your hospitality. We hope to be back soon.
Recommended for:
The Sloan Family
Guest: The Sloan family
(-)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11
Review Submitted: 08/21/11
Words can't describe how much we truly enjoyed our vacation. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful cottage with us. Like many families now a days, we seem to be so busy, that we sometimes forget what "family time" is really all about, but we have gotten to have quality family time this past week and it's greatly appreciated. It was os nice to be here at the cottage and have all the luxuries of home, but none of the hassels. I don't think there is anything that you could do to make this place any better. We've had so much fun playing on the beach, relaxing, and enjoying watching the dolphins play. Troy's mom and dad joined us for a couple of days and we celebrated his 65th birthday yesterday. He said it was one of the best birthdays he has ever had! Thank you! We're sad to be going home so soon, but we are looking forward to visiting in the future.
Recommended for:
Guest: Sunyak & Barstow families.
(-)
Date of Stay: 11/27/10
Review Submitted: 12/08/10
Our time at the shore has been great. Keep up the good fight to preserve this important reserve for the birds & wildlife. Saw a red fox tonight on the beach. Hope B.P. finishes the clean-up and moves out of the area soon. (written by the Barstows) Gorgeous Home & Area, we couldn't have asked for a Thanksgiving to be any more pleasant & enjoyable. We have stayed at many Beach Homes & Beaches, this was the best supplied, maintained & organized, with great "homey" touches! (written by the Sunyaks)
Recommended for:
Guest: Moore
(-)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10
Review Submitted: 12/08/10
Dear Cheryl & Ralph: Thanks for sharing lovely Mainstay. We have enjoyed our month here and will return next year. Our adult children love this also. It's so relaxing just sitting on the deck & watching the dolphins play, seeing the fish jumping and watching the birds dive for food. We fished, crabbed and just relaxed. The Moores, Pensacola, FL.
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #119550
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