Location: Private Homes, 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)
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
- Washer
- Dryer
- 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.
- Covered Parking: 3 cars can be parked on covered parking deck
- Beds
- King Bed: Bedroom 1.
- Queen Bed: Bedroom 3
- 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 (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Parasailing
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Miniature golf
- Other Activities
- Great area for birding. Dolphins are often seen from the cottage.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Winter .. Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb .... $2,090/month.
Spring .. Feb 28 - May 23 ...... $2,140/week.
Summer .. May 23 - Jun 27 ..... $2,798/week.
Peak Summer .. Jun 27 - Aug 1 ...... $3,024/week.
Early Fall ... Aug 1 - Aug 29 ...... $2,025/week.
Fall ......... Aug 30 - Nov 01 .... $1,685/week .. $3,066/month.
Rates inclusive of all other charges, no additional except for dogs
Bookings made prior to Dec.31,2009 for 2010 will be guaranteed at 2009 rates.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Map & Owner's Profile
Mainstay Cottage on the Beach
Year Purchased: 2004
Why the Owner Chose Private Homes
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 Private Homes
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
- View from the waters edge - Fort Morgan Vacation House Rental
- View from Beach Shore Drive. - Fort Morgan Vacation House Rental
- Looking east from deck over the beach - Fort Morgan Vacation House Rental
- Lounge area of Great Room
- Kitchen/Dining area of Great Room
- View from Lounge area.
- No. 1 bedroom
- No. 2 Bedroom
- N0. 3 bedroom.
- Another view of deck. Gate at steps can lock (small children & dogs)
- No. 1 Bathroom (East side)
- View from the East
Guest Comments (21)
First (10) of (21). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #119550
There have been 25391 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2007.
This listing was first published here in 2007.
Date last modified - November 20, 2009
Positive Rating
Thank you for delivering on what you promised. All was better than expected. Being able to have a shady place on the lower deck for our fiar-skinned baby was nice. We also enjoyed playing with all the "new" beach toys. We made sweet memories with our family and that's what it's all about, Right!??
Positive Rating
We could not have expected a more perfect vacation! Your special touches around the house kept the grandkids entertained and happy. We couldn't have been happier with the house, the beach, and the views. Thank you for allowing us to share your house. We will hopefully see you again soon. It was a pleasure to meet you both.(and Daisy)
Positive Rating
We came to celebrate my 60th birthday. What an excellent weekwe had. Davis & Debbie Gorman told us how nice the house and beach were, but the experience was even better. Thanks for opening up your house.
Positive Rating
Dear Ralph, Cheryl and Daisy, Words can't express how much we enjoyed our stay. This was the best by far. You truly have thought of everything. I enjoyed reading about the house and the pictures of the old house. Hope to see you again soon! Monica May.
Positive Rating
dear Cheryl and Ralph, Thank you for allowing us to stay in your wonderful home this week. We lacked for nothing! I wish I could say that our "dishwasher service call" was simply a lure to have you visit, Ralph, because we so enjoyed chatting with a fellow private pilot and internationally well traveled fellow! Next time we come(and there definitely will be a next time!), we'll remember that "CL" on the dishwasher means "close tightly, dummy!" All the extras were so well thought out - toys for the kids, a plethora of wonderful books, strategically placed hoses, HD TV, etc. We really enjoyed the binder you thoughtfully put together with local information, history of your house, excerpts from instruction manuals, and environmental/birding facts. What a wonderful touch. Please look us up if you are ever in Houston. We would love to have you over for dinner! Kim, John, Natalie(4 1/2), Patrick (1 1/2) and Baby Boy (en utero).
Positive Rating
Cheryl & Ralph. Thank you very much for sharing your home with our family. It was perfect and we had a wonderful week - the weather was great and the house was perfect. We love to cook and we really appreciated the well stocked kitchen. Everyone enjoyed reading the informative book on the neighborhood and history of the area. I am sad that the wooden man disappeared - the children loved him. Thanks again and we'll see you soon I hope! Sallie, Ben, Lala, Morris, Katie and Heath.
Positive Rating
Janey Menner , St. Louis, MO
Positive Rating
Rich and Betsy Monke , Springfield, IL
Positive Rating
Thanks for everything! We appreciate your attention to detail. Not only was Mainstay a wonderful home but it is also equipped with everything one needs to enjoy a months vacation - "a home away from home". Although it was cool in terms of temperature, virtually every day had enough sun for us to get our walks on the beach. We followed the weather back in TC Mich and they had several days below zero F. plus lots of snow! We would love to stay here again if the opportunity presents.
Positive Rating
I am fully prepared to go home and pout because I had to leave the beach and your beautiful home! Alas real life must go on ---- This has truly been a wonderful vacation! Your home is lovely and you have thought of everything that we could possibly need! Our family had a wonderful, relaxing week together. Polly (the dog) loved her time here also). I think she could easily become a "beach dog" I certainly look forward to returning. You have given our family such a blessing by providing this awesome place for us! Thank you, thank you. God bless you both.