Beautifully Decorated - Perfect Vacation

Guest: Lump Sum (Franklin, TN)
Date of Stay: 08/14/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

I am no stranger to Okaloosa Island and have been going there for years but this was my first trip to El Matador... It was amazing. The beach was perfect and the condo was beautifully decorated and perfectly accomodating. I will definitely try to stay here again on my next visit. The owners keep the place in great shape and I have honestly never slept on a more comfortable bed outside of my own house than the one at this unit. The property is beautifully kept, has 24 hour security at the check-in gate and it is at the very end of the island so there is a TON of private beach space. I had a great time while I was here and I wish I'd found this place many years ago!

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Beautiful

Guest: allie (Nashville, TN)
Date of Stay: 05/31/11 Review Submitted: 06/25/11

I would highly recommend this property. The condo was clean, well-maintained and very family friendly! The owner was very nice and answered all of my questions I had about the property. The beach is absolutely beautiful. Great location, very quiet, wonderful for taking long walks on the beach or street. My family and I will definitely go back!!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Best Beach Vacation Yet!

Guest: EMAN (Columbus, OH)
Date of Stay: 06/04/11 Review Submitted: 06/09/11

I have been to Florida with my wife and Kids many many times. This one was our best yet. The pools and location on the beach was so private I felt like we owned the beach! I love walking on the beach and this was extraordinary. The location is set far enough back that it felt private and yet we were still close enough to everything we wanted including Destin activities. I would HIGHLY reccommend thsi to anyone!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, pet owners, adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, people with disabilities, girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Filthy & owner doesn't care.

Guest: John (royal oak, mi, 48073)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

I brought my family here the week before Easter. We've rented dozens of cottages, condos, hotel rooms and camped. Our biggest criteria is clean and safe. This was safe. But it was unquestionably the most disgustingly dirty rental we've ever encountered in 24 years. When we arrived, the tile floor appeared be be a granite-like pattern that ran through kitchen, hallway and bath. After dripping some water on it shortly thereafter, we were horrified to find that the tile was actually white. I am not exaggerating - this wasn't a little gray. This was shocking. The toilet seat was one of those cushion styles -- but was old, cracked and stained yellow with urine on bottom. The shower curtain was covered with mildew and mold. The dishes and pans had food dried on them. There were 3 bath towels for a condo that sleeps 6, no towel or dish rag at all in kitchen -- not even a scrubber for dishes (perhaps explaining the food caked on dishes). The tub was spray-painted copper color and the bottom had turned black. The carpet had tracks of dirt. My wife was in tears after a 16 hour drive. So we ended up at Target our first evening; buying a new toilet seat, tub mat, shower curtain, bucket, sponge, dish rags, carpet cleaner, floor cleaner, etc. By midnight, our first night, we had completely scoured everything, including washing all dishes. We were literally on our knees scrubbing someone else's disgusting mess. I took before and after pictures and emailed owner. He never ONCE apologized, but instead became mad that I would even complain "I've never had a complaint, you are the first one". That's irrelevant. The place was filthy and he admitted he had not seen it in 4 months. I asked for my money back for the remaining nights and he refused. Only after MUCH debate, he offered to refund the cleaning fee. Gee, thanks. All I wanted was compensation for all the supplies I had to buy. Yet it never came and had to send 3 emails to get him to finally send it (2 months later). Even then, without even a hint of apology from him -- he even used all caps saying i was the only one that ever complained. I have pictures that would make you wince -- but the site won't allow me to post a link. Too bad, as I could have said nothing in this review; simply showed you the pics. They don't speak, they scream for themselves. As a complex, the El Matador and beach is phenomenal. There were thirty families with us and their condos were exceptional...

Owner response:I do not know who this is. Please read the real reviews.

Recommended for:

Beach Lovers

Guest: Dawn (Madison, AL)
Date of Stay: 04/08/11 Review Submitted: 04/14/11

Our family of 5 had a wonderful time at this condo. It's very spacious & comfortable. We even had room for an inflatable twin mattress in the master BR. There is a walk-in closet in the master w/beach chairs & toys, a nicely stocked kitchen w/pantry, & 2 sink areas off the bathroom to do hair & makeup in. It's not totally updated, but has been nicely painted & decorated, and is very nicely furnished. It doesn't overlook the beach, but it's right near the heated pool and has a very large back porch overlooking the yard & pretty homes across the street, as well as the Santa Rosa Sound (waterway between Okaloosa Island & the mainland). The complex is right next door to the Eglin AFB property, so you rarely see any cars on the street - it is very peaceful. There is a coin-operated laundry 2 doors down & it was very convenient whenever we needed it. We met the housekeeper - she is a sweetheart & she did a great job! The unit is very clean - and that's coming from someone who has a cleaning business of their own! The only recommendation I'd give is to bring extra bath towels along if you stay here - we only had 4 in the unit. The owner was VERY helpful & was always available if we needed him. This unit is very affordable & close to everything. Thank you, Dave for your hospitality!

Owner response:Thanks Dawn, glad you had a great time

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway, families with young children.

Great family vacation for young and older. Beautiful beach.

Guest: Beach lovin' family. (Fort Thomas, KY)
Date of Stay: 04/10/10 Review Submitted: 03/22/11

My family of 5 had a great stay at this beutiful condo. Ft. Walton Beach is a fantastic family vacation spot. The owner was very easy to communicate with and easy to deal with. Everything was as described and more. Preparing meals was great and good resturants were nearby. The beach is great here, with the government property next door providing miles of private beach. We will definitely be back for another stay. Thank you.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children.

Amazingly Comfortable

Guest: King Family (Pryor, OK)
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 06/25/10

The condo was fully stocked with a wide variety of items for the beach and the kitchen had everything we needed. The owner was so easy to communicate with either by phone or email. The beach is amazing and very clean. We stayed a week and only saw a few tar balls the size of a quarter. I wish we could go ahead and stay another week, but we do intend to come back for another visit soon.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Guest: Amanda77 (Morristown TN)
Date of Stay: 02/12/10 Review Submitted: 02/12/10

Our family had a wonderful time in this condo at El Matador. It has lovely decor and comfortable furniture and beds. It was also well stocked with things you need for fun at the beach! I appreciated plenty of family-friendly kitchen items I never would have thought to bring but needed in the kitchen to prepare meals. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience. Hope to visit again this year!!

Owner response:Thanks Amanda See You next year

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