Vacation Rentals by Owner

Wonderful time at the Laughing Dolphin

Guest: Raggs (Palos Heights, IL)
Date of Stay: 05/12/12 Review Submitted: 05/23/12

This was our second vacation at the Laughing Dolphin, a great place to stay across from St. Joe Beach. The owners, Rick & Pat Krause, provide everything and more that you could possibly need to make your visit really special. They even provide some wonderful goodies to get their guests started. The home-made chocolate chip cookies are the best!!!! The rates are the most reasonable that you will find anywhere up & down the Gulf Coast. We always enjoy swimming in the backyard community pool that we usually have all to ourselves. The beach is always inviting with it's white sands and cool breezes, even on a hot day. Best of all, access is a short walk across the street. We love the ocean and spend a lot of time there relaxing and swimming. Our only regret is that we've never seen any dophins, but there's still time in future stays there, we hope. Thought we spotted some one day, but they turned out to be large "dolphin" birds, verified with the binoculars provided. The house is so comfy and decorated exactly to our taste! Every kitchen appliance & tool is right at your fingertips, especially appreciated by us, as we like to eat in most of the time. Lots of beautiful dishes & glasses to choose from. We hope to be able to return in the near future. It's a long drive from the Chicago area, but is definitely worth it!!!!

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

FANTASTIC PLACE TO STAY

Guest: Terri (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 05/05/12 Review Submitted: 05/17/12

My family of 3 just got back from St. Joe Beach and stayed at the Laughing Dolphin. I have been going to the panhandle for 35 years and usually stayed in Panama City or Seagrove Beach. St. Joe Beach is much more relaxing and not as busy with traffic etc. The beach is great and this house is just beautiful. We had more than enough room in the house and the pictures don't do it justice. There is a deck in the front and back of the house which we used every day. The front deck has a great view of the beach and we watched the dolphins every morning swimming by. Rick and Patricia (owners) left us 2 bottles of wine that did not go to waste and the most delicious cookies. We came back from the beach every day and went for a swim in the pool and there was never anybody else there. The neighborhood is wonderful and we took a drive to Cape San Blas which was worth the drive. We also were right in the middle of Panama City and Appalichocola so drove to both places to visit and ate meals there, although there are great restaurants right there in St Joe and Mexico Beach. The grocery store down the street called The Dollar General grocery store was great to shop at. The food prices were great. Would highly recommend The Dolphin and we will certainly look forward to going back there.

Owner response:Thank you very much, Jean. It was our pleasure to have you as our guests and we look forward to your return. Rick & Patricia

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

The PERFECT weekend for our family.

Guest: Erin D. (Mayo, FL)
Date of Stay: 10/22/11 Review Submitted: 10/27/11

We loved our stay at the Laughing Dolphin! The home is beautifully furnished and decorated. The kitchen has absolutely anything that you could need if you stayed there a month. Our children loved the kid themed dishes, glasses and silverwear. It made them feel right at home. Our son has decided that he doesn't want his room at home anymore, he wants us to turn it in to a "Bunk-Area" like the one at Rick and Patricia's. He thought that was the most fun! Upon our arrival we were blessed to find delicious home-baked cookies. And in the evening, we got to watch the dolphins playing right in front of the house. It was amazing! The home also has books...lots and lots of books. Which was perfect for our family. The children also loved the movie library, with several of their favorites included. The beds were very comfortable. And the sunset from the porch every night was definately one of God's own masterpieces. The hot water heater was large enough that our entire family got showers and we didn't run out of hot water...a definate plus. We loved this home so much that I told my husband we needed to purchase it. But so far, I've been unable to convince him. :o( if your plans bring you to this area, I highly recommend the Laughing Dolphin! Thank you Rick & Patricia!

Owner response:Patricia and I are so pleased that your family had such a great time and enjoyed not only the Laughing Dolphin as a home but the amenities we provide to make it just a bit homier. We anxiously await your next visit. We must add that your children are so well behaved that we hardly knew there were four kids in the house. It was only the childrens' books being read that gave it away. Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

First trip to St Joe Beach will not be our last!

Guest: April (Charlotte NC)
Date of Stay: 09/25/11 Review Submitted: 10/05/11

My boyfriend & I recently made our first trip to the FL gulf & stayed at the Laughing Dolphin. We loved it & it will not be our last! Rick & Patricia have a very clean, cozy & welcoming home. We were welcomed with wine, cheese & homemade cookies that were to die for! The home is located in a great area; close to a gas station & Dollar General. The pool is also a bonus; I do believe we could have had it to ourselves for the week. Overall the Laughing Dolphin is perfect for a couple or family. I would recommend this to all my friends & family & look forward to staying again in the future. Thanks Rick & Patricia for helping to make our stay so wonderful & memorable!

Owner response:April, Thanks for the glowing comments. We are happy that your vacation at the Laughing Dolphin was memorable and hope to have you as a guest in the future. Even though it is a "community" pool most of our guests feel that is almost private. We're glad you enjoyed our welcome gifts. Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Relaxing & Refreshing

Guest: Whimsey (Gainesville FL)
Date of Stay: 09/23/11 Review Submitted: 09/26/11

We stayed only 2 nights, boo-hoo, wish we could have stayed many more! This house is well laid-out and so very comfy! The kitchen is better outfitted than my own so people who love to cook will be all set here. View=gorgeous! Super-clean and neat all over. 1 minute walk to the uncrowded, white sandy beach. Love!

Owner response:Lynn, Thank you for the kind review. We hope you will find time to return to visit longer. Glad you enjoyed the "time zone" history lesson. Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Great Getaway for my new family

Guest: Mark, and Elle (Wewahitchka, FL)
Date of Stay: 09/06/11 Review Submitted: 09/29/11

We Live close so we can speak for the entire area when we say Port St Joe Beach, and Mexico Beach is one of the best places to visit, and live. My husband and I rented this vacation home for his family to come be with us for our wedding in a local small town. I was very impressed by how clean and beautiful everything was. Rick and Patricia were amazing in everything. and from the very start made everyone feel very welcome. Thank you for giving me piece of mind during a joyous, but stressful time. You make our wedding something to remember!

Owner response:Mark & Gizelle, We were pleased that we could play a small part in making your big day successful. Our goal is to provide our guests with a most relaxing and unforgettable vacation, so much so that they want to return. We hope to see you in the future. Rick & Patricia

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

Great Vacation!!

Guest: Bridget (Alabama)
Date of Stay: 07/23/11 Review Submitted: 08/11/11

Rick and Patricia, Thank you for allowing us to rent your house. This was my first trip to the Mexico Beach area - I loved it. I would love to rent the house for a future visit. The house was very clean and very well maintained. The house was large enought for 6 of us (My sister and her 4 grandsons ages 14, 10, 7, 6) - the boys loved the bunk beds. They had a great time in the ocean playing in the waves and the sand. The beach was not crowded at all. They loved having the pool directly behind the house and spent the late afternoons & evenings relaxing in the pool. We went to a couple of the lighthouses at Cape San Blas and St. George Island one morning it was a great day trip. It was only a short drive into Panama City to do some of the activites there. You were great host!!

Owner response:Bridget, We're very pleased that you and your family had a great vacation at the Laughing Dolphin and took advantage of seeing the sights in the area. We sincerely hope you will consider us when making future vacation plans. Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Most relaxing vacation ever!!

Guest: KY vacationer (Kentucky)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 07/25/11

Just spent a week at the Laughing Dolphin...this was the best vacation we've had in years. The house is exactly as described; neat, clean, every amenity you can think of. Rick and Patricia went out of their way to make our vacation the best. We love the location of the house (half way between Panama City Beach and Apalachicola), as we like to spend one day shopping at Pier Park and one day at Apalachicola. The rest of the week we spent on the beautiful beach right across from the house or in the pool right behind the house. We had the pool to ourselves all week! We were able to leave all our chairs and beach "toys" on the beach all week and they were never disturbed. We took advantage of the grill and crock pot at the house and cooked in almost every night. If there is one thing I could change about the house (and I can really only think of one), it would be that the back deck could use a roof or cover of some sort. We probably would have spent time out back if there had been some sort of cover to help keep it a little cooler there. Otherwise, the house is perfect. I will definitely be back to St Joe Beach in the future and I intend to recommend it to anyone planning a trip to Florida! Thank you so much, Rick and Patricia, for the best vacation in a long time!!!

Owner response:Belynda, Thanks so very much for your review. We are glad you and your family were pleased with your vacation experience and we are looking into how we could anchor a sunshade over the back deck. The primary issue is the anchor point at the corner with only a railing. Rick & Patricia Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

AWSOME WEEK WITH MY CHILDREN AND GRANDS

Guest: Bentley and Doris (Leesburg,Ga.)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 06/28/11

We had such a good time, and everything that was listed was there, it was clean ,neat and just a nice place for a summer vacation for us. We did a lot of bonding, eating, swimming etc.. Thank you for providing such a great place, and we would come back.We don't have a chance to have this experience as much as we use to, all the grandchildren are growing up and are spread out.. The owners were so helpful telling us details about their place and Pt.St.Joe.Thanks again..

Owner response:Bentley and Doris, We are so please that you had a wonderful time with your children and grand children. We hope to have you as our guest again. Sincerely, Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Don and Gail Bagwell from alabama

Guest: Don (alabama)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 07/01/11

We had a very nice week june 11 - 18 great place to stay great people to deal with . thanks again hope we get to come back soon . thanks rick and patrica.

Owner response:Don & Gail, Thnks for the favorable response. We're pleased you and your family had a great time and look forward to your return visit. Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Laughing Dolphin in May

Guest: Peggy & Larry (Clarksville FL) (Clarksville)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 08/27/11

Rick & Patricia, I apologize for taking so long to write this. After 14 months of beingaway from home because of work, the vacation just a short drive from home was just what I needed. This was our 4th (5th?) stay at the Laughing Dolphin and it was as relaxing as it always is. We love that we can walk a few steps and be on the beach or step outside the back door and enjoy the pool. Thanks again for a great week. We have both now retired and hope to have more time at what could easily become a home away from home. Also, thanks for your patience with us with the reservation.

Owner response:Lydia, We are pleased that you and all your family consider the Laughing Dolphin your home away from home. Your family is one of several who have become our guests at least once a year - something like our own extended family. We look forward to your next visit. Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Great 35th Anniversary/ Vacation John & Jerrie Toccoa, Ga

Guest: John & Jerrie (Georgia)
Date of Stay: 05/14/11 Review Submitted: 07/26/11

Hello Rick & Patricia Sorry it has taken us so long to respond, but we really wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had. Your home was the nicest, cleanest, well equipped kitchen..we couldn't ask for anything better. Sorry I didn't get to meet you Rick but if you're anything like your wife, you both are awesome people. Such great host!! We got to visit some of the Lighthouses in the area and most of the beaches. We brought our boat so one day we went fishing in the ocean for the 1st time.. that was awesome.. caught some fish.. had a picnic.Thanks for the "treats" you made us and the tasty wine. What a great quiet place to celebrate our 35th Anniversary!! I I hope that we will be able to return to this wonderful place someday soon!!

Owner response:John & Jerrie, Glad you had a great getaway and thanks for the review. Please visit us again - it doesn't have to be a special time, although were pleased it was memorable. Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Vacation

Guest: Rick and Karen (Snellville, Georgia)
Date of Stay: 04/15/11 Review Submitted: 05/25/11

My Wife and I having been coming to Mexico Beach and Port St Joe area for many years and the Laughing Dolphin is by far the best place we have ever stayed. We have stayed here before and will stay here again, it the cleanest, nicest, and best equiped place on the beach. Once we found it there was no reason to look anywhere else. The owners are great and easy to get along with, this is the best vaction home on the Beach.

Owner response:Rick & Karen, Thank you. It was great to see you again and spend some time laughiing with you. We appreciate your glowing remarks, but we do try to see that what we offer our guests is up to or exceeds their expectations. We hope to see you again this fall. Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Home away from home

Guest: Marlene and Rocco (Fort Plain, NY. )
Date of Stay: 03/13/11 Review Submitted: 04/27/11

This rental was amazing. it was so homey and comfortable that we didn't want to leave. We were able to have our two sons down to visit us at the same time. It was spotless and the Kitchen was very well equipped.. We really enjoyed the front porch and watching the sunsets and my husband did his sunbathing on the back porch. He even swam in the pool one day. It was very conventiontly located near the beach, dollar store and a wonderful oyster raw bar.We will definately want to return next year and would recommend it to my friends and relatives. .

Owner response:Marlene & Rocco, Thank you for the kind words. We make every attempt to make our guests feel at home, especially in the kitchen and things which will keep children and adults occupied in the event of a rainy day. We're pleased that you got plenty of use of the front deck and that Rocco was hearty enough to brave the early sping water temperature. We look forwward to having you as return guests. Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Winter 2011

Guest: Northerners (Brant Lake, NY)
Date of Stay: 01/15/11 Review Submitted: 03/28/11

Patricia and Rick, We enjoyed the two months we spent in Laughing Dolphin. The first few weeks were cooler than we had hoped, but the last month was much improved. Your house was ideal for our stay in the Port St. Joe area. There is a beautiful view of the sand beach and the tip of Cape San Blas. It is conveniently located between Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach. The decks are a great asset to the house. Sun on the rear deck in the mornings and shade on the front deck in the afternoons. Your house is well furnished and stocked with all the kitchen essentials. We enjoyed many of the books in your inventory. The wireless internet enabled us to keep up with our friends, family and business at hand. You made us feel most welcome with the delicious cookies and tasty wine. Thanks for a great stay.

Owner response:Dear Northerners, Thank you for the kind words. We are pleased that you found the Laughing Dolphin to be your home away from home. We look forward to having you as our guests in the future and please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Perfect Stay!

Guest: Ken (Niceville, Florida)
Date of Stay: 08/01/10 Review Submitted: 10/08/10

Hi Rick and Patricia--sorry for taking so long to do this but I did not want the opportunity to pass me by! Thank you so very much for the wonderful experience at the Laughing Dolphin during the month of August. The property is beautiful, the location is perfectly convenient to anything I chose to do and you guys are the greatest hosts! We hope to visit with you for more beach downtime in the future! Stay well and thank you again for the perfect experience.

Owner response:Ken, Thanks for the kind words. We enjoyed having you as a guest and look forward to your return. I'm in rehab for a total hip on 9/30 so I'll not be working at the Dolphin for a while. Rick

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The Stevens and Steelman's (Mulberry, TN July 10-17)

Guest: Ashley (Mulberry, TN)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 07/20/10

Thanks for the beautiful beach home and the welcome gifts. The cookies and cheese were wonderful. Everyone was so excited about getting there, we did not eat lunch and were famished by the time we got there. The cookies and cheese held everyone over until we were able to get to the grocery store. We had two families with a total of three kids and the house was large enough to accomodate us all. The outside shower was the best. It cut down on a lot of the sand being brought into the house. The views were great from the front porch. We loved the community because we took our pop-up tent over the first day and left it for the entire week. No one bothered our stuff. I would not have been able to do that at most places. Overall, my family loved the whole beach experience in St. Joe Beach and we hope to come back to Rick and Patricia's house often.

Owner response:Ashley, Thank you so much for the kind words and praise. Yes, we do live in a little corner of paradise where you can leave your canopy on the beach and no one will bother it. We hope to see you and your family in the future. Rick & Patricia

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Will Be Returning Soon

Guest: Scott & Misty (Bainbridge, GA)
Date of Stay: 04/29/10 Review Submitted: 05/04/10

Rick and Patricia, thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality. The house was more than we could have hoped for and the wine, cheese and cookies to welcome us was so very kind. The home was so nicely furnished and stocked (anything we needed in the kitchen, 2 grills (charcoal or gas) and even beach gear). The video and book library was great for anyone from 1 to 100, there was something to choose from. When we called with a question you took the time to go above and beyond a simple answer. The binder, that included every menu on the beach and even Port St Joe and also phone numbers and addresses of place we may need, was a touch you will not find in very many places. My wife and I were so pleased with our stay, even though the weather didn't cooperate. All we have done since we got home was brag to our family and friends about how nice the place was and we have definately told them to book with y'all because they will not find a place where the renters care as much as you. Once again, thank you so much for the great hospitality. We can't wait to get back down to visit again.

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

Hospitality at its finest!

Guest: Amee Jo (Montgomery, AL)
Date of Stay: 04/23/10 Review Submitted: 04/26/10

We just returned from a weekend at the Laughing Dolphin. Thank you so much for the fun welcome goodies--you guys are the best at hospitality! This house couldn't have been better stocked! From every imaginable need in the kitchen to the wonderful children's books for our kids to the great movie library! Everything was just like home. We were even there on a rainy weekend, which made all the comforts of the house even more helpful! Thanks again, and we will definitely give you a call if we are back in Mexico Beach any time soon! --Amee

Owner response:Amee - Adults can curl up with a good book (or each other) and enjoy a rainy day. Children aren't prone to do so. That's why we have provided the books, games and movies which will occupy children so Mom & Dad can relax and enjoy watching a stormy sea. We are so glad you had a nice time, even if the weather didn't co-operate. And we loved your comment over the phone that it was like walking into a Wal-Mart because it had everything you needed!

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

Guest: The Seehausen's
Date of Stay: 12/24/09 Review Submitted: 12/23/09

Rick & Patricia, Thank you so much for making our holiday visit so special. Having the Christmas decorations for us was so thoughtful!! Although this is our second visit to your home, we have enjoyed it like it was our first. We will be returning! Thank You. You two are the best!

Recommended for:

Guest: Leela Robinson (Morrison TN)
Date of Stay: 12/08/09 Review Submitted: 12/08/09

All good! It was cold outside as we visited in December, but inside it was spacious, as well as cozy and comfortable. Thank you for providing such a needed service - a lovely beach house that is affordable.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anthony11 (alabama)
Date of Stay: 11/13/09 Review Submitted: 11/13/09

My brother and I just stayed at the Laughing Dolphin. I have to say I was skeptical at first because it was so cheap and last minute. But everything ended up being far better than what I could have imagined. The house was cozy and immaculate, the welcome gifts delicious, and the location perfect. I cant wait to stay here again. Thanks so much for the hospitality Rick and hope to see you again soon!

Recommended for:

Guest: Dawn Aldridge (Macon, Georgia)
Date of Stay: 09/28/09 Review Submitted: 09/28/09

My friends and I stayed at the Laughing Dolphin over the Labor Day Weekend 2009. The house is great! Nice furnishings, well stocked and conveniently located. The beach is directly across the street and is very easy to access. The view from the front deck is fantastic! I would highly recommend staying at the Laughing Dolphin with Patricia and Rick! They are great hosts and offer a great house!

Recommended for:

Guest: Steve, Michele & family
Date of Stay: 09/25/09 Review Submitted: 09/24/09

Rick & Patricia, Thanks so much for this wonderful home! We loved the treats you left for us and really wish we could stay longer. We've seen dolphins a few times out on the front balcony, which was great. We also loved the pool and the beach. We were hoping to get to meet you both but maybe next time. I'm sure it won't be long until we visit again, and we will certainly be telling our friends and family about you and your home. Kindest Regards, Steve, Michele, Tabitha, Micha & Nathan

Recommended for:

Guest: Paul72 (Roswell, GA)
Date of Stay: 08/12/09 Review Submitted: 08/12/09

This is one special vacation spot…my family and I loved it! We’ve used VRBO for years, and Rick and Patricia were more hospitable than anyone we’ve dealt with in the past. The connection with the actual owner makes a big difference in my opinion, and they were very helpful with directions, restaurants, and local interest spots. The Dolphin was spotless when we arrived, the proximity to the beach is great, and it has all the touches of home. What more could you ask for?

Recommended for:

Guest: Liz Steffan1 (Empire, AL 35063)
Date of Stay: 08/04/09 Review Submitted: 08/04/09

My family and I stayed at the Laughing Dolphin July 17-26 and loved it! The best thing was the outside shower! I loved getting the sand off all the grandkids so I didn't have a sand mess in the house. The view was awesome. The place was tastefully decorated and we enjoyed all the extra touches. The pool house was so convenient. Thanks Rick and Patricia for all the info on the spots to eat at. We look forward to vacationing at the Dolphin again.

Recommended for:

Guest: Liz Steffan (Empire, AL)
Date of Stay: 07/29/09 Review Submitted: 07/29/09

My family and I would recommend a stay at Laughing Dolphin. The place was peaceful, roomy and beautifully decorated. Stocked kitchen came in handy. Our ten day stay went by way too fast. Rick and Patricia go above and beyond to make their guests welcome. You definately won't be disappointed in this rental. Even the residence in the area are so friendly and helpful. The pool is awesome! Everything is so clean! We hope to come back soon.

Recommended for:

Guest: Davonna (Lexington, KY)
Date of Stay: 07/19/09 Review Submitted: 07/19/09

Months ago, my good friend from college and I decided we wanted to have a "girlfriend getaway" sometime in the summer. The Laughing Dolphine was a perfect place for this not only because of the gorgeous view and easy access to a beautiful beach, but also because the house was everything we needed and more! We were so impressed by this house's inviting and comfortable atmosphere. It was extremely clean and spacious. Every morning and evening we spent on the deck watching the waves. In the afternoons we enjoyed the private pool behind the house. And we also grilled dinner at night and sat in the comfy swing. Rick and Patricia have really put a lot of thought into this house and I would tell anyone who is wanting a beach retreat that this is an excellent choice! I hope to return sometime!!

Recommended for:

Guest: Ginger10 (Savannah, GA)
Date of Stay: 07/05/09 Review Submitted: 07/05/09

We recently returned from a wonderful vacation at the Laughing Dolphin, a fantastic home which we would highly recommend to anyone looking for a beach retreat. The house felt like home, with nice, comfortable furnishings and a well-stocked kitchen. We cooked nearly all our meals and enjoyed dining on the front porch with great ocean views. Our young daughter also enjoyed the pool, all the beach and pool toys and the wonderful library of children's books and videos. We will always treasure the many fond memories of our time at the Laughing Dolphin. Thanks to Rick and Patricia for sharing this bit of beach paradise with us!

Recommended for:

Guest: The Wilkersons & the Harps
Date of Stay: 06/26/09 Review Submitted: 06/25/09

Dear Rick & Patricia, We enjoyed our stay at the Laughing Dolphin very much. It is a lovely beach home and you all made us feel so welcome. Patricia, I understand how the swing is your favorite place. I loved it too. Even though the temps were unusually high there was always a nice breeze. Thanks for all your recommendations of places to eat. We saw stingrays Fri a.m. but we never saw any dolphins. Maybe we'll see them on our next trip. Thanks again for having such a beautiful place available. We will certainly tell our friends about the Laughing Dolphin at St Joe Beach. Roger, Tommye Kay, Stephanie & Rachel

Recommended for:

Guest: Betty Mayse & Family
Date of Stay: 06/22/09 Review Submitted: 06/21/09

We stayed at the Laughing Dolphin June 13th to June 20th. What a lovely place to stay. We felt right at home. The kitchen facilities were above expectations. Our grandsons enjoyed the sparkling pool. It was nice to walk across the road and be at the oceon. Wehave stayed at a lot of places but this one was the best. Thank you Rick & Patricia. Sincerely, Betty

Recommended for:

Great beach house

Guest: uatide (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Date of Stay: 06/19/09 Review Submitted: 07/12/10

We enjoyed a stay at the Laughing Dolphin for a week and would definitely return. This is a fantastic beach house with very comfortable accomadations. The house was bigger than we expected. Our kids loved the bunk beds. The front deck on the house makes for some extremely relaxing evenings and was probably our favorite part of the home. Beach access is simple and easy. Lots of storage under the house for the kid's toys, etc... The large pool was virtually ours alone for most of our stay. For the oyster lovers--there is an oyster bar within walking distance the house and we made our way there on several occasions. We visited Cape San Blas one day and would highly recommend the short drive for a day excursion. The best part of the house and rental experience was dealing with Rick and Patricia. They were very kind and treated us like family. It was unlike any rental experience we have had. Thanks again for the cookies, wine, etc..

Owner response:Kevin, Thank you for the kind words. We very much enjoyed meeting you and your family, and look forward to your being our guests again in the future. Rick & Patricia

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

Guest: The Steele Family
Date of Stay: 06/11/09 Review Submitted: 06/10/09

Rick & Patricia, Thank you so much for the hospitality! Your place is wonderful. We were pleasantly surprised at how nice the place is & how well stocked the kitchen is. The kids enjoyed the cookies & we (Paul & I) enjoyed sitting both on the deck & swing downstairs, sipping wine and enjoying the breeze. We did see some dolphins while sitting on the deck, couldn't tell though if they were laughing. They always seem to have fun. Thanks again for your hospitality. I will be sure to tell my friends.

Recommended for:

Guest: Chris146 (Batesville, AR)
Date of Stay: 06/03/09 Review Submitted: 06/03/09

Rick and Patricia, Thank you so much for sharing your absolutely beautiful beach home with our family, again! This was our second stay with you in the past year and it keeps getting better! We enjoyed countless hours in the pool and along the beach...my wife and little girl enjoyed every evening reading the dozens of books you have available on site! The place is better equipped than our own home! Perfect! We are already planning a return trip for the fall! See you soon!

Recommended for:

Guest: Rick & Karen
Date of Stay: 05/15/09 Review Submitted: 05/14/09

Rick - Patricia, We had a wonderful time, as always. During our stay we had company and enjoyed our grandson playing in the gulf and building sand castles. Thank you both for sharing such a wonderful beach home. As always, we will return in the fall. After 28 years in a row coming to this wonderful town we no longer consider ourselves as tourists! Ha Ha! p.s. God bless you both. Get well wishes, Rick. Patricia, I feel like you are such a sweet, loving friend. Thanks for the treats.

Recommended for:

Guest: Paul and Martha Maynard (Burlington, Vermont)
Date of Stay: 05/01/09 Review Submitted: 05/01/09

Rick and Patricia, Our stay at the Laughing Dolphin during the month of March 2009 was so wonderful! We had the most peaceful and relaxful vacation that we have ever had in Florida in years while staying at your lovely beach house. You made it feel like it was ours! The beach was fantastic as was the entire area. The fishing and shelling were great!! We look forward to returning to the Laughing Dolphin for a longer stay the next time. We enjoyed meeting you both and look forward to seeing you again.

Recommended for:

Guest: Jones Family
Date of Stay: 04/19/09 Review Submitted: 04/18/09

Great Place! Thank you for your hospitality. We felt like we were staying in a friend's house. The Laughing Dolphin is so comfortable and welcoming. Our little girls made good use of the wonderful old books, the puzzles and the sand toys. Thank you! Us adults appreciated the wine and cheese in the fridge upon arrival! Thanks for a very nice weekend.

Recommended for:

Guest: Harvey Family
Date of Stay: 04/11/09 Review Submitted: 04/10/09

Rick & Patricia, What a GREAT beach house! So clean and cheerful. The cookies went in less than two minutes (not kidding)! The kids loved it and cannot wait to come back in the summer. We tried to leave it like we found it. See you soon! Thanks again! God bless! Thank you so much - we enjoyed it. Wish we could have stayed longer. The Beach is calm today. Tammy Thanks for the cookies Mrs. Patricia. With dad around they went quick. Thanks again! You are a great cook. Wynter

Recommended for:

Guest: Williams Family
Date of Stay: 04/08/09 Review Submitted: 04/07/09

We enjoyed our stay at the Laughing Dolphin. I read while looking out the window at the beach. Your video library was a lifesaver given the cold temps and the wind. We loved the Dockside Cafe. We hope to come back down and try the snorkeling. Thank you for your hospitality and the wonderful cookies (they lasted less than a day).

Recommended for:

Guest: John & Donna (Macomb, MI)
Date of Stay: 03/10/09 Review Submitted: 03/10/09

This was our first experience of renting a place for a month during the winter and the Laughing Dolphin far exceeded our expectations. It is much more spacious than it looks in the pictures, and it is VERY clean. The kitchen is better equipped than my own kitchen. The view from the deck is beautiful. Rick and Patricia were a delight to meet. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would not hesitate to rent it in the future. Thanks, Rick and Patricia for providing such a lovely beach home for us "snowbirds".

Recommended for:

Guest: Amy Kitt (Chapel Hill NC)
Date of Stay: 11/02/08 Review Submitted: 11/02/08

I stayed at Laughing Dolphin in Sept 08 and was very satisfied with this home. It has an unobstructed view of the beach. The furnishings and decor were new and the whole place had a "homey" feel to it. It did not feel like a rental house, but more like staying at a friend's house. Also, the owners were very accommodating with our check in and check out times. I would highly recommend this place and hope to visit again soon.

Recommended for:

Guest: Terry & Rachel
Date of Stay: 08/17/08 Review Submitted: 08/16/08

Rick & Patricia, Thanks for the warm welcome & "surprises". Rachel & I really enjoyed our time here! This is our 3rd time enjoying your beach home. It really is starting to feel like our home away from home. The weather was "exciting" with all the wind and rain on Tuesday and Wednesday! The ocean looked like the Atlantic! No damage other than an unhappy plant on the front deck and a frog wind chime. I saved the pieces in case it can be put back together. The windsock fish is in the utility room. We also chased a trash can that blew over from somewhere. I'm sure someone will be looking for it. I told one of your neighbors. The marina was fun & we went on the sunset cruise. Dinner in Apalachicola one night was very good. Beach was wonderful! Found a sand dollar again & lots of pretty shells along w/some coral. Thanks again for everything! We'll be back! P.S. I'll post a flyer at work for you.

Recommended for:

Guest: Thomas and Mary Jo Seehasuen (Lowell, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 08/13/08 Review Submitted: 08/13/08

Loved, loved the house, it has great views, very neat and clean, it just has the feel of "Home" when you walk in!!! Our family felt very much at ease and the home had everything we needed!! We enjoyed meeting Rick and Patrica, great people!! We have already talked about coming back next year and have told our friends!!!

Recommended for:

Guest: jeff and melissa welch (dearing georgia)
Date of Stay: 07/25/08 Review Submitted: 07/25/08

Our family had a totally fabulous vacation week at the Laughing Dolphin. The house was clean, comfortable, and located in the perfect spot. The outside shower was a pleasant surprise, offering a way to keep sand outside where it belonged! The house is close to Mexico Beach which offers great fishing from the pier and a quaint ice cream shop for the entire family. We totally recommend this vacation spot. The hospitality of Rick and Patricia far exceed any other vacation house we have been to! Book it! We promise a great week!

Recommended for:

Guest: Six Happy Campers (Jasper, GA)
Date of Stay: 07/02/08 Review Submitted: 07/02/08

The "Laughing Dolphin" was just what we needed for 2 adults and 4 children! We enjoyed the covered and very spacious front deck, the great view of the gulf, and the large sparkling pool. Inside, we had everything we needed and more. The house was extremely clean and just as described on VRBO's site. We had the opportunity to meet the owners who made us feel right at home. The homemade "goodies" they left were a wonderful surprise as well. My family will definitely return to the "Laughing Dolphin" in the future. My only regret is that we didn't stay longer.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/30/08 Review Submitted: 06/30/08

Our stay at the Laughing Dolphin was both relaxing and fun. The pool ammenity was a great addition to our week esp. with small children. The Krause's truley go out of their way to accomadate their guests. The property was homey, clean and tastefully decorated. The owners attention to detail was both noticed and apprecitated. We will stay again at the Laughing Dolphin.

Recommended for:

Guest: Richard & Tina
Date of Stay: 06/15/08 Review Submitted: 06/14/08

Thank you for a beautiful week! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will see you again soon I'm sure. You have a lovely and "homey" place and we cannot thank you enough! Thanks for everything!

Recommended for:

Guest: bob naylor (sarnia ont canada)
Date of Stay: 05/05/08 Review Submitted: 05/05/08

spent an enjoyable month at the laughing dolphin. we especially enjoyed the great room concept, very roomy. would recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing holiday.

Recommended for: