Living area from the kitchen, showing new tile and countertops - Gulf Front
Location: Island Winds West, Gulf Shores Central, Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA (Gulf Front Closest to the "T" at Hwy 59 at the Hangout) View Map
Accommodations: Condo, 2 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 2 Baths (Sleeps 5-7)
Keywords: Direct Gulf Front, Gulf Front, Direct Gulf Front Condo, Condominium, Condo, single family Gulf Front, Beach Front, beach vacation, beach condo, beach rental, beach view, ocean rental, Ocean Front, Water Front, water view, bay front, bay view, two bedroom condo, unit, apartment, rental flat, rental, flat, hotel room, luxury condo, romantic getaway, kid friendly, girls getaway, quiet vacation, senior friendly, seafood lovers vacation, sand and surf, golf vacation, fishing vacation, hangout festival, hangout, shrimp festival, bungalo, casita, beach house.
Beautiful end unit on the east side with views of the beach from both bedrooms, each with a private bath, refurbished in '08 with new furniture.
The views of the Gulf Beaches are spectacular from everywhere in the condo. From the private balcony on the sunrise east end of the building, you can see east for many miles down the beach.
The beach is fabulous! Right outside your Direct Gulf Front condo to the white sand and surf! ... LOWEST PRICED DIRECT GULF FRONT CONDO WITH 2 BR AND 2 FULL BATHS!
Pool and kiddie pool with adjacent shady area and BBQ add to the ambience.
Closest complex to the Gulf Shores public beach where Hwy 59, the main highway south terminates at the Gulf of Mexico.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning : A new digital thermostat keeps the temperature constant. Please do not set below 68 degrees in the summer, and set at 83 when leaving. Thanks.
- Linens Provided : Please bring your own beach towels and hand towels. Do not use the white bath towels for the beach.
- Elevator (2) : There are two high-speed elevators that are maintained in great shape after being replaced in 2004.
- Washer : The small, stacked washer/dryer is in the unit.
- Dryer : The small, stacked washer/dryer is in the unit.
- Off Street Parking : Ample parking is available on the premises and limited to two vehicles per unit, each of which must display a parking pass from the parking security company.
- Beds
- King Bed : King Bed is new and very comfortable.
- Twin/Single Bed (3) : One twin bed and one set of bunk beds are in the guest bedroom, for a total of three twin beds, along with private bath.
- Bunk Bed : This new twin bunk bed shares the guest room with a single twin bed, making a total of three twins in the guest room.
- Convertible Bed (2) : Large chair converts to a standard sized twin bed that is very sturdy and big enough for a 6 foot tall person to sleep comfortably. Queen sleep sofa was damaged by guests and will not open out. It is very long and wide without converting to a mattress and sleeps one very comfortably.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV (2) : Cable and TWO NEW FLAT-SCREEN TVs: one 46" and one 32". TWO DVD Players, one VCR
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library : several miscellaneous DVDs & VCR tapes.
- Music Library
- Shared Pool : Beautiful, large pool is located on the Gulf Side of the building. There is a covered, shaded area adjacent to the pool with tables and chairs and WiFi. Separate kiddie pool is adjacent.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator : Icemaker is adequate for in-house use, but does not produce enough to keep coolers full of ice for the beach as well. Very slow to refill, so plan on buying ice while out for coolers.
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill : Two very large grills are available near the pool.
- Balcony : Our END unit also has a MUCH LARGER balcony than other units, which can be important if you have more than 2 people in your party. Our balcony is also more private than the balconies of the building next door.
- View/Location
- Beachfront : One of the many advantages of being directly on the beach is that there is nothing in the way to block the soothing sounds of the surf.
- Beach View : There is nothing between our building and the water but sand. So the beach view is unobstructed and straight on. Many condos claim a beach view and that could be from across the street or from as a side, angled view. So, if all you want is a beach view, you can have one from the side or across the street. Otherwise, if you want to be on the water itself, insist on Direct Gulf Front, not just beach view.
- Oceanfront : The ocean front is the Gulf of Mexico.
- Ocean View : There is nothing between our building and the water but sand. So the beach view is unobstructed and straight on. Many condos claim a beach view and that could be from across the street or from as a side, angled view. So, if all you want is a beach view, you can have one from the side or across the street. Otherwise, if you want to be on the water itself, insist on Direct Gulf Front, not just beach view.
- Water View : There is nothing between our building and the water but sand. So the beach view is unobstructed and straight on. Many condos claim a beach view and that could be from across the street or from as a side, angled view. So, if all you want is a beach view, you can have one from the side or across the street. Otherwise, if you want to be on the water itself, insist on Direct Gulf Front, not just beach view.
- Communications
- Telephone : Free local calls.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : Email us for the login ID and code if needed. There are usually several signals availalble that do not require passwords.
- Other Amenities
- Our end unit is larger than the interior 2-bedroom units, especially in the Living Room area. It also has a MUCH larger balcony, which can be important if you have more than 2 people in your party. Our balcony is also more private than the balconies of the building next door. Next to the Gulf Front pool there is a large covered shady area for those who want to avoid direct sun. There is also a "kiddie" pool next to it. Our unit is on the 4th floor for the best view of the beach and surf. Much lower and you cannot see where the beach meets the water in the surf zone. Much higher, and all you see from the unit is often water. To see the surf you have to go to the window or the balcony.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed : Pets are not allowed in most beach condos for owners, and almost all prohibit pets owned by guests.
- Kid Friendly : There is a kiddie pool right next to the main pool. The condo also has many sand and beach toys available for your use. Kids also love the bunk beds. What kid does not like playing in the sand and surf?
- Smoking Not Allowed : Smoking is NOT allowed on the private balcony, but you are allowed to smoke on the entry walkway from the elevator with the condo door closed to prevent smoke from getting on the fabrics inside the unit.
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Racquetball
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Miniature golf
- Shuffleboard
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Restaurants
- Shelling
- Hiking
- Other Activities
- Rarely can you drift off to sleep to the sounds of the surf. Our building is as close to the water as allowed. Being on the 4th level is high enough to hear over the dunes, but not so high that the surf fades away due to higher elevation.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Jan-Feb-Mar 10, $1300/mo. Click on Calendar Button for AVAILABILITY
Mar 11-May 6 $159/nite Sep 3-Oct 10 $110 1-time Cleaning fee $79
May 7-May 17 $90/nite Oct 11-Oct 13 $300 3-nite min holiday/festivals
May 18-May 20 $350/nite Oct 14-Oct 29 $99 no credit cards
May 20-May 24 $130/nite Oct 30-Dec 29 $79/nite $499/week $959/month
May 25-July 11 $220/nite Damage deposit $150 always refunded ($250 age 20-24)
Jul 12-Sep 2 $250/nite Rates include all but cleaning($79) and parking($20)
DISCOUNT for weekly stays and early booking during off peak times; +$30/nite 7/2-4
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Special: $10 Off Remaining Nites in April - Gulf Front 2BR/2b
Year Purchased: 2008
Why the Owner Chose Island Winds West
We love Gulf Shores. We have some of the world's most beautiful beaches. The waves are wonderful. They are usually modest waves of 2-4 feet, perfect for boogie boarding and body surfing. Water warms up in the Spring much faster than Atlantic beaches, and stays warmer too.
The sea breezes are very pleasant, usually a constant gentle wind from the Gulf. Gulf Shores has lots of activities, but is almost never crowded.
The Unique Benefits at this Condo
Being Direct Gulf Front, we get to overlook the beach and the Gulf waters without any interference from other condos, roads, or other structures in our way. The surf is the most relaxing sound to us, so peaceful and serene. We are an end unit, which gives us a balcony the width of our entire unit, not just our living room as is the case with interior units.
Great seafood restaurant specializing in Steamed Royal Reds (large shrimp from very deep in the Gulf that taste a tiny bit like lobster) and other seafood including fish, blue craps, King crab legs, oysters, scallops, etc. Also they specialize in a dozen types of baked oysters, and serve burgers and other meals for kids and non seafood lovers.
This is the area where the Hangout Music Fest sets up the Main Stage, usually the last full weekend ( Fri Sat and Sun) before Memorial Day . This area is also the area for the National Shrimp Festival, usually the 2nd or 3rd week of October.
Longest fishing and sightseeing pier on the entire Gulf of Mexico. Has restrooms, vending machines, casual restaurant, gift shop and info center, as well as fish cleaning stations. Fabulous views of Gulf Shores more than a Thousand feet offshore.
The beach at Island Winds West is the best thing about a trip to Gulf Shores. The Shrimp Basket may be the next best thing. You will not find better fried oysters, shrimp and fish than at a Shrimp Basket in Gulf Shores and a few nearby fortunate neighbors. Their seafood beats the East and West coasts, and is tops on the Gulf Coast where I grew up loving great seafood. I am especially particular about how I like my oysters. The oysters are crispy on the outside, not greasy and soggy like some folks prepare them, and firm and delicious on the inside. Baskets come with shrimp slaw, their version of cold slaw made even more delicious by tiny shrimp. Brews are served cold and daiquiris are good. Their key lime pie%2
The beach is the best thing about a trip to Gulf Shores. The Shrimp Basket may be the next best thing. You will not find better fried oysters, shrimp and fish than at a Shrimp Basket on Perdido Key and a few nearby fortunate neighbors. Their seafood beats the East and West coasts, and is tops on the Gulf Coast where I grew up loving great seafood. I am especially particular about how I like my oysters. The oysters are crispy on the outside, not greasy and soggy like some folks prepare them, and firm and delicious on the inside. Baskets come with shrimp slaw, their version of cold slaw made even more delicious by tiny shrimp. Brews are served cold and daiquiris are good. Their key lime pie makes for a great fi
The utmost in service with a smile and friendly efficiency is provided tuxedoed staff by help make this a fine dining experience to savor. The views of the beach are magnificent to go with the food. I have never had any of my dining companions say anything but the highest compliments about the food. The menu is mouthwatering. Pecan encrusted snapper is a house speciality. So is the bread pudding souffl�. Prices are sometimes just a little more than some of the casual beach restaurants, but for the Crisp white table cloths, the fabulous food and service and the most romantic views of the beach and the Gulf, the value is hard to beat.
Owner's Map of Island Winds West
Dick and Lynn love being Directly on the Beach in our loveable Gulf Front Condo. We get to spend 6 weeks a year there and it is not enough! We love hearing the surf from our balcony and looking over the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. When we lived in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC, we missed the beach terribly. We also hated the cold weather and all-too short summers. Our condo is the answer to these problems and we hope you will enjoy it as much as we do.
Property Photos
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- Living area from the kitchen, showing new tile and countertops - Gulf Front - Gulf Shores, AL Vacation Rental
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- East end unit is direct Gulf Front and has extra room in the living areas.. - Gulf Shores, AL Vacation Rental
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- Main Bedroom has private bath and direct Gulf Front beach views in 2 directions - Gulf Shores, AL Vacation Rental
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- Guest Bedroom with bunkbeds and twin, private bath AND great view of the Beach
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- Direct Gulf Front View of Beach from Living Room looking across large balcony.
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- Staging for Jimmy Buffett and Hangout Music Festivals is right next to the condo
Traveler Reviews (14)
Perfect Christmas Vacation in this Condo!
Guest: Rena
(Little Rock)
Date of Stay: 12/25/11
Review Submitted: 01/03/12
Thank you for sharing your beautiful condo with me this Christmas. I love the location and the furnishings. Your correspondences and communications were always helpful and pleasant. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. You had the best rates and the perfect accomodations for me and my family. You are a very kind couple.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Wonderful Anniversary GetAway
Guest: Tim Benson, Nashville
(-)
Date of Stay: 12/16/11
Review Submitted: 12/23/11
Dick, just wanted you to know we had a wonderful time. Your condo was great, the view was spectacular. Enjoyed your Email with Helpful Tips. Myla and I had our Anniversary Dinner at the Voyager!!! You were right. it was a pampered dining experience. The food was fabulous.
Recommended for:
Great Vacation
Guest: Mary the Nurse
(Grove Hill, Al)
Date of Stay: 09/06/11
Review Submitted: 09/12/11
A wonderful 6 days in this condo. Very clean and comfortable and had the feeling of being at home. Island Winds West has a great "family" atmosphere. Beach view is spectacular. Saw several dolphins while watching from the balcony. Close enough to hear the waves really well. Went on the beach several times to feed the seagulls popped microwave popcorn. Visited the nearby zoo and also played mini-golf at the zooland course. We always enjoy the homestyle lunches at the nearby DeSoto's Seafood Kitchen. Daily lunches feature a meat, 2 veggies, fresh baked bread and drink for $7.25 on weekdays and $8.25 on weekends. Good variety of meats and sides to choose from. Plenty of nearby food and activity choices. We visit Gulf Shores several times a year but this was our first stay @ Island Winds West. We have already reserved this unit again & are looking forward to a return trip in November. Owners are a pleasure to deal with and don't tack on extra fees like a realty company. Very reasonable rates. Thank you Dick & Lynn for sharing your condo.
Owner response:It is very gratifying that guests like our condo and it's location directly on the beach, where you canhear the surf, without having to look sideways at the Gulf or cross the highway like in the condo we used to own. There is a great family atmosphere, and we also think is is very romantic for just the two of us, or for a girls only vacation or a quiet seniors vacation.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Best beach vacation ever
Guest: Margo
(St. Louis, MO)
Date of Stay: 08/11/11
Review Submitted: 08/18/11
Dear Dick and Lynn, Your Condo unit on the 4th floor is amazing. It has everything anybody could want for the perfect beach vacation. Beach chairs, towels, umbrellas for the chairs, and even a net and big bucket to go crabbing. I wanted a place to stay that was quiet, clean, bright and easy access to the beach. Your place was all of that and more. The bright blue and yellow colors throughout the condo were amazing and uplifting. The artwork made it feel like a home, instead of the sterile look of other places.the kitchen was well stocked and made it easy to make my meals. Your place is truly a comfortable home away from home with the added benefit of having the gulf at your fingertips. The balcony is such a special place; can be used for dinner, for cocktails, for reading, or just gazing into the gulf and watching the worrld go by. Gulf Shores, AL is a great place with good food, long beaches, nice breezes, and a relaxed atmosphere. Thanks so much for providing it all.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
May 2011 Beach Trip
Guest: Princess
(Normandy, TN)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11
Review Submitted: 06/14/11
This was our first time stay in Gulf Shores. We loved it, it was private, quiet and so convenient to everything. We loved being able to walk to so many places. The condo is fabulous! It was so roomy and it had everything we needed. We also loved the balcony with the bar stools and table. We were able to sit above the rail and see the ocean perfect. We hope to come back soon and stay in this condo! Randy and Tina Prince, Normandy, TN
Owner response:This reviewer reminds us how roomy our condo feels, especially in the main living areas of Kitchen and Dining and Living Rooms. Our dining table can accommodate six comfortably, with three more on the barstools at the counter. The mention of barstools on the balcony is something that we fail to point out in our review. The chairs are barstool height, so you can see the Gulf beach and surf above the balcony railing. We are very happy to introduce newcomers to Gulf Shores, and look forward to our own return visit soon.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children.
Relaxing Vacation
Guest: beachlover
(Adger,Al)
Date of Stay: 04/28/11
Review Submitted: 05/13/11
My first prioity when looking for somewhere to stay is cleanliness. This unit was CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN!! Which meant I could start relaxing immediately. It is in a great location with one of the best views on the beach from the very large balcony. The owners were a delight to work with. You can't go wrong by staying here.
Owner response:Our friend Cindy Jackson cleans our Home-away-from-home for us. She is very particular and works very hard to clean the unit to her high standards. Most of our guest treat the unit as they would their own and they keep it tidy and take out the trash. They also take care to rinse off and wash off the sand before coming back from the beach. We very much appreciate any efforts that can help Cindy, especially on turn-around days when one guest moves out and another moves in.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.
One of best locations on beach!!
Guest: Mama T
(Albertville)
Date of Stay: 09/23/10
Review Submitted: 05/13/11
We had an awesome time on this vacation. The condo has all the furnishings anyone could possibly ever need, not lacking in anything for a great beach vacation. Second floor, cornor unit, great view, and walking distance to shopping and dining. Perfect location for all beach concerts. We even had a fox to visit everynight between the parking lot and beach access, it was awesome!!!!
Owner response:We take great pride in providing a vacation home furnished to held our guests enjoy their stay. Last year we witnessed the Jimmy Buffet Concert right next to the island Winds Condos on the beach. Our view of the beach and surf is great. Because of the sand dunes between us and the water, it may look like we are on the second floor, while our floor is actually fourth. We are looking forward to seeing a fox on the Dunes on our next stay!
Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with young children.
The perfect Gulf Shores condo!
Guest: Meg
(Atlanta)
Date of Stay: 08/13/10
Review Submitted: 05/11/11
This condo was perfect for our trip to Gulf Shores! The location is very convenient, yet not too loud or over-crowded. You can easily get to the beaches, local restaurants and attractions without any trouble. The condo accomodations are very comfortable and well-maintained, so if you want to spend some time relaxing indoors, it is a nice place for that for that, too.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Guest: Joseph and family from Arkansas
(-)
Date of Stay: 07/04/10
Review Submitted: 04/05/11
Hi Dick! We had a wonderful vacation at Island Winds West in Gulf Shores. We listened to your Nephew, Wes Loper, play at LuLu's. He is a great musician! We had crab claws and a crabmelt sandwich at LuLu's which was wonderful. We ate Royal Reds and grilled Pangus at Bahama Bob's, very tasty...they don't serve Amberjack anymore:( We had the best gumbo ever at Tacky Jack's in Orange Beach...and the best fried crawfish tails too. Of course we can't forget the "all you can eat popcorn shrimp" at the Shrimp Basket...by far the best deal on the beach for $9.99. We also enjoyed music and drinks at the Hangout. We spent 4th of July at The Wharf listening to a concert. They put on a great show and the fireworks show was the best we've ever seen. We thoroughly enjoyed your condo. The view was awesome. We have been coming to Gulf Shores for almost 30 years and it broke our hearts to think about the beaches and ocean in danger from the BP well, but it didn't keep us from having a great time. Thanks again for renting to us.....The xxx's from Arkansas Owner comment: We spent August 2010 on the beaches and reply to inquiries with the photos to show the clean beach and water.
Recommended for:
Guest: Bob and Carol from Webster Groves, MO
(-)
Date of Stay: 09/12/10
Review Submitted: 04/05/11
Dick and Lynn we really enjoyed our three weeks in September in your condo. With those high chairs on the balcony you can see over the railing perfectly. I could sit out there forever. You have a perfect location. We walked to almost everyplace we wanted to go. Thanks again for letting us rent your condo Bob
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #168399
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