Execellent

Guest: Connie F (Lees Summit, MO)
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 10/26/09

My stay at the Whale House was wonderful. The house is very charming, clean, and well stocked. I loved it that I could walk to the bakery and S&S. The house is located in a very nice neighborhood. I enjoyed taking evening walks around the neighborhood and sitting on the porch listening to the quite. I highly recommend this rental.

Owner response:Thank you for staying with us. We enjoyed having you as our guests. Best, Teecie and Robert

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

Small Town Charm

Guest: April D.
Date of Stay: 11/07/11 Review Submitted: 11/19/11

We went in the off season, so very quiet for us. The property was loaded with extras that really made it feel like home. We have a 2 year old, so those extra comforts are greatly needed when you have a fussy one, who is not always easy to please. The beds were both comfortable and everything worked and was ready for us. Would recommend to anyone.

Owner response:We enjoyed having you as our guests. Thank you for the nice comments.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children.

Awesome Whale house

Guest: T J. (Cutler, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 07/10/11 Review Submitted: 07/21/11

Awesome little cottage, always looking for a place like this when we vacation, who wants to stay in a condo with tons of others when you can stay in a unique little place like the whale house. This house had everything we needed and did not have to bring alot of items that was already provided. The weather was alittle warm ( but that was everywhere at that time). Guys had a great time on island, golfed ( even those the course was not up to par) the guys had a great time and laughted alot about there experence. Then they did some deep sea fishing, brought back some red snapper and trigger fish ( supper was great that night). we took the boat out and saw the light house. went to the fort, the bird sancuary, shop the little shops, spent alittle time on the beach ( was even to hot to sit on beach). But we had an awesome time. Thank you Teece and Robert for opening your little cottage to us.

Owner response:Thank you all for selecting the Whale House for your stay on the Island. We thoroughly enjoyed having you as our guests and chatting with you. Teecie and Robert

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.

The highlight of our trip!

Guest: John and Barbara (San Francisco Bay Area, California)
Date of Stay: 03/30/11 Review Submitted: 04/20/11

This charming little house was the perfect home away from home for me and my birder husband. Owners, Robert and Teecie could not be more thoughtful and have equipped this house with everything (I do mean everything) you could possibly want. The full kitchen not only has every possible utensil, but is also stocked with spices, coffees, teas, basalmic vinegar (!), and an assortment of baggies, wraps, and foil. The beds are extremely comfortable, there are TVs, and WiFi and a washer and dryer, complete with detergent! Like I said - just like home. Because we are bird watchers, we especially appreciated the location which is just a few blocks from the Shell Mounds and Goat Tree Park. I even walked to the beach - which is a bit farther, but the east end of the island is so pretty and pleasant, that if you like to walk, you are there in no time. The back yard at the Whale House is lovely and expansive and domianted by two huge Oak monarchs, which are a beautiful sight to simply contemplate from the chairs on the back porch, where I sat and read my book, looking up from time to time to take in the peaceful scene. People everywhere were very friendly and tuned in to birds. We had several invitations from islanders to come to their house and look at the birds at their feeders. If you like beachcombing, the west end of the island was covered with wonderful shells, which I enjoyed collecting while John searched for his avian treasures. Altogether we both had a delightful time and are so appreciative of Robert and Teecie for their considerate hospitality.

Recommended for:Age 55+.

A MUST DO EXPERIENCE

Guest: Ms Leigh (Memphis TN)
Date of Stay: 12/20/10 Review Submitted: 12/30/10

I've just returned from my third visit to the island, and my third stay at The Whale House. Add this one to your 'bucket list'! It is absolutely a must do experience. The folks on the island make you feel at home! In addition, The Whale House has everything you need. I'm ready to relocate. The owners of the property are near if you have any problems. Warning! If you are bright lights and busy city vacationers, stay away from the island. Dauphin Island and The Whale House are for the laid back, easy going, like to sit on the porch and read a good book people. Oh, there's plenty to do..a visit to the bakery or Skinners for some goodies to prepare yourself. There are several excellent restaurants. There's the sea lab and a historic fort, even a golf course. If you visit Fort Gaines, be sure and stop to get quite the history lesson from the blacksmith. Back to The Whale House, this is your home away from home. Everything you wished you could have found at that last vacation spot is included at the Whale House. The beds are better than any in a five star hotel. The kitchen is fully equipped. You'll even have access to the internet, bring your own laptop. Like to BBQ? The house has a grill and a path to the bakery in case you don't want to prepare your own breakfast. Like to fish? Bring that rod and reel, sit on the pier across from the fort and enjoy! By the way, winter, summer, spring, or fall, sit on one of the house's porches and enjoy the life of an islanders. You'll be within walking distance of a beach, a local grocery, the post office, several quaint shops, some great 'local' eateries, and you'll meet some of the nicest people in the world! If you're a free spirit, easy going, laid back kind of person, The Whale House and Dauphin Island must be added to your vacation planner. Brings a whole new meaning to 'Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay'.

Owner response:You have definitely become one of the Islanders. You really captured the essence of the Island in your comments, which are really appreciated. You're terrific! Teecie and Robert

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

A comfortable place with good owners

Guest: Jim & Sharon (Highland, IL USA)
Date of Stay: 09/19/10 Review Submitted: 11/04/10

Whale House is nicely appointed and decorated. The owners thought of everything. The beds are comfortable. Teecie and Robert are accommodating and quick to respond. We appreciated the literature left for guests and the location. We visited Bellingrath Gardens and home and took the ferry at the east end of the island. We also walked some of the bird nature walk and visited the bakery. The owners have thoughtfully mowed a path in back of the house for a nice walk over. The house has an odor -- not real bad, not good. Something different. I found it unpleasant. Perhaps the source of that has been found and fixed. The kitchen is very spacious. We were smitten with the large map there and the one in the living room. One needs to plan meals while on the island as the restaurants have varying hours and days of operation and there aren't many. The weather was still incredibly hot and humid in September during our visit, which limited our time outdoors dramatically. We aren't used to that kind of humidity and it was miserable. The beaches do have oil on them, though we didn't see many globs of it. The oil is mixed with the sand finely and there's little sand clear of it. The public beach on Dauphin seemed good except near the water, and it's a long walk from parking to the water. Sunsets are spectacular. We drove the Mississippi coast, too, as far as Pass Christian, and BP oil crews were everywhere working to clean up the beaches. Oil sheens were visible in the calmer areas of bays and inlets. There is much to do off the island, depending on one's interest. We might have spent most of our time on the island in cooler weather, relaxing more. Since it was too humid to enjoy the outdoors, we explored the east side of Mobile Bay, which is charming, with quaint towns like Fairhope and many unique shops. If you like to shop, that area is the place to go. We saw some of old downtown Mobile, too, with large, aristocratic homes and moss hanging from majestic trees. The Whale House was a good home base, with a rather scenic drive across the 3-mile bridge. Pelicans like to roost on anything protruding from the water. In good weather, the house has nice places to sit outside and soak in the tropical nature of the area. Enjoy your stay.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Dauphin Island experience

Guest: Deb H. (Vidor, Texas)
Date of Stay: 10/10/10 Review Submitted: 10/18/10

Whale House met our expectations--we stayed the whole week here. The island itself was lovely and quaint--woods and beach. The ambiance was tranquil and peaceful. We enjoyed the Bird Sanctuary walking trail and Fort Gaines the most aside from the joy of sitting out near the surf. Be aware that there is a distance to walk for anyone not capable of walking easily through a lot of sand before you reach the surf. The cottage was a neat place to "come home to" and we enjoyed sitting on the back porch listening to the birds and watching the butterflies and such. The bakery is about a block away. The availability of WI-FI was highly appreciated. Makes mapping places to visit and finding good seafood restaurants a lot easier. You save a lot of money being able to buy your groceries and "eat in" at the cottage. We went to Bellingrath Gardens and para-sailed in Orange Beach. Be aware the ferry across to Gulf Shores is expensive. Thank goodness we found the Whale House. Stop in Ocean Springs, MS and eat at McElroy's On the Bayou. It was worth the wait! I would recommend!

Owner response:Thank you for your helpful comments, Deb. We enjoyed having you and are glad that you enjoyed your stay. Teecie and Robert

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

What a charming get-away

Guest: Bobbie (Brandon, MS)
Date of Stay: 08/01/10 Review Submitted: 08/23/10

Stayed at the Whale house with my grandson as a get-away for the two of us before he went away to college. The cottage is even more charming than the internet portrays. It has everything you could possibly need in a vacation rental with a price that is so very reasonable. Would recommend very highly to everyone, regardless of age.

Owner response:Thank you so much for your kind remarks. We enjoyed having you and your grandson. Teecie and Robert

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

Sleeping On A Cloud

Guest: Ms Leigh (Memphis TN)
Date of Stay: 05/27/10 Review Submitted: 06/17/10

I was at Dauphin Island the end of May. This was my second stay at the Whale House. The cottage is fully equipped. The amenities excel my stays at other beach or lake cottages. The beds are comfy. I can only restate, it is like sleeping on a cloud. It is clean, well maintained, and simply charming. You'll have easy access to service stations, gift shops, excellent restaurants, even a post office. I enjoy cooking and Skinner's Seafood store is within walking distance. I enjoyed visiting the estuary, the fort, and strolling the beaches. The majority of the beaches I walked were not impacted by the spill. I plan to return!

Owner response:Thank you so much for your return trip and your wonderful comments. We enjoyed having you both so much and look forward to your return. Thanks also for letting everyone know that the beaches are still beautiful. Teecie and Robert

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

Return Trip

Guest: Leigha nd Michael (Memphis, TN)
Date of Stay: 05/26/10 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

I worry about giving the Whale House and Robert and Teecie the glowing superlatives that they deserve. We have stayed there twice--in 6 months. If I say all the great stuff, then I'll have trouble booking again!! (Does that tell you all that prospective renters need to know???) The house is clean, cozy, and charming. A short drive to either end of the island, and all the D I has to offer a visitor. If you are looking for "hustle and bustle" don't come to the Island. It is for lounging, relaxing, and breathing. The Whale House is a haven for those who truly want to "get away" and enjoy, and Robert and Teecie have created the perfect environs for such an escape. You really MUST take advantage of this unique opportunity---just don't pick the days of my next visit!!!

Owner response:You are both too sweet and we love having you stay with us. You've become honorary Islanders! Teecie and Robert

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, pet owners, girls getaway, age 55+.