Vacation Rentals by Owner

Happy guest

Guest: Weezie (Hendersonville, Tn)
Date of Stay: 05/12/12 Review Submitted: 05/24/12

I can't say enough good things about " Changes in Attitude". The care and attention that the Fosters have put into this cottage to make it comfortable and welcoming for guests are evident as soon as you arrive. This cottage meets the needs of adults, children, babies and even the family dog. They have provided peg racks, baskets, shelf racks for storage, as well as the usual bureaus and armoires. The kitchen is fully equipped to do all the cooking you will need to do, even providing spices and herbs, paper products, tin foil, etc. The porches are perfect for enjoying cool breezes and welcome shade while enjoying family time together. The owners are very responsive to any needs you have. The cottage has all the equipment for a baby that anyone would need- baby gates, pack-n-play, high chairs, nap cots, bed rails, baby moniter, sippy cups, stroller, beach cart, beach toys, and a large selection of movies for children ,as well as movies for adults.The house is a short walk away from the heated pool, the beach, the outlet mall, Starbucks, a strip mall , including a grocery store, restaurant . The beds are super comfortable. We liked this cottage so much that we intend to return. in the future. I would recommend this cottage to anyone without hesitation. You will not be disappointed, especially if there are children in your party. Thank you Jim and Cathy Foster for being great hosts and making your gusets feel comfortable and truly at HOME.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Happy guest

Guest: Weezie (Hendersonville, Tn)
Date of Stay: 05/12/12 Review Submitted: 05/24/12

I can't say enough good things about " Changes in Attitude". The care and attention that the Fosters have put into this cottage to make it comfortable and welcoming for guests are evident as soon as you arrive. This cottage meets the needs of adults, children, babies and even the family dog. They have provided peg racks, baskets, shelf racks for storage, as well as the usual bureaus and armoires. The kitchen is fully equipped to do all the cooking you will need to do, even providing spices and herbs, paper products, tin foil, etc. The porches are perfect for enjoying cool breezes and welcome shade while enjoying family time together. The owners are very responsive to any needs you have. The cottage has all the equipment for a baby that anyone would need- baby gates, pack-n-play, high chairs, nap cots, bed rails, baby moniter, sippy cups, stroller, beach cart, beach toys, and a large selection of movies for children ,as well as movies for adults.The house is a short walk away from the heated pool, the beach, the outlet mall, Starbucks, a strip mall , including a grocery store, restaurant . The beds are super comfortable. We liked this cottage so much that we intend to return. in the future. I would recommend this cottage to anyone without hesitation. You will not be disappointed, especially if there are children in your party. Thank you Jim and Cathy Foster for being great hosts and making your gusets feel comfortable and truly at HOME.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Spring Break in Florida with a Young Family

Guest: Katherine B. (Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 04/07/12 Review Submitted: 04/15/12

We had a wonderful time at your house on Miramar Beach (near Destin). We have 2 young kids (6 &3) and the house was absolutely perfect. The house is very close to the beach taking less than 5 minutes to walk down to the beautiful white beach. We didn't have to buy anything for the kids to use for the pool or the beach as there was a great supply of beach toys, boogie boards, chairs, beach karts, wagons, umbrellas and more! There was also a large number of DVDs available at the house and the kids had fun picking the movie of the day. We have rented many houses and this had one of the best supplies of equipment we have ever seen. The owners are wonderful and ensure that you have everything that you need and that your stay is going perfectly. Thanks for the wonderful vacation! We will be back!

Recommended for:

Spring Break in Destin with 2 young kids

Guest: Jamie (Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 04/07/12 Review Submitted: 04/15/12

We had a wonderful time at your house on Miramar Beach (near Destin). We have 2 young kids (6 &3) and the house was absolutely perfect. The house is very close to the beach taking less than 5 minutes to walk down to the beautiful white beach. We didn't have to buy anything for the kids to use for the pool or the beach as there was a great supply of beach toys, boogie boards, chairs, beach karts, wagons, umbrellas and more! There was also a large number of DVDs available at the house and the kids had fun picking the movie of the day. We have rented many houses and this had one of the best supplies of equipment we have ever seen. The owners are wonderful and ensure that you have everything that you need and that your stay is going perfectly. Thanks for the wonderful vacation! We will be back!

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

Best Spring Break Ever!!!

Guest: Rayne (Chandler, TX)
Date of Stay: 03/10/12 Review Submitted: 04/06/12

We had a fantastic Spring Break! The house was perfect and cozy. My husband and I took our two teenage daughters and two of their friends. There was plenty of room with 2-1/2 bathrooms, 3 large bedrooms and a huge kitchen/living room combo. I loved having our own private balcony in the master bedroom. The washer and dryer were a wonderful convenience. When you stay at Changes in Attitudes, you don't need to bring beach towels, chairs, or toys. The kitchen is well stocked with every possible item you might need to cook with. It felt like home. Thank you, Cathy! We will rent again soon!

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

Perfect, Perfect, Perfect!

Guest: Renee D.
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 07/18/11

My family's first trip to Destin and this was a wonderful place to stay. The location within Destin could not have been better. Right across from the outlet mall and extremely close to the beach. Within about a 3 minute walk to the beach. The house was fully stocked beyond our expectation. No need to pack beach toys, umbrellas, beach towels, etc. - all is provided. TVs in all bedrooms (and living room of course) with an endless supply of movies for the kids. Ceiling fans in all rooms just like home. Outdoor shower to rinse off before coming in was a plus. And the porches with rocking chairs are wonderful in the evenings and a great place to send the kids if they are eating ice cream or popsicles. Pool is a few houses down, clean and beautiful. Quiet at all hours of the day & night. Fireworks on the 4th of July on the beaches of Destin, cannot be beat. Best I have ever seen. And be sure to do a Dolphin tour and parasailing. You won't ever forget it! We didn't find any restaurants we didn't like. I used Tripadvisor reviews and the binder of restaurant menus that was provided with great handwritten notes in the kitchen of our rental. What a great idea. Owner was wonderful to work with even though we had no problems. I really felt like a guest in a friends home. I highly recommend and will be back!

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

A week in paradise

Guest: jilly (Nashville, TN)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 07/05/11

This is the second year we have stayed at Changes in Attitude. What a terrific place! It is minutes from the beach & the pool but feels like an oasis. The house is outfitted with everything you could need for a trip to the beach, so there is no need to lug everything with you. Vacationing at Changes in Attitude feels like staying in luxury with all the comforts of home. We looking to our next vacation here.

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

Fabulous home and great owners!

Guest: L. (Indianapolis)
Date of Stay: 03/26/11 Review Submitted: 04/14/11

We spent our Spring Break enjoying this lovely, beach home. It was nothing less than perfect! The owner was fantastic! We received a very thorough and informative welcome packet prior to our vacation. When we arrived, we found everything we needed for a fabulous week... and we mean EVERYTHING! The owner has thought of everything... you literally only need to bring your clothes... everything else is there! Our kids enjoyed the beach, pool, all the toys, the short walk to area restaurants and the outlet mall. We can't wait to visit again!

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

The PERFECT vacation home for families!

Guest: G (Nashville, TN)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 04/21/11

My family of 6 (2 adults, 4 kids ages 14-3) and our dog spent a week here for spring break. We found the house to be spacious, charming, comfortable, and very clean. Everything we needed for our stay was available. The shed was packed with all the beach essentials, the kitchen was fully stocked, and there were plenty of games and videos for the whole family. Although we didn't use the baby equipment provided, it looked to be newer and clean. The neighborhood is well kept with a great heated pool a few houses down. The beautiful emerald beach is a short walk (about 2-3 minutes) down the boardwalk access or side street. It was also centrally located to grocery stores, shopping, and restaurants. We really appreciated being able to bring our Golden Retriever with us as well. We do not kennel him, he goes everywhere with our family, and we could not find any properties besides this one that allowed a dog of his size. For a reasonable fee we were able to have peace of mind knowing he was safe and happy on vacation with us. Although dogs of guests aren't allowed on the beaches, we enjoyed taking him out on the wide walking path that is at the entrance to the neighborhood and runs alongside the main road. This was our first visit to Miramar and the owner provided us with a wonderful welcome package tailored to our families interests. She even called during our stay to make sure we had everything we needed. We had always rented from property management companys in the past and have never received the level of care that we did from this owner. Being able to have our whole family together in this home away from home made for a memorable and completely stress-free vacation.

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

Great Vacation Cottage!

Guest: Patty (Danville Indiana)
Date of Stay: 02/27/11 Review Submitted: 06/07/11

We are familiar with Destin and all that it has to offer with its shopping and restaurants. Finding a cottage that is close to everything and is so well equiped is a bonus! This property is clean, updated and is beautiful. The setting in Gulfside Cottages makes you think of Wysteria Lane on Desperate Housewives with its picket fences and friendly atmosphere. You can walk to the grocery, walk to get frozen yogurt and walk to Busters for a Grouper sandwich...who could ask for more? All this and your pooch gets to come too! A great find in a great vacation spot!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Wonderful experience!

Guest: Carol (McKinney, TX)
Date of Stay: 08/14/10 Review Submitted: 08/22/10

The owners of the home, Cathy & Jim, have truly thought of everything! How nice to have everything you could possibly need (and then some) right at your fingertips. The house was decorated wonderfully and was very clean and spacious. Any kitchen utensil, beach toy, movie or book you could ask for is probably on the premises-- you'll never have to run out and get anything except your food for the week. Our communication with Cathy before, during & after the trip was outstanding and the "Welcome Packet" we received prior to heading to Florida was very thoughtful. The home is extremely child-friendly and included a pack-n-play, high chair, booster seat, the works! (Not to mention all the great beach toys for kiddos!) We plan to visit Destin again soon and we have absolutely no doubt where we'll be staying! Thank you Cathy for making our first trip of many to Destin such a wonderful experience-- your pride of ownership truly shows!

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

Family beach trip

Guest: Robyn (Georgia)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10 Review Submitted: 11/15/10

We loved our time at Changes in Attitude! This beach home had everything we needed for us and our 3 children. Nice and fully stocked kitchen, comfortable bedrooms, and nice bathrooms. Packing the car for this trip was so much easier than any other beach vacation we've gone on. This home has beach toys, chairs, towels, beach wagon, coolers, baby Pack -n- Play, baby gates, high chair, kid-friendly cups/bowls/plates... and did I mention the movies?! Wow! Our children were so easily entertained between the beach, pool, and the enormous selection of kids movies and games. The weather and water were beautiful and clear. I highly recommend this rental property to anyone looking to come to Destin. We will definately be visiting again. Thank you.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Attitude Changed

Guest: Bill (Decatur, Alabama)
Date of Stay: 07/17/10 Review Submitted: 07/28/10

My wife and I have been vacationing in Destin for at least 10 years. In all those years we have always stayed in a condo. About 5 years ago we started finding our rentals through www.VRBO.com(Vacation Rentals by Owners). It has always been a pleasant experience dealing directly with the owners then through an agency and generally lower cost since there is no middle man fee. This year we decided to try a house and hooked up with the Fosters through VRBO back in March or April. This was before the oil well blow out. After the oil well blow out and when oil began showing up on beaches close to Destin we got into contact with the Cathy Foster. We discussed the issue and Cathy was anxious that we have a good vacation and she completely understood if we decided to cancel and seek other arrangements. She withdrew the cancellation policy and we just played it by ear. About a month before our week to arrive my wife and I made the commitment to stay with Destin The house was a very nice change from a condo. Much more room and since we had our grandson with us that was a big benefit. A very large kitchen and since I enjoy cooking that was a pleasant surprise. Plenty of cookware. The neighborhood was quiet and enjoyable. The beach access, while not as close as what we had with condos, was close enough the walk was easy and the cart the Fosters supply and the beach equipment they have made it where we did not have to pay the high cost for beach chairs/umbrella setup from a beach service. Unfortunately the week was not one of Destin's better weeks for beach conditions. The surf was rough and there was a lot of seaweed but absolutely no oil. It also was very hot so the community pool was hot. Because our June is always busy we generally come in July which is always hot but this week the heat index was hitting a record. Because the oil chased away a lot of people Destin was not crowded and we never had to wait in line to eat at a restaurant. All in all, the facilities were good and we would consider coming back, hopefully a little sooner in the summer. The house could easily handle 6 people with plenty of room for all.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners.

A perfect vacation home for any family!

Guest: jilly (Nashville, TN)
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

This house was PERFECT for our family of 5. It was stocked with everything we needed for our children (pack & play, wagon, strollers, even kiddie cups & plates, kid's movies, etc.) There are so many things stocked (beach towels, boogie boards, nets, sand chairs, beach toys,) you don't need to bring anything for the beach except sunscreen & your swimsuit. It is minutes walking to the beautiful beach. The pool is right around the corner and a great alternative for an evening swim. The house is convenient to everything. The owners are terrific to work with & do everything to help you have a great stay. We are excited to make "Changes in Attitude" a tradition for our family vacations.

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

Awesome stay at "Changes in Attitudes"

Guest: John in Huntsville (Madison, AL)
Date of Stay: 05/29/10 Review Submitted: 06/14/10

My family stayed here for 6 days/5 nights over the Memorial Day weekend and it was an outstanding experience!! The owners have the most thorough communication of anyone that we've ever encountered in the Vacation Rental business. The house has everthing a family will need for a beach vacation (and then some)!! We did not bring any beach toys, umbrellas, coolers, etc since they had it all. The house is very well decorated and stocked with all of the kitchen appliances, utensils, etc. We spent most days at the beach, but we also used the pool which is merely steps away from the house. The outdoor shower was a huge plus as well on the days where we visited the beach. Silver Sands factory outlet is only a minute or so away, the Winn Dixie grocery store is very close, and it's only a 5 to 10 drive to Sandestin which makes the location a huge plus! 5 stars all the way around - outstanding location, value, communication, etc.!!!

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

Found our vacation home....

Guest: Mike from Kennesaw (Kennesaw, GA)
Date of Stay: 04/17/10 Review Submitted: 04/28/10

This is the first time we, as a family, have rented a house at the beach for 'the annual family vacation', and after a very relaxing and enjoyable week, we have no plans (or reason) to ever look for a different place to stay during future trips to Destin. From the initial phone conversation with Cathy, it was clear that this was more than just a place to sleep; it was a home that was being opened up to us for our enjoyment. As some of the previous guests had mentioned in their review, we wanted for nothing during our 7 days at the house! Whether you are planning on bringing children or not, there truly is everything in this house that you could ask for and/or think of...beach towels, beach chairs, Frisbees, beach umbrellas, wagons to cart stuff to/from the beach...they even had a variety of hats for both adults and kids just in case you forgot to bring your own! Like to read?!? There had to be 50 books around the house that covered the spectrum. Plenty of pots and pans should you plan to cook and a propane grill under the car port if that's your thing. The best part was that we were able to bring our Golden Retriever with us. The minute we walked in the house, we found it impossible to believe that any pet had entered the house before ours as everything was crisp, clean, and there was NO hint of any animal ever being in the house! Cathy and Jim, thank you, truly, for opening your HOME to our family during our spring break! Our plans are to book your place for 2 separate weeks in 2011. We cannot wait to get back!!! Mike, April and Family, Kennesaw, Georgia

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Great Vacation Experience for the Whole family

Guest: beachwiththefam (Georgia)
Date of Stay: 10/04/09 Review Submitted: 10/15/09

This home was the perfect place for our family to stay. The owners are super friendly and personal and help with any need or question you have. They have thought of everything. We took our 2 year old and 6 month old along with our parents. There was room for everyone! There were baby gates, bed rails, high chair, booster seat, kids plates, cups, movies, beach cart, baby tent for beach, umbrellas, beach toys, wagon, anything you need for a day at the beach with or without kids! The distance to the beach was perfect and so is the location of this house. You can walk to the grocery store and the Silver Sands outlets! We loved it and would recommend it to anyone. Very relaxing, very clean, organized, and inviting. Hope we can go again. The owners sent us a welcome packet with things to do while we were down there and we took them up on their offer. Great experience and a great deal!

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

Your home met at surpassed our expectations!

Guest: Nolafamily (New Orleans)
Date of Stay: 08/08/09 Review Submitted: 08/24/09

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this wonderful home. I chose it based on the glowing reviews, which were certainly accurate. We were impressed with all that this home had to offer- a beautifully stocked kitchen, with any appliance or utensil we could possibly need. Enough beach towels to last a week, for the 6 of us! Movies for the kids, and a large selection of books. And the wireless internet came in handy as well. The owner (Cathy) provided amazing, detailed information about the home and the area, and we so appreciated the "welcome packet" complete with maps and area attractions. There is much to do in the area- the beautiful beach was a short walk down the road, the grocery store also in walking distance, as well as the wonderful Silver Sands Outlet mall, which the teens enjoyed (also in walking distance, a great diversion on one of the rare rainy days). The well-stocked shed provided all the beach supplies we could possibly need. The most outstanding aspect of the whole experience was the care and attention to detail provided by the owners- they communicated with us through emails before, during, and after our vacation, to ensure that all was well, and to see if there was anything we may need (and no, there was nothing more we could have asked for). I would not hesitate to recommend this property to anybody looking for a clean, comfortable, well-appointed home at beautiful Miramar Beach.

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

Wonderful Experience!

Guest: shisha (Dothan, AL)
Date of Stay: 07/11/09 Review Submitted: 07/21/09

This property was very clean and well equipped with all the beach chairs, coolers, beach carts, towels, toys, etc. The owner was extremely attentive to our needs. I would definitely recommend this rental to a friend. We loved being within walking distance of a grocery store and a fresh seafood market. The pool was well maintained. We also spent our evenings on the porches while watching the grandchildren play in the grass. The wonderful outlet mall is right across the street. The kitchen was well-stocked.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Perfect backdrop for a memory making getaway!

Guest: TexasKristi (Spring, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/20/09 Review Submitted: 07/01/09

We never expected it to be so much fun. The property was charming and ideal for our family of four, with room to spare. Every need and want you could possibly think of is provided and then a few things you didn't think of. Very clean and comfortable. Great beach location, not too touristy. Worth every penny, you will not regret this choice.

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

Wonderful Home

Guest: Springdale Mom (Springdale, AR USA)
Date of Stay: 06/13/09 Review Submitted: 06/25/09

The house was wonderful! Very homey, clean and had everything we needed. The neighborhood was nice and quiet also. Cathy has all the beach stuff we needed with a short walk to the beach. Cathy provided a nice package with information that was very helpful. We will add this to our list of places to come back to.

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

The only place to stay while in Destin

Guest: Nancy and Ben (Texas)
Date of Stay: 06/06/09 Review Submitted: 06/15/09

Dear Cathy and Jim, Just back from Destin and wanted to let you know how awesome your home there is! You thought of everything! The highchair, pack-n-play, sleep cots for the twins, baby gates, even down to the sippy cups, we had everything we needed for our kids. We only had to bring our clothes. I loved being so close to the beach and once again you had everything we needed - the wagon and stroller came in handy for getting the kids and all of the beach gear you have there down to the beach. The weather was perfect, could not have been better. We spent most days at the beach and pool but loved hanging out on the porches watching the kids play in the yard in the late afternoon. We were able to play all day but with the wireless internet you have we were still able to catch up on work emails at night. It was such a great place that there is no question where we'll be staying in Destin for next year's vacation. Thanks again for lending us your home. Blessings, Nancy and Ben

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

Truely a change in attitude

Guest: Amanda, Allen, Luke, Jeanette, and Lynn (Batesville, MS)
Date of Stay: 04/19/09 Review Submitted: 05/02/09

My family and I just got back from a wonderful stay in Jim and Cathy's beautiful home. Everything anyone could possibly need was provided for us. I couldn't believe we truely only needed to bring our clothes. We all enjoyed spending time with one another on the cozy porches and comfortable living room. We are already looking forward to returning next year. This is the best place we have stayed!

Recommended for:Families with young children, pet owners.

Great Vacation

Guest: jplet (Huffman, Texas)
Date of Stay: 04/03/09 Review Submitted: 04/13/09

Cathy & Jim, Thank you both for sharing your beautiful home with our family. It was exactly as described. It is a very quite neighgorhood with hardly any traffic which is a plus if you have small children. It started off a little chilly at the beginning of the week, but turned out beautiful by mid-week. Our grandson age 3 loved all the beach toys, movies, games and books that you have, that kept him busy on the chilly days. The kitchen was equipped with everything that you could think of. The bedrooms were spacious and I love the color scheme. The house is very clean and well maintained. Oh yes, the grocery store is right across the street which was a plus. This was our third trip to Destin and by far the best rental that we have stayed at. Our family will be scheduling another vacation at your home very soon. The beach was beautiful and not overcrowded like some of the private beaches are. My husband has decided he wants to retire there. Thanks again, Brian, Jennifer, Eric, Andrea, Gregory, Gina, Ryan & Cade

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners.

Repeat renters happy again!!!

Guest: RandyB (Louisville, KY)
Date of Stay: 03/29/09 Review Submitted: 04/19/09

Cathy, thanks again for opening your house up to our family. As a return renter we knew exactly what we were getting into. I can't think of one thing that you don't provide to make someone feel exactly at home. As a family of five we typically have to bring EVERYTHING to accomodate the kids. From the highchair to the pack-n-play, our 1 yr old daughter never missed a beat. My 3yr and teenager enjoyed all the movies that were available. Going on a beach vacation was never easier. Typically we load the van full of beach stuff...I didn't even have to use the car top carrier this year knowing what we were in for. You provide for beach accessories than one can use in a week. We can't imagine coming to Destin and not staying at your house. We certainly will be staying with you again. Thanks again for providing great memories for my family...Randy

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners.

Great Family Fun

Guest: Happy in Wisconsin (Fond du Lac, WI )
Date of Stay: 03/07/09 Review Submitted: 04/03/09

Cathy - Our family really enjoyed your home. Is was everything we needed and wanted. Excellent set up for children. The beach was amazing. Wonderful views. Very peaceful. Great for kids. The kids especially loved the pool. Thanks again for a great family vacation. Jacob, Kim, Jaxson, Vada, Stella and Jorja!

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

Destin in October

Guest: lynn and her family (cincinnati)
Date of Stay: 10/19/08 Review Submitted: 10/29/08

My family has rented homes in this neighborhood every time we've gone to Destin, and this one was our favorite! Every convenience you like to have in your own home was there, and then some! We loved having access to all the beach gear (towels, blankets, chairs, carts, toys, and a wagon). The owners of the home were very kind in sending us information in preparation for the trip and made the whole rental experience very easy. We hope to have the opportunity to come back and stay in this house again!

Recommended for:Families with young children

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/08 Review Submitted: 06/26/08

We brought 3 generations plus a few furry friends. We lacked for nothing at the house and had one of the best vacations that we can remember. The house was nicely decorated and comfortable. The location had easy access to beach, pool, and area shopping/restaurants. The owners are gems and easy to work with. We will be returning as soon as we can!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/08 Review Submitted: 06/14/08

What a great trip! The Foster's home had everything we needed for a vacation with our two-year old. Pack n' play, high chair, little table and chairs, books, movies, even sippy cups! The baby gates were very handy, as were the many beach chairs, umbrellas and sand/water toys. The beach was a short walk, the pool an even shorter walk, and many stores and amenities within walking distance. Great area, great weather, nice private beach, beautiful, beautiful home. We could not have asked for a better vacation!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Jamie B. (O Fallon, MO)
Date of Stay: 05/01/08 Review Submitted: 05/24/08

When we embarked on the journey for our trip we hoped that it would truely be a vacation. With 2 y/o quadruplets, 3 very active and crazy monkeys plus 1 with special needs, it could have been a disaster but it was actaully very pleasant! This is because the Foster's beach cottage became our home away from home. The baby gates came in handy from keeping the little ones from playing on the beautiful wood stairs. The crib rental guy was able to squeeze 3 cribs into the kid room, so that we could keep the active ones in their crib tents while they slept just like home and not out on the prowel. In fact the kids just called the house their, "different house" and "different beds, tvs" etc. The gated back porch was a huge relief to be able to keep the kids contained and yet open enough to run around and play. As for the big people...we found the master bed to be very comfy and the room spacious. My parents, said the 2nd bedroom had a very comfy bed as well. We found everything that we needed in the kitchen to make meals. The garage storage area was well equipped with plenty of toys to choose from for both the beach and the pool. My only complaint is that there was not really any toddler toys for indoor play but then again the kids were happy playing cups and tupperwear. All in all the trip was a success and we look forward to staying here again and making it an annual vacation. Thanks for the clean and accomodating home! The Barnes Family, Andrew, Jamie, Peyton, Hayden, Adrien, & Makenna along with Ginger and Mike Beck

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/08 Review Submitted: 04/02/08

The Foster's are great. They have thought of everything you would need for your stay. It is a beautiful home in a friendly neighborhood & very close to the beach, shopping & restaurants. We enjoyed our stay in February 2008 very much.

Recommended for:

Great Family Beach Vacation Home!

Guest: Sue L. (Maumee, OH)
Date of Stay: 03/01/08 Review Submitted: 03/10/08

Cathy and Jim; My Family and I just Loved your Beach House in Destin, Florida. Everything was there at the House to provide a great time on the Beach. We also loved the Pool too! The Beach was so Beautiful and clean. Everything in the area nice and very well kept. We will be coming to Destin on a yearly basis now that we found a wonderful vacation Beach House. All of us including our dogs had a great time. Thanks again, Sue, Tim, Mark, Carla, and Amanda

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/08 Review Submitted: 01/10/08

Jan. '08 We just returned from two weeks in the wonderful house of the Fosters. We had such a good time. Despite the not so good weather, we enjoyed ourselves very much. The house has everything you need and more. Very comfortable and relaxing, somebody before me wrote "it feels like the home away from home" and that is exactly how it felt to me and my sons and the friends that visited. I have already asked if we can come back next year, same time same place, and it looks like we will! I also want to add that the lady of the house is a super friendly person, who wants the guests to feel at home and she really made sure that we did. I really recommend this place! MC van Helmond & family

Recommended for:

Nice for Young Family

Guest: gr8destination (Cincinnati)
Date of Stay: 11/10/07 Review Submitted: 11/03/09

Our family had a wonderful "first" vacation at this house. The location is fantastic-walk to grocery store and Starbucks. The house is nicely decorated (and well organized) in a theme that makes you feel like you are at the beach. Also equipped with everything you could possibly need from corn cob holders to corkscrews to wagon/toys for kids to beach chairs. Washer/Dryer made for a lot less laundry upon our return home. The best thing about it with young kids was the gated front porch. They could run around without us having to chase them! Beach is close, maybe a 10th of a mile. Pool was excellent, though I don't think it was heated. Highly recommend spending time on the master bedroom porch...very serene. Pride of ownership shines through from thoughtful and accessible owners.

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/07 Review Submitted: 09/22/07

Dear Cathy & Jim: I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful week we had at your home. Your home was completely (and I mean completely) furnished - and is decorated with the finest furnishings. We couldn't believe how you thought of everything from children's videos and books to beach chairs and umbrellas. It was a breeze making the reservations with you and I look forward to coming back. Stella Borst

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/07 Review Submitted: 09/20/07

We were thrilled with our vacation this summer. So much, that we returned one month later for Labor Day weekend. Your house was much more than we expected. It made us feel like we were at home. It is new and beautiful and had everything we needed besides our clothes! You thought of every detail, from beach towels, suntan lotion to bandaids. Also, your outside storage was filled with wagons, chairs, numerous size ice chests, umbrellas and toys. This is one of the reasons we came back. We knew we had a great house and were able to hop in the car for a quick weekend with only the clothes on our backs. We have teenagers who want some freedom and we loved the safe and secure feeling we had in the neighborhood and on the beach. It was not like a high rise where I would worry about them. We will definitely see you next year.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 08/15/07

06/30/07 - 07/07/07 Dear Cathy & Jim We want to thank you for opening your home to our family. We had a wonderful time! When I spoke with you on the phone, you told me all we would need to bring is our clothes and food. You were so correct, there wasn't a single thing I can think of that the house needs. We just loved the location, it was easily accessible to the beach, outlet malls and grocery stores. I and my family didn't want to leave. I want to thank you again for allowing us to rent your home and we hope to return really soon. Best to you and your family Michelle, Keith and kids

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/07 Review Submitted: 07/15/07

07/07/07-07/14/07 Cathy & Jim We just returned home and wanted to say Thank You for a wonderful vacation. I knew from talking to you that it was going to be nice and we were not disappointed. You ask that I let you know of anything that you could do to make our vist better....I can not think of 1 thing! You spoil your guests from the moment they arrive....WINE cooled in the refrigerator WOW There is every game, book, video and DVD imaginable. A very nicely stocked kitchen and so many special touches in each room. As for beach items...there was nothing that was not provided..chairs, toys,floats,coolers and enough beach towels for a small army!(even a collection of beach hats).We have stayed many places over the years and these things are not provided. You have made a rental property into a warm,inviting home and it was a joy to stay there. There is not enough space to mention all the little extras that made our vacation relaxing, I was still finding things on our last day! Thank You so much for sharing your home with us.... Sandra, John, Julianne & Gabrielle

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/07 Review Submitted: 06/17/07

Dear Cathy, Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful home with us! We had a great time!! The house is decorated and furnished very tastefully. Our boys loved the bunk beds and movies. All of the beach toys were wonderful. Thank you!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/07 Review Submitted: 04/07/07

We just returned home and I couldn't wait to tell you what a wonderful time we had in your beautiful home. EVERYTHING was incredible! The house feels and looks brand new, with every detail just perfect - from the inviting furniture to the well-stocked movies and books, to the myriad of beach supplies - we couldn't believe how you thought of everything anyone could need (we even found the bandaids!). The location was great for our family - easy walk to the great beach and pool, with sidewalks for running/walking, and of course, easy access to the outlet mall. We can't wait to rent here again! Thanks for putting so much of yourselves into the beauty of your home! It was so hard to leave!! V, M, L & E

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/22/07

Cathy and Jim, What a great stay we had at your cottage. Everything we needed was provided. The home was tastefully decorated and completely comfortable. Not only did the home provide all the conveniences, but we were alos provided with great printed information on services throughout the area which was very helpful. Additonally, I would like to thank you for making yourself available via the phone/e-mail to answer any questions or offer any assistance.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/07 Review Submitted: 02/12/07

WONDERFUL....It was home when we walked in the door. It's very difficult to begin because everything was just a great as the other. From the beds- to the TV in every room -to the neighborhood-the rooms decor- to the neighbors-to the beaches & palm trees-When you said all you need are your clothes and food, you were so right. You so thoughtfully supplied all the basic necessities-napkins,paper towels, toilet paper soap, dish soap, etc.,etc. It was so nice not to have to rush to the store upon our arrival. The kitchen was stocked with every imaginable utensil, cook ware and dishes. Everything was so fresh and clean. The house has a friendly aura and we enjoyed our stay here very much. Bob and Lee Harris Jan. 15th--Feb. 15th 2007

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/07 Review Submitted: 02/09/07

1-15 - 2-14, 2007 My wife and I enjoyed the time we've spent in this exceptional gulf home. I call it a home, because that is what it became to us in a very short time. The neighbors are as nice as you could possibily expect anywhere. The home is decorated beautifully with the warmth of the sea and it's beauty.We slept very well in the quiet neighborhood, and the beds are very very comfortable.We really can't say enough good things about this home, and we both suggest you don't miss out on this enjoyable home & the area. Bring 'plenty of money because the shopping is out of sight. (GREAT BUYS) So have fun at our expence. We did! Enjoy, Lee & Bob Harris

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/17/06 Review Submitted: 11/17/06

Hi Cathy – I got your voicemail, I just got back to Boston late last night, I was in Atlanta for the week, so things have been quite hectic. Thank you so much for the lovely rental, it was perfect and we loved it! I can’t think of a thing that you would need to add, everything was wonderful and it was so nice not to have to worry about bringing towels, beach stuff ect. The cottage is absolutely adorable and accommodated all of our needs, I will definitely be back at some point in the future. That was so sweet to leave the Champagne , my sister (bride) and I were down there by ourself on Thursday having a girls night, so we used the bottle then!! Thanks again, the directions were perfect! I just wish we could have stayed longer!! J Hopefully I will be back in the near future!! Good luck with everything! Tabitha KahlhamerBusiness Manager

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/06 Review Submitted: 11/16/06

Hi Cathy – I got your voicemail, I just got back to Boston late last night, I was in Atlanta for the week, so things have been quite hectic. Thank you so much for the lovely rental, it was perfect and we loved it! I can’t think of a thing that you would need to add, everything was wonderful and it was so nice not to have to worry about bringing towels, beach stuff ect. The cottage is absolutely adorable and accommodated all of our needs, I will definitely be back at some point in the future. That was so sweet to leave the Champagne , my sister (bride) and I were down there by ourself on Thursday having a girls night, so we used the bottle then!! Thanks again, the directions were perfect! I just wish we could have stayed longer!! J Hopefully I will be back in the near future!! Good luck with everything! Tabitha Kahlhamer Business Manager

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 08/28/06

This was the best vacation that our family has been on. This is all because of the wonderful home the Fosters has created. The home is VERY clean and there is everything that you can think about all included in this rental. There is not one bad thing that I can say about this home. It is absolutely wonderful. Thanks Cathy for opening up your beautiful home to my family and I. We'll be back next year!!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/06 Review Submitted: 07/18/06

What a great place for family! For people looking for the right house to entertain family, this is the place. The attention to detail for kids is remarkable. From the small table and chairs to baby gates to wonderful kids movies, everything was covered. The bark porch was a traditional night cap for our family. The gated porch gave the opportunity to enjoy the nights outside. The beach is remarkable and there was enough beach equipment for the small kids as well as the big kids (a.k.a. the adults.) The pool was a huge hit with the kids. These owners think of all the small details that others forget. We'll be back for sure!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/06 Review Submitted: 03/19/06

Dear Cathy and Jim: We just wanted to let you know that we all enjoyed the house sooooo much! It is great and it has everything to have a blast and relax. The location is perfect, very close to a wonderful beach with amazing sunsets!! Our three kids loved it! Thank you so much for every detail and all your concerns. You are very special to us already!! We'll come back!! Ana, Ken, Belen, Nick and Tomas Cusi

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/05 Review Submitted: 08/09/05

We stayed here in August of 2005, and had a wonderful time. We loved the home. The kids enjoyed the bunk beds, all the movies and books, and the kids' games. (The movies, books, and games for the adults were a pleasant surprise too!) The home was beautiful, comfortable, and well-supplied, and the location was great. Having all the wonderful umbrellas, chairs, and beach toys was a huge help, since we were very cramped for space on our drive down from Tennessee. The walk to the beach wasn't bad at all, and being so close to Winn Dixie and the outlet mall was a big plus. We will recommend to friends.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/05 Review Submitted: 08/03/05

Dear Jim and Cathy, This was our second stay at your lovely home and once again we enjoyed it. Your home has everything that a family could want for their stay and it is so comfortable. The beach is so close and we love the area...it is beautiful. We feel fortunate to have found not only your home, but also gotten to know such kind and thoughtful people. You go to such great lengths to make certain that our stay is enjoyable and it is greatly appreciated.

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