Awesome place!

Guest: Personalized Prevention (San Antonio, Texas)
Date of Stay: 11/15/09 Review Submitted: 12/11/09

This property is very clean and very comfortable, like a home away from home. The property is well secured and the onsite staff is very nice. I would recommend this property to all friends and family, infact, we have reserved this place for two more visits since we initially stayed here. Franke Realtors has also been very nice and accommodating. The whole thing has made for a wonderful experience!

Owner response:Thanks... I'm glad you enjoyed your multiple stays!

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

Memorial Day Memories...

Guest: Jeannine (Universal City, TX)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 05/31/11

The Penthouse at the Aquarius was a great place to stay on the Island. You have a great view of the gulf and the bay from the balconies. There was plenty of room for 12 people to stay comfortably. We loved having the washer/dryer so we could put on a clean bathing suit each day. The staff at the Aquarius does a good job maintaining the grounds and pool and they are very friendly. The agents with Franke Realtors were very helpful...even providing phone #'s for reputable fishing guides (even though we didn't get to go due to the very windy conditions during our stay). Also due to the very windy conditions, the water at the beach wasn't as clear as we remembered from the prior year...but the temperature was great..and not much sea weed either. Hopefully next year it won't be as windy, so we can see our toes when we go out chest deep again. The beach was super clean and we really enjoyed just relaxing and playing in the sand/water. We cooked for each meal and found the kitchen was nicely stocked...just make sure to bring seasoning (salt/pepper etc.)and coffee filters and the such. You should also bring extra trash bags as only 2-3 were provided. The a/c worked great and kept us cool and comfortable in most rooms...there were no ceiling fans, so if you like to sleep with a fan, you might want to bring yourself a stand fan. Even though it was a busy Memorial Day weekend...the Island didn't seem overcrowded like one might expect.

Owner response:Yes do please bring your own salt, pepper, coffee filters (regular ones) & extra trash bags (if you think you need more than a few). ;) Thanks! Bill

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

Memorable Stay--As good As It Gets-No Cedar!

Guest: Carol (San Marcos, Texas)
Date of Stay: 01/14/11 Review Submitted: 04/13/11

My husband and I stayed here in mid-January for great off season rate. It is even better than the pictures. Had all kinds of plans but rarely left this elegant, comfortable respite with every amenity. Did go to the S.P.I. nature boardwalk twice and saw many rare birds but later realized many of these same rarities we flying eye-level off the great surround Penthouse balconies. Very close to the ocean because of way building is angled-ocean and island views/sunsets/sunrises here are amazing and the water and beach was crystal clean and beautiful--even made us glad we cancelled our Florida trip and stayed here. Only ate out once-great fried Mahi Mahi and music out over bay where locals go called Palm Street Pier. The rest of time cooked in Condo kitchen with a wow! view. You feel like you are floating cause all you see is the sea. (Well-equipped dish wise but bring Everything else from coffee filters, oil, to salt and pepper.) Thanks Bill, for the memories..

Owner response:Glad you enjoyed it :) we hope you come back every year! Take Care, Bill

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

Five Weeks in Paradise

Guest: Peg (Toledo, OH, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/23/11 Review Submitted: 03/10/11

We had a relaxing time while in this condo. The property management team was excellent, taking care of things immediately (a special cudo to Vinnie). The staff in the building was also very helpful and friendly. As well, other 'Winter Texans" at other units on site were very warm and friendly. We entertained a lot and there was always plenty of space for 4 to 6 people to roam about the Condo. But, the balconies are the most spetacular thing about the condo. As my 12 year old grandaughter said "totally awesome". From the balcony off the living room one can see straight down the beach to the channel (several miles) and then if you look to your right you can see the bay side too. Then from the southern balcony of course you get the warm sun in the afternoon and evening, which in the winter is a godsend. Our highest recommendations!!!!!!

Owner response:We too enjoy those great views! ;)

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

Another great holiday at the penthouse

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/23/10 Review Submitted: 05/20/10

I can't believe we only have 2 more days here after a wonderful month-long vacation. We rented the penthouse last winter not knowing what to expect. We loved it so much, we booked for a month this spring. We had 2 sets of friends come down to visit us who were overwhelmed by the beauty of this place. Our kids and their friends/families also visited for a week during which there were 11 of us here in total with plenty of space for everyone. We are from Vancouver, Canada, which is a beautiful place in its own right and when we tell people where we are vacationing, they have no idea what we're talking about. Most have never heard of SPI. We're coming back next year for the same month, with family, friends, whoever wants to join us since there is plenty of room at the penthouse. Bill and Franke Realty are a pleasure to deal with. We investigated a couple of other properties while we were here, but didn't find a place that filled all of our requirements for space, amenities and price. We've even come to love the quirky design of the place!

Owner response:We're glad you're coming back again next year!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Fabulous 2 week stay

Guest: Cathy , Vancouver, BC Canada (-)
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/11/10

Just got home last night from a fabulous 2 week stay at the Dhaktari penthouse. We hated to leave, the location is wonderful, views to die for, and the weather was great! There were 11 of us in total, from 2 to 52. We hope to go back next year and stay longer. We had no idea what to expect and were very pleasantly surprised. Excellent value for a beachfront vacation.

Recommended for:

Very clean and very comfortable

Guest: Personalized Prevention (-)
Date of Stay: 01/28/09 Review Submitted: 01/11/10

This property is very clean and very comfortable, like a home away from home. The property is well secured and the onsite staff is very nice. I would recommend this property to all friends and family, infact, we have reserved this place for two more visits since we initially stayed here. Franke Realtors has also been very nice and accommodating. The whole thing has made for a wonderful experience!

Recommended for:

Guest: Personalized Prevention (-)
Date of Stay: 12/28/09 Review Submitted: 12/28/09

This property is very clean and very comfortable, like a home away from home. The property is well secured and the onsite staff is very nice. I would recommend this property to all friends and family, infact, we have reserved this place for two more visits since we initially stayed here. Franke Realtors has also been very nice and accommodating. The whole thing has made for a wonderful experience!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/01/09

Just got home last night from a fabulous 2 week stay at the Dhaktari penthouse. We hated to leave, the location is wonderful, views to die for, and the weather was great! There were 11 of us in total, from 2 to 52. We hope to go back next year and stay longer. We had no idea what to expect and were very pleasantly surprised. Excellent value for a beachfront vacation.

Owner response:Thanks Cathy... we hope to see you again next year! Take Care, Bill

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Melodi Moore-Byrd (Amarillo, TX)
Date of Stay: 01/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/09/07

My family stayed here Christmas 2004 and had a wonderful time. The place was very kid friendly, while being adult oriented as well.

Recommended for: