Vacation Rentals by Owner

Here are a few comments regarding our week @ Cape

Guest: Robyn and Joe
Date of Stay: 11/27/11 Review Submitted: 11/30/11

Hi, Barbara. I meant to send you an e-mail once we returned, but work intervened. We had a great trip. The weather was wonderful and the location perfect. The house is in a great location. Close to both beach and bay. The house is very clean and well-maintained, not your typical rental house. The screened-in porch is a great place to have coffee in the morning, with a distant view of the bay. Furniture is comfortable and linens are nice quality and in good supply. We met Glenn (?) after we arrived and he said to call him if we needed anything. It was good to know that there was someone there, nearby, if we had a problem (which we never did). I was a little apprehensive about staying in a "pet friendly" house, as you never know what you might find. But, we didn't need to worry. Everything was fine -- you would have never known that a pet had been there. We made sure we left it just as we found it. Our dog had a blast -- a non-swimmer before her trip, she ventured into the gulf several times during our week-long stay. She met several other dogs who loved to run, play, and swim and she just had to fit in. We were all disappointed when we had to leave on Sunday! Although we usually pack a lot of kitchen supplies, it was nice to find the basics already in the house. We loved the area and will be returning. Kayaking in the bay, hiking in the state park, walking on the beach, eating oysters............what a vacation!

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Incredible Rental

Guest: Joshua (Atlanta)
Date of Stay: 09/03/10 Review Submitted: 09/07/10

My wife and I just returned from a wonderful vacation at Cape San Blas. We stayed at the Blue Mermaid and couldn't have been happier. The townhome can easily accommodate 4 couples and is very well equipped with all the amenities you could possibly need. The beach is only a short walk away and from the front patio, you can see both the bay and the gulf. I had a chance to meet the owner (Barbie) while I was there and she was very gracious and made us feel at home. I would highly recommend The Blue Mermaid to anyone considering a vacation in Cape San Blas.

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

Townley Family

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/22/10

Thank you for another wonderful stay at the Blue Mermaid. I think this was our fourth summer with you, and the house is just as nice as ever... still seems like new! We love all of the extras you provide from beach towels and toys to ziplock bags and cooking spray-- nice things to nice have to pack or purchase. We were also thankful to see no oil or even signs of problems. We look very forward to our next visit!

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

Super friendly place

Guest: Pinny1 (Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/31/09 Review Submitted: 02/09/10

The description was accurate, it was clean and well maintained, the owner was fantastic, friendly and kept us informed as to what was in the area, eg restaurants etc. We have already recommended this listing to other friends. We loved the restaurants in Port St. Joe and also Apalachicola, we went to Wakalla Springs and had a great day, we also went to the Dixie Theatre in Apalachicola which was great, we golfed and the golf course was good. This listing was well equipped, and had everything we needed and felt like a home and comfortable.

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

Excellent Choice for Visit to the Cape

Guest: clemsonsc (South Carolina)
Date of Stay: 08/01/09 Review Submitted: 08/11/09

We just returned from a one week stay at the Blue Mermaid and had a great time in the condo, as well as at the beach. The condo is very tastefully furnished, is brand new and has every convenience one needs. It is just a few minutes walk to the beach. I highly recommend this as a comfortable and quality value choice when looking at condos in the area.

Owner response:Thanks for your kind comments. I hope you will come again.

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

Guest: Dawn Golden
Date of Stay: 07/10/09 Review Submitted: 07/09/09

Barb, Just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful vacation! You have a beautiful place!!! We would definitely rent from you again!!! (what are the temps for nov/dec & rates).The web pictures does no justice for your condo!! Very beautiful. It was sad when we had to leave and come back to reality. We met a really nice couple that vacationed in another condo right by yours. The guys fished and loved it. The kids had a wonderful time swimming fishing and building sand castles! They caught several baby sharks and one that was about 4 feet. Brian caught a red fish and it was 38 in. We never did try for any scallops! We also met a another couple that are Friends of yours. Not sure what there names were, but very nice. They live up by you and called you by Barbie. They came down for the weekend to do some sailing. Going to end now, but just wanted to say, Thanks for everything. Jim, Dawn and Hunter Golden

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Guest: Julie Townley
Date of Stay: 07/07/09 Review Submitted: 07/06/09

It was great to meet you guys this weekend. I wanted to share a funny story. We met up with some friends and had dinner last night at Papa Joe's . We saw some gators out in the water while we ate. We walked out on the rackety-old pier after dinner and got to see a big gator up VERY close! He was right there at the end of the dock . Anyway, we were trying to get close pictures, and Joy's 10 year old daughter Anna drops her camera in the water. The gator comes over and rolls on top of it like it was prey and he was about to eat it. Fortunately, two manatees swam up and caused some excitement and he left the camera alone. We couldn't believe all the excitement and all of these animals that were right next to us! The little girl was upset and we told her the camera was a goner, but some very kind people in a tiny boat came over to the now heavily gator infested water, grabbed the camera, and handed it up to us. Son of a gun if it worked! The camera and camera card were working to our unbelief. We then saw some dolphins on our way out and joked that we just got a free trip to Sea World! It was a great dinner with free entertainment!! Have a good day, Julie

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Guest: Julie Townley
Date of Stay: 07/07/09 Review Submitted: 07/06/09

It was great to meet you guys this weekend. I wanted to share a funny story. We met up with some friends and had dinner last night at Papa Joe's . We saw some gators out in the water while we ate. We walked out on the rackety-old pier after dinner and got to see a big gator up VERY close! He was right there at the end of the dock . Anyway, we were trying to get close pictures, and Joy's 10 year old daughter Anna drops her camera in the water. The gator comes over and rolls on top of it like it was prey and he was about to eat it. Fortunately, two manatees swam up and caused some excitement and he left the camera alone. We couldn't believe all the excitement and all of these animals that were right next to us! The little girl was upset and we told her the camera was a goner, but some very kind people in a tiny boat came over to the now heavily gator infested water, grabbed the camera, and handed it up to us. Son of a gun if it worked! The camera and camera card were working to our unbelief. We then saw some dolphins on our way out and joked that we just got a free trip to Sea World! It was a great dinner with free entertainment!! Have a good day, Julie

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The Ideal Vacation Home for Anyone

Guest: Joe and Janis (Three Mile Bay, Lake Ontario, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/12/09 Review Submitted: 04/20/09

Dear Barbie, You have an absolutely gorgeous home! Even though the pictures are accurate, they still do not do it justice. It is very clean, stocked with all the amenities anyone would ever need, and so very comfortable! The price is right and definitely worth every penny! You were kind enough to let us bring our dog, Bailey, who loved running in the water. We walked on the Gulf of Mexico white sandy beach twice a day on our stay April 12-17, 2009 and saw a large family of dolphins just off shore (as close as 30 feet) each time. We ate at Gracie O'Malley's, the Dockside Inn at the Marina, and Papa Joe's. Papa Joe's was definitely the best: large quantities, reasonable prices, and popular with the locals. We walked on the .5 mile nature walk just before you entered the St Joe's State Park on your right, an absolutely gorgeous view of St. Joe's Bay. We wished the Blue Mermaid was available for next year, but we can understand why it isn't. Barbie, you were very obliging in finding us another lovely home to rent and we thank you for your courtesy and tremendous customer service. Thank you for a week in Paradise,

Owner response:Thanks for your kind words. I hope to get down next year during your stay and finally meet you in person.

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

We Found Our Own Little Paradise

Guest: Vet Squared (Knoxville, TN)
Date of Stay: 10/04/08 Review Submitted: 10/16/08

Wonderful little duplex beach house! Barbie (the owner) was very helpful with restaurant recommendations and things to do. It is a beach house, (<5 minute walk to the beach), so it is up on "stilts" - the main floor is 2 short flights of stairs up, so not appropriate for handicapped. The master and one other bedroom are on the main floor (each have one bed) and the loft is upstairs with 2 double sized futons (probably more appropriate for kids, who should love the spiral staircase). There are 2 full baths - the master has just a shower (no tub), and a full kitchen well stocked with pots, pans, dinnerware, etc. When we arrived, the unit was very clean, nicely decorated, and charming. Our dogs loved the beach - we did twice daily long walks with them, and they didn't want to come back home! The unit sits on the first part of Cape San Blas (where it juts out from the mainland), and is about a 10 minute drive from Port St Joe, and about 25-30 minutes to Apalachicola. There's a fairly large grocery store in Port St Joe (Piggly Wiggly) as well as more stores in Apalachicola, and a couple minimart kind of shops on the cape, as well as numerous places to get fresh seafood. As we were there in October, the weather was great - about 68 in the morning, warming to about 83 in the late afternoon. We only had one day of rain while we were there. Just a couple notes: as with any beach property that's not directly ON the beach, mosquitoes can be quite aggressive as soon as you leave the beach, so don't forget the bug repellant. Also, in October, there is a grass that lets go of it's seed - a nasty little sticker called a "sand spur" - we learned quickly not to take the dogs out in the grass so we wouldn't have to pick the sand spurs out of their fur and from between their toes. Once we quit walking them in the grass, though - problem solved! Anyway - we had a wonderful, very relaxing time; I understand the beach there is never very crowded, but when we were there, we often felt like we were on our own private beach. This is a spot not to be missed, and the Blue Mermaid is a great place to stay for a small family or a couple. Thanks again, Barbie!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, pet owners.

Great place to stay!

Guest: "shelly" (Springdale, Arkansas)
Date of Stay: 07/06/08 Review Submitted: 07/16/08

We just got back from a weeks stay at The Blue Mermaid in Cape San Blas. This unit is awesome! It's beautifully decorated, but very homey at the same time. It included everything we needed which really cut down on the amount of "stuff" we had to bring with us. The only problem we had was with the beach umbrella. We had a really nice one at home that we could have brought, but since it mentioned having beach umbrellas we left it at home. There was a brand new umbrella in the storage room that had never been used, but unfortunately it was very cheaply made and barely made it through the week with regular use. I felt it necessary to replace it before we left so that the next family would have "something" to shield them from the sun. I would rather have spent the money on a t-shirt or something. :) The screened in porches saved us from the few mosquitos buzzing around and the fish cleaning station came in very handy while cleaning the scallops we collected one day. Happy Ours Kayak across the highway was a great choice for rentals on our scalloping adventure. They couldn't have been more helpful or convenient! We enjoyed visiting the lighthouse area. The gate and gift shop are open Wed. - Sat.(?). We also spent most of our "beach days" at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. The water was very clear there during our stay. Lots of shells on all the area beaches!! We ate at Indian Pass Raw Bar (awesome), we made multiple stops for ice cream at Cone Heads (yummm), and drove into Apalachicola a couple of nights to dine at Papa Joe's. We saw our first "wild" alligator swimming around the docks there. All in all, a great, relaxing vacation.

Owner response:Thanks Shelly! Ironically after your departure I took another umbrella down and am still looking for a really good one. Thanks for leaving one, that was very considerate of you. If there is anything else you think I need to provide, please let me know and I'll get it down there. Hope you can come back another time.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, pet owners.

Affordable, enjoyable beach location

Guest: Larry (Oneonta, Alabama)
Date of Stay: 05/05/08 Review Submitted: 05/13/08

It was a great place to visit, and the owner was very responsive to our needs and interests. Her home is filled with lovely and amusing mermaids, which adds to its charm. We were very comfortable, and found the short (3 minute) walk to the beach to be not a problem. The beach in May is amazingly empty of other people, but full of shells, birds, and porpoise. The home is close to kayaking, fishing, bird watching, sightseeing, and restaurants. The circular staircase to the loft was fun, but is not for older guests. The living and dining room are small for a party of 6 or more, but we made it work.

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

Guest: D. Jones
Date of Stay: 05/05/08 Review Submitted: 05/04/08

Date of Stay: May 2007 We felt like we were the only 4 people on earth. We just got back, this time of the year is the time to go. We had the beach to ourselves. The condo is just a doll house. Barbara & Randy paid so much attention to detail. It is decorated just perfectly, if they did it theirsleves they did a great job. We took our two little dogs with us and they had a great time on the beach. Just be careful to pick up after them. The restaurants in the area are really great, Barbara has a list of some good places in the area. You can actually wade in the water with a crab net and catch blue crabs. I have only positive things to say about the owners and their beautiful condo. Have fun, we certainly did. DJ

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Guest: Leigh A
Date of Stay: 04/08/08 Review Submitted: 04/07/08

The blue Mermaid was wonderful...Perfectly set up if you have dogs or kids. We loved having the large decks off the back and the screened in porch up front. It was so quiet and peaceful, you could not help but be relaxed. The decor was beautiful, the bathrooms were nice and it was nice to have the sink and grill downstairs. A little bit of a walk to the beach, but worth it to be away from everyone, I think. The beds could have been a little more comfortable but otherwise everything was great. I highly recommend this rental.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/08 Review Submitted: 04/05/08

Barbie, we wanted to add to the comments we put in the guest book at the Blue Mermaid - the Blue Mermaid was wonderful, beautifully decorated, with every comfort of home. We could see the ocean or St. Joe's bay from any window, and loved the sundecks. The beach was great for walks and the kids even went swimming regardless of the cold snap. We loved our stay there, and thanks for all your help finding the horseback riding places on the beach and everything else!

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Quiet, relaxing place

Guest: Leigh A. (Atlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 03/23/08 Review Submitted: 04/08/08

The blue Mermaid was wonderful...Perfectly set up if you have dogs or kids. We loved having the large decks off the back and the screened in porch up front. It was so quiet and peaceful, you could not help but be relaxed. The decor was beautiful, the bathrooms were nice and it was nice to have the sink and grill downstairs. A little bit of a walk to the beach, but worth it to be away from everyone, I think. The beds could have been a little more comfortable but otherwise everything was great. I highly recommend this rental.

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/08 Review Submitted: 03/06/08

Thank you so much Barbara for your warm hospitality. Our stay for the months of January and February was the most relaxing vacation we have ever had. The house had everything we needed. The day you greeted us you gave us some scallops you caught in the gulf and they were absolutely delicious. I would definitely recommend your property to anyone who is looking for peace and quiet during the winter months.

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Long time coming...but I am finally reviewing it!

Guest: Laurieann (McDonough, GA)
Date of Stay: 07/20/07 Review Submitted: 05/19/08

This is a beautiful house--the decor is wonderful. The location is great...the screened porch? Great for sitting and eating dinner, as the sun sets over the bay...or sitting up rocking and catching up with family members! The week my husband, sons, and I spent here was wonderful. The weather was less than cooperative, but we still enjoyed the beach (which we had to ourselves!- in JULY!) and the house. The house has everything you might want-fully appointed kitchen with every appliance you may want/need. The owner has done a wonderful job decorating as well. We used the grill below the deck nightly-what a wonderful convenience that that area was also screened in-made cooking so much more pleasant. Local shrimper in St. Joe's had the most incredible shrimp-we went back three times during the week,each time buying more! Barbie, the owner, was so accommodating and helpful-she was willing to help us with any questions/requests as well. Looking for a quiet, peaceful place to recharge your batteries? This is IT. Looking forward to visiting again, hopefully soon.

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/07 Review Submitted: 07/14/07

Barbie, Just a little note to let you know and hopefully let others know how wonderful your house was. It was absolutely beautiful!! The furniture was so comfortable, not what you expect at a beach house and I think that we could have just packed clothes and shampoo and we would have been OK. I mean everything was there!! You also have very wonderful neighbors! I hope to see you next year in June. Thanks again and keep up the good work! Jimmy, Lisa, Mandy, and Dylan

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Total Relaxation

Guest: Djones (Olive Branch, Ms.)
Date of Stay: 05/01/07 Review Submitted: 05/21/07

We felt like we were the only 4 people on earth. We just got back, this time of the year is the time to go. We had the beach to ourselves. The condo is just a doll house. Barbara & Randy paid so much attention to detail. It is decorated just perfectly, if they did it theirsleves they did a great job. We took our two little dogs with us and they had a great time on the beach. Just be careful to pick up after them. The restaurants in the area are really great, Barbara has a list of some good places in the area. You can actually wade in the water with a crab net and catch blue crabs. I have only positive things to say about the owners and their beautiful condo. Have fun, we certainly did. DJ

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/01/06 Review Submitted: 12/18/06

The house is beautiful and we enjoyed our stay in Oct. It has everything and the price was great. Thanks again Barbara for lending us your home for a few days. We definately would love to stay in the Blue Mermaid again. It's the best at Cape San Blas!!!

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Guest: Eric and Jennifer Dickens
Date of Stay: 06/15/06 Review Submitted: 06/14/06

Thank you Barbie. We had a wonderful vacation and it was mostly due to your hospitality at your beach house. I have several friends with small children who vacation in that area, and I am recommending your home to them for next year. You just can't pass on the opportunity to stay at a home with everything provided for you, from chairs to toys. I will talk with you next year around vacation time. Jennifer Dickens

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Guest: The Nelunds
Date of Stay: 08/04/05 Review Submitted: 08/03/05

Thank you for allowing us to stay in your beautiful home. We had a great time. Your home is beautifully decorated and is equipped with everything you could possibly need. We will definitely keep you in mind when we come back this way. We will also be sure to tell our friends about your place. Again, thanks for a wonderful vacation.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/05 Review Submitted: 08/28/05

we had a wonderful time and could not ask for better accomodations. Everything needed was provided including beach towels, beach toys, coolers, a wonder wheeler(to tote all our stuff), and beach umbrellas. thank you for such a wonderful inviting little place that felt much like home. We hope to return someday and we will recommend The Blue Mermaid to our friends. Thanks, Bo, Kelly, and Kade

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Guest: Emily Painter
Date of Stay: 06/22/05 Review Submitted: 06/21/05

Barbie, We wanted to write and thank you for the wonderful time that we had. The house was beautiful and equiped with everything we needed. The kids loved the upstairs, and spent a lot of time up there, putting the puzzle together and "playing" jenga (building with the blocks). We were very comfortable and had a great time in the ocean. We got some great shells after the storm. One of the days there were hundreds of sting rays around, that was neat to see. I appreciate all your help and hope that you have a great summer. Thanks again. The Painters, Emily, Barry, Kenzie and Joseph

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 02/02/05 Review Submitted: 02/01/05

Thank you for considering The Blue Mermaid for your next vacation! We appreciate you visiting the guest book! We just built this unit and will begin renting it in February. You can always visit our guest book for The Blue Mermaid and see comments that other guests have made! This unit has all new furniture and has a beautiful view of the Bay from the front porch and Gulf from the back porches. We strive to provide all the comforts of home...from the basics of cable TV to the laundry detergent and more! We also provide many beach items that take up room in your car--or if you are not from a "beach" area, may not have, like crab nets, beach chairs etc.! Please call us if you have any questions! We hope that you will make great memories at The Blue Mermaid. Randy and Barbie Everett (850) 893-1887

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