Entire home

Set 'Great Expectations' in This Beautiful Gulf Front Home

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

5 bedrooms5+ bathroomsSleeps 163000 sq ft

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Pool
Fireplace
Air conditioning

Explore the area

Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Santa Rosa Beach
‪1 min walk‬
Blue Mountain Beach
‪5 min drive‬
30A Bike Trail
‪11 min drive‬
Fort Walton Beach, FL (VPS-Northwest Florida Regional)
‪56 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 16)

5 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathroom 5

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Balcony

Dining area

About this property

Set 'Great Expectations' in This Beautiful Gulf Front Home

GULF FRONT 30A home with a large pool (15X30) located right on the beach in the Dune Allen community is perfect for large fun-filled gatherings. This house is near Gulf Place with shops, dining, tennis, golf and more! Only 100 yard walk to enjoy all of these local amenities, yet the entrance canopy of plants/palms/natural vegetation insures your privacy and seclusion.

This 5 bedroom home features three (3) GULF FRONT bedrooms and two (2) poolside bedrooms plus a spacious family room with large screen TV. There are stone and wood floors throughout with lots of original art and custom linens for a coastal flair. The WELL EQUIPPED kitchen features all stainless steel appliances including 2 refrigerators, a separate ice maker, coffee appliances for the coffee lovers, and an under counter wine refrigerator. Ample space for outdoor entertaining and relaxing is highlighted with two (2) covered porches (with Travertine stone) overlooking the gulf as well as a grilling area featuring propane gas & Weber Kettle charcoal grills (located by the pool). This property is great for off-season getaways with a 15' x 30' gunite pool that can be heated (for an additional charge per week), and gas fireplaces in the den and master bedroom. Outdoor furniture has been upgraded on the top deck and poolside in the last 2 years.

Great Expectations is a 5 bedroom, 5 1/2 bath home that sleeps 16 (3 kings, 3 queens, 4 Twin bunks). Each bedroom has it's own private bathroom as well as new (2019)TV's. The home is approximately 3000 square feet with lots of room to relax.

Private walkway leads to the beach. 6 BEACH CHAIRS AND 3 UMBRELLAS SET UP DAILY ARE PROVIDED AT NO ADDITIONAL COST (March 1-October 31). High Speed internet service provided.

Weekly only preferred March thru October (nightly considered - handled on individual basis with owner approval). Become a fan on FACEBOOK!

Keywords: House, gulf front home, private pool, gulf front, home, Dune Allen beach

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Amenities

Pool

Kitchen

Washing machine

Dryer

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Contact us for cancellation policy--VRBO does not have our option available. Min.120 days notice = full refund minus $1000 processing fee.

We highly recommend all of our guests consider purchasing travel insurance to manage life's changes, & or bad weather, etc.

Owner has the right to require a copy of primary renters drivers license if needed.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

About the area

Santa Rosa Beach

Located in Santa Rosa Beach, this holiday home is on the beach. While the natural beauty of Blue Mountain Beach and Grayton Beach State Park can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Sandestin Golf Resort - Raven, Burnt Pine, Baytowne, The Links. Sundog Books and Sirens at the Beach are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.

View more Holiday homes in Santa Rosa Beach

Santa Rosa Beach, FL

What's nearby

Santa Rosa Beach - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Blue Mountain Beach - 5 min drive - 2.8 km
30A Bike Trail - 11 min drive - 9.8 km
Grayton Beach State Park - 13 min drive - 8.7 km
Seaside Beach - 16 min drive - 11.5 km

Getting around

Fort Walton Beach, FL (VPS-Northwest Florida Regional) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

‪Tom Thumb Food Stores - ‬9 min walk
‪Stinky's Fish Camp - ‬3 min drive
‪Shunk Gulley - ‬4 min walk
‪Local Catch - ‬17 min walk
‪Goatfeathers Restaurant - ‬14 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does Set 'Great Expectations' in This Beautiful Gulf Front Home have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Set 'Great Expectations' in This Beautiful Gulf Front Home pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Set 'Great Expectations' in This Beautiful Gulf Front Home?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Set 'Great Expectations' in This Beautiful Gulf Front Home?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Set 'Great Expectations' in This Beautiful Gulf Front Home located?

Situated on the beach, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Santa Rosa Beach and South Walton Beaches. CHROMA Kathleen Broaderick Studio & Gallery and Santa Rosa Beach Golf Club are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

22 Sept, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Not So Young But Had A Great Time In The Sun

Excellent accommodations made for an amazing beach week! We, (6 girls ) had a perfect, memorable trip!

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Leigh C.

21 Mar, 2017

Great Location and Home

Our family of 13 absolutely LOVED this house and location! We can't wait to book it again!

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2017

10/10 Excellent

Elisa C., Heber Springs

28 Mar, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Beach Trip

We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Great Expectations! Perfect location! the “smoothie” maker and ice machine were an unexpected treat. I would highly recommend this property!

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary A., GREAT BEND, KANSAS

19 Mar, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

EXCELLENT PROPERTY ONE OF BEST WE HAVE STAYED AT

WAYNE WAS EXCELLENT TO WORK WITH AND MADE OUR TWO WEEK STAY CELEBRATING OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH FAMILY VERY ENJOYABLE PROPERTY WAS EXCELLENT AND EXACTLY AS REPRESENTED

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane B.

23 Apr, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dream Vacation

This is our third time staying in the Santa Rosa area and we have found our favorite place. From the way the rooms are laid out, to all the amenities and extras included this is by far our favorite stay at the beach we’ve ever had. The balconies and beach access are perfection. The pool pristine, the house immaculate…not one negative thing to say about this place. Wayne was always immediately available for any of our needs. We had the best week with family and are hoping to come again!

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert S., Havana, IL, USA

20 Jun, 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Expectations

This is a fabulous property in the upscale and quiet area of Santa Rosa. Private beach area with chairs plus many nice amenities. Local restaurants, ice cream and shopping within walking distance. The perfect beach rental!’

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kathy L.

5 Apr, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Stay! Beautiful beach & Wonderful house.

We stay at a lot of VRBOs and this one really stood out for the easy access to a beautiful beach, views from the comfy deck, generous sized pool, and great setup with 3 ocean side bedrooms. We also loved being able to walk to fun shops and restaurants. The house I would say exceeded my expectations from the pictures alone. High level of attention to details and great communication from Wayne. Loved it!

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

David P.

26 Apr, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Perfect Getaway

I cannot rate this property high enough. I wish you could go above ten stars because Great Expectations deserves it. For reference, our stay was for a family of four. The home itself is immaculate and had nearly everything we needed for a week stay. Every room is spacious and all the accommodations are tremendously comfortable. Appliances, furniture, electronics, everything is in tip top shape and functions wonderfully. We have two small children and the main living room is easily adjusted to be very kid friendly and safe. The balcony is an absolute dream to sit on and enjoy the ocean breeze. The pool was sparkling clean and heated to the perfect temperature. Beach access is right out the back door and the included chair and umbrella service was downright luxurious. Location wise, you are steps from the main street, which contains numerous shops and restaurants, but far enough away from the main public beach access that thing felt tremendously private. Wayne was amazing at communication, providing clear summaries ahead of time and fast responses while we were there. We will definitely be coming back!

Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ronnie F.

10 Oct, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Parent

Great

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patty H.

1 Dec, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanksgiving

This is a beautiful property and perfect for families. We really enjoyed having the private pool and mostly private beach. We would consider renting this home again.

Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

6/10 Okay

Melanie G.

24 Nov, 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Disliked: Cleanliness

Great Location

This home is conveniently located within walking distance to shops and restaurants. It's direct Beach access means there are beautiful views of the blue waters of the gulf. The 5 bedrooms, with multiple beds in 2 of the rooms, makes it great for groups with kids. The property manager was great to work with. He was very responsive to communications. I expressed my concerns to him regarding the cleanliness of the home and condition of some items on the property and he called promptly to discuss these concerns.

Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

doreen f.

2 Nov, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceptional Stay

Our stay was one which our family will remember forever. The house accomodated our family of 15 which included 4 kids and spouses and 6 grandkids ranging in ages from 1 to 11. Having the beach out the backdoor was a huge plus along with the pool for late evening swims with the grandkids. Plan on buying some TP, dishwasher soap packets, and trash bags to get you through the week.

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jalane L., Rogers, AR

19 Sept, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

New favorite on 30A!!!

What's not to love about this property, location on the beach, amenities and Santa Rosa area in general?!?! Our family of 9 just left yesterday and we could have stayed another week if it were possible. Wayne was such a great host from the moment we booked. I had several questions just prior to arrival and then after arrival and he was prompt to respond and left no info out prior to arrival. The house is amazing and the number of BDRS with the bed sizes was more than perfect for our group. We loved having an ice maker as well as the two full size fridges so we could keep drinks cold on the second floor to take them straight out to the beach. The kitchen has a wine fridge, two coffee pots as well as an espresso machine which was a treat. The only thing we wished for was a garbage disposal. It would have made trash a little less messy and clean up after dinner easier. We so enjoyed upper patio mornings and the evening sunsets were spectacular! We all had enough space and each bedroom having their own bathroom was very nice. We didn't use the pool area as much as I thought we would, mostly because we had amazing beach weather and a baby who loved playing in the sand. The pool was lovely and so nice go have the seating as well as the two grills that we did use. The beach was incredible. The location of this house is perfect on a private beach. We called the beach chair service prior to arrival and they added 2 more chairs and an umbrella to the already 6 chairs and 3 umbrellas provided. They were promptly set up each morning before 7:00 and put away each evening before dinner time. We also loved having the low beach chairs so we could sit right at the water's edge. The house is close enough to the water it's easy to run in for food or anything you may have forgotten. The area was much less touristy and congested than Sea Side or Rosemary. There are a few shops, restaurants and ice cream shops less than a block away and great restaurants within a 10 minute drive closer to Blue Mountain. We rented bikes and a paddle board right across the street - very convenient. Our adult children cannot wait to book this again. Just perfect for families or couples!

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Angie S.

7 Sept, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Stay

We had a great time. There was plenty of room for all of us especially with the layout of the house. It had everything you needed and more.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

jessica m., Fort Worth

15 Aug, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved everything about this beach house.!

Kitchen was well equipped. Our family enjoyed the games/puzzles provided. Everyday Beach chair setup was perfect! Wayne does a fantastic job communicating. Thank you! We hope to be able to stay again. P..S a broom & dust pan is highly needed. (We would've swept)

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

James

4 May, 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Easter 2022

Second time staying at this property. Overall a very enjoyable and memorable stay. As mentioned last year the house is showing a bit of wear but understandable given the elements. The location is fabulous . The beach was not crowded at all and the private pool was such a big hit with the grandkids. Would have booked again but someone beat us to the punch. Property manager very responsive and very quick to address any issues that came up.

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Thom and Linda S.

19 Apr, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best 50th anniversary EVER!!

We celebrated our 50th anniversary for a week with adult kids, spouses and grandkids ages 24 down to an 8 yr old. Lots of rooms, lots of bathrooms, kitchen with everything we needed for many many meals! The kids went from beach to heated pool and back again. We highly recommend Great Expectations and Chef Stephanie who came in and did a cooking class for lunch one day. We loved our stay and made many memories. The ice machine was a BIG hit, too! The beach was pristine and not at all crowded.

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

John M.

10 Apr, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Expectations was wonderful and exceeded all of my expectations!

Easy and painless!

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kyle B.

2 Apr, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great time on the coast!

Perfect beach location. Beach, shopping, and restaurants all in walking distance. House was very comfortable.

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen H., Elkmont

23 Mar, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent location

This house was really good for our family of 8 adults and 4 children. We love having the beach right out front. The heated pool was perfect for us - and it is very protected on those windy days. Parking for 4 cars worked very well. We hope to stay at this wonderful home again!

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Pauline J.

21 Jan, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

2022 Family Vacation

This house was amazing!! Everyone had plenty of space and yet, we all came together as a family....the way it should be. This place offered peace, beauty and so much more. When we come back, this is the place for us.

Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathy D.

29 Nov, 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The perfect getaway

Our family of 10 (grandparents, grown children/spouses, and grandchild) had a wonderful week at Great Expectations! We were there for Thanksgiving and loved every minute! The layout of the house was perfect for us. The main living area was big enough for everyone to gather, and there were plenty of other areas for people to go if they wanted a little peace and quiet from the crowd. Two big porch areas overlooking the gulf were perfect for watching the sunrise and the sunset. The heated pool was put to great use! Lots of nice extras...an ice machine, multiple coffee pots, two full sized refrigerators and a wine cooler, well stocked kitchen, great wifi, and big TVs for watching football (Roll Tide!). Did I mention the pool? The house was clean and ready for us on check-in day. The location of this house could not be better! Restaurants and shopping a short walk away, but still very private at the house. The only drawbacks I can think of are very minor...the bed in the master bedroom is very tall, so the bed is hard to get into! Older couples (like me and my husband) might have a bit of a struggle with that, so we gave up that room to a younger couple. I would also suggest that some of the kitchen pots and pans be sorted out and pared down. I was afraid that there wouldn't be enough pots and pans to cook Thanksgiving dinner with, but there were so many pots and extra lids that I believe it would help to declutter those a bit. Other than that, this house was lovely and Wayne was so nice to work with. He answered my questions quickly and was so very pleasant. I highly recommend Great Expectations! Katherine Davis

Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Stephen S.

15 Sept, 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice

Wayne was easy to work with. The beach was perfect. The view was perfect. Everything was great with the one exception of a shower that did not work. No problem though, there were 4 others to choose from. 😊 Over all 5 stars. Thanks Wayne for a great trip.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Treina B., Nashville, TN

25 Aug, 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great End to Summer!

Great property for a great vacation!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Teresa D., Waco,Texas

4 Aug, 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation after 20 months of Covid separation!!

Our family had been separated for 20 months due to Covid-19. We all met at Great Expectations, and that is exactly what it was, a great expectation. There were no negatives to our stay. When we arrived the home smelled fresh and clean. The home was beautifully furnished, every kitchen utensil you could possibly need was there and plenty of towels in the bathrooms. The swimming pool was fantastic. There was plenty of seating and two grills available for our use (one charcoal and one propane). The pool water was crystal clear. Then there was the beach!! Crystal clear water and beautiful blue skies. Six chairs and three umbrellas were put up for us everyday, there were extra chairs available near the rinsing/shower station on the boardwalk, as well as two smaller umbrellas. The decks were also beautifully furnished with fantastic views of the gulf. Wayne was a wonderful host and we appreciated all of his recommendations of activities. The home is within walking distance of places to eat, shop and have ice cream. We had such a fantastic time!! Will definitely stay here again!! 🏖

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

About the host

Hosted by Wayne Walker/ Jennifer Jordanov

Wayne and Mary and Mary's brother, Bill, bought Great Expectations in 2001 and in about 3 months we redid the interior and added 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Lots of demolition work!
Wayne and Mary live in an artsy little town in Alabama and Bill lives in California.
We all love to vacation together at Great Expectations in the off-season....but Bill
always says that 'Mr. Project' (Wayne) keeps us busy the whole time working on the house! We do find time to have a little bit of fun.

Why they chose this property

We have been coming to this area since 1981 and have seen lots of changes. We bought this house with the intentions of making changes and adding a pool. We love to do projects and thought this would be a lot of fun, but it was a ton of work!

What makes this property unique

We love having a pool at Great Expectations. We have spent some Christmas vacations there and have been swimming in the heated pool while it was about 35 degrees outside. Lots of fun, but extremely cold when getting out!
We also love having Smiling Fish restaurant and Miss Lucille's Gossip Parlor across the street.
We love going out bike riding on the bike path also!