The Historic Volante Hotel was completely refurbished and updated inside but retains its old Southern Charm from the 1890's. Spend your holiday in a true southern mansion. Historic oak trees with Spanish moss grace the extensive gardens planted to attract hummingbirds. There are wrap around verandas on both the first and second levels. The house has 3 levels and 6 large bedrooms. There are 4 bathrooms all complete with shower facilities. Relax on the veranda and sip your mint julep. The property has beach access and a 300+ ft private pier with a large boathouse. Moor your boat at the boathouse with electronic jet ski lift. The property is on a private no outlet street and is very quiet despite being less than 5 minutes drive from the center of Fairhope. The beach is sandy and good for walking, swimming or boating. It is a wonderful house for family reunions, or to just step back in time and get away from it all. The furnishings have been carefully selected to provide comfort and charm. We allow shorter stays and prices vary depending on the number of days booked. Please inquire for the rates.
Spend Your Vacation In A Real Southern Historic Hotel
- Estate5500 sq. ft.
- Bedrooms6
- Sleeps12
- Bathrooms4
- Half Baths0
- Minimum Stay30 nights
6 Bedrooms, Wood Fireplace, Bayfront With Pier And Boathouse.
Property Manager
Margaret Hildick-Pytte
- Response rate:
- 100%
- Response time:
- within two days
- Speaks:
- English, Spanish
- Calendar last updated:
- Jun 7, 2018
About Margaret Hildick-Pytte
Tony and Margaret are residents of Australia. We have another property on VRBO in New Hampshire. We are US citizens but have been living and working in Australia since 1995. This property is near Margaret's mother who lives in the Pascagoula area. We found the house and fell in love with it's original southern charm. Margaret was born in Biloxi, Mississippi and is a southern girl at heart. This is the perfect place for escaping the harsh periods of the northern US Winter.
Margaret Hildick-Pytte purchased this Estate in 2013
Why Margaret Hildick-Pytte chose Fairhope
This property has been lovingly restored to accent the 1800's in the south but completely updated with modern accents and appliances. It is a historic hotel that catered to the genteel society of the day. Oak floors, period furnishings, large wood burning fireplace and spectacular views are only the beginning. The graceful gardens flower all year long with large camellias, azaleas, perennials, and oaks bearing Spanish moss. The gardens were planted to attract hummingbirds. The house is great for family gatherings.
What makes this Estate unique
There are two levels of wrap-around verandahs complete with furniture in both the front and back of the house. Many private areas for relaxing and contemplation. The area is so quiet and is like stepping back in time some 100+ years. Yet the town of Fairhope is just some 4-5 minutes drive away. Access to the beach is by stair, with landing. The beach is sandy and is suitable for daily walks and the Yacht club is just a short walk some 300 ft from the private pier. The property has a private pier with a grand boathouse complete with electric jet ski lift and power and water. There is a dock at the end of the boathouse for swimming, crabbing, and fishing. The gardens are spectacular with flowers blooming all seasons.
Amenities
- Internet
- Air Conditioning
- Fireplace
- TV
- Satellite or Cable
- Washer & Dryer
- Kids Welcome
- Parking
- No Smoking
- Accessible
- Heater
Bedrooms
- 6 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12
- Bedroom 11 queen, Located on first level with access to bathroom
- Bedroom 21 king, Extensive master bedroom with 50 inch TV on second floor
- Bedroom 31 queen, Large 4-poster bed on second floor
- Bedroom 41 queen, Is on second floor and opens to balcony
- Bedroom 52 twin/ single, Located on third floor
- Bedroom 61 queen, Bedroom is on third floor
- Each bedroom is appointed with period furniture and decor. Experience the luxury of a 1890's hotel with southern grace and charm.
Bathrooms
- 4 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1toilet, combination tub/shower
- Bathroom 2toilet, shower
- Bathroom 3toilet, shower, jetted tub
- Bathroom 4toilet, combination tub/shower
- Shampoo, conditioner, and soap provided.
Location Type
- Near The Ocean45 minute to 1 hour drive to Gulf Shores.
- VillageFairhope village is quaint founded as an artist and intellectual community in 1894. There are many shops and art galleries as well as museums within a 5 minute drive of the property.
- Beach ViewAmazing sunsets over Mobile Bay. Landing of stairway is some 40 ft above sea level.
- BeachfrontBeachfront property on a bluff on the eastern shore of Mobile bay. Access via stairway to sandy beach. Property has private 300+ft pier and boathouse with electronic jet ski lift, power and water.
Theme
- Romantic
- Family
- Away From It All
- Historic
Meals
- Guests provide their own meals
General
- FireplaceWood burning fireplace.
- TelephoneNo land line, mobiles only
- HeatingDucted heating throughout.
- Linens ProvidedBeds should be made up with linens provided.
- Washing MachineWashing powder, oxy clean and bleach are provided.
- Clothes DryerAnti-static dryer sheets available.
- Air ConditioningDucted air conditioning throughout.
- ParkingNo parking on left side of town road where marked. Ample parking in front of house.
- Internet
- Towels ProvidedTowels and tub/shower mats are provided for the guests.
- Iron & Board
- Hair Dryer
- Living Room
Kitchen
- Dishwasher
- RefrigeratorState of the art with filtered chilled water and ice.
- StoveState of the art jenn air.
- OvenLarge oven for roasting.
- Microwave
- Coffee MakerBrewed coffee. Coffee and tea supplied for guests.
- Toaster
- Pantry ItemsCooking utensils supplied.
- Dishes & UtensilsFully equipped kitchen.
- KitchenRemodeled less than 1 year ago.
Dining
- Dining Area
- DiningAustralian Marri wood table and chairs.
- comfy seating for 12 people
Entertainment
- Television50 inch TV in TV room on first level. 50 inch TV in Master Bedroom, 24 inch TV in bedroom on first level, 24 inch TV in Guest Room on second level, 24 inch TV in guest room on third level.
- Satellite / CableCable and high speed wireless internet provided.
- StereoSound system on first floor.
- Games
- ToysChildren's books and rocking horse
Outside
- Lawn / Garden
- Balcony
- Outdoor GrillBarbecue on patio
- Deck / Patio
Suitability
- wheelchair accessibleFirst floor only and not beach access.
Attractions
- playground
- churches
- library
- marina
- museums
- cinemas
- recreation center
- live theater
- restaurants
- synagogues
- health/beauty spa
Leisure Activities
- sight seeing
- walking
- beachcombing
- bird watching
- outlet shopping
- paddle boating
- antiquing
- scenic drives
- boating
- shelling
- shopping
- wildlife viewing
Local Services & Businesses
- ATM/bank
- fitness center
- groceries
- hospital
- laundromat
- Babysitter
- massage therapist
- medical services
Sports & Adventure Activities
- fly fishing
- swimming
- sailing
- cycling
- fishing
- golf
- wind-surfing
- water skiing
- scuba diving or snorkeling
- surfing
- deepsea fishing
- tennis
- freshwater fishing
- jet skiing
- pier fishing
- rafting
- snorkeling
- sound/bay fishing
- water tubing
- golf privileges optional
- kayaking
- parasailing
- snorkeling/diving
Notes
- Propane firepit on bayside lower terrace.
9 Reviews
Historic Home With Everything A Family Reunion Needs
A perfect place for a large family to gather. The bedrooms were nice and the beds comfortable. It is rare to find a place equipped to a point that it appears a family lives there. The pier, gas pit, outside balconies all being places for people to spread out and enjoy. Having Fairhope within walking distance is an added bonus. Finally, the hosts could not have been more accommodating and were very helpful in finding items left behind after we left.
Family Vacation
A great place for a family vacation. I took my daughters and their families including children from toddlers to teens. Everyone enjoyed staying here and there was plenty of room. Very relaxing and tranquil place. Good kitchen with everything you need to cook including an outdoor grill. Plenty of things to do locally as well. Very friendly and helpful property manager.
Such a Beautiful Home!
Our family was visiting Fairhope for a family wedding in December and had the privilege of staying in this amazing house. So cozy and comfortable, plenty of room for our group of 12. Everything was perfect, beginning with our arrival, we were given a complete tour of the house and everything was thoroughly explained to us. I was amazed at the stock in the kitchen, any utensil you could possibly need was in this kitchen! We spent a lot of mornings having coffee on the porches, and in the evenings enjoying the view of Mobile Bay. So peaceful, yet so close to Fairhope where we found so many things to do in this unique town. We have stayed in vacation rentals many times before, but this one was exceptional! Margaret was so helpful and so easy to correspond with during the entire rental process. The house was even better than the pictures! I would love to come back to this unique property some day, and would highly recommend this house on the bay! Thanks for a memorable stay!
Thanks for the review Kathy, we are so happy you enjoyed your stay.
Becky H
We rented this home in November and ended with a family reunion for Thanksgiving. What a glorious place to accommodate family! There was a room for football for the guys, the dining table was large enough for our traditional "Chase the Ace" card game and we set up a jigsaw puzzle on the back veranda. We borrowed folding tables and enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner on the veranda facing Mobile Bay. We raced to the pier every afternoon to catch the sunset that never looked the same. We will cherish forever this time and the wonderful, accommodating slice of heaven.
Perfect for my family!
We stayed in this home for several days. It was the perfect place for my family! We really enjoyed the back porches that looked over Mobile Bay. The kids had a great time playing in the water! The property manager met me at the house and was very helpful! He took me all over the house and demonstrated how the door locks worked and how to turn the alarm on and off. I would recommend this home to my friends.
Delightful home with something for everyone
Fairhope is a great place for antiqueing, enjoying southern cuisine, kayaking, fishing and touring historic sites. It's a birder heaven. The Hotel Volante is a large and gracious former hotel that is well equipped for cooking and lounging. It's been recently decorated and the gardens are lovely in spring. A long pier brings one right into the bay. Guests from 29 to 93 years had a great time. Highly recommended.
Location
Fairhope is a lovely gracious Southern Town with Historic buildings, gardens with old Oak trees and Spanish Moss. Pensacola Florida and Gulf Shores are a short 45 minute to one hour drive away.