See all properties
Entire home

DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH! Ocean Reef 903 Gulf Coast Family Friendly 3br Townhome

Photo gallery for DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH! Ocean Reef 903 Gulf Coast Family Friendly 3br Townhome

903 is DIRECTLY on the beach
Back deck leads directly on to the white sand beach
Perfect area for kids to play in sand
Perfect area for kids to play in sand
Amazing sunsets

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 81600 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Gulf Shores, AL
  • Gulf Shores Beach
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Hangout Music Fest
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Waterville USA
    ‪3 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Queen Beds

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH! Ocean Reef 903 Gulf Coast Family Friendly 3br Townhome

Come enjoy our beautiful large three story town-home (not a high rise!) on 200' of private white sand beach in a family friendly complex! Direct ocean front condo with views from living area and 2 of the 3 bedrooms. Large balconies off living area (10 x 18) and master bedroom (4 x 10) overlook the Gulf of Mexico water. Private covered parking under condo, one flight up to front door. NO ELEVATORS. A large pool with BBQ grills is located in a park like setting in the center of the complex.

Winter rates available.

Check out our sister unit directly next door, Ocean Reef 902!

Updated Ocean Reef complex, new siding, trim and roof. New "beachy" exterior paint scheme. New mattresses and mattress pads. Private cleaner that spends extra time sanitizing between guests. Complex has updated High Speed Internet, Cable TV and Phone. Updated pool and pool furniture.

*WE PROVIDE 2 FREE PARKING PASSES!*

There are 2 king beds, one in each 2nd floor bedroom and 2 queen beds in the 3rd floor bedroom. New side sleeper pillows in all bedrooms.

Located 4 blocks west of US 59 and West Beach Blvd (HWY 182). We are within walking distance of The Hangout, Bahama Bob's, and many other restaurants, Pier 33, shopping and the public beach. 20 minutes from the new Tropical Falls Indoor Water Park/Amusement Park in Foley! This three-story condo contains 1600 SF of living space, no one above or below you! Walk out your door immediately to your deck, down the stairs and right onto the sugar white sand beach!

The first floor has a full kitchen, dining and living areas, and a half bath. The second floor includes a master bedroom (King bed) with a private bath, a second bedroom (King bed), a full bath, and a full-size washer/dryer. The third floor has 2 Queen beds. There is also a queen pull out couch in the living room. Flat screen TV's in all bedrooms, with a 50" flat screen smart TV in the living room. The condo is set up to accommodate 8. This unit is family operated.

NEED BABY EQUIPMENT? RENT HERE: https://www.babyquip.com?a=0500ce8

BY LAW MINIMUM AGE TO RENT IS 25!
ABSOLUTELY NO ANIMALS DUE TO SEVERE OWNER ALLERGIES!
NO SMOKING!
NO ELEVATORS! There is one flight of stairs to get up to the unit, and 2 additional flights of stairs inside the unit. There is also a flight of stairs on the back deck leading to the white sand beach.

Property manager

Kathy Bartshe
Premier Host

Languages

English
Lock

Protect your payment — always book on Vrbo

If someone asks you to book through them or pay them directly before you book on Vrbo, report it.
Find out more

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

On the beach

Beachfront home with private balcony, 2 beachside decks, central AC and WiFi

  • Sea view
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
9.6 out of 10, (45 reviews)
Beachfront home with private balcony, 2 beachside decks, central AC and WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
There are 2 flights of stairs
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
Absolutely no pets! Eviction/loss of deposit
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Absolutely NO smoking! Loss of deposit

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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 indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Gulf Shores

Located in Gulf Shores, this holiday home is on the beach. While the natural beauty of Gulf Shores Beach and Gulf State Park can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore The Wharf. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Orange Beach Tennis Center or Foley Sportsplex. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in Gulf ShoresOpens in a new window
Map
Gulf Shores, AL

What's nearby

  • Gulf Shores Beach - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Hangout Music Fest - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Gulf State Park - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Waterville USA - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Gulf Shores Golf Club - 7 min drive - 5.0 km

Getting around

  • Pensacola, FL (PNS-Pensacola Intl.) - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Hangout - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Sunliner Diner - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Pink Pony Pub - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪De Soto's Seafood Kitchen - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Gulf Island Grill - ‬16 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH! Ocean Reef 903 Gulf Coast Family Friendly 3br Townhome have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH! Ocean Reef 903 Gulf Coast Family Friendly 3br Townhome pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH! Ocean Reef 903 Gulf Coast Family Friendly 3br Townhome?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH! Ocean Reef 903 Gulf Coast Family Friendly 3br Townhome?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH! Ocean Reef 903 Gulf Coast Family Friendly 3br Townhome located?

Nestled on the beach, this Gulf Shores holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Wade Ward Nature Park, Gulf Shores Beach and Gulf State Park. Shrimpy's Mini Golf and Waterville USA are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 78 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 78 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 78 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 78 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 78 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Spenser G.

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

Family beach get away

We were able to be right on the beach with kids is always easy and this townhouse was perfect and still Able to walk to multiple areas!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Edric C.

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

Wonderful Stay

The house is just steps from the beautiful beach and has most of the amenities you need. It's also conveniently close to a variety of restaurants and fun activities. I will definitely stay here again in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Beverly C.

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

Beachy 25

Fabulous week with mutiple condos of extended family. Our condo was great. Loved the 2 railing high deck chairs. Could use a little more cabinet space for groceries but all worked out fine. Condo is very well maintained and bath towls were wonderful!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heather W.

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

Perfection

The home was perfect! The views, location, comfort, stocked kitchen , coffee pot & cleanliness all get 5 stars! The beds were super comfortable! Extra pillows & blankets! The balconies were fantastic! We had dinner outside and listened to the ocean. SOUL soothing!We LOVED our next door neighbors too. We hunted crabs at night and enjoyed every moment during the day. Absolutely zero complaints! We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa H.

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

Great property!

This is a great vacation property! The location can't be beat. You literally walk down the stairs from the deck and you are on the sand. We absolutely loved the master bedroom with the balcony overlooking the water. My only complaint is that there are no hooks in the master bath to hang a bathrobe! It appears that there were hooks on the back of the door at one time but they are broken.Overall we loved our stay and will definitely be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa G.

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

Beautiful Views!!!!

I would absolutely recommend staying at this property!! The views of the ocean right outside your door are amazing! I chose to stay in the roomthat faces the ocean, so at night, i could lay in the bed with the lights off and see all the stars and then wake up in the morning to a gorgeous view of the ocean. And when you're ready to go to the beach, all you have to do is step off the back porch and walk a very little way down a trail and there you are. It took me about 2 minutes to get to the water. The place is a little dated, but its not nearly as outdated as the pictures made it look. It was actually really nice. And it was clean. I hope to go back next year!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jodi D.

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

Beach Vacay

The property was in a perfect location and right on the beach. The pool was very convenient and the kids loved it. The inside is very outdated, but has new kitchen appliances (stove, refrigerator, microwave). The kitchen is stocked with everything you can think of from a blender, crockpot, toaster, wine & martini glasses. There were even several Tupperware containers which was perfect for storing leftover food and taking food down to the beach. The kids thoroughly enjoyed all the sand toys, boogie boards, etc to play with on the beach. The view from the patio in the morning and night was amazing. We walked to several places to eat and shop since we were close to everything. The only downside to it was the 3rd floor was hot, but there were fans provided and we also bought one to help. There were also not enough towels. We had 9 people and only had 7 towels to use for bathing so we had to do a lot of washing. Overall we had a great time and would consider coming back to this property again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sandra S.

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

Fantastic family spot

The complex and location was perfect for our family vacation. The complex pool was great for the kiddos for evening swimming. The condo gave us enough space to spread out. We hope to return next year.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steven W.

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

Location, Location, Location

I can’t imagine having a better location to stay for a beach vacation. The housing was as described and communication with host was great.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

betty t.

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

short vacation before the Kane Brown concert at The Wharf

Location was great, directly on the sand. The pool was never crowded. Great view!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristen J.

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

Great location

Great location and even better views! It was the perfect size for a family of 7 and being able to walk out the back porch to the beach was amazing!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Megan M.

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

Beachfront escape

Perfect location for a beachfront escape
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

John O.

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

Great time

Property clean with everything you need for your stay. Became our home for a few days. Great access to beach and also restaurant. Def be back.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason C.

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

Great Beach Destination

Townhouse was tidy, clean, easily accessible, and super easy self check-in process. The host was very accommodating and the rental unit was exactly as described in the listing. Our family had an awesome time and created some unforgettable memories. I can see why the owner is a premier host! I will definitely keep this one on the list for future vacations.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

John S.

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

Great stay.

Great property. No issues. On the beach and close to everything. We loved it.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa P.

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

Fun Home for Girls’ Trip

Our group of 8 women came here for our annual Girls’ trip. We had a wonderful time and the location was great! We loved being right on the beach and loved that home was large enough for all of us to sleep comfortably. We had an amazing time!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Megan K.

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

Place was perfect for two families! Could not have asked for a better location.

Unit was just as described. The location was fantastic! The owner was super helpful with questions. The amount of room we had for 8 people was a plus! Would definitely return again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Stephanie R.

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

Low key beach vacation

My husband and our friend stayed for a week, loved the setup and location of this unit! Reservation and check in process was seamless. We loved the beachfront porch, was also really nice to have parking right underneath. One thing I do want to note, not sure if you are aware, we did discover that there are bugs in the kitchen area, some sort of beetle or roach I think.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Andrea S.

Right on beach, clean, next to everything u need

My kids and I stayed in this beautiful home directly beachfront. We could easily walk from the deck to the beach and go back and forth with snacks, drinks, and beach toys no problem. The place was clean and easily fit all 8 of us. Amazing view of ocean out back sliding door and upper deck. Beach is only for ocean reef guests so isn't ever crowded and you can rent chairs or bring out your own the house provides for you. Kathy was great and responded to all questions immediately. You'll have a great stay!

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany A., Prattville, Ala.

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

Perfect, perfect, perfect - no high rise!

We stayed here for a girls trip - 7 of us in total. We had plenty of room! The property is bigger than it looks in the photos. It was great to just walk down a set of stairs and be on the beach! No elevators or crowds. Perfect walking distance to stores. Comfy beds, great deck space with chairs and table as well. For several in our group this was their first time to the Gulf Coast and they loved it! The pool was nice as well. Just a lovely complex overall. Would 10 out of 10 stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hannah C.

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

Amazing location, amazing view

We stayed here for our family vacation and had a great trip. I cannot say enough great things about the location. It was exactly what we wanted, close to everything and easy access to the beach. We liked the layout of the condo, was perfect for our family for the children to have a separate area upstairs. The condo was clean, but there were some deep clean areas that have been missed like fans, tops of picture frames, etc. Nothing that was very bothersome. The fixtures and appliances are dated, but that didn't bother us either. The oven temperature did seem inconsistent and that was a small nuisance as we did a lot of home cooking. The host was great and gave all the information needed ahead of time. We didn't have any issues during our stay that needed to be addressed so I cannot speak to that. The view was wonderful. Spent so much time on the balcony and deck listening to the waves and staring at the ocean. The children loved all the toys available on the deck. They also loved having access to a pool when the waves were a bit too strong for them to play in. Would love to come again in the future! Tl;dr Great stay. Perfect location. Very few minor complaints that wouldn't keep us from selecting this property again in the future.
Stayed 10 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Trudy H.

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

Best stocked condo ever!

I have stayed at Ocean Reef several times before but never in this unit. We love the fact that it is a low rise complex making the beach area much nicer that the high rises. This unit was extremely well stocked. Tons of pots pans glass/dishware - really just about anything you could think of. Nice bath towels and linens - above average. Ocean Reef is an older complex and there were a couple of small issues. The single slot Keurig was missing a part so I had to make pots vs. cups and I was the only coffee drinker (not a big deal). The dishwasher looked great and was new enough looking but it doesn't clean as well as my one at home - I adjusted by rinsing them more substantially before starting it. The A/C worked great - we've had units in the past that really struggled to cool but this one was awesome. Biggest disappointment was the weather which is hardly under the control of the owner! We had nearly a whole week of double red flags which meant no going into the water and even sitting on the sand was like being sandblasted. This morning was perfect but, unfortunately it was check out day! Ah well. Ocean Reef is in a great location, walkable to the Hangout and Bahama Bobs and with a nearby Wine Bar.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patty N.

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

Girls trip

Absolutely perfect! Right on the beach! We had everything we needed and perfect location! We came for Sand in my Boots festival. It was just a short walk there!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin P.

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

Spring break 2025

Wonderful property and great owner!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Delle F.

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

Fun Times

We had a great time! Had everything we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

About the host

Hosted by Kathy Bartshe

Host profile image
We have been visiting the Gulf Coast since 1985 and purchased a condo at Ocean Reef in 1998. We continue to vacation here. We love the small scale of Ocean Reef (45) units and the 200 foot white sand beach, the views and the weather.

Why they chose this property

We don't like high rises, elevators and not being right at the beach at the bottom of our steps!

What makes this property unique

We can walk to restaurants, festivals, Hang Out, Public Beach, stores, etc. This property is a 3 story townhouse, no one is above or below you!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback

Hotels

Cottages Plymouth
Villas Mallorca Island
Villas Lanzarote
Villas Jamaica
Chalets Seefeld in Tirol
Cottages South of France

Holiday Rentals

Stratford-upon-Avon Holiday Rentals
North Wales Holiday Rentals
Chaldon Herring Holiday Rentals
Vista Alegre Holiday Rentals
Comerica Center Holiday Rentals
Borough Green & Wrotham Station Holiday Rentals
Tongwynlais Holiday Rentals
Walberton Holiday Rentals
Cala Ferrera Holiday Rentals
Bridlington Holiday Rentals
Newchurch Holiday Rentals
Como Holiday Rentals
Altamonte Springs Holiday Rentals
Lake Arvo Holiday Rentals
Mumbles Holiday Rentals
Goldsithney Holiday Rentals
Kinvara Holiday Rentals
Morillon Holiday Rentals
Buckfast Abbey Holiday Rentals
Courmayeur Holiday Rentals
Arta Holiday Rentals
Golf La Moraleja Holiday Rentals
Santorini Holiday Rentals
St. Petersburg Holiday Rentals