5 Things to consider when deciding to rent a Beach House or Condo for Spring Break 2018

Your family has decided you’re going to visit the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast and enjoy our sugar white beaches for Spring Break 2018, but you can’t decide if you’d like to stay in a condo or a beach house.

Location/View

Location.  Location.  Location.  We’ve all heard the term.  What does that mean here?  The location of your condo or beach house often determines the view.  High rise Gulf Coast Condos tend to offer better views of The Gulf of Mexico and/or Mobile Bay than beach homes located in beach neighborhoods.  However, there isn’t a much better view than the one you get from a deck of Gulf Front beach house.  Our homes are located throughout Pleasure Island in South Alabama.  Rentals are available in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Historic Fort Morgan.  No matter which you choose, you are only steps away from the Sugar White Sands of Alabama’s most beautiful beaches.

Parking/Elevators

“I wish parking was closer to our vacation front door.  This parking lot is huge!”

Most beach houses offer parking right under the house or in the adjacent yard.  Alabama Gulf Coast beach houses, by design, are built up on pilings or piers to prevent flooding during tropical rain storms.  Most do not offer elevators.  Instead they only have stairs leading up the main living floor.   Taking vacation supplies and luggage can be a challenge.

Beach front condos, Mobile Bay front condos and beach view condos, on the other hand, have large parking lots.  Typically, luggage carts are available and elevators are usually present, so taking people and luggage up to your vacation front door can be very easy.

Personal Space vs Price

Beach condos are usually compact versions of larger homes.  If personal space is a factor in your choice, a beach home may be your best option.  Usually, beach homes offer more square footage than their smaller compact counterparts. Condos tend to be more economical than beach houses, however, if you are planning to split rental costs between two or more families, a beach house may just fit the bill. When choosing the beach vacation destination home that will best fit your family’s needs, keep in mind Sunset Properties has rental houses and condos that offer a variety of choices, design layouts and pricing.

Extra Comforts

If certain vacation amenities like having a pool only steps from your home-away-from-home is a must, a condo will usually fit the bill.  Most condo complexes offer pools, fitness rooms, saunas and even a lazy river either on the ground level or the roof.  Beach houses, however, are single family homes and typically don’t have these adjacent to the house.  Beach houses are usually a part of a beach community and have a shared pool and/or fitness area within the neighborhood.  WIFI, DVRs, TVs, stereos and other entertainment comforts are available in most condos and beach houses.

 

Fur Baby on Board

Is your fur baby coming with you?  Both beach condos and beach homes allow pets.  Usually a pet deposit is required and pet size restrictions can be a factor.  If bringing your fur baby with you to the beach is a must, your options are open for both condos and beach houses.

 

If you’re still having trouble deciding which accommodation will best suit your family, email us at info@sunsetproperties.com or give us a call 251.543.1370.  One of our vacation rental experts will be happy to help you!