Gulf Strand Resort

We have been going to the Gulf Strand for almost 8 years now, at least twice a year. We have NEVER been disappointed from the booking process to check in check out and everything in between. You can’t beat the location, the price, the amenities, (gas grills on site-​covered parking-​pool-​Jacuzzi-​walking distance to Publix, CVS Drunken clam) — the rental agents have ALWAYS been helpful. Once we had an a/​c unit go out they were there to fix it the same day, another time a toaster didn’t work-​we had a replacement in about 15 minutes. We have always found the units in good clean condition. We try to stay in 502 604 501 we LOVE it wish we could buy a place. Highly recommend it.

I’m disappointed in this place and will NEVER stay here again.
I spent last New Year’s Eve on the beach and had a good time, so thought I’d do it again. By early Dec when I started looking to book a place, most of the hotels in the area I wished to stay were already booked, so when I called the Gulf Strand and was told they had a condo available on New Year’s I booked. I was told there was a 3 night minimum stay, and agreed to that– I would check in on ¹²⁄₃₁ for three nights. I gave them a credit card, and was told the total came to $ 499+change; I thought that was OK for three nights, approx $ 166/​night and agreed to the charge.
The unit, 604, that I was assigned was nice, clean and spacious. I was pleased. I stayed two nights, and on the morning of the 3^rd day I received a call shortly after 9am to come to the office to sign papers. Upon arrival in the office the woman mentioned me checking out that morning, and I stated that I had booked the place for the minimum stay of 3 nights, and that I planned to check out tomorrow morning. I pointed out that I was told there was a 3 night minimum, which is also indicated on the property’s web page. She pulled up my reservation and stated, «No, we’ve only got you for two nights.», and again I mentioned the fact that the agent that I booked the place with confirmed it was for the minimum 3 nights. She apologized and said the unit was available for the night if I wanted to pay an extra night. I’ve paid for many vacation rentals, and this one was definitely not worth $ 250/​night, so I told her as much and had to check out that morning. At this point I felt very upset as I was looking forward to a relaxing day on the beach, and having lost my mother on Christmas day really needed this getaway. Obviously whoever booked the room didn’t know how to count 3 nights correctly on the calander, and the property manager doesn’t know how to make an effort to accomodate a guest when there’s been a mistake. I will never return after my experience this morning. I feel ripped off for 2 nights when I planned on 3. I could have stayed at the Don Cesar hotel which is much nicer for about the same amount.