Southbay by the Gulf 69

I have stayed at Southbay every summer since 1998. My kids have grown up and it feels like home to them. We had a great trip other than tropical storm Bertha coming to visit for a few days but still enjoyed the pool area. Apparently the gate arm at the entry of Southbay is broken and there was some traffic going a little too fast through the gate. We had a wonderful trip!!!

- Reviewed On: 7/28/2026
- Check Out On: 7/25/2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for sharing such a special connection to Southbay. It means so much to hear that you have been returning every summer since 1998 and that the community has become a place filled with family memories and traditions. We're delighted that you had another wonderful trip and were still able to enjoy the pool area despite the tropical storm. We also appreciate you bringing the gate arm issue to our attention. We understand how important safety and a smooth arrival experience are, and we will share this feedback with the appropriate team for review. Thank you again for your continued visits and for allowing us to be part of your family's beach memories. We look forward to welcoming you back to Southbay for many more summers to come!

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals staff

We had a wonderful stay in Destin! The property was clean, comfortable, and had everything our family needed for a great mini vacation. The location was excellent, with easy access to the beach, restaurants, and activities. One of our favorite touches was the book of local suggestions provided by the host. It gave us several ideas for things to do in the area, and we only wish we had more time to experience them all. Unfortunately, we had some rainy weather during our stay, and we also learned the hard way just how intense the Florida sun can be! Future guests should definitely pack extra sunscreen and apply it often. Communication was great, check-in was easy, and the property made for a relaxing home base during our trip. We would gladly stay here again and would recommend it to anyone visiting Destin.

- Reviewed On: 6/12/2026
- Check Out On: 5/30/2026

Candi, thanks so much for the amazing review! We’re really happy to hear the place was comfy, clean, and had everything you needed for your Destin getaway, and that our local suggestion book came in handy too. Totally feel you on the crazy mix of rain and intense Florida sun – great tip on the extra sunscreen! We’d love to host you again next time you’re in Destin!

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals staff

The location was perfect, the pool access was just a few steps away, the beach access was fairly close. We I had a great time.

- Reviewed On: 5/26/2026
- Check Out On: 5/25/2026

Thanks so much for staying with us, Orfa! We’re really glad you loved the location and easy pool/beach access. 😊 Would love to host you again anytime!

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals staff

Love it! The location was inconvenient for us since we needed to put a tent for our baby and the beach will not allow you to put your belongings in front of the ocean. I rented the umbrella and chairs they offer but didn’t feel like my money was worth. So every day needed to go to a different beach. But, inside the kitchen is smaller and the beds make noises. Besides those little downfalls the place was very clean, the stairs needs maintenance but good deal in general

- Reviewed On: 5/5/2026
- Check Out On: 5/5/2026

Ryan, thanks a ton for staying with us and for the thoughtful review! We’re really glad you found the place very clean and felt it was a good deal overall. We’d love to host you again next time you’re in the area!

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals staff

Great place to stay! It was a bit hard to find at first, but it’s actually nicer since it’s more private. The walk to the beach is quick and the pool is right out the back door! My kids loved just being able to go the pool whenever. I wish there were beach items here to use, but we had brought everything we needed so it’s not a big deal. We loved it so much, we ended up staying an extra night. Destin traffic is terrible, but this place is a gem! I will absolutely be back in the future!

- Reviewed On: 4/13/2026
- Check Out On: 4/12/2026

Kyle, thanks so much for the awesome review! I’m really glad you and the kids loved the quick walk to the beach and having the pool right out the back door. It means a lot that you stayed an extra night and still call the place a gem even with Destin traffic. Can’t wait to have you back anytime you’re in town!

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals staff

The townhome was very clean and comfortable. We really enjoyed the outdoor patio that was right next to the pool and the beautiful ocean was a short walk across the parking lot! The only thing people should be aware of is the beach is private, so there are some restrictions about where you can put your own chairs. They do offer comfortable loungers with umbrellas to rent though. Overall, it was a great stay!

- Reviewed On: 10/21/2025
- Check Out On: 10/17/2025

Thanks so much, Lana! We’re so happy you found the townhome clean and comfortable and loved the patio and easy walk to the beach — that’s one of our favorite parts too! Great point about the private beach setup; we’ll make sure to highlight that better in the listing so future guests know what to expect. So glad you had a great stay overall, and we’d love to have you back anytime!

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals staff

The location to the ocean and pool were great! The pool is literally out the back door. The townhouse needs some updates. The upstairs toilet seats need replaced. The bathroom doors need fixed or replaced. The main bathroom shower knob needs fixed. Minor updates needed but otherwise a great place! I would recommend!!

- Reviewed On: 8/29/2025
- Check Out On: 8/29/2025

Thanks so much for your kind words and for pointing out the things we can improve on! We’re so glad you loved the location and the easy access to the pool and ocean. We really appreciate your feedback about the updates needed, and we’ll be taking care of those items so future stays are even better. Thanks again for recommending us—we’d love to host you again anytime!

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals staff

Todo espectacular

- Reviewed On: 8/25/2025
- Check Out On: 8/25/2025

¡Muchas gracias! Nos alegra muchísimo saber que todo fue espectacular durante tu estancia. Estaremos encantados de recibirte de nuevo cuando quieras. 🌟

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals staff

Great Stay!

- Reviewed On: 7/17/2025
- Check Out On: 7/5/2025

Thank you so much, Fair! We're delighted to hear you had a great stay. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back again soon!

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals staff

We absolutely love our rental. The back sliding door was a little hard to open but it led straight to the pool! The beach was also within walking distance. Everything really was wonderful.

- Reviewed On: 6/21/2025
- Check Out On: 6/21/2025

Thank you so much, Heather, for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you loved the rental and enjoyed the convenient access to the pool and beach. We appreciate your feedback about the sliding door and will make sure to address it. We’d love to host you again in the future!

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals staff

Our stay was fantastic. The unit was very clean and decorated nicely, very minor complaint would be floors and stairs are excessively squeaky, but would not drop our rating. Most importantly was the location, exceptional!! A parking lot walk to a private beach where a very friendly employee with beach gear was readily available. And right in the heart of Destin, not a long drive to anything. We would stay here again without hesitation!

- Reviewed On: 6/6/2025
- Check Out On: 6/6/2025

Thank you so much for the fantastic review, Scott! I'm thrilled to hear that you found the unit very clean, nicely decorated, and in an exceptional location. It's wonderful that you enjoyed the quick walk to our private beach and the friendly staff with beach gear available. I really appreciate your honest feedback about the squeaky floors and stairs - constructive comments like yours help me improve the guest experience. I'm already looking into having this addressed to ensure future guests have an even more comfortable stay. I'm so glad you'd stay with us again without hesitation, and I'd love to welcome you back anytime!

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals staff

Was a great property even tho it rained all week. Plenty of space for the family. Close to many attractions. 2nd year having family vacation already planning next year.

- Reviewed On: 6/12/2022

Very easy online.

- Reviewed On: 6/6/2022

Very nice home we enjoyed our stay even better location. It’s close to beach 5min walk close to stores. Love that the pool is couple steps from back door. We would stay here again.

- Reviewed On: 4/3/2022