Brand new paint for an updated style inside on both sides for 2023! Looking great!!
Looking for an incredibly nice, upscale home to house a large group of people but you’d like to save a few dollars in the deal? The Shells duplex has 6 bedrooms on each side, balconies on two levels, ocean views from the south side rooms, a living room, and a lounge room.
Each side of Shells has the following sleeping arrangements:
Main Floor North BR: King
3rd Floor South BR: 2 Queens
3rd Floor Middle BR: Queen
3rd Floor North BR: King
4th Floor South BR: King
4th Floor North BR: Queen and Triple Bunk (twin over full)
Main Living Room: QSS
Main Floor Bonus Room: QSS
ALL bedrooms have private, en suite bathrooms.
Shells is located on the north side of West Beach Boulevard, across the street from the beach and you can see the beach!
EASY DEEDED BEACH ACCES
You have beach access and a large pool for the guests of Shells. We aren’t talking about blocks to reach the beach, it’s right across the street, you have access to the beach by using the private walk way next to one of our homes at 1433 W. Beach Blvd! 465 ft walk to the beach!
TWO REFRIGERATORS
Two? Per side? Yes two. Because you won't want to stay somewhere without an extra fridge once you have had them.
POOL
Big. Private to the two sides of the duplex: no sharing with other places nearby. The pool is open all year. It’s a big rectangle, 33x17x3-5’. Lounge chairs are provided around the pool.
WIFI/INTERNET
YES! We have an awesome Eero mesh network to ensure excellent wifi coverage throughout this spacious home. Spotty coverage is always an issue for big places. Sure internet may work next to the router in the living room, but what about the far reaches of the home!? That's why we installed a multi-node mesh network. And what's the internet like? It is generally solid and ran > 100Mb down the last test--sufficient for several simultaneous video conference sessions for remote work and education. Internet is, of course, an amenity and subject to service provider outages (and guests "troubleshooting" it), especially with the havoc the sand and salt wreak on cabling and facilities, no more so than any other home on the beach though, and likely better since its close in and new construction!
PARKING
There is available onsite , offstreet, parking for at least 6 midsize vehicles if you use space under the home and stack well. In duplex units, please be neighborly about this.
SOAPS, TOWELS, COFFEE, GRILLS ETC ETC
As with most beach homes in the area, the local mgt co provide what they call a "starter supply" of soaps, toilet paper, and paper towels, etc. Enough for the first night to get you going! Please plan to bring or purchase additional supplies, and any cleaning or pantry supplies you may need, or to make a quick run to the store (or have it delivered!). You will want to bring beach towels or beach chairs as well. Because mgt cos will not generally support them, grills are not provided, though they are sometimes inherited from prior guests: your mileage may vary on this, and we usually assess and then go snag a small charcoal kettle when we come down ourselves. Also of note: at many locations, you may find the bunk beds (and certain other beds) are not fully made--instead a bedding pack is provided. This is a common practice for the local management companies, which is both green (if the bedding is not used, it doesn't have to be laundered) AND more sanitary--housekeeping does not have to crawl on the bunks and so on to make the beds. Also also... all our homes have both drip coffee makers and Keurigs as well.
PETS
We do consider well-behaved canine furry friends at many locations. This requires owner pre-approval, and is subject to a pet fee (currently $250 per pet). Approval in a duplex location, especially for peak weeks, generally is only available for guests renting both sides of the duplex. Please inquire.
No smoking please, but feel free to eat lots of shrimp, bask in the warm sun, and have a great time!
That’s it! We think you’ll have a great stay in our home. Reach out and let us know how we can help!
SNOWBIRDS! Up to 2/3rds off for off-season stays of 28 days or longer. Inquire.
Brand new paint for an updated style inside on both sides for 2023! Looking great!!
Looking for an incredibly nice, upscale home to house a large group of people but you’d like to save a few dollars in the deal? The Shells duplex has 6 bedrooms on each side, balconies on two levels, ocean views from the south side rooms, a living room, and a lounge room.
Each side of Shells has the following sleeping arrangements:
Main Floor North BR: King
3rd Floor South BR: 2 Queens
3rd Floor Middle BR: Queen
3rd Floor North BR: King
4th Floor South BR: King
4th Floor North BR: Queen and Triple Bunk (twin over full)
Main Living Room: QSS
Main Floor Bonus Room: QSS
ALL bedrooms have private, en suite bathrooms.
Shells is located on the north side of West Beach Boulevard, across the street from the beach and you can see the beach!
EASY DEEDED BEACH ACCES
You have beach access and a large pool for the guests of Shells. We aren’t talking about blocks to reach the beach, it’s right across the street, you have access to the beach by using the private walk way next to one of our homes at 1433 W. Beach Blvd! 465 ft walk to the beach!
TWO REFRIGERATORS
Two? Per side? Yes two. Because you won't want to stay somewhere without an extra fridge once you have had them.
POOL
Big. Private to the two sides of the duplex: no sharing with other places nearby. The pool is open all year. It’s a big rectangle, 33x17x3-5’. Lounge chairs are provided around the pool.
WIFI/INTERNET
YES! We have an awesome Eero mesh network to ensure excellent wifi coverage throughout this spacious home. Spotty coverage is always an issue for big places. Sure internet may work next to the router in the living room, but what about the far reaches of the home!? That's why we installed a multi-node mesh network. And what's the internet like? It is generally solid and ran > 100Mb down the last test--sufficient for several simultaneous video conference sessions for remote work and education. Internet is, of course, an amenity and subject to service provider outages (and guests "troubleshooting" it), especially with the havoc the sand and salt wreak on cabling and facilities, no more so than any other home on the beach though, and likely better since its close in and new construction!
PARKING
There is available onsite , offstreet, parking for at least 6 midsize vehicles if you use space under the home and stack well. In duplex units, please be neighborly about this.
SOAPS, TOWELS, COFFEE, GRILLS ETC ETC
As with most beach homes in the area, the local mgt co provide what they call a "starter supply" of soaps, toilet paper, and paper towels, etc. Enough for the first night to get you going! Please plan to bring or purchase additional supplies, and any cleaning or pantry supplies you may need, or to make a quick run to the store (or have it delivered!). You will want to bring beach towels or beach chairs as well. Because mgt cos will not generally support them, grills are not provided, though they are sometimes inherited from prior guests: your mileage may vary on this, and we usually assess and then go snag a small charcoal kettle when we come down ourselves. Also of note: at many locations, you may find the bunk beds (and certain other beds) are not fully made--instead a bedding pack is provided. This is a common practice for the local management companies, which is both green (if the bedding is not used, it doesn't have to be laundered) AND more sanitary--housekeeping does not have to crawl on the bunks and so on to make the beds. Also also... all our homes have both drip coffee makers and Keurigs as well.
PETS
We do consider well-behaved canine furry friends at many locations. This requires owner pre-approval, and is subject to a pet fee (currently $250 per pet). Approval in a duplex location, especially for peak weeks, generally is only available for guests renting both sides of the duplex. Please inquire.
No smoking please, but feel free to eat lots of shrimp, bask in the warm sun, and have a great time!
That’s it! We think you’ll have a great stay in our home. Reach out and let us know how we can help!
SNOWBIRDS! Up to 2/3rds off for off-season stays of 28 days or longer. Inquire.
The home was well stocked, close proximity to the beach and perfect for our needs. Everything was clean and well in order when we arrived. Would definitely stay here again. We loved it!
[π€ Super! Thanks Renee! So glad the west side of Shells was well stocked, clean and ready when you rolled in, and just right for your crew β with the beach a quick hop across the road. "We loved it" is all I need to hear! π₯° DM us with any suggestions for Shells, or when you're ready to set up that return trip β Shells goes early for summer, so don't dally! π Thanks again! π]
So perfect we wanted to stay longer!
by Donna
5/5
The house was clean with all the necessary items to make it our home for a week. It was so perfect our family wanted to stay longer.
[π₯° Yay! Thank you Donna! "So perfect our family wanted to stay longer" β love hearing that! So happy the west side of Shells was clean, stocked, and felt like home for the week. Ping us with any suggestions for Shells, or for Bama Beach Houses' communications and support... or to make that "stay longer" wish come true on a return trip! π Thanks again! πποΈ]
Very clean, exactly as pictured β worked perfectly!
by Joni
5/5
This property was very clean and exactly as pictured. We had 8 adults and 6 kiddos aged 5,5,3,2,2, 6 months. It worked out perfectly for us. The pool was clean and separately gated which was nice and sharing with the family next door was no problem. The beach was a close walk across the street. Be prepared to walk through some loose sand before you get to a smoother location on the beach. A
[π₯³ Awesome! Thanks Joni. 8 adults and 6 little ones (with a 6-month-old in the mix!) β and the west side of Shells worked perfectly? That's a win! So glad the separately-gated pool was a hit and that sharing with the family next door was a breeze. And great tip on the loose sand before the smooth stretch β helpful for the next family to know! Thank you so much for the 5-star review! βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ Any suggestions for Shells? Or ready to gather the crew for a return? I'd love to hear from you. Thanks so much for staying in our home! ποΈ]
Held 5 families beautifully β softball tournament win!
by Ashlea
5/5
We were in the area for a softball tournament. This house held 5 families (18 people) really well. Everyone commented on how spacious it was. I was a little nervous about it being a duplex, but the neighbors were so nice and it never felt like we were in each other's way or anything. Beds and pillows were super comfy. AC was great. Easy beach access! This was something that was important to us because a few of us always stay beachfront. Access was directly across the road and was easy. There's also a hose by the driveway to wash off sand and lots of room to store beach items. Loved the location. We were able to use a βbypassβ road and avoid some of the traffic on the main part of gulf shores.
[π₯³ Awesome, Ashlea! 5 families, 18 people, in town for softball β and the west side of Shells held everyone comfortably with room to spare! I especially love that you came in a little nervous about the duplex and left saying it never felt cramped. That's exactly how a well-designed duplex should feel β your own space, friendly neighbors. And you found all the good stuff: comfy beds and pillows, great AC, easy beach access right across the road, the rinse hose, storage for beach gear, even the bypass road around the traffic! Sounds like you had it dialed in. Thank you so much for the 5-star review! βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ Any suggestions for Shells? Or ready to book the next tournament trip? I'd love to hear from you. Thanks so much for staying in our home! ποΈ]
Plenty of room for our large family!
by Carrie
5/5
The house was as described. Plenty of rooms and bathrooms for our large family. Close walk to the beach. It was also awesome to have a pool in the backyard. Lots of parking space for our cars. We had a great time!
[π₯³ Awesome, Carrie! So glad the west side of Shells was just as described and had plenty of rooms and bathrooms for the whole big family β that's exactly what she's built for! The backyard pool, the short beach walk, AND lots of parking? That's the full package for a group. So glad you had a great time! Thank you so much for the 5-star review! βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ Any suggestions for Shells? Or ready to gather the family for a return? I'd love to hear from you. Thanks so much for staying in our home! ποΈ]
Worked well for our family get together!
by Ronald
5/5
This property worked well for our family get together. Location was great with an easy walk to the beach and pool was a nice addition for our little ones. Listing indicated they provided toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags. After you pay in full they send an e-mail saying they provide a "starter pack". They provided 1 roll of toilet paper, 1 paper towels and 1 trash bag. For price you pay you would think they would provide toilet paper and especially trash bags. Not sure why they go on the cheap for this hotel basic. Other than that place was as advertised.
[π Thanks Ronald! So glad the west side of Shells worked well for the family get-together β easy walk to the beach, and the pool's always a win with little ones!
On the supplies: that's a fair question, though it is one addressed in the listing and in all our communications. The "starter pack" is the standard across pretty much every beach home in the area β mgmt companies stock enough to get you through that first night so you're not making a midnight run, then folks pick up what they need for the week. It's not a cost thing; it's just how vacation homes work versus hotels. A hotel restocks daily because someone's in your room daily β nobody's coming into your beach house while you're living in it! And trying to stock a really big vacay home with enough for a whole crew for a whole week (or more) isn't scalable. We do, though, call it out in the listing and a few times in the pre-trip info specifically so nobody's surprised, especially if, perhaps like you, they are used to staying in a hotel, and not in a big beach home.
Glad the place was as advertised otherwise! Any other suggestions for Shells? Or ready to gather the family again? I'd love to hear from you. Thanks so much for staying in our home! ποΈ]
It worked for our large group. Clean. Responsive company!
by Sarah
4/5
We had a few issues with maintenance but the toilet was replaced within a day. We stuggled with the dryer actually drying clothes. Beds were a bit hard and the community space felt really small for our large group. For example, the dining table only fit 6. Place was clean. Parking was rough as it was only single lane parking so we had to constantly shuffle cars. Overall, it worked and the company was really responsive to our messages.
[π Thanks so much, Sarah! So glad the west side of Shells worked for your big group, that you found it clean, and that when things came up my team was quick to respond β a toilet handled same-day is exactly the responsiveness we shoot for! Guests regularly call out Shells as a great value in their reviews, so that Value star is the ONE I'd most love to win back home with its four buddies next time! π I really appreciate the comments too β let me go through them.
On the dryer β really sorry to hear that! I don't see a note or a request of any kind come through on it, though. Did you send one? I'd like to make sure a ball wasn't dropped on our end. And if not β next time please reach out! Unless it was simply overloaded (I bet it was something easy), my gang on the ground could've handled it for you as fast and as well as they nailed that toilet! π
Beds, beds, beds... and pillows! You didn't mention pillows... but... hah!... those are SO personal! My wife likes soft beds and hard pillows, while I love a firm bed and can't stand a hard pillow... and I'll admit I'm far and away the bigger 'princess and the pea' of the two of us! π In fact, I'm always annoyed with myself when I fail to remember my own pillows. If you're a mattress 'softy,' maybe a topper in tow? For seating, beach homes (and really all vacation homes in my experience) are built to sleep a bunch for the value β and that IS the whole proposition with a home like Shells: room for a big crew at a price that works. What they're usually NOT geared for is seating everyone they sleep at one big table β but there's peninsula seating and a few good spots to spread out for meals. I DO have some homes that can seat a cast of thousands (okay, 20 or so) at BIG tables, but those run a LOT higher pricepoint β elevators and wet bars anyone?! π As for parking β the beach shuffle is real! These stacked beach lots hold a good number of cars, but single-lane stacking is just the nature of building right on the sand; a little car-Tetris comes with the territory (we've had teams squeeze a bus AND six cars onto one side before!). So if you're bringing 6-8 cars for a home that 'only' sleeps 20 or so people, you can expect to 'pack & stack' and do that beach shuffle.
None of that changes how glad I am you chose Shells β and I'd genuinely love the chance to earn that fifth star next time. Any other suggestions, or when you're ready for a return, I'd love to hear from you. Thanks so much for staying in our home! ποΈ]
What a wonderful week! π
by Sarah
5/5
Great place and a great week. We appreciate you having us. Couple minor things during the stay, and your team handled them SO FAST! We loved the pool, all the space, the deck, and the quick beach access across the street--once we figured it out! π We will definitly be back, and are recommending you all to all our friends!
Great Communication & Perfect House! ππ
by Keri
5/5
The communication was excellent. We enjoyed our stay with all the accommodations.
[Yay Keril! π₯³ Thank you so much for the 5-star review! We were so happy to host you at Shells West this April.
It’s great to hear that our communication met your expectations—we really pride ourselves on being accessible and clear with our guests, especially since we know how many moving parts there are when you’re coordinating a big group getaway! πβ¨
We’re thrilled that you enjoyed all the accommodations at the house. We love Shells because it’s designed to make large-group living easy—from the beachfront views to having enough space (and fridge room!) for everyone to feel at home. ποΈπΉ It sounds like you had a great window of spring weather for your stay!
We would absolutely love to have you back on the sand with us. Just a friendly heads-up: our West Beach duplexes are fan-favorites and tend to book up very far in advance for the next season. ποΈπ¨ Don't delay on grabbing your dates for your next trip—we can't wait to see you back! ποΈβοΈ]
Loved Shells!
by Megan
5/5
Great house, plenty of room for everyone! We loved the pool with a short walk to the beach!
[π€Yay! Thanks Megan! Glad you and the gang had a fantastic time and that the west side unit of our wonderful Shells duplex worked so perfectly for you all! Great place, lots of space, pool, EASY beach access, and fantastic value! What's not to love?! Well, having to leave at the end of the stay perhaps. π€ π Thanks again! π]
Wonderful! π
by Kereen
5/5
My family and I had a wonderful stay your home was very comfortable. I would like to thank you for letting us stay four extra days. Going home to 30 inches of snow was not fun. I would definitely come back π only wish it would be tomorrow.
[π₯³ Awesome, Kereen! So glad your family had a wonderful, comfortable stay on the west side of Shells — and happy we could get you those four extra days! 30 inches of snow waiting at home?! Yeah... I'd have stayed too! π "Only wish it would be tomorrow" — I love that. Come on back anytime; the sand'll be here! Thank you so much for the 5-star review! βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ Any suggestions for Shells? Or ready to escape the snow again? I'd love to hear from you. Thanks so much for staying in our home! ποΈ]
5 Stars
by Joe
5/5
Great stay. No issues.
Perfect!
by Katy
5/5
Great time at Shells. No problems. Hope return!
Shells (west unit) family vacay!
by Kelsey
5/5
Our family enjoyed the house and convenience of the beach so much! The house was perfect for us.
perfect for our family!
by Doug
5/5
Great time at beach... pool
[Woohoo! π Thanks so much, Doug! We’re thrilled you had a great time int he west side unit of Shells. Renting one side gives you full access to the fantastic private pool, with no sharing beyond the two sides of the home — perfect for families who want their own space but to save too since its such a great value. ποΈπ¦ With spacious bedrooms, en suite bathrooms, and large balconies, it’s ideal for relaxing and enjoying the beach, which is just steps away. π If you have any suggestions to make stays even better, we’d love to hear them. And when you’re ready to lock in that return trip, we’d be delighted to host you again — and for larger groups, both sides of Shells (East & West) are available for an even bigger getaway! π]
Shells West
by Amy
4/5
When we first arrived the place wasn’t very clean . I contacted Richard and he had the management team come over right away . The beach is a little walk down the road . If you drive to beach you have to pay . I would prefer to stay right on the beach . All the rooms had bathrooms so that was nice . We had a large group and I didn’t feel like we were on top of each other.
[Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts Amy! π I’m sorry things weren’t perfect when you arrived, and I appreciate you letting me know. Our team was happy to come by right away and touch up a few small spots β¨π§Ή—your comfort is always our top priority.
For future guests: Shells West does have private deeded beach access πΆβοΈποΈ—just across the street, so there’s no need to use the public beach. This is clearly noted in the listing π, in pre-arrival messages π§, and with a reminder posted by the door πͺ, so guests know exactly what they’re booking. Many past guests love the location and consistently rate both location and value as 5 stars βββββ. Shells is designed to comfortably host large groups at a great price π°, making it one of the most value-oriented homes in Gulf Shores.
With ensuite bathrooms π in every bedroom, a spacious layout π‘π, a private pool πβοΈ, multiple refrigerators π₯βοΈ, and balconies with ocean views ππ , Shells West is perfect for families or groups seeking comfort, privacy, and easy beach access. For those who truly want a “step-off-the-deck-into-the-sand” beachfront experience ποΈπ«, we also manage several gorgeous beachfront homes, though they are, of course, a bit higher in price.]
Wits End
by April
5/5
Thank you for a lovely vacation! We had the best time.
We had an awesome week!!!
by Susan
5/5
We went to the beach every day and also enjoyed the pool. We had plenty of space to spread out, but also enough space to be together when we wanted. I highly recommend this property!
[π₯° Yay! Fantastic. Love that you had an awesome week in our Shells home and that you highly recommend it, and the Bama Beach Houses gang! Ifyou have any suggestions for our place or the management co, we'd love to have them! Ready to lock in the return trip? π Thanks again! π]
Amazing stay for our family reunion
by Tanya
5/5
Amazing stay for our first family reunion! Easy access to the beach with the pool as a back up and a lovely home with plenty of space for the whole gang! Thanks so much! We had a lovely time!
[π€π₯³π₯° Yay! You are quite welcome Tanya, and thank you for such a lovely review of our home! So happy we were able to treat you to a truly wonderful time for your very first family reunion--I very much love hearing about folks' events in our home! Let's set up the second one! Reach out and we will get it handled for you! Thanks again! πππ]
Great vacay!
by Chuck
5/5
This house was everything that it was advertised to be.
[π₯³ Super! Glad you all had a wonderful stay! Reach out if you have any suggestions whatsoever or when ready to lock in that return to the beach! Thank you to you and all your crew Chuck! π]
Awesome family trip
by Shannon
5/5
Very easy to get to the beach and then relax in the pool later. Close to other activities and restaurants. We took the kids to the waterpark and loved it.
[π₯³ Super! Thanks Shannon! Glad you all had a fantastic time in both sides of Shells, renting both this one and the other side too. So nice to have all the togetherness, yet the ability to divide up with separate living spaces too (and the super convenient hotel-style connecting door in the living room). Happy to hear you all loved all there is to see and do in Gulf Shores too. Sand, surf, food, repeat! Speaking of repeating... let's get that return trip set up, and don't hesitate poke us directly with any feedback for Shells, our communications, or the Bama Beach Houses support team too! Thanks again! π]
Family vacation
by Donna
5/5
Enjoyed the house. Thanks!
Great beach house!
by Sharon
5/5
The view was amazing, great location and tons of things to do. Its very nice that every bedroom has there own bathroom. When you need something for the house, they were quick to respond. The beach was very clean and a great place for kids to have fun and collect sea shells. We will definitely be back!
[π€ Yay! Thanks Sharon and Steve. Glad you all had a wonderful month-long stay in our home and that everything was perfect for you all, and that BamaBeachHouses was super responsive to anything you might have needed as well! Always glad to hear that, and be able to share the love too! π Poke me if you have any suggestions or... when ready to lock in that return trip for next year! Thanks again! π]
Fantastic stay
by Alex
4/5
Location location location! Great stay and greatly recommend how convenient the location is to town and the beach.
[Hey Alex. Love that you had a fantastic time! I am a little surprised you 4 starred my 5 star place overall, when all the substars but one were 5s too, and the other was a 4. Shoot me a direct note to let me know what happened because (the platform you booked on) treats anything sub 5 (and I do to) as a failure/bad experience), and it sounds like you loved it and had a 'great stay!' Would love suggestions since seems like everything was hunky dory! Thank you so much!]
The place was beautiful. It had all that we needed. Plenty of room and close to the main part of town.
[Oh... super! Happy to hear you all had a fantastic time in the west side unit of our fun, big, Shells home on West Beach in Gulf Shores! If you have any suggestions for the home, communications, mgt, shoot us a note, and reach out when ready to return! π]
Shells, West Unit. Clean, amazing, getaway for Sand in My Boots
by Alex
5/5
Richard was a phenomenal host, and the property was an amazing get away for my group.The trip was a huge success and we loved the house (especially the pool)! The festival was a blast, and we are hoping it will happen again next year!
[Thank you Alex! Glad you had a wonderful time! Reach out if you have suggestions, or when ready to return!]
Spring Break Trip
by Josh
5/5
Great location. Easy access to the beach. We would definitely stay again.
[π Thanks Josh! Glad you all had a great time and that you will be back! Thank you for staying in the east side of our Shells duplex, and for taking a moment to share your βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ experience! π]
Great beach house!
by Sharon
5/5
The view was amazing, great location and tons of things to do. Its very nice that every bedroom has there own bathroom. When you need something for the house, they were quick to respond. The beach was very clean and a great place for kids to have fun and collect sea shells. We will definitely be back!
[π€ Yay! Thanks Sharon and Steve. Glad you all had a wonderful month-long stay in our home and that everything was perfect for you all, and that BamaBeachHouses was super responsive to anything you might have needed as well! Always glad to hear that, and be able to share the love too! π Poke me if you have any suggestions or... when ready to lock in that return trip for next year! Thanks again! π]
Amazing
by Andrew
5/5
The house, pool and general area was amazing. The house was clean and the decor made the home inviting. We hope to book a future trip at the same home in the future....
[Hi Andrew! Thank you so much for taking a moment to reply. I appreciate that very much, and am glad you all had a wonderful time! Reach out when ready to lock in that return trip to the west unit of the Shells duplex! Gulf Shores awaits!]
Nice location and property
by Chris
5/5
Easy beach access, comfortable property, great for families.
[π Super! Thanks Chris! Glad you all had a wonderful βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ time in our place! Shoot us a note anytime if you have suggestions, or when ready to rock a return! π]
Family vacation 2024
by Sharon
5/5
We came down as a family of 17, 10 adults and 7 grand children, ages three and under. Even though the weather did not cooperate with our plans, we had a great time just spending time with the family and going to a few of the local gift shops and restaurants was fun for everyone. The home was clean, and the owners replied to any concerns we had, which really wasn’t any thing major. The beds were comfortable! The location to the beach was just across the street. We will consider this home again in a couple years when the grandkids get a little older.
[π₯° Yay! Super happy you had a great time. Clean, comfy beds, great comm. Glad we nailed the small stuff, and that you loved the big stuff too. I'd be happy to host you all again as the kids and grands grow too! Reach out to us anytime! Thanks again Sharon! π]
Good time had by all!
by Rhonda
5/5
Great location! Easy beach access. Quiet, but close to everything. Thank you for allowing us to stay at your home! A good time was had by all!
[π Thank you so much for sharing your βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ experience at Shells! Would be happy to have you all back anytime! Suggestions, return trip? Shoot us a note! Thanks again! π]
Wonderful time at Shells West
by Jimmy
5/5
We did have a wonderful time! We did have an air conditioning problem and that was repaired very quickly which we are grateful for. Thank you for that! One last thing, the beach access for us was difficult to obey. The people staying in the house that we walk through parked their cars too close to the walkway making it impossible to pass through. We really did enjoy our stay and the set up is perfect for large families. I would definitely stay again just wanted to make you beware of those issues. Thank you!
[Yay! Glad you had an awesome time in the east side of our Shells home. We will check on the beach access. When you come back, you can always send us a note if you are having access issues and we can address it with the guests in Wits End--that's the home where the beach access is to its east. Thank you so much!]
Wonderful stay at Shells West unit
by Patty
5/5
Ten of us had a wonderful stay at Shells West. The location so close to the beach, great floor plan with an en suite bathroom for each bedroom, and outdoor pool were favorite features of the vacation home. Richard was available and quick to respond for the one question we had. If you have not been to Gulf Shores, it was the most beautiful fine, white sandy beach that we've experienced. We enjoyed nature (birds, jellyfish, crabs, dolphins), as we walked the beach at sunrise and sunset. Also, the restaurants served great food and the bike paths at nearby Gulf Shores State Park were excellent. Everyone agreed that Bama Beaches are better than coastal Florida's, and we plan to return soon.
[πππ Super! Thank YOU so much Patty! Glad you all had a wonderful time in the west side of our Shells duplex! AND that you loved the location, features, our communication, and the beach--we are biased, but seriouslly.... the best sand right!? ποΈ Come back soon! Thanks again! π]
Great trip!
by Melissa
5/5
We have a large family that gets together once a year with lots of adults and children! This place was great because there were so many bedrooms, all bedrooms had its own bathroom, plenty of living room space, balconies, and a private pool! Easily fits 4 vehicles as well. It was a great trip!
[πππ Yay! Super happy to hear you all had a fantastic time at Shells and overall had a great trip! Thank you so much Melissa, and please don't hesitate to reach out here, or directly, if you think of any suggestions/tweaks to our place OR when ready to come back too! ππ]
Amazing Getaway
by Joel
5/5
What an amazing place! We wondered if it would be a hindrance booking a place that wasn’t on the beach. IT WASN’T! It was only a short 100 yard walk to the beach! The house was clean and beautiful, our family of 15 had no trouble at all fitting enjoyed many family dinners. The pool was perfect and was plenty big enough to not only accommodate our family but the neighbors family as well. The hosts were fantastic and we will definitely be renting here again FIVE STARS!!!
[π Wow! Thank you so much for the incredibly nice review. So happy you all had such a wonderful time in our Shells home! "Amazing" "Fantastic" βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ All I can do... is /blush/ π€ Thank you! Please don't hesitate to reach out to us when ready to return! ]
Fantastic time at Shells!
by Andrea Katherine
5/5
We had an absolutely wonderful 7 night stay! It was perfect for the 8 of us! Very close and walkable to the beach! A great pool to relax in. And my favorite part was that everybody had their own bathroom! The house was super clean, spacious, and comfortable! Two refrigerators was so perfect! i hope we get a chance to stay again!
[Yay! πππ So glad you all had a fantastic time in my home and that everything was perfect for you all, including super clean! I relayed your kind words to my gang on the ground. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much for staying in our place. If you have any suggestions at all, shoot me or Bama Beach Houses a DM anytime, including to help set up that return trip! Would be happy to have you all again anytime! Thanks again Andrea! π
Gulf Shores family vacation at Shells
by Susan
5/5
We LOVED your home Everyone had way enough space! The air conditioner kept us nice and cold. Everything we needed was there. The pool was awesome. The people next door had the whole baseball team there and the parents which crowded us out some but you have no control over how many people were there. Definitely more than 20. We still loved it. Thank you!
[π Thank you! Glad you all had a great time, and managed the overcrowding from the neighbors--that should not happen, and is thankfully rare! That said, I appreciate you letting me know about that too. In the future, if by chance that ever comes up again, or really anything else you might need, just shoot us a note. I can always have someone stop by and help out, whether its bringing you something you may need, or, without throwing you all under the bus... letting the neighbors know that they were observed by staff as seeming to have more people than then home occupies. We are here for you. Thanks again!]
Family vacay to Shells in Gulf Shores
by Tailor
5/5
Beautiful home with a convenient location! walking distance to the beach! lots of room in our side (West) for our whole family with plenty of beneficial features to help make our stay amazing!
[πππ. Yay! Thanks Tailor! You all are welcome back anytime. So glad you all had a fantastic stay at Shells! Reach out directly to me or Bama Beach Houses if you have any suggestions whatsoever, or when ready to return! Thanks again!]
Great stay!!
by Nora
5/5
Everything was great stay!! 5 households for our ‘fam damnly’ vacay was so much easier with the check-in and check-out system! Received a phone call for a mattress replacement quick and easy. Great job by Larry and his co-worker! We were not bothered in any way! So vacay was great! Thank you!
Everyone had a great time
by M
5/5
Had a great time down in Gulf Shores with no problems at your home. The house was spacious and loved the balcony. Thank you for letting us book this house. Everyone had a great time.
[πππ You are quite welcome Mirvays! So happy you all had a great time in our home and everything was βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ for you all. If you have ANY suggestions, or when ready to set up the return, don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks so much! π]
Spring break
by Mollie
5/5
We had a wonderful time. Thank you so much for allowing us to rent your nice home. I would suggest updating the photos for the house--Shells is way better than the photos and we loved the all white bedding too. The pool was so nice and the beach very easy to get to for us. Thank you again for having us!
βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ Labor Day at Shells West
by Brenda
5/5
We really enjoyed our time in Gulf Shores. We had our entire family of 20 and had plenty of room for everyone. It was close to the beach and stores that we needed. The only problem we had is the bedroom with the two queen beds was too hot. We went and purchased a stand fan that helped a lot. We also enjoyed having two refrigerators because we do cook all our meals at the house. The pool was a great hit with the kids and it was nice to only share it with the other side.
Vacation at Shells West
by Debbie
5/5
Great place!
Thanksgiving family time at Shells!
by Cindy
5/5
There was plenty of room to move around. We loved having two refrigerators to help with a big Thanksgiving dinner, and truly enjoyed our stay and the view
Wedding Weekend
by Tracey
5/5
We rented the house for our family and friends that were coming to our wedding. The house was everything we could ask for, plenty of room for 17 Adults and an infant. We definitely recommend and stay again with a large group.
Great for large families!
by Allison
5/5
We have a large family and had plenty of room for everyone. We enjoyed the pool and the large decks. It was very easy to access the beach. There were grills left by previous renters so we took advantage!
Great family beach vacation
by Lori
5/5
Shells West was a great choice for our family vacation. Communication prior to and after our stay was excellent. Check in was super easy and everything was just as described. Plenty of seating around the pool and on the decks. Several tables under the house allowed us to enjoy our meals outside and in the shade. There are 3 levels of living space, so lots of steps - but this gave us plenty of room to spread out. The beach is right across the street and gorgeous! Overall, an excellent experience!
Fantastic week at Shells West
by Theresa
5/5
Our extended family of 50 stayed at three Bahama Beach homes August 5-12. Our family unit stayed at Shells West and another family stayed in Shells East so the pool was shared by only family members which was fantastic! We had an ocean view home, with a quick walk across West Beach Blvd to the sand and water. The house setup was perfect for a large family group. We had six bedrooms, each bedroom had a ceiling fan and its own full bathroom. There were two refrigerators and two living areas which I think is essential to accommodate a group of 20. Our host, Rick and Susan, were great communicators, which made the process of checking in very easy. We had a few minor housekeeping issues but Haleigh, the property manager was very helpful, quick to respond to any concerns. Thank you for a great week with our family!
Our biennial family vacation - 14 of us
by Brenda
5/5
Wonderful accommodations for our large family of 7 adults and 7 children. The kitchen had everything we needed, and there were plenty of bathrooms for everyone. The washer was not working on the first day, and was replaced the next day! You can’t get any better service than that! Beach access across the street was perfect - I wouldn’t want to walk further in the hot sun of August. The pool was a great reprieve from the sand and crashing waves at the beach. First time in Gulf Shores, for all of us, and our wonderful accommodations made it one of our best vacations yet.
50th anniversary gathering π
by Mandy
5/5
My family stayed at Shells West for my parents 50th wedding anniversary and it was perfect! Very short walk to the beach and plenty of bathrooms for 20. Would highly recommend.
Loved it! 5 stars!
by Yessica
5/5
it was great! big and nice location!
Perfect House for a Family
by Pat
5/5
Our stay was so enjoyable. We had a few technical problems our first day because of the storms but the management team responded and repaired very quickly. Very impressed. Great house for a family and great location.
Family Vacay
by Vicki
5/5
Really enjoyed our stay in your home. All rooms were great and it was so nice to have bathrooms for each bedroom. Such a plus you don’t see in most homes. Access to the beach is right across the street. Having a pool was also great for the family to relax after a day at the beach. The mattress in the main floor King bedroom is wonderful. I slept so great each night, even reached out to the owners to find out what kind it is so I can buy one for home. The owners are so attentive to any questions or needs you have, I texted them a couple of times during our stay with questions and they got right back with me. Great stay!!!!
Spring Break 2023 Visit
by Marcie
5/5
We had a group of 10 (4 moms, 6 boys) for our spring break trip. The house is HUGE! We were pleasantly surprised that there is actually a bathroom in the 3rd floor bunk room. I was not expecting that from the pictures and the virtual tour on VRBO. So, the house is actually 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. The location is fantastic. It's an easy walk over to the beach. We did have some issues while we were there. When we first arrived, we couldn't find any sheets for the pull out beds. After looking all through the house, I texted the owner and in less than an hour, the cleaning crew manager delivered some sheets to us. We also discovered that the garbage disposal was leaking and that the shower in the double queen bathroom was leaking and dripping water down onto the kitchen counter. I notified the owner and he said that he would let his maintenance folks know. Nobody came by during our stay to address the leaks, but it wasn't a big inconvenience for us. We just had our boys shower in different bathrooms and we just washed dishes on the other side of the sink. There was a construction crew that arrived on Thursday and started working on the other side of the house. It was a little noisy, but not a big deal. I left some clothing in my bedroom when we left and the owner was kind enough to have someone retrieve it and send it back to me quickly. Overall, the house is very nice. We had a nice stay and we would rent it again for a future stay in Gulf Shores.
Great!
by Jim
5/5
All was great. AL Power rewarded us with a four hour outage one evening, but they had a new transformer up quickly. House was great for our crew of 20. It’s hard for us to schedule this far in advance, but when we do plan our next trip, Shells will be a strong possibility for our destination. Thanks so much for the hospitality!
Shells was great!
by Amy
5/5
The house was great - I thought at first it would be a little tight in the living areas, but it worked out that we could separate the older crowd from the younger loud crowd....
The view of the ocean and the close proximity were awesome - I bet this house is wonderful in the summer when you can use the pool too. Oh, the tv in the living room on the West side is not a smart tv so we couldn't use that room for watching things on our streaming services like we could on most every other tv - that's really the one tv you want to be able to all gather around for a movie.
I did have a few questions and the BamaBeachHouses email was very quick to respond. Check out process was easier and required less work than in many of the rentals I've used. That was great. All in all, a very good experience. I'd much rather work directly with the owner and not pay them their ridiculous fees. We've all made it back home safe and sound. Happy New Year!
Wonderful stay!!!
by Nikki
5/5
Great location!!! Quiet area away from town but close enough for a short drive. Short walk across the street to the beach! A beach wagon to haul your stuff would definitely be beneficial if staying here. The kids loved the pool for our non-beach days. It’s not a luxurious condo but my family really doesn’t need that. It does need a few cosmetic updates. Some of the patio chairs need to be replaced. I’ve emailed them to let them know of these issues. We had 20 people staying and everyone had a place to sleep with plenty of bathrooms. I would recommend the owners get curtains as being woken up at sunrise every day was a little annoying. I understand wanting to see the view and letting in sun light but I do like to sleep in a little while on vacation. We booked our vacation in February for August and the rental company and owners both kept in touch with me through those months leading up to our vacation. They answered all my questions even before I had a chance to ask them. The check-in/check-out process was a breeze!!!! I would definitely rent from both the owner and rental company again.
Family trip
by Linda
5/5
A great property! Great management company, took care of missing kitchen items promptly. Beautiful pool. Lots of stairs, hard on older knees though.
Everything was great!
by Valerie
5/5
Everything was great!! Our whole team stayed in both sides of the house. Everyone got along pretty well. The pool was a ton of fun for all of the kids since they all knew each other. Beach was great-yellow flags all week…the weather π₯΅ well, let’s just say, I’m from Arkansas and the humidity was insane π€£ it was a fun, relaxing week with our friends and plenty of space for everyone. Loved how the outdoor balcony up too connected so the kids could go back and forth with their friends.
Highly recommend!!
by April
5/5
Highly recommend!! We've had a great experience working with this host every time. The house was clean and well stocked with all the necessities. The pool was clean and the beach was just a short walk. Rick and Susan are very helpful and answered all our questions promptly. We would definitely consider staying here again.
Good but...
by Sandra
4/5
It is definitely old and in need of some remodeling. Ran out of kitchen trash bags πThe pot is missing from the crockpot and you have to walk down the street to get to the beach. Three flights of stairs so not ADA Other than that it’s very spacious and short drive to a lot of wonderful things to do. Local management checked in and we’re very friendly and the price is fantastic
Perfect for our group of 19!
by Jagnoor
5/5
This house was perfect for our group of 19! There were plenty of beds, bathrooms, and space overall. We also loved that there were two fridges which allowed us to store all our food. The hosts message back promptly no matter if we had any questions or concerns. If there was anything in the house that needed to be looked at, the hosts sent someone to see/fix the problem the same day. We would definitely stay here again and recommend it to any group that wants to be a 30 second walk away from the beach!
More than what we expected!
by Alyssa
5/5
More than what we expected! So first I want to say that I gave 3 stars for “accuracy of online listing” only because the pictures did not do this place justice. I think they are a bit out date. The house was beautiful! It fit my party of 25 comfortably (we rented both sides of this duplex. We were here for a wedding weekend. Everyone was able to bunk up and have their own or shared bed. Each room had its own bathroom. Everything was clean and maintenance was already in changing out batteries in some of the smoke detectors. We had our own beach access right across the street, which we used as the entrance to our isle for the wedding ceremony. Kitchens were stocked with everything we needed. Property manager was quick to respond to questions we had about the area, they even sent text updates about beach weather and easy directions about check in/out. The only downside was the many flights of stairs, but that’s too be expected for a sizable home. Overall we enjoyed staying here and would 100% recommend any family to stay. Any wait to come back!
Cold AC and a few steps to the beach!
by Mackenie
5/5
We had the time of our lives at this HUGE beach house! It’s located right across the street from the beach with easy access. We were a group of 12 and each had our own room and bathroom. The AC is FREEZING! (But we like it like that!) My fiancé and I stayed at the very top room and thought we would be hot up there but I had to sleep with socks on every night! Plenty of fridge space with both fridges, very homey and comfy place to make your home for a week/weekend. The pool in the back was an amazing way to wind down from the beach. The hosts are very responsive & very kind and willing to help with anything that may come up! Even the cleaning lady was super sweet. We are hoping to be back in the future! We didn’t want to leave!!! Thanks Rick!!
We had a BLAST!
by Mackenie
5/5
We had a BLAST!! I don’t think anything with your place could have been more spectacular! We all had a room and bathroom which worked out perfectly for our group! Plenty of fridge room with both fridges for 12 people! The AC blows COLD!! I was freezing in the very top room the whole time but I was happy that it wasn’t super hot. Very happy with our stay. We would love to come back in the future! We may talk to my fiancés family to do a family trip next year:) Thank you so much again we really had so much fun and I didn’t want to leave!!
First full family vacation
by Blake
5/5
Great time and excellent location. Plenty of beds for the 8-11 yr olds to swap “several” times during the week. We all went from beach to pool every day. Store is close enough to combined morning walk with getting mimosas supplies. The house is on the quite end of the strip and only 5 min from the “hangout”. We will be coming back.
Family Reunion.
by David
4/5
This property met ALL our needs for the week!
Great week in Gulf Shores
by Jeff
5/5
Shells West was perfect for our group. We had 16 adults and 2 infants and had plenty of room for everyone. Access to the beach was easy. Having the pool was a huge bonus. Would definitely stay here again.
Pros and Cons
by Zoey
3/5
The major pros to this property are the short walk to the beach, the private pool access, the 2 refrigerators, and the size of the house which accommodated our group of 10 easily. The pros stop there though. Frankly, the unit was filthy. And there's a serious bug problem. We easily saw 20 cockroaches in the kitchen in the first 2 days. The furniture is old and only moderately comfortable. The mattresses were less than ideal. The temperature was hard to regulate between rooms on the same floor. The dryer clearly needs replaced -- it would take 3 cycles to get the clothes dried. The kitchen was ill equipped. We travel to the Gulf multiple times annually and never have we paid this much for a rental and had this disappointing accommodations.
Exceptional
by Athena
5/5
Exceptional. Customer service above and beyond.
Love this place
by David
5/5
Love this place. Worked perfectly for us.
Awesome!
by Jill
5/5
Loved loved loved this house! It was huge, all the girls and me and the other mom had plenty of room. Shells west was a great place to stay for the week! Our group was super happy with it!
Plenty of beds, bathrooms, and space overall!
by Jagnoor
5/5
The house we got was perfect for our group of 19! There were plenty of beds, bathrooms, and space overall. We also loved that there were two fridges which allowed us to store all our food. The hosts message back promptly no matter if we had any questions or concerns. If there was anything in the house that needed to be looked at, the hosts sent someone to see/fix the problem the same day. We would definitely stay here again and recommend it to any group that wants to be a 30 second walk away from the beach!
Would rent again!
by Tiffany
5/5
We had kids of all sizes and many adults. There was plenty to do around us and we were just one row of houses from the beach. Good location and great house. 19 of us and everyone slept comfortably.
Great space and easy access to beach
by Rachael
4/5
The house needs some TLC and a good deep cleaning. Many necessities were missing from the house such as a dust pan, blender, can opener, sheet pan and others. The property management team was quick to respond and help out.
5 Stars!
by Ethan
5/5
.
5 stars
by Ethan
5/5
It was a good time had by all
Good Times!
by Ethan
5/5
It was a good time had by all!
Family Fun!
by Sabrina
5/5
Home was clean and close to the gulf. Pool was clean.
Great Venue!
by Chris
5/5
This home worked well for our party of 18 people. Plenty of room for everyone, great bedroom and bathroom layout. Two refrigerators was extremely nice and obviously the beach was a very short walk to get to. We would definitely stay here again!
Great house for a team!
by Cortney
5/5
We were an out of town soccer team and stayed in the West house. There were 19 of us from ages 4-54. The pool was very convenient for sun bathing and entertainment for the kids! We will be keeping this house in mind for future tournaments. It was very clean and the space was amazing!!
BEST BEACH EXPERIENCE EVER!!!!!
by Wendi/ Phillip
5/5
Myself and 20 of my friends rented the property out for an engagement proposal party for the week. Everyone was in love with house and was just a short walk to the beach. The house was PLENTY big and fit everyone comfortably. We had the best of time and the owners/renter company was amazing!!!
Nice house!
by Angela
4/5
Nice place. Future bookings will be with a private pool. We did not have any problems, but would rather have our own pool.
Great space to enjoy family!
by Mandy
5/5
Great property! Our group of 14 adults and 2 children had a great stay. We had plenty of room to spread out but also space to enjoy time together as a family in the living space and by the pool. Management company is super helpful if an issue comes up while you are there. We would definitely stay again.
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