Snowbirds Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is my payment due?

A: A $250 cash, check, money order or credit card deposit is required to secure a monthly reservation. The first month's rent is due 60 days before arrival. The advanced first month's rental payment is applied to the full rental balance upon check-in. Reservations require checks or money orders drawn on a U.S. bank and Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted. Upon arrival, monthly guests can pay in full or, if they are staying for multiple months, they can pay one month at a time on the first of each month.

 

Q: What is the cancellation policy?

A: If you cancel your monthly reservation less than 60 days prior to arrival, your advance payment will be forfeited. Please be sure to call the Brett/Robinson Reservations Department at 1-800-221-0258.

 

Q: How often does my condo get cleaned?

A: There is no cleaning for monthly rentals in condos, hotels or beach houses while guests are in-house. For an additional fee, a mid-stay cleaning may be arranged with the service desk.

 

Q: Do they come and change linens often?

A: Towels and linens are provided to accommodate 4 guests in a 1-bedroom condo, 6 guests in a 2-bedroom condo, 8 guests in a 3-bedroom condo and 10 guests in a 4-bedroom condo. Additional months will accrue a monthly fee of $10 for a 1-bedroom condo, $12 for a 2-bedroom condo, $14 for a 3-bedroom condo and $16 for a 4-bedroom condo. Your service desk will advise you of exchange dates.

Q: Do you provide insurance?

A: No, we do not provide travel/vacation insurance.

 

Q: Where do I send/forward my mail to?

A: We suggest you set up the mail-forwarding service through the Post Office after you arrive.

For Phoenix Hotels and non-Phoenix properties, a P.O. Box must be rented at the nearest Post Office.

For Phoenix, Island Winds and Gulf Shores Surf & Racquet properties, mail can be forwarded to the following addresses based on your stay:

Phoenix I: 24132 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix II: 24160 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix III: 24230 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix IV: 24250 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix V: 24400 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix VI: 26800 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix VII: 26802 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix VIII: 27008 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix IX: 29488 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix X: 29576 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix East: 27100 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix East II: 27120 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix West: 23972 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix West II: 23450 Perdido Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix on the Bay I: 27580 Canal Road, (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix on the Bay II: 27582 Canal Road, (Unit Number) Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phoenix Gulf Shores, 801 West Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Island Winds East, 333 West Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Island Winds West, 407 West Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Gulf Shores Surf & Racquet Club, 1832 West Beach Blvd., (Unit Number) Gulf Shores, AL 36542

 

Q: Do I have to stay the whole month to receive the monthly rate?

A: Our monthly rates are determined after a 28-day stay. Some months will have different arrival and departure patterns. Please ask your reservationist to help coordinate your stay.

 

Q: What is check-in and check-out times? When can I arrive? What date do I have to depart by?

A: For off-season rentals, guests can check in any time after 3 p.m. on their confirmed arrival date and must check out before 11 a.m. on their confirmed departure date.

 

Q: Where do we check in at?

During daytime hours, Phoenix guest’s check-in at the properties where they are staying. Satellite (non-Phoenix) properties check-in at the Brett/Robinson Office at 3259 Gulf Shores Parkway (Hwy. 59), Gulf Shores, AL 36542. Activity is brisk at the buildings and early check-in is not possible. If you arrive early, please enjoy the area attractions prior to your check-in time. Late arrivals for properties other than Phoenix may pick up their keys and/or check-in at Island Winds East in Gulf Shores. If necessary, arrangements to settle your charges the following day, will be made at that time. During the 2017-18 off-season, Phoenix Gulf Shores closes at 4 p.m. and Phoenix I-II, Phoenix VIII, Phoenix IX, and Phoenix on the Bay II close at 5 p.m. but nearby buildings will remain open 24 hours, seven days a week, for convenient check-ins and in-house guest needs. Additionally, some buildings close at 11 p.m. during off-season hours and they include Phoenix V, Phoenix VI and Phoenix West.

 

 

Q: What do we need to bring?

A: A “starter kit” of bath tissue, paper towels, trash bags, bath soap, and dishwashing detergent is supplied. They are not replenished during your stay. We suggest you pack coffee filters, food storage bags, salt & pepper, cooking ingredients, paper products and laundry detergent. Towels and bed linens are provided. We request these linens not be taken to the beach. You need to bring your own beach towels.

Rental properties are equipped with the basics as listed below:

Kitchen: dishwasher, microwave oven, electric oven, stove, blender, toaster, electric can opener, pots, pans, cutlery, dishware and glassware. We suggest you bring any specialty cookware/bakeware needed from home.
Living Area: color TV, cable connection, DVD/Blu-Ray, stereo, vacuum cleaner and broom.
Clothes Care: most have washer, dryer, iron and ironing board. PAS and PASW have coin operated machines for guest use.

 

Q: Are all of your properties located on the beach?

A: The majority of our properties have a Gulf-front view (meaning you face the beach) but there are others that have a side view and some located across the street from the beach. Just because the building itself is located beachside does not guarantee you will have a Gulf-front view.

 

Q: Do all the buildings have elevators and handicap access?

A: All buildings have public space that is handicapped accessible. All but a few buildings have elevators, but NOT all the buildings have handicap-accessible rooms. Please ask your reservationist.

 

Q: Are pets of any kind allowed?

A: We have only TWO properties that allow dogs. The houses are Sandpiper East/Sandpiper West in Gulf Shores and Sailhouse in Orange Beach. There is an additional pet fee when staying there and bringing your dog. No other properties allow pets.

 

Q: Does every unit come with reserved parking?

A: Not all units or buildings have reserved parking for specific units. All buildings will have common parking for you. A per stay charge for parking will be included in your grand total charges, unless otherwise noted. Some Gulf Shores condos actually have a reserved parking spot designated with its rental. Please check with your reservationist if this is your choice.

 

Q: Are the pools heated?

A: The outdoor pool at Phoenix I is heated and the majority of our properties have indoor heated pools and hot tubs.

 

Q: What are things to do in this area?

A: We have many different things to do in the area near our Orange Beach condos and Gulf Shores rentals such as: bowling, numerous arcades and miniature golf courses, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores, fishing charters and dolphin cruises, the Cobb Pinacle 14 Movie Theater in Gulf Shores, the Carmike Wharf 15 Movie Theater in Orange Beach, as well as fine shopping at Tanger Outlet Mall, The Wharf and San Roc Cay. There are several outstanding golf courses in the area as well.

 

Q: Are there any restaurants nearby?

A: Yes, there are plenty of dining places in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with a variety of food such as Italian, Seafood, Chinese, Japanese Hibachi, Mexican and numerous local favorites.

 

Q: Are there any churches in the area?

A: We have numerous churches of different denominations in the area including Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Church of Christ, Assembly of God and non-denominational churches.

 

Q: Are there any airports nearby?

A: Both Pensacola and Mobile have regional airports. Both are within a 60- to 90-minute drive.

 

Q: Are there any Public Libraries nearby?

A: There is a public library located in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley.

 

Q: What type of grocery stores are located in the area?

A: We have Wal-Mart, Publix, Winn-Dixie, Rouses, Dollar General and numerous drug stores such as CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid.

 

Q: Do I have to stay the entire month?

A: No, you can stay as many or as few nights with us. A monthly rate for 28 days or more will certainly give you the lowest nightly rate.

 

Q: Where are the nearest hospitals/ER?

A: The closest ER is South Baldwin Regional Medical Center but there are urgent care centers and walk-in clinics in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley. Other hospitals include: Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, Springhill, Mobile Infirmary, Providence, USA Women’s and Children’s Hospitals in Mobile and Sacred Heart and Baptist Hospital located in Pensacola.

 

Q: Who owns the condos that I am looking at?

A: All of the condos on the Brett/Robinson rental program are owned by individuals. The individual owners have partnered with Brett/Robinson to manage and rent their condos. That is why you will see different colors and furniture in each different condo. This gives you the best option to choose the condo that will be the most comfortable for you.

 

Q: Are there any free activities in the area?

A: Most of the Phoenix properties have activities planned throughout the snowbird season. Local churches and organizations hold winter guest-related functions from January to March as well. Most northern states have Snowbird Clubs that meet weekly and become involved in many local activities.

 

Q: Do you offer handicapped room?

A: The public areas in all buildings offer wheelchair access. We offer fully handicap accessible condos only at Phoenix All Suites and Phoenix All Suites West Hotel. Please tell your reservation agent when making your reservation of any physical limitations you or your guests may have.

 

Q: How does renting a condo differ from renting a hotel room?

A: An individual condo unit is more spacious than a hotel or motel room. You will have a fully equipped kitchen in addition to a sitting area. Most of the condos have washers and dryers, additional bedrooms and many complexes offer a fitness center, hot tubs and indoor pools, among other amenities. You will not have valet parking, bell service, daily maid service, or room service in a condo.