"Hey, baby!" may be your greeting at the easygoing Gulf View, but the comment is most likely coming from Coco, a white cockatiel. With a flock of 15 birds on property, this homey duplex is part resort, part aviary. Owner-occupied, the Gulf View is decorated with simple wicker furniture, tropical pastels, and ceiling fans. The only jarring design note is the green-concrete ledge supporting the elevated swimming pool. Guests—mostly couples during the winter and families during holidays—appreciate the close proximity to the Dolphin Research Center, practically next door. (The resort offers discount passes.) Free use of canoes, paddleboats, and kayaks are also available for guests. Pros: parklike setting, sandy beach area with hammocks; close to restaurants. Cons: ground-level units are dark; some traffic noise.
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