Decided to post this under a different heading!

I'm looking for some specific information. I posted a while back with inquiries into the Gulf Coast, and I now trying to get an honest assessment of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach as a destination for a beach rental in May 2006. I tried to go last year and, of course, the "Year of Hurricanes" took care of that. Can anyone tell me if the beaches are back and are a beautiful white? Is there so much construction going on that even if you could find a rental, it wouldn't be a peaceful vacation? I ended up in Destin May of last year after Ivan and before any other storms hit. Beach was OK and still being leveled off. Gulf Shores is the #1 choice, but I have also considered Anna Maria Island. What can I say...I love the beaches on the Gulf! Any help would truly be appreciated.

Cissy

Cissy,

I'm having lunch with a friend next week who owns a unit in one of the Phoenix building. I'll post his comments.

After driving through this area to Perdido Key last summer to checkout Ivan damage, it appears that the high rises are taking over as it quickly becomes Destin West. I'll hold on to my memories of Gull Point forever.

Thanks DownSouth. I really appreciate your help. Please e-mail me at the address below rather than posting. It will reach me quicker. Thanks again.
[email protected]

Cissy

ttt

Please post any news on these beaches as well. I think there are many of us curious and considering Summer plans.

I'm having trouble catching up with my friend who would know. I'll keep trying but at this point, I would suggest contacting Brett-Robinson Realty. They manage my friend's property at the Phoenix and have a very good reputation in that area.

We are from the Katrina ravaged area of Louisiana. We evacuated from Rita to Destin. That area back in September was in great shape. Not sure what Gulf Shores and points east look like now, but heard they suffered minor damage from Katrina. Have you considered checking their Chamber of Commerce websites, and you might also try getting some toll-free numbers to realtors there and making a call to a few. We are honest about what our area looks like, and they were very honest about what their area looked like after Ivan, so I can't imagine them NOT advising you accurately now.

We will be in that area again in March, and I'll post a beach report.

Good luck!

There is a feature article on GulfShores in the Southern Livning Magazine I received today, indicating that most things are back to normal. We were there (Perdido Beach Resort) the week before the hurricanes and it was getting back up, but word was not out about it yet, so few crowds. Sis lives in Fairhope and has said what 'DownSouth' said, minimaly damage.
I say go for it!

Belle