We loved the penthouse 1407, Royal Palms. The balcony was extremely nice, offering a western sunset view. The condo was nicely decorated and everything you could need in the kitchen. We liked it so much we went ahead and reserved this condo for our May 2010 vacation.
The best part of this condo was the large wrap around balcony and the awesome view. The beach is less crowded due to the State Park located on the side of the condo. We were disappointed in the condo itself. It was lacking in kitchenware and the dishes that were there were not clean. There were no batteries in the tv remotes. We went out and purchased the batteries and a pan for baking, and plastic utensils. It also had a roach problem. This was our 3rd year at the Royal Palms and was satisfied with the other units we stayed in. This unit just needs some attention. I would love to stay in this same unit again, but not in the condition it was in. It could have been cleaner and better equiped with the things we needed. We will stay at the Royal Palms again but, not in this unit.
Was very nice. The coffee table is a little to large for the room but that was not really a problem. The wrap around balcony was great for the fireworks show. we loved it and will be back next year.
Condo is wonderful, loved the balcony, beach was not crowded since it is next to state park. Would definitely recommemd it and stay there again. (It might be time for a new sofa, the mattress was really uncomfortable) The staff at Bender Realty are wonderful! I will never rent from any other company again.
Had the southwest corner unit on the top floor - FANTASTIC VIEW. The only better view in the buildinh would be the southeast corner (unobstructed sunrise).
You could not beat this condo, the views are unbelievable. Beautiful colors in the condo and you will feel at home as soon as you walk in the door. This is the best condo I have stay in in the Gulf Shores area.
Beautiful condo...one of the best ones I have stayed in in Gulf Shores. Property Management staff was very helpful. Location was wonderful being the last condo on the beach, it was crowded at all! I will be back!
We have stayed in this same unit twice now just because of the balcony! The view is fantastic. We love sitting out there for hours on end, especially at night, just listening to the waves and talking. We hope to stay here from now on!
This is only my 2nd time to stay with Bender---I always booked through another company. But, I am considering making this a permanent change since I have had such great experiences with your group! Thank you for making our special celebration so memorable!
I cannot say enough good things about Bender Realty and their helpful staff, especially Alice. The Royal Palms Penthouse unit was absolutely gorgeous along with an awesome view! Our stay was wonderful and can't wait for an occasion to return.
Have stayed at two of their units over the past year and both experiences were outstanding.
We loved the location. The condo was nice, especially the balcony! We spent evenings just sitting out there! We will definitely check to see if 1407 is available for our next beach trip!
What more is there to say, from the top it is so much more enjoyable, you didn't hear anyone else, view of the water at night was unbelieveable. We plan on coming back agina this year and want the same unit I'm sure this will be our unit from now on. We will just have to work out ours dates so we can use it, very beautiful. Thank you so much for the girls get away.
Loved the vacation - we are planning the same for this year.
The view from its balcony was unbelievable and we really liked how part of the balcony was open for sun bathing. We had excellent service in the parking area because the gentlemen working were very friendly. We did run into some trouble with the fire alarm going off and staying on the top floor, but it added to a great story to tell our friends. We had such a great time we have already decided to stay in the same location this coming up summer if we get a chance to make it to the coast. I recommend the Royal Palms to all our couple friends and family.
The condo was perfect for 2 adults and my daughter. The balcony was INCREDIBLE!!! We loved the fact that the condo was SO close to the beach. My daughter loved the inside pool. We'd definitely stay here again!
The personnel at Benders were excellent. They were very helpful and very nice and courteous. The condo was nice. The location was excellent. Liked the indoor pool and hot tub and the outdoor pool. Access to the gulf and private beach were great. No big crowds of vacationers to worry about. Condo was not as spacious as we thought it would be for 6 people. Rooms were a little tight but we didn't spend a lot of time in the condo and with the extra large balcony, we could spread out on it. Furniture was fine, but well used. Not thrilled with the dead cockroach in the sleeper sofa. Will use Bender in the future and stay at the Royal Palms, but hope to have a bigger room with a little more space. Loved the Gulf and looking forward to returning soon!
Great location. Unit is old and needs serious updating. Garbage disposal broke and sink backed up. Service technician had to be called; disposal was repaired. Furniture has had too many bodies on it; time for a change. Staff at Bender pleasant and helpful.
Over all, it was a good stay. Although, there were one or two things left to be desired. There were dead roaches on the floor when we arrived. Also, pieces of the balcony furniture were not in functional order. Our air conditioning had to be repaired during our stay due to a plugged hose. This was addressed in a timely manner, however. We were witnesses to the power of Mother Nature, as Hurricane Ike made his way into the Gulf. That was a First!! It was our choice to leave one day earlier than planned due to inconviences beyond control. This will not hamper my family's decision to vacation in Gulf Shores, or staying at Royal Palms again. We Love It!!!!!!!!!!
The wrap around balcony wasn't as clean as I would have liked but overall it was a great condo. The air conditioning unit wasn't producing cold air but luckily it cooled off considerably at night and the condo stayed cool throughout the day.
Always love staying at the Royal Palms condos. However this unit, 1407, was below par. There was a big ant problem, carpet tacks sticking through and poking feet where the carpet meets the bathroom, mold on the shower doors, a year's worth of old food between the counter and the refridgerator, and the garbage can stunck so bad we put it outside and just used paper bags. This not the quality I expected and will not stay in that unit again.
The floor in the unit was dirty. There was trash in the carpet in the bedroom. There were crumbs, sand or something all over the kitchen counter. The bed did not have a matress pad on it. Couldn't find the remote control to the tv in the bedroom. We kept looking and it was thrown in the floor beside the bed. You could tell that houskeeping hit the "high spots" and did little else. The view and balcony for this unit. . .amazing! It's a shame that it's not being cleaned and taken care of better.
Couch was very slouchy and old looking, coffee table was broken, master bedroom door was almost impossible to open and close (could not open without waking your sleeping spouse) and bed was beyond uncomfortable. The sofa bed was more comfortable than the master bed if you can believe that! Penthouse had a huge patio which was a plus but NO table, very inconvenient and limiting and took away from the luxury of having the patio. Kitchen table has 2 chairs, 1 stray, and rents to 4 people.Then upon checkout, I could not locate one key, later found and mailed in, charged me $25 anyway, even after I told them of condos condition. Hot Tub and Indoor Pool temperatures were not stable, one day too hot, next too cold, and nobody to do anything about it. In the spring, guests rely on indoor pool and hot tub. I visit the Gulf Shores area every Spring but this was my first Bender experience and it was disappointing.