As we entered Unit 11, we noted a strong musty odor coming from the unit and it was quite muggy inside. So, after checking the AC thermostat, which was set at 78 degrees, we turned it down, noticed that the musty odor had become increasingly worse and that there was now dust blowing out from the AC vent in the main living room. We checked the AC filter and found it clogged with dust and hair, so we changed it with no issues since there were extras in the hall closet. The AC vents throughout the entire unit were black with dirt and mold with the exception of the one in the laundry room which had black mold growing across the ceiling in front of it as well. Sand in the couches, leftover food on the floor, both bedroom windows with mold growing along the caulk line, cracked walls, a dirty refrigerator and drywall mud falling from the bathroom ceiling rounded out the issues. Let's be realistic, this unit is in dire need of updating and cleaning.
Needless to say, we did NOT spend any more time in this unit and immediately contact the renting agency. Unfortunately, it was afterhours for them, which meant we were left playing phone-tag with several of their employees, before we were finally able to speak to someone actually at the office. The woman we spoke to (unable to recall her name) stated that it would take her some time to check to see what units were available for us and that she would call us back. True to her word, around 5:30pm, she did call back and presented us with the option of moving to the unit across from our current location which was not gulf-front, which we had originally reserved, and was along busy Gulf Blvd, which we certainly did not want. The only remaining option for us, since we needed a 3 bedroom unit, was a unit at a larger complex located several miles away in Indian Shores. Given that we had already purchased our groceries and that we were determined to have a family vacation, we opted for this unit but requested that the rental agent meet us at the unit in case it was in the same state as our current one which she graciously did.
Long story short, the unit was clean, well decorated and very well stocked with the only disadvantages being a much much larger complex, not where we wanted to vacation and we were unable to cook the Saturday dinner we had planned. The agent stated that she would have someone from Florida Lifestyle contact us and left for the evening. Since this was a Saturday, we figured no one would call until Monday. Late Monday afternoon, after not hearing from the agency, we called them and were informed that they were willing to offer us a $50.00 credit to our account so we "could have a real nice dinner out" on them. Considering there are 5 of us, I am not sure where they thought we could get a nice dinner for $10/each...maybe Chic-fil-a? We expressed our displeasure, told them that all we'd like is for our 1st night to be comped since we couldn't enjoy it as we had planned due to the issues with their unit and that we would like to hear from Steve. She stated that she felt that was fair, told us that she would speak to Steve and have him call us tomorrow. Once again, crickets from FLVR and we called them again, this time Steve was out sick that day. Respecting that, we gave them a few more days and attempted to speak to Steve again, but Sandy told us that he wasn't in and that the $50.00 credit was all that he was willing to offer in compensation. She also commented that the agency did have a cleaning crew tend to the unit and that it took them THREE days to clean it!
Considering the very poor quality of the unit managed by them and the complete lack of professionalism given the fact that we never even heard from Steve, or any manager for that point, I would strongly recommend that anyone considering renting a unit from Florida Lifestyle Vacation Rentals to proceed with caution and be sure to do your research homework...
   Read moreCurrently staying in Indian Shores with unfortunately no place else to go because it is Spring Break. We arrived on Saturday to an extremely dirty condominium. The kitchen cabinets had food and different liquids dripped down the fronts, food between counter and stove, refrigerator had liquid between glass and frame. Moving on to the bedrooms; underwear found behind dresser, 2 out of 3 duvet covers had blood on them, hair on pillow, and the master bed did not have clean sheets, they did not even try to hide the fact. In the bathroom there was blood on the white cabinet, hair on and by the toilet base along with sand on the shower floor. I called within 30 mins., of arrival to our unit regarding the above issues and that 7 out of 11 bi-fold doors were broken. An hour and half later the same cleaning people came out to spot clean a few things and leave. Nothing was really taken care of. I called back 3 different times to the after hours number only to be told I could check out at anytime if I wasn't happy. We went to the office first thing Monday morning which was the 1st day open again after the weekend. We asked to speak with the office manager but the only person who came to speak with us was the head house keeper who said we had treated her cleaning people poorly, they had no intention of making things right. The Vice President Steven Rodriguez came out from the back and told us to leave said they would be doing nothing for us. It didn't matter we had pictures (I wish I could post) and how unhappy we were he especially didn't care. He screamed at us and told us to get out or he would call the police. Such a horrible business, will tell everyone at Beach Cottages I & II that they do not care if you are unhappy and will do nothing to remedy the situation. Stay away because if anything is wrong they...
   Read moreIt was great working with Florida Lifestyle Vacation Rentals! I can't believe how accommodating they were. I was booking last minute and they went out of their way to make sure the rental form would go through ASAP. I was arriving from Boston after hours as well and they explained exactly how to check in and what to do. Everything was taken care of! I worked with Kristin a lot and she was wonderful as well. Always took my calls, and if I had to leave a message, she called right back. Also, when I went to check out, reception at their office was so nice. I needed to print a boarding pass and they let me use their computer, no questions asked. It saved me time and they were so friendly about everything. I'm already looking at my next vacation and I'm skipping right over my main booking sites and going straight to their website! Can't rave enough. My vacation wound up stress FREE, and they contributed to a...
   Read more