Crystal Shores West — Local services in Gulf Shores

Do not stay here!!! If I could give zero stars, I would. In Jan of this year, we booked a condo at another condominium in the area, in April we got news that our stay was cancelled due to “maintenance upkeep” - while this is not Crystal Shore’s fault, it does play into my overall vacation experience. With our vacation scheduled in two months, trying to find a place with a similar price and inclusions was very difficult. We found availability at Crystal Shores West. One day before our arrival, we found out that the elevator was out of order. We were also told that a part was being ordered and that it would be fixed in a few days. From reading some of these reviews, it seems that the elevator is always down - which is insane because this building has 14/15 floors. Our room was on the 10th floor, and having to climb 10 flights multiple times a day with no updates about the elevator was unacceptable. On day two of our trip, we were 30 minutes from the condo building when we received a call that we had to leave immediately due to “fire marshal orders.” Why the fire marshal was stepping in just now is beyond me - but that’s besides the point. Crystal Shores told us that we had to leave and would be given a refund. After an unnecessary amount of time of going back and forth with a supervisor explaining that we are no where near home, have a week of vacation ahead of us, and have spent the past two days climbing 10 flights, it was settled that Crystal Shores would find us another place to stay. While this is better than having to sleep in our cars, we have to move rooms/buildings every few days because other condos are booked up. We have to be out each morning at 10am and can’t get to our new room until 4pm. I have never in my life had such an awful booking experience. Crystal Shores West and Liquid Life Vacation Rentals will never see a dime...

We’ve stayed here for years while many past experiences have been good, there is always an elevator that breaks while we are here. We’ve even seen people get stuck in it. But the worst is how they have let Ike’s rental chair company take over the beach. Ike’s put their chairs right up to the shoreline leaving absolutely no room for families with small children to have adequate access to the beach or families who bring their own chairs to have a spot by the water. If you get down there early the guy putting out chairs piles them around you on every side super close. It is my understanding that Ike’s is in bed together with the city and apparently the relationship is real cozy. So therefore the rest of us peasants who choose to bring our own chairs while paying just as much to stay in a beach side condo get thrown to the wayside. Do not expect the chair situation to change. To continue, while it is understandable that some enjoy music at the beach CSW allows extremely loud music to be played. So if you like to hear music over the sound of ocean waves, this is the place for you. Additionally, there is access to this beach for people staying across the road so be prepared for the beach to be very crowded even during out of season dates. Do not come here under them impression you are paying for a seaside condo with the perk of a quite beach with...

Condo was nicely decorated and good location but a rate it a 1 for now due to their elevator situation. This complex has 2 elevators and one has been permanently down since the hurricane in Fall 2020. The other elevator sporadically works. We have only started our vacation but the 2 out of 2 days we have been here, the one working elevator has gone down both days. This morning while trying to get to the beach, we walked stairs, 12 flights down along with other renters checking out and carrying their luggage down the stairs since neither elevator was working. Management and condo owners have set the expectation (in prior reviews) that elevators will be fixed very soon but it appears they have been saying this for months- by May now saying by June. I have been told by the condo owner that the parts for elevator are on back order but I feel like renters need to know they may be walking flights of stairs often and the complex is booked. Also the one elevator that is working is packed to capacity- so much for covid. I have seen close to 20 people in the elevator at one time. This should be a concern of renters, property owners and management. Very disappointed but having to make the most of it since the whole town is...