A cloud show provides a backdrop to condominiums on Pleasure Island

Beach front condominiums usually are a better value than hotels, offering more space, separate bedrooms, a kitchen and even a private balcony — all with a million-dollar view! To help you prepare for a perfect vacation and take full advantage of our condos, we offer planning and packing tips on this page. Also, many local companies provide special services, such as equipment rentals or pet care and boarding. See Pleasure Island Spotlight, at right.

Pleasure Island Condominium kitchens are well-equipped and will help save money by limiting your reliance upon costly restaurants, though a picnic lunch or night out can be fun for the family. You do not need to bring cookware or appliances such as coffee maker, toaster or blender. We provide dishes, silverware, glassware, knives, and basic tools such as can and bottle openers and salt and pepper shakers! We do not provide special items such as a pressure cooker, griddle, steamer or wok. Obviously, portable barbecue grills are not allowed in condos or on balconies due to fire codes. However, many buildings have common area grills located conveniently, and safely, outside.

Since each luxury condo also is equipped with a dishwasher and a clothes washer-dryer, you'll need laundry supplies. Comfortable patio furniture is available on balconies — but these items may not be taken out of the condos (to the pool or beaches). Each condo also is supplied with one set of bed linens and one dish towel. In each bathroom, you'll find one roll of toilet paper and sets of bath towels and wash cloths to match the maximum occupancy of each condo.

Some visitors like to plan meals in advance and bring recipe items, but grocery prices in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach are about the same as they are inland. As a bonus, the stores are stocked with plenty of fresh seafood, including Gulf shrimp, crab and crawfish!

Public or private docks and access points are available if you bring your own watercraft to Pleasure Island.

Packing checklist

Of course, how you pack depends on how you get here, and air travel certainly limits what you bring to the island. Here's a partial list of supplies you may want to bring. Print it to serve as a packing checklist:

Convenient rentals
for those essential items
Need a baby crib, car seat, stroller, high chair, bicycles, or perhaps a portable barbecue grill during your stay? How about a surf, skim or boogie board, beach chairs or umbrella? What about fishing gear and tackle, or water craft such as a kayak, a small 'Sunfish' sailboat, a flat-bottom fishing or pontoon boat? Medical equipment and supplies, including oxygen, scooters and even beach wheelchairs are available. In fact, local companies offer affordable rentals of many essential household or recreational items — by the hour, week or day.

A Grand Affair
601 North McKenzie Street
Foley, AL 36535
(251) 943-8188

Balloons & More
17365 Hwy 98 West
Foley, AL 36535
(251) 971-1614

Beach & Baby Rentals
103 Hwy 59
Summerdale, AL 36580
(251) 943-2322
www.beachandbaby.com

Blue Water Medical
2317 East 2nd Street
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 967-4405

Cshell Marine Rentals
14985 Bowman Drive
Foley, AL 36535
(251) 949-7218
E-mail: cshell@gulftel.com

Ike's Beach Service, Inc.
1025 West Lagoon Avenue
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 948-3757
(800) 483-7068
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Local pet care, boarding
eases vacation worries
Our condo association rules strictly forbid renters bringing pets into condos, so we've assembled a select list of local kennels that board and groom pets and veterinarians who provide medical care should the need arise. Only condo owners are allowed to have pets in buildings. However, even owners cannot take pets to condo pools. While most local beaches do not allow pets, some destinations, such as Big Lagoon State Park near Pensacola, do allow them in designated day-use areas if on a leash. Still, pets are not permitted at Big Lagoon beaches, playgrounds, cabins, or concessions. So, bring your pet, but be prepared to board them at night, and to encounter access restrictions. See our Reservations Policy.

Animal Medical Center
7845 Highway 59 South
Foley, AL 36535
(251) 955-5900

Gulf Coast Vet. Hospital
24001 Canal Road
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 974-5633

Magnolia Small Animal Clinic
1915 South McKenzie Street
Foley, AL 36535
(251) 943-6738

Parker's Pet Boarding
12606 County Road 65
Foley, AL
1-888-692-3647
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