Our family booked a week-long stay at the Shipwatch condo (unit 604 D) in Perdido Key, FL in June…read more2025, expecting a "luxury" experience based on the listing and its premium price. Instead, we encountered a dated, cluttered, and poorly maintained property that fell far short of expectations.
The front foyer was unwelcoming, lit only by a harsh neon light with no table or hooks for keys or hats. Closets were stuffed with the owner's belongings--large framed pictures, lampshades, random furniture, an ancient TV/VCR combo, and bins of junk. One bedroom's closet was so packed it was nearly unusable, and the entire condo had just 5 hangers, woefully inadequate for a family. The kitchen pantry was cluttered with a rusty can of paint stored next to the dryer, posing a safety concern.
Maintenance issues were pervasive. The wooden shutters in the bedrooms were old and dysfunctional; our daughter's room required masking tape to keep them closed (evident from prior tape residue), and the master bedroom's shutters were off their tracks, letting in early morning light. The accordion doors to the pantry/laundry area constantly fell off their tracks, obstructed by the washer and dryer, whose power buttons were cracked and worn. The oven's faded knobs made it impossible to discern burner controls or heat settings. The glass shower door wouldn't close, leaving a 6-inch gap due to missing parts and misaligned tracks. Most alarmingly, the bathroom door handle fell off entirely, creating an inconvenience and safety hazard.
The balcony was equally disappointing. The ceiling fan didn't work, and the furniture--rusted metal chairs, a wobbly table, and uncomfortable lounge chairs with broken support rods--was mismatched and impractical. Six random chairs lacked nearby tables for drinks. Inside, the oversized, dated furniture felt worn and uncomfortable. The master bedroom's gaudy bed frame had a gap that caused us to bang our legs getting in and out. A narrow table by the fireplace served no purpose, with a broken wicker stool beneath it. Massive iron lamp bases consumed entire coffee tables, and barstools meant for the counter were stored in the master closet.
The kitchen was dark, dated, and poorly equipped, with narrow drawers containing only a few incomplete measuring cups and random pots. We contacted the rental agency frequently about these issues, starting on day one. They were sympathetic and responsive, promptly sending a maintenance person. He was visibly shocked at the condo's condition, apologized profusely, and took photos to report to the agency. Unfortunately, there wasn't much he could do to address the extensive issues during our stay.
The condo's beachside location was its only redeeming feature, but it couldn't salvage the experience. For the "luxury" price, we expected a clean, functional property. Instead, Shipwatch felt like a storage unit for outdated junk. I urge the agency and owner to declutter, repair broken fixtures (especially the bathroom door handle and shower), and update the listing to reflect the condo's true condition. Future renters should request recent photos and confirm maintenance status. We won't return.
