8/27/2010

For the Kids

I see a lot of families vacationing at the Gulf. It’s such a nice sight: young couples spending some much-needed quality vacation time with their children. It’s the epitome of a “family vacation."

And Gulf Shores/Orange Beach is an ideal spot for these types of getaways. The Wharf has a number of kid-friendly activities, such as the Ferris wheel (the tallest in the southeast), the zip line and ropes course, and the Build-a-Bear Workshop—always popular among young children. Mini-golf is another popular choice, and places like Pirate’s Island, The Track, and Shrimpy’s offer this plus other activities. Often it’s as simple as hunting crabs on the beach, or cruising down the lazy river at one of Phoenix condos (a personal favorite of mine).

If you need ideas on how to keep the kiddos entertained, check out OrangeBeachToday.com, which has a list of “Just For Kids” activities.

8/25/2010

Phoenix Rising

I’ve stayed in several of Brett/Robinson’s Phoenix condominiums and have had an excellent experience each time. So I’m really looking forward to the opening of the newest Phoenix property, Phoenix West II.

This place is going to be amazing: 31 floors of Mediterranean-style condos with Gulf-front terraces and amenities like heated indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, hot tubs, saunas, and a lazy river on the beach (the lazy river is the big draw for me).

If you missed the first two Phoenix Rising events, there’s another one taking place on Saturday, September 4th, from 4 to 7 PM at 23450 Perdido Beach Blvd. in Orange Beach. It’s a chance to get a sneak peak at the new building, and maybe inquire about condo sales. They will also have food, live entertainment, and a children’s village. Visit Brett/Robinson’s website for more information.

8/20/2010

Music Matters

Music and the beach go together so well…just like peanut butter and jelly (which is also good on the beach at lunch). It’s why I always have my iPod when I’m sunning in the sand, why beach parties are such a hit, and why catching a concert while vacationing at the Gulf is such a fun experience.

And maybe that’s why Brett/Robinson is offering another music concert special—free tickets Hank Jr's Rowdy Friends 2010 Tour in Orange Beach. The concert is September 25th at the Amphitheater in Orange Beach, and you get two to six free tickets depending on how many bedrooms your condo rental has. (More information is available on their website.)

Also coming up is the John Mayer concert on September 6th, and a host of other recurring music events—check them out at the OrangeBeachToday.com website.

8/18/2010

Paradise for Sale

I don’t know how many times I’ve thought, as I’m getting ready to return home from a blissful Gulf Shores vacation, that I would love to live there full time—just stay right in one of Brett/Robinson’s Phoenix condos. One day, maybe; retirement has to come eventually.

Of course, you don’t have to wait until retirement to own a condo—or other property—in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach. Purchase real estate with Brett/Robinson, and you can visit whenever you have time and rent it out when you’re not using it, offer your beachfront place as a gift to family members, host the annual family reunion...not to mention you can proudly tell people that you own a part of the Gulf Coast.

And they have a lot to choose from if you’re in the market to buy some Gulf vacation property: condominiums, houses, lots for building, even commercial buildings. Visit the Brett/Robinson website to browse through their listings.

8/13/2010

Labor Day

Labor Day is in our sights, ready to provide us with some end-of-summer relief after we’ve all returned to work and school after a season of “getting away.” That one-day extension of the weekend gives us the opportunity to kick back and have some fun during the last warm days of the year. It’s also a great time to squeeze in one last getaway to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach before fall sets in.

If you really need more incentive than just the prospect of another beach vacation, consider Brett/Robinson’s latest deal: a 20% discount on a three-night stay. The offer is good from now until September 4th, so there’s plenty of time to plan.

Click here for more information.

8/11/2010

Having Dinner In

One thing I really love about vacationing in a condo is the ability to make meals. But I have a love-hate relationship with condo cooking: I love spending a relaxing evening in the condo and not having to worry about getting ready to go out, but I hate cooking. Or rather, I hate preparing to cook. I’m just not good at meal planning. I’m never sure what to make or what to buy to make it.

This is where Brett/Robinson’s Condo Cooking 101 is especially useful. First of all, it provides tips on cooking in the condo, such as using recipes that are simple and low-stress, making meals ahead of time, and taking turns preparing meals with other vacationers in the condo. It also provides some recipes, everything from appetizers and drinks to main dishes and desserts (the crawfish chowder sounds really good).

The purpose of vacation is to relax—meal preparation should be no different.

8/07/2010

Summer Heat

I enjoy the heat—definitely prefer it to the cold—but it’s been testing my limits this summer. It’s certainly been a hot one, and the heat wave looks like it’s going to continue for a while.

The upside is, it’s perfect weather for swimming, a very popular hot-weather pastime—and I’ve enjoyed every moment spent in the water this summer. Pools are obviously a popular choice, and anyone vacationing with Brett/Robinson will have access to at least one (and sometimes more) pool. Depending on where you stay, you might also have the luxury of a lazy river, and even a waterslide—lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors without overheating (just keep the sunscreen handy).

Visit the Brett/Robinson website to browse their various properties and swimming venues.

8/04/2010

A Month of Concerts

I can’t believe August has rolled around already. Soon it will be September, which means we’re coming into the last stretch of summer. If you’re in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area and you like music, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to end the season with a bang.

First up is the Sugarland concert this Friday (August 6th) at the Amphitheater in Orange Beach. You know it’s going to be quite a show if it’s Sugarland, and anyone who’s been a fan of American Idol for the past couple of years will be intrigued to know that Danny Gokey is one of the two special guests (Little Big Town is the other).

Later this month is the Train concert on August 28th, and then John Mayer on September 6th, both also at the Amphitheater in Orange Beach. Three big concerts within one month—not a bad way to say goodbye to summer! More information about these concerts is available on the Brett/Robinson website.