Stayed in Unit 12 for two nights just after NYE. It was a small condo but how can you complain when its less than a 5 minute walk to the beach. Just have to head off the grounds and down the paved path over the dune. The beach here is really nice. Also of note, you can drive out on the beach here. As far as my condo itself, like i said it was small but everything worked fine and i enjoyed my stay.

G Man

Although this was our first time to return in several years (since new management), our family was thrilled with the present condition of the property and with the level of service. Our two children, now in the 40s, were with us for Thanksgiving week; they started going before either was five. In some years, we have visited more than once. Obviously, we have extended knowledge of the place and its various units. We were glad to see the updates and renovations, which were needed and have been well done. Although we had some concerns about how it would be (and about the weather in November), everything was top notch. We can't wait to go back.

As always, some problem presented itself, this time a failed coffeemaker on the second day. We had a new coffemaker as soon as we reported. (On a nother visit, the management actually went out and bought us a stick blender for us to make a coconut pie, so we made them one, too. This is the nature of Port Aransas hospitality.)

On every visit, the condos have been spotless. Because the units are individually owned, they are not the same, so check the photos before you select. Perhaps oddly, we speak of some of the owners by name even though we have never met them. This time, we stayed in #64. In all three bedrooms, the beds were the best we have had, and we loved the decorator touches except for the glaring, workshop florescent light in the kitchen that destroyed the mood of the otherwise beautiful place every time we had to use it. (We like cooking in PA and have a tradition of taking our recipes, herbs, etc., with us.) After we bought fresh flounder to broil in #64, we discovered that we had no broiler pan for the oven. Improvise! It was wonderful.

Island Retreat does not provide coffee packs in their units, as do other condos in Port Aransas. So take it or be prepared to scramble to the store as we did. An extremely minor issue in our context.

We loved the quality of the dishes, mugs, silverware, etc., in 64. The dining table is a gem. I've already mentioned the beds. All of which is to say that the units vary. Not one, even the motel units, will give you a bad experience unless you expect a spa or a luxury hotel. Been there/done that with everything from motel to three bedroom at Island Retreat, and, once again, it has our highest recommendation. We have stayed at or visited in many other places on the island.

Most of the condos in Port A are all individually owned so the rooms vary from really well stocked to very basic.. We have stayed here probably five times over the last few years and this time we hit the jackpot and I will remember the room number 228. The patio faces the pool which is great if you have kids and still have an ocean view. The condos are only two story which is also nice if you have kids. The bed in the master bed was so comfy. Two queens in the second bed, tv in both rooms. Lots of board games, kitchen well stocked, steps to the bbq pit. I always want to try someplace new but Island Retreat is so close to town and overall probably one of the least expensive of the condo's and still have an ocean view.

#134 was disguisting! When we arrived we opened the door and it smelled like mildew through the entire condo. The bathroom smelled like an outhouse. We found termites in our bed. We called the next day to have a cleaning crew clean our bathroom and spray some bug spray and noone ever showed up. We were there for 3 nights they left towls one day and only took out the kitchen garbage on one day. As for the termites we had to buy our own bug spray and the bathroom they never cleaned it so I had to run out and buy candles. I complained when I check out and I really don't think they gave a damn. So Expensive for $hit service! NEVER AGAIN!