Entire home

A Step Away - Large, Luxurious House! (Only 1 Block from the Beach!)

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for A Step Away - Large, Luxurious House! (Only 1 Block from the Beach!)

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior
Property grounds
Interior
5 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 14269 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
Gulf Shores, AL
  • Place, Hangout Music Fest
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Gulf Shores Beach
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Waterville USA
    ‪4 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

A Step Away - Large, Luxurious House! (Only 1 Block from the Beach!)

A Step Away is a 5 bedroom + bonus bunk room, 4 1/2 bath, 2,900 sq. ft. house located at 474 East 1st Avenue in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Max Occupancy: 14
Bed Sizes: 2 King, 3 Queen, 1 Twin over Twin Junior Bunk Bed, and 1 Sleeper Sofa
Parking: Up to 5 vehicles

*****THE PROPERTY*****

Break out the sunscreen and swimsuits—your dream beach getaway starts here! This stunning 5-bedroom + bonus bunk room, 4.5-bathroom beach house in Gulf Shores is designed for relaxation and fun. Just one block from the sugar-white sands, you can stroll to the beach in minutes or take a short drive to the heart of the city, where local shops, delicious dining, and vibrant entertainment await.

Welcome to your dream getaway in Gulf Shores! This stunning 2,900 sq. ft. beach house is designed for comfort, style, and unforgettable memories. With 5 spacious bedrooms, a bonus bunk room, 4 full bathrooms, and a half bath, there's plenty of room for up to 14 guests to relax and unwind. Step inside and experience coastal luxury at its finest. The open concept living area invites you to kick back with a movie or enjoy game night together. The dining space seats 12 guests between the large 8-chair table and 4 barstools at the counter—perfect for family meals and group gatherings. The gourmet kitchen is a chef's dream, stocked with everything you need to whip up delicious meals. Thoughtful extras include a pot filler behind the stove, beverage cooler, drip-style coffee maker & Keurig, and an icemaker—because every detail matters! But the luxury doesn't stop there. Upstairs, an additional den with a wet bar, full-sized fridge, sink, and extra cabinet space makes the perfect spot for mixing up your favorite drinks, serving snacks, or setting up a self-serve breakfast station.

After a day of beachside adventures, retreat to one of the beautifully appointed bedrooms:
2 King Bedrooms – Spacious and serene for ultimate relaxation
3 Queen Bedrooms – Cozy and inviting with plenty of space
Bonus Bunk Room – Twin-over-twin bunk for the little adventurers
Sleeper Sofa in the Living Room – Extra room for your crew
Getting ready is a breeze with 4 full bathrooms and a half bath. Three bathrooms feature walk-in showers, while one offers a tub/shower combo—perfect for families traveling with little ones.

Located just one block from the beach, you'll have easy access to the sugar-white sands and emerald waters of Gulf Shores. Plus, you're only minutes from local shops, restaurants, and entertainment! Whether you're here for a family vacation, a group retreat, or a special celebration, this elegant beach house is the perfect place to soak up the sun, make lifelong memories, and enjoy the ultimate Gulf Shores experience.

*****THE LOCATION*****

Whether you are looking for an adventurous or relaxing vacation, location is everything and our location lets you pick your own adventure! You are just minutes from every activity the island has to offer whether it's sport fishing on the Gulf, reading a book on the beach, parasailing, hiking the Backcountry Trails, shopping at numerous boutiques and souvenir stores, and only minutes away from the Wharf, the OWA Amusement Park and Entertainment Complex and Tanger Outlet Mall. Local eateries are so abundant that it will be a challenge to visit each one during a single vacation! We hope you consider staying with us where you enjoy the benefits of an inclusive travel destination with the modern conveniences of home.

*****ADDITIONAL DETAILS*****

* RENTAL AGREEMENT: Rental Agreement must be signed to receive Check-In Information. This is a legally binding document. Please read carefully.

* AGE RESTRICTION: Policy strictly enforced 25 years or older with renter 25 years old staying in unit. No refunds for anyone trying to rent that is not at least 25 years old.

* ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING & NO PETS on any of our properties.

* PARKING: MAXIMUM of 5 vehicles per reservation parked under the house/driveway, no exceptions - STRICTLY ENFORCED. U-hauls, trailers, boats, jet skis, buses, etc. are not allowed on property.

* WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: While all Sands of Alabama rental units are set up for normal housekeeping, the properties will NOT have cleaning products or toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags and soaps intended to last for the duration of your stay. Each rental property is furnished with a STARTER SET of paper products for your first night. This set includes one roll of paper towels, a small bottle of liquid dish soap, one powder dishwashing packet, one can liner per trash can, one travel size hand soap and body soap per bathroom and one roll of bathroom tissue in each bathroom. Please bring extras.

* CHECK-IN: After 4PM on the day your reservation begins. Early check-in is NOT possible.

* CHECK OUT: Check out time is 10AM. Check out after 10AM will be charged for an additional day.

* MONTHLY/SNOWBIRD RENTALS: Available from November through February. Call for special monthly rates.

*CANCELLATION POLICY: Guests who cancel at least 30 days before check-in shall receive a 100% refund of the amount they have paid minus the management fee. Guests who cancel less than 30 days prior to check-in will not receive a refund. Refunds shall not be issued for late arrivals, early departures, or inclement weather conditions including hurricanes and named storms. We do offer optional travel insurance, which we highly encourage all guests to purchase.

*TRAVEL INSURANCE: We strongly encourage you to purchase the optional travel insurance. Guests opting not to purchase travel insurance should be aware that no refund of your reservation deposit(s) will be available. Therefore, your entire booking payment is at risk. There is a link for travel insurance in the confirmation email that you receive after signing the Rental Agreement. For more information, please visit sandsofalabama.rentalguardian.com

* PROFESSIONALLY HOSTED BY: Sands of Alabama Vacation Rentals
During your stay at this holiday home, you're just a quick walk from Gulf Shores Beach. Enjoy features like laundry facilities. Enjoy your stay with amenities like free WiFi and a kitchen in the holiday home.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine and 4.5 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Just a 4-minute walk from Gulf Shores Beach and 3 minutes on foot from Gulf State Park
A Step Away - Large, Luxurious House! (Only 1 Block from the Beach!) offers its guests laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 4.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near an outlet shopping centre
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Unit size: 2,900 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

Property is also known as

A Step Away Large Luxurious House!!
459339

Reviews

A Step Away - Large, Luxurious House! (Only 1 Block from the Beach!) Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

9.2/10

Cleanliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 44 out of 49 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 49 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 49 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 49 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 49 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Javier G., Brenham, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness
Had a blast, everything was well taken care of. The stairwell gates were so helpful keeping 3, 2 year olds safe. Thanks for a wonderful weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany S.

Liked: Cleanliness
There were 7 of us that stayed at this location. And it was perfect for our staff retreat. It provided enough space for alone time and space for our group conversations. The location to the beach was wonderful.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Glenn B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Stay

Convenient to beach and spacious for our family.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Vaca

8 days at the property, house was in an excellent location, bedrooms larger than appeared in listing photos, easy communication with prperty agent.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joy C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Our stay at A Step Away

Our stay was terrific. The house is beautiful.The communication was great. We stayed 5 nights and we loved that we were only 5 minutes from the beach.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lynn I.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very clean and spacious. Kitchen is very well equipped and location is great. Could use a bit more outdoor seating for the deck.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tracy N.

Liked: Cleanliness

Had a great time!

For a group of 11, ranging in age from 4 to 76, the property was great. All the steps were a little much for the older folks, but we sure understand that the properties have to be built up. Our youngest grandson has spina bifida and we also had a 4 and 6 year old with us, so going to the beach was a bit of a challenge. It says the beach is just a block away, but there was really no way for us to get there because of all of the beach front condos. Overall, the property is great for large groups and we had a wonderful time.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Reji K.

Liked: Cleanliness

From Disaster to Delight: The Perfect Gulf Shores Escape

Over a year ago, we planned a return trip to Gulf Shores to celebrate two birthdays and spend quality time with the grandparents while they could still travel cross-country. Unfortunately, the property we initially booked through another service turned out to be a complete disaster, forcing us to stay at a local Courtyard while frantically searching for a suitable alternative.That’s when we found *A Step Away* through VRBO and Sands of Alabama. This property exceeded our expectations! Not only did it perfectly match the listing, but it also accommodated our elderly parents comfortably on the main floor, along with the rest of our six family members.While it’s not oceanfront, its prime location just one block from the beach made it even better—quiet, spacious, and fully equipped with everything a large family traveling cross-country could need for an amazing vacation.The host was incredibly understanding of our situation and graciously allowed us to check in a day early, giving our parents much-needed rest after the chaos of our first night. We truly loved our stay, created lasting family memories, and appreciated how everyone had their own space to relax and enjoy Gulf Shores. Highly recommend!– The Kothari Family
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Glen B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect in every way

Had a great trip with my wife, three children, their spouses and 3 small grandkids. The house was just as advertised. Close to the beach and all Gulf Shores activities. Everything was great!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda N.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful House for family

A Step Away was a beautifully and well maintained and clean house for our family’s stay. A very short walk to the beach. Would stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Richard H.

Fun in the sun

We liked the house. There was plenty of room for our family. House is located on a street where maintenance is being performed. Had to negotiate the construction each time we left the house in a vehicle. Not sure how long the construction will take. House location relative to the beach was accurately described. Neighborhood a mix of older beach homes and newer construction. We would stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tabita M.

Liked: Cleanliness

A step away

This wasn’t our original rental. A storm did some damage to our original rental. Management did an awesome job with giving us a new rental. The house was ABSOLUTELY beautiful and fitting for us! Will definitely rent with this company again!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katherine G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Bach weekend

The location was a close 5 min walk to the beach. The house was clean and managed well. Close driving distance to Flora-Bama, the Coastal and hangout. Will definitely be visiting again in the further.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Roger C.

Great house for large groups

This is a great property! It's especially great for large groups (family reunions, conventions, etc). The kitchen is huge and well equipped. Would definetly stay here again!
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Tanya M.

Great location

Plenty of space, great location that’s within walking distance to all that Gulf Shores has to offer as well as public beach access
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Cameran W.

Tennis Team Stay

This was our second year in a row staying at this location. The beds are comfortable, plenty of spare blankets and pillows, great air conditioning unit, and has plenty of room to host a large group. Sadly this stay was less desirable than the last. The walls were VERY dirty, mold on kitchen ceiling, pots in kitchen not clean, no hot water in main floor bathroom, master shower drain was so clogged that the bottom filled with water before you got finished showering. A good cleaning would have this place back to what the displayed pictures show.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

JHONNY M.

Liked: Cleanliness

A great experience

Overall better than I expected. My family had never been to the Beach and I wanted them to have a great experience. The house definitely made it a good one.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katrina N.

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome Stay!

The check in was so simple. I was having trouble with paying because of the large amount and they assisted me and got it taken care of right away. This property was perfect for our large family vacation! It was in a great location had ample amount of space and rooms. Things looked just as it is pictured on the pictures on the website would definitely book again with theses on any of their properties!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Wyteria D.

Liked: Cleanliness

A charm

Second stay at this property. Very spacious, clean, and comfortable. Fun family time
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bill S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great House

Family gathering and it was a great time! The house was everything we thought it would be.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ashley H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect location

The house was absolutely beautiful and perfect for our family. A short walk to restaurants, shopping and the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patricia S.

Wedding

The property was great and was just what we needed for my youngest son's wedding. The bathrooms had a musty/sweat smell but everything was great and even more that I expected. We left a little faster than planned as my daughter had a car accident that morning on her way home so I was not able to do everything I planned before we left that morning.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Corey L.

Liked: Cleanliness

March 2023

Great layout and amenities for 10-12 people. Short walk to center of town. Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Great family gathering..

The house was beautiful and spacious. The furniture in the sitting areas is a little worn and needed cleaning. The top bunkbed in the children room had snacks, jello and small toys under the mattress which created ant.There were other small issues, but over all it was a great place to stay. My family and I had a wonderful time.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Leon T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Anniversary Trip

The property that we stayed in was amazing. It was exactly as described, and the location was great. All of the restaurants were outstanding. We will definitely revisit this property. 5 stars.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022