Entire home

Private Bayfront Retreat - Pet Friendly - Boat Dock - Boat Lift - Cargo Lif

Photo gallery for Private Bayfront Retreat - Pet Friendly - Boat Dock - Boat Lift - Cargo Lif

The Weeks Bay estuary provides amazing views and wild life to watch
New boat house roof and boat lift!
The Dolphin room has a king bed, a twin trundle day bed, and the best bay view!
The home is on 7 acres - full of wild life and lots of privacy!
Our private retreat offers space away from neighbors and noise.

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 19260.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Gym
    Gym
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Fairhope, AL
  • Weeks Bay Reserve
    8 min drive
  • Mobile Bay
    9 min drive
  • Fairhope Municipal Pier
    23 min drive
  • Gulf Shores, AL (GUF-Jack Edwards)
    33 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 19)

King & Bunk Room

1 King Bed, 2 Double Beds and 1 Single Bed

Master Bedroom with Bath

2 Single Beds and 1 King Bed

Master Best View

2 Single Beds and 1 King Bed

Queen Room

2 Queen Beds

2 bathrooms

Hall Bath

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Hair dryer

Master Bath

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Private Bayfront Retreat - Pet Friendly - Boat Dock - Boat Lift - Cargo Lif

Looking to vacation on the water and reconnect with family and friends? Southern Exposure Bay House is a secluded, pet-friendly retreat located on Week’s Bay in Fairhope Alabama. This beautiful home sits on 7 acres and offers a private boat dock, boat lift, cargo lift, kayaks, bikes, and games. In fact, the RV barn has been converted into an Entertainment Center with basketball, ping pong, corn hole and jumbo connect4 game!

You'll discover, Southern Exposure Bay House isn't your typical vacation rental. From the moment you walk in, you'll feel the relaxed "Fairhope Vibe” and enjoy amazing bay views from almost every room of the house. With 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, and almost 3,000 square feet of living space, the house is roomy enough for family and friends to enjoy their vacation time without tripping over one another. Each of the 4 bedrooms have large wall mounted smart TVs so everyone can escape to stream their favorite shows and movies.

The Fairhope “ART” Vibe is evident throughout the house – especially the bedrooms. Each one is themed for an animal found on the property. The master bedroom is our “Pelican” room that sleeps 4 with a king size bed, a twin daybed, and trundle. This room has an ensuite bathroom, an oversized closet with a washer and dryer, and access to the private screen porch. This bathroom has a jetted bathtub and walk-in shower. Handicap support bars are installed throughout this bathroom.

During your stay, watch for Pelicans to dive into the water to catch a fish – or even hang around and beg for scraps if you’re cleaning fish!

The bedroom with the best view is the “Dolphin” room. This room sleeps 4 with a king size bed, a twin daybed, and trundle. This room also has access to the private screen porch.

Dolphins can be seen swimming around the dock in the mornings and evenings. They typically push the water as they chase fish. You may even see them wave their tails at you as they gobble up something from the bottom of the bay.

The other two bedrooms have views of the bird and butterfly garden. This garden is wild and planted to support the many birds, butterflies and bees that call Weeks Bay (and Southern Exposure Bay House) home.

The Frog room sleeps 7 with a king bed, a full-on-full bunk bed, and twin trundle bed. You’ll find (and hear) many frogs on the property – they love hiding on the top deck. At night they like to make their voices heard very loudly!

The Turtle room sleeps 4 with two queen beds.

You never know when a turtle will turn up – either on the driveway, on the beach, or in the bay – so keep an eye out for them. You may even see one swimming along with you while you’re kayaking.

The roomy hall bathroom has a bathtub shower combination. It is conveniently located near all four bedrooms.

Vacations at Southern Exposure Bay House are about getting EVERYONE together – and the open concept kitchen and living room provides a perfect place with amazing bay views. The newly renovated kitchen has a side-by-side refrigerator with filtered water and ice dispenser in the door, electric stovetop, wall oven, microwave, and dishwasher. The kitchen is also fully stocked with all the cookware, dishes, utensils, and glassware you’ll need to prepare almost any meal – including celebrations for anniversaries and birthdays! There is also a gas grill and a charcoal grill provided for outdoor chefs that like to bar-b-que.

The living room was designed for everyone to gather to cheer for their favorite sports teams, stream a movie, or even play video games on the big 75-inch Smart TV. Our fast internet and 5G WIFI lets you connect your devices and stream movies... even if you're on the boat dock or in the game room!

While you will find amazing amities and views inside the home, you’ll want to step outside to really experience the water and wildlife.

Southern Exposure Bay House is located directly on Week’s Bay – a protected estuary. Simply step outside the kitchen or sunroom to enjoy 180 views of the bay from the top deck. This oversized deck offers patio furniture with seating for 8 to relax and watch the water and wildlife. It also offers a dining table and seating for 6 to enjoy an outdoor meal or simply sit back and watch the mullet jump and dolphins swim by.

Step off the deck and through the yard to access the best place to enjoy the bay – the HUGE boat dock. The dock is equipped with all you need to enjoy a day of fishing, crabbing, kayaking, boating, or sunbathing. Get comfortable on the outdoor couch that seats 6-8, enjoy a meal at the table that seats 4, relax in the sun on one of the 4 lounge chairs, grab one of the folding camp chairs to get comfortable while you fish, or use the 2 sinks for cleaning fish and washing up! With a large, covered living area, a front deck and side deck, you’ll have more than enough space for everyone to enjoy the Bay.

Are you bringing a boat or wave runner? No problem! The boat dock has a new boat lift for easy storage out of the water overnight. The property also has ample room to park trailers. Bring your boat, bicycles, wave runners, and other outdoor equipment because Southern Exposure Bay House has plenty of parking space!

There are two boat launches just a few miles away:
Pelican Point / Viewpoint Launch 10471 County Road 1, Fairhope AL 36532 (1.9 miles)
Weeks Bay Reserve Tonsmeire 11525 US-98, Fairhope Al 36532 (3.5 miles)

When you visit, be sure to use the cargo lift to make packing and unpacking easy – especially in the summer heat.

Southern Exposure Bay House is a pet-friendly home. However, please be aware, the home is located on a protected bay and estuary. Be conscious of wildlife like hawks, owls and even eagles and alligators. Fairhope is a pet friendly town. Many restaurants and shops will let you bring your pups along.

Find the page on our website to plan your trip and see a list of our favorite restaurants and places to go! If you plan your visit for the 1st Friday of the month, you'll want to be sure to go to Fairhope's 1st Friday. They close the streets, have a band, and stores stay open late with refreshments.

Plan to catch at least one sunset from The Bluff at Henry George Park. It sits high above the Fairhope Municipal Pier and overlooks the beautiful Mobile Bay - a perfect location to catch the sunset then dinner in town. Great place to take the pups for a walk too.
Other area attractions you may want to check out include the OWA Theme Park, Sports complex, Live Theater, Shopping District, and the Indoor Water Park. You’ll also find many miniature golf facilities, Glen Lakes Golf Course, The Gulf Bowl Bowling Alley, Tanger Outlet Mall, Gulf Shores Sports Complex, and the beach is only 22 miles away!

Enjoying your stay is very important to us. Throughout your stay you'll communicate directly with me, Lora, I'll be glad to answer any of your questions and recommend some of our favorite places. Contact me for recommendations on caterers, massage therapists, spas, local fishing charters, boat rentals, scenic tours, etc. If for some reason your expectations are not met, please let me know. Our cleaning team is fantastic and will come onsite to make it right.

ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED OR HAVE A SPECIAL EVENT? ASK ME ABOUT HOLDING YOUR WEDDING/EVENT AT SOUTHERN EXPOSURE BAY HOUSE.

Since opening Southern Exposure Bay House in 2021, we have been blessed with amazing guests – many of which have become great friends that come back each year! We hope to welcome many more families to the bay house to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or just get away and spend time together!

TNfQu

Property manager

Loralie Davis
Premier Host

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Must smoke outside on porches

Important information

You need to know

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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Fairhope

Located in Fairhope, this holiday home is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Weeks Bay Reserve and Bon Secour Bay reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include The Park at OWA and Billy's Seafood. Travelling with kids? Consider The Gulf Bowl and Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Fairhope, AL

What's nearby

  • Weeks Bay Reserve - 8 min drive
  • Fairhope Avenue - 19 min drive
  • Foley Sportsplex - 20 min drive
  • Magnolia Beach - 23 min drive
  • Fairhope Municipal Pier - 23 min drive

Getting around

  • Mobile, AL (BFM-Downtown Airport) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Big Daddy's Grill - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Jesses Restaurant - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Saraceno's Restaurant - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Biscuit King's Fun Barn - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Lucky Horseshoe Saloon - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Bayfront Retreat - Pet Friendly - Boat Dock - Boat Lift - Cargo Lif pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Private Bayfront Retreat - Pet Friendly - Boat Dock - Boat Lift - Cargo Lif?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Bayfront Retreat - Pet Friendly - Boat Dock - Boat Lift - Cargo Lif?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Private Bayfront Retreat - Pet Friendly - Boat Dock - Boat Lift - Cargo Lif located?

This family-friendly Fairhope holiday home is located on the waterfront, 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Bon Secour Bay, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Weeks Bay Reserve and Mobile Bay. Magnolia Beach and Punta Clara Candy Kitchen are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 51 out of 52 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 52 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 52 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 52 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 52 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Haley S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bay Front Paradise
This home was perfectly set in a quiet part of Weeks Bay with everything we needed to have a perfectly wonderful weekend! Lora was an absolute pleasure to work with through the entire process! Communication was 100% from the time I booked until we locked the doors to say goodbye! All of my family members are cooks and everyone raved about the kitchen being fully stocked with everyone we needed to be able to make our meals! This home was set in such a perfect location for our needs! We loved using the dock, boat slip, kayaks, games, puzzle board, chalkboards, porch, game room, and of course… the kitchen!! Everything was wonderful’
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Vacation at the Bay House 2024
Our family of 14 had a wonderful stay at the Bay House in Fairhope, AL. Our experience far exceeded expectations in every detail. The accommodations were clean and had everything we needed for our week, kitchen essentials, games, a great pier/dock from which our group caught countless fish, and plenty of places to sleep after full days of activities. We were close to the beaches in the area as well as a great water/amusement park nearby. Finally, our host put us in touch with a wonderful caterer, who prepared the most incredible seafood feast for our family to enjoy at the house. This was especially nice because we wanted a great seafood dinner, and getting 14 people of all ages fed at a restaurant can be challenging. We cannot wait to our next vacation opportunity at the Bay House!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Fun in Fairhope
We loved our stay at The Bay House for Spring Break! It was the perfect spot for our college kids and high school son to all hang out with us for a long, lovely Spring Break/Easter weekend. The guys played golf on both Robert Trent Jones courses at the nearby Grand Hotel, and the girls enjoyed shopping at the Tanger Outlets in Foley and at the local shops in charming downtown Fairhope. We had dinners at the Tin Top in Bon Secour, Ravenite pizza in Fairhope and a special family night at the gorgeous Wash House. One day we toured the USS Alabama and had lunch at Felix’s on Mobile Bay. In between touring the local area, the Bay House was perfect. We took walks every morning, fished from the dock, enjoyed coffee while we hung out on the deck, played ping pong and grilled delicious steaks one night followed by S’Mores around the fire pit. Our dog loved swimming in Weeks Bay. The kitchen is perfect with so many handy tools and dishes. We saw dolphins and loved seeing the many different types of birds fishing in the afternoons. Lora was a kind and welcoming host. The house has so many comfy beds and the huge TV in the family room was perfect for watching basketball. I highly recommend this wonderful house and sincerely hope our family can visit again! We had a lovely, relaxing, wonderful stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janet C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Callahan Family
The house was amazing and the listing does not do it justice! You must stay to get the full enjoyment and experience! Lora is amazing and available always-she was the best host and we’ve stayed at a lot of properties on VRBO and I would rate this one and our host as the BEST BY FAR!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jenna

This was just like a visit to grandma and grandpa’s house! We felt right at home, everything you need is there and so much to do you don’t need to leave the property. Looking forward to staying again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Fairhope
My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The bayhouse was very comfortable and had everything that we needed. The pier and boathouse were wonderful. Overall we would definitely come back.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

DeeAnna C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful area
We had a great time. The sons had fun fishing off the dock. We saw wildlife in the bay. We had fun using the kayaks. Gulf shores was a 30 minute drive away. The house was stocked well. The owner was easy to communicate with. Only suggestion would be to get groceries before you drive to the house.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

David J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
50th Anniversary
My three grown girls and their families joined us in celebration of our 50 years of marriage. The kitchen was fully set up for cooking for 13 people. Publix was just 10 minutes away and plenty of eating near by. Weeks bay was beautiful, very nice celebration.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bay House Family Vacation
Large house with 4 bedrooms but lots of beds. Big kitchen that's stocked with pots pans dishes etc. Very clean!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steven S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a gem on Weeks Bay
The place was absolutely perfect for what we needed. Extremely well appointed with regard to anything you may need during your stay. Lora communicated well, the pet friendly home was very clean, the rooms afforded privacy, and the the home had plenty of space. Our favorite place was the dock, where we spent many afternoons in the cool breeze from the bay. We sure hope to stay again next year.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrea H., Sarasota

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Girls trip
This was an awesome find on Weeks Bay. We celebrated a birthday/ girls trip here. The house was fully equipped for cooking and enjoying the bay. The property manager was very helpful in getting suggestions for our itinerary and suggested someone to help with some food and massages that were both excellent.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tim E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing
This is a great property for anyone who wants to just get out of the house and relax over Weeks Bay. The boathouse was such a great place to hang out. We fished a lot and caught some crazy species (croakers, stingrays, trout, lots of catfish, eel, crabs, black drum, etc.). We did have a Blue Crab dinner which was really fun for someone who hasn’t caught, cleaned and cooked crabs before. The house was great too. There were only 6 of us so there was plenty of room. We used the sun porch, deck and kitchen most. Didn’t really watch a lot of TV though we did bring our Apple TV for convenience. Only real issues were that most of the bikes did’t work. I spent some time fixing what I could of the bikes but most needed new tubes so we couldn’t really go exploring which would have been nice. Additionally, there were no fishing poles so I had to go buy 4 new poles. Fisherman’s Discount was super to work with and we got to know them well. Overall, it was truly enjoyable. We checked out places we haven’t in the past like Biscuit King which just made it fun to explore areas outside of Fairhope (which we love!). Lora was fantastic. Always reaching out or trying to help where she could. We definitely recommend this as a place to stay with family or friends.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great for families
We enjoyed the large space and being on the water. Everyone had a great time. Great for families.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Seth

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This house is on a private drive with it’s own boat house and pier right on Weeks Bay. It is spacious with room for a large family or even several families. Perfect for a family gathering. We loved everything about it.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allison L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family gathering
Wonderful property! Plenty of room for everyone from our 18 month old grandson to our 78 year old dad. The pier was lovely and peaceful. The game room was perfect for teenagers. All around great property!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Victoria M., Franklin, TN

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Southern slice of heaven!
Southern Exposure is exactly how it is depicted: serene, private, very well stocked with everything you can need and more! The house, property, dock and bay are all fabulous and the property is so large and well laid out that you can all be together or all on your own if you choose. The beds were so comfortable and we all slept better than we do at home. I've never said that before about a VRBO! Lora and her neighbors and the whole of Fairhope are a slice of Southern heaven. We will be back!!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

James G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect
Our group of eight immediately felt on vacation as soon as we got settled in. Great spot and well stocked with everything we needed. Lora has thought of everything. We’ll be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Olivia H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thanksgiving on the bay
Lovely family time relaxing, watching bowl games, and cooking crabs caught right off the dock! The big couch in the family room seated all 8 of us!! Would love to come back here when temps are a little warmer.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

DeJuana T., Madison, Ms

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect getaway!!
Everything we wished for & more!! Perfect weekend getaway! Great place to relax with incredible views.. Equip with everything you need PLUS the owner is AMAZING & super helpful!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Will F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great bay house
The bay house was in excellent condition and was the perfect accommodation. I would highly recommend this spot on Week’s Bay.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family vacation/attending wedding!
Property was great for families and children. Appliances/furnishings were more than needed. Plenty of room inside/outside for all. Very quite neighborhood with entertainment for all ages! All enjoyed!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deborah L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great holiday weekend!
Wonderful stay at the bay! Would highly recommend staying at this property!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Little piece of paradise
We had an excellent time! The house has everything needed for your time away. The dock is a great retreat and we loved watching the dolphins. We caught enough crabs for a great dinner
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shannon M., Niceville, FL

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
WONDERFUL PLACE TO STAY!
We wanted a relaxing stay on the water and WOW did this place deliver! The kitchen was AMAZING! They have thought of EVERYTHING!!! There was nothing lacking! Loved everything! The kids loved the dock, cast nets, crab traps, kayaks, bicycles, puzzles, I could go on and on! Thank you so much!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Taran B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home away from home
We most definitely will be returning. Everything accommodated everyone that was with our party. Beautiful location an views to look at for days.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

About the host

Hosted by Loralie Davis

Host profile image
Our family lives in Marietta Georgia. My husband and I attended college at South Alabama. Since my sister's house in Fairhope can't fit everyone, we've been dreaming of a place on the bay for years. It finally happened in 2020... along with all the hurricanes!

Why they chose this property

This property is completely updated after all the damage from the hurricane. You'll have a beautiful home to enjoy, but even better an amazing property right on the water with 180 views of Week's Bay (a protected bay that is very quiet). Thanks to hurricane Sally - the views are even better with a fewer trees. The home is big enough to bring the whole family and enjoy fishing, crabbing, kayaking, boating... or simply watching the sun and moon rise over the water. We have installed a brand new cargo lift into the house, as well as a new boat lift on the dock.

What makes this property unique

Private 7 acre property on Weeks Bay
Newly renovated with cargo lift into house
Private dock and working boatlift
180+ views of Weeks Bay (a protected bay)
Private screen room off front bedrooms
Newly renovated large porch with access from main rooms
Pet friendly
Large oversized bedrooms
Sunroom with amazing bay views
Kitchen with amazing bay views
RV barn converted to game center
Kayaks, bikes, basketball, ping pong, jumbo connect 4, corn hole, puzzles, games, books
Large property with lots of parking
Large covered boat dock with working boat lift
Crab traps available for use
24 miles to beach
12 miles to downtown Fairhope
29 miles to Mobile
Close to local sports complexes for tournaments (can take backroads to avoid traffic)

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback