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Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views

Port Bolivar vacation home with kitchen

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Photo gallery for Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views

A two-story house with a balcony and a staircase leading to the second floor.
A wooden deck with a table and benches overlooking a calm body of water.
A living room with a fireplace, a television mounted above it, and a bookshelf with decorative items.
A covered outdoor area with a wooden staircase leading to a higher level.
A modern living room with a sofa, armchairs, a coffee table, and a dining area with chairs and a table.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 101680 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
Bolivar Peninsula, TX
  • Place, Gilchrist Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Crystal Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, High Island Beach
    ‪10 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Port Bolivar

Seaside stay .Within a 5-minute walk of the vacation home, you'll find Gilchrist Beach and Crystal Beach. High Island Beach is within 6 miles (10 km) and Hooks Woods Bird Sanctuary is within 9 miles (15 km).
View more Vacation Homes in Port BolivarOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Gilchrist Beach - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Crystal Beach - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • High Island Beach - 10 min drive - 6.4 miles
  • Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary - 16 min drive - 11.2 miles
  • Port Bolivar Beaches - 38 min drive - 23.3 miles

Restaurants

  • ‪Fanta Sea BBQ & Grill - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Jayla’s Bar & Grill - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Beach Dreams - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Mamma Mia’s Italian Bistro - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Entire place

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

Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views

The previous owner is a retired seafaring Commander who dropped anchor on Bolivar and rebuilt this modern retreat after Hurricane Ike destroyed their original beach home. The 360 degree ocean and bay water views remind him of his time at sea in the wheelhouse. We hope you enjoy those beautiful views as well.

Sunrises over the Gulf of Mexico from your front porch and Sunsets over Rollover and Galveston Bays from the back porch or the lighted private pier are magnificent. There are redfish, trout, flounder, and crabs to be caught from the 150’ pier. Yachts, sailboats, kayaks, commercial tugs and barges frequent the Intracoastal Waterway just a few hundred yards off this private pier. It is only a short walk out the front of the house to the beach for surf fishing or to Rollover Pass for some of Texas’s best saltwater fishing.

After swimming, sunbathing or shelling on the beach out front, use the outdoor shower and hit the spa/hot tub and deck area back at the retreat. Watch the sunset over the water and distant palms on one of the multiple decks.

The free Ferry to Galveston Island is only a 20 minute drive away where you can enjoy the Pleasure Pier, Moody Gardens, Schlitterbahn, The Strand, multiple restaurants, and other activities. The Commander’s Retreat is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, yet just a short drive if you want to hit Houston, Beaumont, or the casinos in Lake Charles which are just over 2 hours away.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • One pet total (up to 50 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the ocean
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,680 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 1 (weight limit: 50 lbs per pet)
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Pet fee required when bringing a pet

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Contact the host for questions

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 20
Note from host: Contact the host for questions
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 20. Note from host: Contact the host for questions For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Frequently asked questions

Does Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

How close is Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views to the beach?

This vacation home is a short 3-minute walk from Gilchrist Beach and 3-minute walk from Crystal Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home.

What time is check-in at Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views to downtown Port Bolivar?

This vacation home is 0.3 mi away from Gilchrist.

Beautiful Bayfront Retreat with Unbeatable Bay and Gulf Views Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 65 out of 76 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 76 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 76 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 76 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 76 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was a great place to stay. We loved the private pier to fish off of and were able to catch a lot of fish. The kitchen was great and we enjoyed some family dinners together. Plenty of seating inside and outside for your family. We will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place! The hot tub was awesome, the view was awesome, the fishing pier was awesome! We stayed here for Fourth of July weekend and it was fabulous! Plenty of seating and very spacious! The couches were comfortable - so many vacation rentals do not have comfortable seating, so that is one of my litmus tests lol - the place was clean and it was a fantastic getaway for us and our kids and grandkids. The price is unbeatable for what you get here - book it!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing house! The host was super sweet and helpful! Only complaint we had some the sinks and baths/showers had a draining problem so doing dishes was a task with having to wait for the water to drain before we could wash more, and showers had to be quick so the tub didn’t feel up other than that would 100% stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great property for in and out birding expeditions. The pier is a lovely spot for evening. Back deck with a great view of the ocean. House clean and well appointed.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had plumbing issues
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Was a great time!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great beach property! Fishing and crabbing off the dock was so much fun! Love that it was a private dock. Very clean property. Hot tub was a nice bonus! Bedrooms and bathrooms were very clean. Everything that we were hoping for and more! We will definitely be back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We try to get to CommandersRetreat every year so it was nice to spend a few days this past week/ weekend. It is a beautiful home… I say that because it's not just a beautiful house. It really does feel like home to us. We had a Home on Margaret Street that blew away with hurricane Ike so we like to get back to the real feeling of our Gilchrist/Bolivar loving private pier and beautiful views. And lots of crabs! Hope to see you again soon that's for sure. Jonathan was amazing, the rooms were clean and the kitchen as usual is wonderful and stayed very busy.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the second time we’ve stayed here and his was just as great as the last time. The place is the perfect size and laid out well for good privacy and nice big shared space. The views of the bay are lovely, so peaceful, and the closeness to the beach is just fine. It was too windy to swim at the beach, plus there was a health warning of medium bacteria ( Texas Beaches website says it is only unsafe to swim when the level is high, not medium, but we weren’t inclined to give it a chance.) But we really enjoyed sitting in the hot tub each night.. quite refreshing. Really really love staying here!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was very welcoming with a pre-check in call. Accommodation was great.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location for bay and gulf views

Excellent location for a family stay. Kids loved crabbing from the pier and the adults loved the hot tub.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hot tub didn’t have a cover and struggled to stay warm. It was cooler when we were there. Beautiful property and the owner resolved any concerns in a timely manner. Had a slight miscue on check in but he more than made that right. We’ll very likely be back to this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay.

This was a cozy place with bay fishing off dock and a quick access to the ocean side for surf fishing.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place

Family enjoyed our stay. Nice property and easy beach access.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The place was very clean and the host was very helpful. The location was convenient and when the tide was high the fishing was good. Me and my fiance had a great time and will definitely be back again next time we vacation at the beach. I highly recommend this cabin!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great House!

Everything we needed to enjoy our stay and the house was well kept!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing!!

Awesome host , beautiful cabin. We come back here every year and enjoy our stay everytime!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

perfect weekend

cabin was perfect for our weekend. clean, wonderful view, easy check-in/check-out.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful location with privacy

The cabin was set up nice with plenty of room. We loved being a little more secluded and away from the touristy areas.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Views

Great house, close to beach and Bay. Fishing, beachin' and relaxation. Great stay, we would definitely book this house again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great fishing

The house was in an excellent location and very comfortable for our family. We will be back
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vacation

Awesome communication before we showed up, and an awesome vacation.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

FAMILY FISHING VACATION

We enjoyed our stay. This was our 2nd time renting this house and we hope to rent again next yr. The house was clean and had everything we needed.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay!!

Property was very cozy especially since the temps were close to 100 degrees.. fishing from the pier turned out better than i expected caught several fish.. will be back!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome Get away

Beautiful home, hubby was happy with the Reds he caught off the private pier.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

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