Picture this: the fire bowl glowing at dusk, the hot tub spilling into your private pool, and everyone you love settled into Adirondack chairs inside the gated Kiva Dunes community. Magnolia Mooring and its guest house, Anchor Down by the Dunes, give a large group two homes wrapped around one tropical pool patio, with room for all (sleeps 22). Tomorrow, stroll neighborhood lanes to the beach without crossing a highway. Tonight, nobody has to call it an early night. ??
THE HOMES
Days here split between the beach and the private pool. Stroll to the sand for birdwatching, dolphin sightings, seashells, or sunset, then come home to the 27-foot saltwater pool, its tanning ledge loungers, and the raised spillover spa (hot tub) with its small waterfall. At dusk, the propane fire bowl (our fire pit) lights on a timer, circled by Adirondack rockers and chairs, with birds of paradise nearby and palms lining the drive.
Six porches, each with a fan, include haint-blue ceilings upstairs in the Southern coastal tradition, a porch bed swing on the upper back porch, and a screened dining porch made for afternoon thunderstorms. The back porch stairs lead straight to the pool, so swimmers skip the living room.
In the main house, the bohemian, eclectic coastal spirit starts in the chef's kitchen: an emerald-green six-burner gas Café range, pot filler, farmhouse sink with brass fixtures, island, and a wet bar with its own ice maker. Gather at the mango-wood table under a coconut-shell chandelier, then settle by the green tile fireplace with games and cards. An upstairs beverage station keeps drinks close to the bedrooms.
Four bedrooms have custom tropical wallpaper murals. Main house: two Beautyrest king suites, each opening onto a porch, with soaking tubs and walk-in showers with body sprays, wands, and sea glass-accented tile; a butterfly botanical queen room; and a queen bunk room with built-in twin bunks and a dramatic orange and green bird of paradise mural. The loft is a writer's retreat with a twin and trundle, secretary desk, and reading chairs; the living room has a queen sleeper sofa.
In the guest house, the living room and oversized kitchenette share one open room with a quartzite bar, full-size Café fridge, deep sink, dishwasher, convection microwave oven, and a portable two-burner induction cooktop. Upstairs, the king suite adds a desk, chair and ottoman, and walk-in shower; the bunk room has full-over-full bunks, a twin trundle, and a toucan mural. Below, the game room has ping pong, Ms. Pac-Man, darts, a 75-inch TV with Roku, a bistro table, and a loveseat.
Each bedroom has its own full bath (five en suite) and a TV with Roku, most with blackout shades or drapes. Both homes have washers, dryers, and 1 Gbps Wi-Fi. Beach chairs, two umbrellas, and a wagon roll to the walkover.
PERFECT FOR
• Family reunions, from babies to grandparents: grandparents in the downstairs king suite, kids in the bunk room
• Wedding weekends: the bridal party, or family in town for the wedding staying together
• Golf trips: tee times at Kiva Dunes, then the spa and fire bowl at sunset
• Families in town for sports tournaments, church retreats with adult leaders: two homes make it easy to split up
• Families traveling together: spread out by day, then gather for dinner on the screened porch or around the fire pit
LOCATION
Magnolia Mooring sits in the heart of Kiva Dunes, Alabama's only beach and golf resort, in a gated community on the Fort Morgan peninsula. Away from the beachfront wind, the walk to the beach is easy and safe, and you never have to cross a single road.
In Kiva Dunes:
• Beach: about a 6-minute walk to the West Boardwalk, over a 30-foot dune to 3,000 feet of private neighborhood beach (seasonal Kiva shuttle in high season)
• Osprey Pool, a minute away: lounge chairs, tables, restrooms, and tennis and pickleball courts
• Blue Heron Pool, down the lane near the West Boardwalk: lounge chairs, tables, and restrooms
• Kiva Dunes Lodge and Resort, a mile's drive: the Kiva Lodge pool, fitness room, Kiva Grill (indoor, outdoor, and bar seating), the Apparel Store, and the links-style Kiva Dunes golf course
• Meandering streets for walking or biking with no major roads, plus a little wooden bridge and wildlife watching
Nearby on the peninsula:
• Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge trails, historic Fort Morgan, and the Dauphin Island ferry
• Waterfront dining at Jesse's on the Bay and Tacky Jacks Fort Morgan; Gulf Shores is about 20 minutes away
GUEST ACCESS
Your group has both homes, the pool, spa, fire bowl, porches, and garage game room all to yourselves. Check-in is self-serve: your house key is in a keypad lockbox, and the code arrives before your stay. You're welcome to use the community pools, tennis and pickleball courts, fitness room, and the private neighborhood beach through two boardwalks. Kiva Beach Club access isn't included. For security, Ring doorbell cameras are outside each home: one at the guest house facing the driveway and one at the main house front door facing the road. There are no cameras inside either home.
PARKING
Pick up parking passes at the Kiva Lodge and display them in your windshields; they get you through the East Gate and show Kiva security your car belongs. The driveway fits five cars. No street parking, buses, trailers, or boats.
HOUSE RULES
Quiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM; enjoy the pool, spa, and fire bowl quietly until midnight. No smoking or vaping and no parties; small celebrations need our OK first. No pets, including emotional support animals (trained service animals welcome). Up to 22 people, including visitors. The primary renter must be 25 or older and present for the stay. A rental agreement and $500 refundable deposit are required.
