Gary's place is really nice! It's cozier than it looks in the photos, though not too small. You enter the apartment by PIN code. The apartment has a bathroom complete with sunscreen, aloe, and soap. There is a closet by the door with a mask, snorkel, flippers, air mattress, hangers, vacuum, and clothing steamer. The living/bedroom area has a large mini fridge, a sofa, a TV on a dresser, nightstand with a lamp, and a bed!
The bed was comfortable, there were no bed bugs, and everything was well cleaned.
I never actually met Gary, but he responded quickly to my texts and went out of his way to help me drop off my suitcases earlier than check in. He also offered us money to buy a beach towel when it was missing from the room. He is a friendly and reliable host.
The apartment is in a wealthy, palm-tree lined suburban neighborhood which felt safe and was not far from downtown/Las Olas, the beach, Brightline, or Tri-Rail by rideshare. These are all $6-$12 each way. If you are going on vacation here or have extra time, Hugh Taylor Park and Fort Lauderdale Beach are must-visit attractions.
There are almost no food options within walking distance as it's a purely residential neighborhood. Just outside of Poinsettia is Zona Fresca, which is about a 20 minute walk from the apartment. The burritos we had were inexpensive and extremely good.
If you plan to swim at the beach, you should bring a blow dryer or second set of bathing suits, as we struggled to dry off our swimsuits in time for the next day. Also, always check the lifeguard tower and DO NOT SWIM OR APPROACH THE WATER IF THEY ARE FLYING A PURPLE FLAG. This may seem slightly out of place, but we learned the hard way what a Portuguese man-of-war sting feels like, so take caution.
This is a great place to stay. The price is good, the amenities are good, the location was great, and Gary is a great host. Don't hesitate to stay here!