FL beachfront vacation home rental recs?

[kellsbelles]

My husband and I are wanting to do a week long pre-baby vacation this spring and are looking into the Sanibel/Captiva or Keys areas. We are open to other areas of FL as well though.

It will be mostly just a relaxing trip at 6-7 months pregnant so we would love to rent a beachfront house that has a pool. Maybe some light sightseeing in a surrounding area or a spa day for entertainment. Not too interested in a condo or apartment.

I've just started the search in vrbo and there seem to be lots of options but I'd love it if someone who has actually stayed in one would let me know their experience.

We have a pretty decent sized budget since this will be our one big vacation this year and wouldn't mind splurging a little on a big or luxury rental. Thanks for your help!

[vigurl]

No suggestions for you since I am a Caribbean person over a FL person but also try airbnb...don't look only on VRBO

[jchokie79]

If you're open to other areas of FL, you should check out Seaside/30A area. DH and I went there last year, we stayed in Destin but ended up driving to Seaside a few times. It's a small beach town (where the Truman Show was filmed), very quaint and just lovely.

I'm actually researching a rental now for May.

A couple of blog posts on our Destin vacation this year.

jchokie.blogspot.com/2014/05/seaside-love-at-first-sight.html

jchokie.blogspot.com/2014/05/destin-fl-part-1.html

[AAM2012]

We love the Destin/Seaside/30A area!

We also love the Naples/Ft Myers/Sanibel area but it tends to be a little more pricier than Destin.

Either way--you can't go wrong!

[aak0517]

Dec 21, 2014 20:10:02 GMT -5 jchokie79 said:

If you're open to other areas of FL, you should check out Seaside/30A area. DH and I went there last year, we stayed in Destin but ended up driving to Seaside a few times. It's a small beach town (where the Truman Show was filmed), very quaint and just lovely.

I'm actually researching a rental now for May.

A couple of blog posts on our Destin vacation this year.

jchokie.blogspot.com/2014/05/seaside-love-at-first-sight.html

jchokie.blogspot.com/2014/05/destin-fl-part-1.html

I was going to suggest Alys Beach. 30A i've not been (yet) but friends have and rave about it. I've been researching options for late next summer/early fall.

[sarahsas]

We stayed here in July. It was awesome!!! Saved $ by not being completely beach front, but had a view. Very comfy condo. They had a huge storage area with everything you'll need for the beach - chairs, umbrellas, toys, coolers, bikes... This rental is through Royal Shell Vacations. They have a lot more properties. I found them very easy to work with.

The resort this is in (Sundial) has privately owned and resort owned properties. Any reviews you find online are for the resort owned - which aren't very highly rated. The property has the perfect location, great beach, pools, close to the main strip, and was well maintained. We loved it there and have been staying there for years. Feel free to PM if you have any questions about Sanibel!

[seabitch]

If you end up going to Sanibel, you must eat at the Mucky Duck. Best food, atmosphere and sunsets! Oh yeah, and watch out for the no seeums!

[sarahsas]

Sorry kellsbelles, just realized you said no condo. I was not reading well when I answered! Thar being said, my recommendation for Royal Shell vacations as a rental company stands. I suggest giving them a call and giving your specifications for Sanibel/Captiva if that's where you decide to go. I know it's not a personal rec for the place but they have really good pics on their website and you can search there first. Working with them was a breeze.

[scorpio72]

What time of year are you going?  

Personally, I would go to the Keys. There's more to do sightseeing wise vs Sanibel/Captiva. We go to Sanibel every Feb with MIL. It's beautiful but aside from the beach/biking, shelling, there's not a lot to do. I also think you may have a hard time finding beach front houses that are not enormous. Most of the beach front lodging seems to be condos or massive mansions.  Sanibel gets tons of snowbirds from the North in the winter.  Demographics skew VERY old during Jan-Mar. 

I love Key West. So much fun!  We've only stayed in hotels there so I'm no help on the house front. You could also take day trips to other Keys. 

If it's a warmer time of year, Seaside on 30a would be great too. It's the cutest town and they do have some very nice gulf front homes. Not a ton, but some.