Airbnbs and VRBOs
By Jessica Tzikas
When you live in Florida, it’s hard to find any other place that truly feels like a vacation – there’s a reason Floridians are often quoted saying “I live where you vacation.” But the best part about living here is that when you do crave some much-needed time away from your own home, you don’t have to go very far. In fact, you don’t even need to leave your own city to have the ultimate staycation. Instead of booking a run-of-the-mill hotel or searching endlessly for the right vacation home, we did the work for you. Here are some Airbnbs and VRBOs we stayed in and loved, so you can take the guesswork out of your next staycation.
The West Palm Treehouse
If you are craving something different from a beach vacation but don’t want to leave Palm Beach County, this unique find may be the ultimate place for your next trip. The West Palm Tree House is exactly what it says it is: a treehouse. The home is built around two gorgeous pine trees and can comfortably sleep two adults and two children. But it’s not just the home that makes this place a must stay. The prime location puts it close to some of the best restaurants in the area, including Coolinary Cafe and Leftovers Cafe, among many others in the Palm Beach Gardens/Jupiter area.
Whether you want to spend your free time with your pets on Jupiter Dog Beach or catch a pre-season game at Roger Dean Stadium (the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals play here from February-April) you can do it all within close proximity to the home. And when you return from a day of exploring, you’ll be met with tranquility and calm at this tucked away accommodation. If you plan to keep things more relaxed during your staycation, guests have full access to the pool and jacuzzi on property. If you’re bringing kids, the property has a zipline, play treehouse, and swings. The owners even offer a farm experience where kids (or adults!) can feed the goats, ducks, and peacock that that live just next to the treehouse.
The Juno Bungalow
If your idea of a staycation involves waking up to sounds of the ocean and ending your days washing off sun and sand in a hot shower, The Juno Bungalow is for you. These bungalows are old Florida perfection, with beachy decor, a super private feel, and direct access to the beach. If you are unfamiliar with the area, Juno Beach is a quiet, seaside town that has become known for not only its innate tranquility, but also the gorgeous beaches that host a ton of turtles during mating season. When staying at The Juno Bungalow, you can spend your days sipping coffee on the ocean-view patio or walking the beach.
When you’re ready to explore, The Juno Bungalow is near the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and great state parks, including John D. MacArthur Beach State Park and The Nature Conservancy Blowing Rocks Preserve. The Jupiter Lighthouse, which is one of the area’s most famous landmarks, is also nearby. If you want to get a bit more adventurous, visit Blueline Surf & Paddle Co. for paddleboard lessons or Phil Foster Memorial Park Snorkel Trail for a day of snorkeling. When you get hungry, some of the best local restaurants are right nearby, including Food Shack, Guanabanas, and Ke’e Grill.
Lake Worth Waterfront
If you’re more of an urbanite and less of a sand-lover, this pick is for you. This Intracoastal-front property located in Lake Worth Beach is less than a mile from the sand. This is perfect for being surrounded by the ambiance of a beach vacation, without having to spend all day every day on the sand.
When the owners decided to let others in on their unique waterfront property, they thought of everything. By designing a simple and clean backyard and putting in wide windows, they have made it the ultimate spot for vacationers and staycationers alike. They provide kayaks and paddleboards to use on the Intracoastal, but if you choose to venture outside of the oasis of the home, their prime location puts them right near some of Lake Worth’s hottest spots. Head over to Mathews Brewing Company for great beer and live music, explore the downtown area and bar hop to the local dive bars, and eat at mainstays like Benny’s on the Beach or Old Key Lime House. After a day of exploring, eating, and drinking, you’ll be welcomed home to plush leather couches, a pool table, and a shower with more than 12 jet options.
Nomad Beach House
Nomad Surf Shop is the quintessential South Florida surf shop and became a famous destination after it opened back in 1968. With a true emphasis on keeping things local, the owners of Nomad Surf Shop decided to take things a step further, opening Nomad Beach House last November. “When we first purchased the house we thought how cool would it be for our Nomad customers to get the ‘real local’ feel,” they said. “We have so many customers who love our vibe so we figure we would make the house easy, simple, and beachy.” And they did just that – Nomad Beach House has surfboards and local photos lining the walls and with only steps to the beach (300 yards to be exact), the house makes spending your entire vacation at the beach a breeze.
The Surf Shop may be from the ‘60s, but the home is completely new. Renovated top to bottom, the beach house offers modern bathrooms and three full bedrooms, all outfitted with cozy, clean furniture. The owners have paddleboards, surfboards and bikes readily available in the backyard, but they also encourage their guests to stop in at the Surf Shop for anything else they may need during their stay. After a day at the beach, you can take a quick trip over to Atlantic Avenue for dinner or keep things local at Sushi Simon Sweetwater, or Driftwood. Tired from the sun? They also offer a fully-stocked kitchen and grill for easy cooking.
