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Old Florida Cottage in Saint Augustine

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Old Florida Cottage in Saint Augustine

Terrace/patio
On the beach
Exterior
Dining
Smart TV, fireplace

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 81250 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
St. Augustine, FL
  • Matanzas River
    1 min walk
  • Marineland Beach
    8 min walk
  • Marineland of Florida
    17 min walk
  • St. Augustine, FL (UST-Northeast Florida Regional)
    33 min drive

Room options

About the neighborhood

St. Augustine

With a stay at this vacation home in St. Augustine, you'll be on the beach, just a 1-minute walk from Matanzas River and 8 minutes by foot from Marineland Beach. .This beach vacation home is 11.5 mi (18.5 km) from St. Augustine Beach and 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from Faver-Dykes State Park.

What's nearby

  • Marineland Beach - 8 min walk
  • Marineland of Florida - 17 min walk
  • Washington Oaks Gardens State Park - 5 min drive
  • Fort Matanzas National Monument - 6 min drive
  • Palm Coast Beach - 7 min drive

Getting around

  • St. Augustine, FL (UST-Northeast Florida Regional) - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪JT's Seafood Shack - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Commander's Shellfish Camp - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Atlantic Grille - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Captain's BBQ, Bait & Tackle - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Ragga Surf Cafe - ‬17 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.

Old Florida Cottage in Saint Augustine

Beachfront Sanctuary, a Genuine Florida Gem. Ocean Views & Wraparound Deck!

Welcome to Old Florida Cottage at Summer Haven! A slice of Old Florida awaits you in your cozy beach front cottage. Enjoy the laid back vibes of your secluded front yard beach. Relax in the peaceful beauty of your back yard estuary teeming with mangrove wetlands and diverse wildlife.

Summer Haven is a historic beachfront community nestled between the Atlantic and the Summer Haven River. It is treasured as one of the rare places where "Florida is as Florida was". This Florida gem is a true beach sanctuary for you and your family.

"Old Florida Cottage" is truly an ode to "Old Florida".  Your adventure begins with your half mile drive down a sand road ACCESSIBLE BY 4 x 4 VEHICLES ONLY.  As  the screen door closes behind you, you will find yourself embraced by an eclectic and evolved feel where you can sit and talk the night away.  The cottage boasts charming furnishings meant to transport you to a quieter time when good conversation and good food were the mainstay of a memorable vacation.   A wood burning fireplace serves to accentuate the family friendly style while warming up those chilly winter evenings.

We also realize our guests enjoy the convenience of those amenities we come to expect as mandatory to a full-fledged family vacation. You have access to a tv in the great room, as well as in each of three bedrooms. And, of course, wifi is available as well. Indoor dining for 10 is well served by a fully functioning gourmet kitchen; whereas outdoor dining offers both ocean and intracoastal views. A gas grill offers ease of dining outside; while a large wraparound deck enables an unobstructed 360 degree view.

The Bunks are perfectly suited for children, but adults will find them too small!

When you think of Summer Haven, think unspoiled beaches where sunsets are a rite of passage; a blissfully undisturbed environment where ample opportunities for eco friendly adventures abound. Outdoor activities such as swimming, surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, biking, parasailing, and fishing take center stage in this nature lover's paradise. Simply stated, if you can think of it, you can do it!

Part of the appeal of this lifestyle is that it goes back to a slower more gracious time. Old Florida means the places where it feels the least touristy; where the lapping of the waves is the first thing you hear in the morning and the last thing you hear at night. You will find yourself standing in front of large swaths of wide open beach with hardly another soul in sight. You will realize you have taken the time to notice the beauty of Pelicans gracefully gliding over the waves while Dolphins are frolicking nearby. In the evenings, you catch yourself watching the moon rise over the Atlantic Ocean while the lights from shrimp boats twinkle on the horizon.

To borrow a phrase: "Summer Haven is a place where all of this happens. It's a giant step back in time when life was simpler. "Summer" and "Haven": Peace. Sleep. Food. Memories. Sanctuary. Refuge.

***It is the perfect place to unplug, relax and unwind. However, should you wish for something a little more, here are some suggestions:

-swim with the dolphins at Marineland just down the road
-visit the historic sites of St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city
-zipline over the historic Alligator Farm
-enjoy shopping, fine dining and night life of nearby St. Augustine

NOT to forget Disney World and Universal Studios a couple hours to the South.

NOTE: 4X4 VEHICLES ONLY!

JUNE AND JULY SATURDAY TO SATURDAY BOOKINGS ONLY PLEASE!
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, which features a fireplace and a Smart TV. There's a private balcony. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Conveniences include a microwave and a coffee/tea maker.
This smoke-free vacation home features surfing/body boarding nearby and hiking/biking trails nearby.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Derrick Kelley

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Gas grill

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near an outlet shopping mall
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the ocean
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Unit size: 1,250 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
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

Property is also known as

Old Florida Cottage at Summer Haven Saint Augustine
Old Florida Cottage at Summer Haven Saint Augustine Fl
2155-209218
Old Florida Cottage at Summer Haven Saint Augustine Fl.

Old Florida Cottage in Saint Augustine Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Daniel B., Adairsville, usa

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
A++++ all around. Will be staying again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mindy S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exceptional Rental!
This cottage was all we had hoped it would be and more! Literally just steps to the ocean! It is decorated so cute, exceptionally clean and very well stocked. My husband fished all week right out front with surf rods and caught plenty! Mostly little sharks but still fun nonetheless! We can’t wait to book again and bring our adult kids back with us. No joke on needing the 4 wheel drive though, our’s kicked in on our Grand Cherokee L everytime we pulled out of the driveway.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cara M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing views
Absolutely amazing location. Great getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leighton S.

Liked: Cleanliness
This house is awesome!
Clean, comfortable, beds are great, location is perfect, since the hurricane it is spitting distance to the high tide line. Would stay again in a heartbeat.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

David H.

Liked: Cleanliness
New Year on the Beach
Great to walk out front door to isolated beach. Very comfortable house and excellent kitchen for VRBO. Would definitely stay at Old Florida Cabin again.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Just as cute as the pictures!
Very cute, rustic beach cottage. Perfect location for a beach getaway. St Augustine is a quick 30 minute drive. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

valarie k.

Liked: Cleanliness
All Good
This cottage is in a word WONDERFUL. We enjoyed every minute of our stay here. Truly the location cannot be beaten. It feels very private but not isolated. When they say you need a four wheel drive vehicle for access, believe them. Parking was convenient. The beach of course was magnificent. The cottage decor is unique and inviting. The furnishings and linens feel high end. There was plenty of comfortable seating on the wrap around deck. Really anything you might need for a relaxing stay was provided. A note for people with impaired mobility, there are steps up to the access door and a sturdy set of steps up and over the dune onto the beach. I think these are pictured in the photos. We can’t wait to return. Highly recommend.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shawn T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
This was a get location with a beautiful view. Home was well equipped and comfortable
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary Beth

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our stay at the Old Florida Cottage was FANTASTIC! Just the getaway our family needed! Charming, quiet, location, safe and family friendly!! We would stay there and recommend it any time! Thank you for a great experience!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Would definitely stay here again
Upon arrival, I noticed right away that the house was one of the cleaner rentals that we have been to.. especially for a beach house. The only thing I rated lower was check-in, but that was only because I didn't get instructions before hand. We were arriving late in the day, and since I didn't have a code yet, I was worried it would be radio silence after office hours closed so I called. He was super helpful and it ended up being VERY easy to check-in. They leave a packet for you at the property management office if you arrive after hours. Kitchen was well stocked with cookware and utensils. There were 6 of us in our party and plenty of space. I wouldn't want to fit more, but it was perfect for us. There were lots of towels and wash cloths. Beds and pillows were comfy. It was literally on the beach and during a storm the waves came right up to the dune by the house. You DO want a 4x4 vehicle. Instructions say you can leave the gate open, but please close it behind you to be courteous to the residents. Property manager, Derrick, was great to work with and dealt with the couple of issues we had quickly and to the best of his ability. (One being an idiot that parked so no one could come in or out of the community driveway, and he got him removed) Air conditioner died in a thunderstorm on our last night, which sucked, but Derrick tried to help me fix it and was sending a repair person the next day. We would love to come back to this property one day.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Kelly L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Vacation
Very nice place!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best Beach Ever
We have been on a lot of beaches and this was hands-down the best! Not crowded at all. If you are looking for a lot of people watching and action on the beach, probably not for you, but if you want a relaxing time on the beach, this is it! It was just two of us, so the house was plenty big, well appointed, and clean. Great restaurants close by without having to go in to St. Augustine. BTW, when they say you need 4x4, they mean it, which makes it all the better We will be back!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

4/10 Poor

Jaspreet V.

Disliked: Cleanliness
False advertising
We were very excited about our trip to St Augustine. We had spent thousands on the rental and it had glaring five star reviews mentioning how the pictures don't do justice to this property. So you can imagine our disappointment when we arrived and saw a property that looks like a rundown version of the pictures. It seemed like the house has aged 20 yrs from the current pictures on VRBO with little or no maintenance. We have pictures of the property for comparison but unfortunately no way to attach them to the review. Some special mentions I would like to make- The owner has tried to give this property a "rustic farmhouse look" which would have been great if it was maintained properly. The rugs are down to shreds and dirty. Kitchen countertops are rusty. Don't even get me started on bathroom sinks (blech). The bathrooms sinks don't drain (as mentioned by a previous renter) and have a weird film deposited on the surface. Towels were dirty and stained. These white towels had a dirty beige color now as they had run out of their expiration long time ago. The owner charged us hundreds in cleaning fee when it was pretty obvious that they had done such a shabby job of cleaning before our arrival. Even though we were provided wifi info, there was no such wifi available with that name. Kitchen trash bin was dirty and stinky. There is no way to lock the bedroom doors from the inside. So if you are travelling with kids, forget about getting any privacy. Furniture on the lower level is very old and dirty. Hammocks are covered with layers of dirt (not sand). We were made to sign a contract that we will not lower AC below 72 degrees but there are no fans on the property. It got really hot most of the nights. Washer and dryer was provided but dryer was full of laundry. The entry door on the upper level is extremely rusty and has sharp ends which caused cuts. Make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shots. No trash bags provided but we were instructed to bring all the trash to the bins half a mile on the main road. When we contacted the agents about the lack of trash bags, we did not receive an answer. We ended up buying our own and using them. Even though an outdoor grill is provided, it seemed like it has not been cleaned in years and was a fire hazard. Only good thing about the house was the location. We are extremely disappointed and feel scammed.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lois W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beach Vacay
We loved the place! Definitely need a 4 wheel drive to access the house!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

John H., Cabot, Arkansas

Liked: Cleanliness
Magnificent location
The house was as presented and very comfortable, but the location truly cannot be matched if you are after a restful, recharging, reinvigorating vacation. It is virtually unspoiled and full of life everywhere you look. What a refreshing break from today's modern, sterile, and artificial world! We were truly sad to leave and are already longing to return -- again (it's our second time in this house). The wind, the waves, the siren call of the sea will drag us back here again and again. Vacationers, ye be warned...
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ryne G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Beach Vacation
We absolutely loved the location and the house. The beach is very secluded and we loved feeling like locals. The sand road isn't too bad, but you definitely need 4 wheel drive like the listing says. We rented a jeep and it did great! We even had a sea turtle lay eggs right in front of the house on the last day. We would absolutely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carl B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely great place to stay! Private beach is at your front door.
For a family of four or five this is an wonderful place to stay. We were on the beach every day and never had anyone within a couple hundred yards of us. (other than one or to people walking the beach) Very private. The beach house has all you need right down to sand toys and boogy boards for kids. Will definitely be staying here again! 4x4 vehicle is a must.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic beach
Best beach on the east coast! Just a few steps from the house and the perfect distance to the shoreline. The views are great and the water was refreshing. We enjoyed walking along the beach. A great place for shelling for sea glass. The house was ideal for two couples. We had plenty of room and it was well equipped. We would love to come back. Def need a four wheel drive.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Shabby Chic to the Max
It is a beautiful beach front property with every detail taken into consideration. The beds are comfortable, the kitchen well stocked, desirable location and a wonderful wrap around deck to accommodate any weather situation. We had a wonderful week!
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rex L.

Liked: Cleanliness
unique
remote. enjoyed the stay
Stayed 28 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

John & Wanda M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Heavenly
I hate to share lest everyone discover this truly wonderful spot! The house is lovely with gorgeous "throw back to days gone by" decor. Well appointed, casual elegance & total comfort. Sleeping listening to the waves is the best therapy! Private location & 4x4 is needed as you ARE on the beach. I cant say enough wonderful things about our 3+ week stay.
Stayed 23 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Liz S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely beach house right on the ocean
We had a great week, perfect size for the two of us, would also work for a family of 4 or 2 couples, anymore would be tight. Great location with direct beach access, nice wrap around porch, and all of the modern conveniences. Beach was beautiful, quiet street, convenient to St. Augustine and Southern Coastal towns. Highly recommend, we would rent again!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing
Very nice and relaxing. House was clean and had everything we needed. Would definitely return to this house. The view was beautiful. Lots of great sea shells. Not many people around, had the beach to ourselves.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Julie G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet & nice
We had a great time staying at this quiet and well appointed property on the beach. It has all the amenities and was nicely decorated and clean. It is very close to Marineland Dolphin Encounter and the Whitney Lab for Bioscience, a turtle hospital. My teen girls and I enjoyed touring these facilities, shell hunting on this beach, and exploring St. Augustine. I would definitely stay at this property again! There were a few beach towels, chairs, and sand tools available for use in the storage room downstairs. There is plenty of outdoor seating; downstairs there are a few hanging chairs, upstairs has a wrap around porch with fantastic views of the ocean. I should also mention the rear view is also nice as there is no neighbor behind you. Lovely property!

10/10 Excellent

Michael W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Get Away!
Very private setting. We enjoyed being right on the beach and watching the sunrise every day. The home was very nice! We had a few needs from the owner--but everything was taken care of quickly.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021