The 10 Best Airbnbs In Florida

2022-09-25 13:52:54 By : Ms. winnie yu

When it comes to selecting a vacation destination in the U.S., Florida—where a beach and warm blue water— is nearly always within easy reach given its more than 1,300 miles of coastline should be at the top of the list. Whether your dream vacation consists of laid-back lounging by the beach or a stylish city vacation with professional sports games, museums and boutique shopping, Florida has a destination for you. Travelers can also get immersed easily in nature with wildlife watching at state parks and national wildlife refuges and many manicured golf courses peppering the state from Tallahassee to Naples.

Whether you want to do a little bit of everything or a whole lot of nothing, an Airbnb rental can make an excellent home base while visiting the Sunshine State. Travelers who choose Airbnbs are treated to privacy, more space than a standard hotel room and the chance to feel like a Floridian. There are intimate options just right for couples, large rentals ideal for families and stylish rentals at various price points come with private swimming pools. Here are the 10 best Airbnbs in Florida.

Villa Limon is a dreamy escape in the heart of Miami.

This contemporary villa near both the Design District and downtown Miami has all the perks of a luxury hotel, in addition to plenty of space and indoor-outdoor living. Relax with a good book on one of the sun loungers by the heated pool or enjoy a meal on the patio prepared on the natural gas grill in the outdoor kitchen. After a morning workout in the home gym, head off to explore the city’s many shops, art galleries and restaurants.

An expansive living room, multiple dining areas and airy family room provide plenty of space for gathering, while the fully equipped kitchen features all the comforts of home and then some. Five of the six bedrooms include en-suite baths with standalone showers, and the entire home—which is part of the Airbnb Luxe collection of properties—looks like something straight out of a design magazine. Optional add-on services include a private chef, butler and driver.

The Modern Waterfront Villa is on a Fort Lauderdale Canal.

Located on a canal with features like marble floors, sleek cabinetry and spa-like bathrooms, this luxurious five-bedroom home is a fine choice for large families and group trips. Four of the bedrooms have king-sized beds and a fifth bedroom has twin bunk beds. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom ensuring everyone can retreat to their own private sanctuary at the end of the day, but the home offers plenty of opportunities to gather together, whether everyone wants to splash around in the heated pool and salt water hot tub, hit some balls on the putting green, catch the game on one of the outdoor televisions or gather in the two formal dining areas for a meal prepared in the gourmet kitchen.

Opportunities for outdoor living are plentiful here, like the second-floor balconies outside some of the bedrooms and the covered ground-level terrace with areas for dining and lounging. An Airbnb Luxe property, a “trip designer” can help guests add on everything from spa services to a driver after booking.

It doesn't get more "beachy" than this cottage on Amelia Island.

Done up in classic beach cottage style (think wood-paneled walls and ceilings, weathered white furnishings and plenty of tasteful shell and sailboat decor), this rental in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island near Jacksonville is at one with its surroundings. Amelia Island is famous for it wide open and uncrowded stretch of sand and gently crashing waves, and the back porch practically juts out onto the beach. Three bedrooms offer soothing spots for sleep and ocean views, while the spacious main bath has a dual vanity and separate water closet. There’s also an outdoor shower for a post-beach rinse, and taking an afternoon nap on the lower deck hammock while listening to the ocean is worth the booking alone.

The home is close to downtown Fernandina Beach, where restaurants and shops in historic buildings line the streets and boat tours leave from the Fernandina Harbor Marina. Nearby Fort Clinch State Park is a must-visit for history buffs and nature lovers.

A bedroom with a queen bed at Island Charm Cottage in Key West.

If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in a conch cottage, the small rectangular wooden houses typically built on posts that are synonymous with Key West, this rental is for you. The three-bedroom and three and a half bath home has original Dade County pine wooden walls and high ceilings, but an open floor plan and modern décor thanks to a recent renovation. Located at the quieter end of Duval Street guests get the benefit of being close to shops, bars and restaurants but away from the late night noise. The backyard—equipped with a small pool, lounge chairs and a covered outdoor living room with comfortable couches and a television—is a subtropical sanctuary. The indoor main living space with high ceilings and sliding glass doors is just as comfortable.

Each bedroom has its charms, including ensuite bathrooms with tiled walk-in showers and luxurious linens, but the back bedroom with a king size bed and a door to the pool and garden is poised perfectly for a late night dip in the pool before drifting into dreamland.

This modern A-frame is across the street from the Sarasota Art Museum.

Sarasota, a city an hour south of Tampa, has fine cultural institutions like the Ringling Museum of Art showcasing the work of old masters and modernists, so it’s not surprising that it has interesting architecture as well. This renovated A-frame home—just across the street from the Sarasota Art Museum—boasts light-filled living spaces done up in sleek, mid-century modern style. The pet-friendly rental has three comfortable bedrooms accented with skylights, a dedicated office space for keeping up with work along with a side garden and back deck. Guests can hide out with a good book in the loft reading nook or cook up a gourmet meal using the Bosch appliances in the contemporary kitchen.

Architecture and art enthusiasts should take a stroll around the neighborhood to indulge in some fantasy house hunting, or walk over to the museum, which displays contemporary works in conjunction with Ringling College of Art + Design. The home also serves as a good jumping off point for checking out the restaurants, boutiques and art galleries in downtown Sarasota and on island shopping and dining hub St. Armands Circle.

Tasteful tropical prints set the tone at the Vibrant Poolside Paradise in West Palm Beach.

Bright colors and tropical prints set the scene at this pet-friendly, two-bedroom getaway in West Palm Beach, just a few minutes from glitzy Palm Beach. Palm Beach is known for its antique-filled gilded era mansions, upscale boutiques, art galleries and sandy beaches—this rental’s retro-meets-modern beach decor will help guests get in the spirit. The whimsical Vibrant Poolside Paradise airbnb has a living room with a garage door that opens onto a terrace, a sunny yellow kitchen and plenty of outdoor space for alfresco fun. Take a swim in the heated saltwater pool, then head to the poolside cabana for a reading session or quick nap. Guests can use the grill to cook steaks or fresh fish for a meal in the outdoor dining area or head out to explore the many restaurants in downtown West Palm Beach a few blocks away.

The Haven Tiny House has two bedrooms with king size beds.

The Haven Tiny House cottage was built in the early 1900s, and a renovation kept all the historic charm while adding crisp white walls and colorful art. The cozy clean-lined house is an ideal setting for a romantic escape or a trip for two couples. The two bedrooms each have king size beds and open up to an intimate outdoor soaking pool and lounge area, and the stylish kitchen has everything guests need to cook up a gourmet meal for two or four.

On Florida’s northeast coast, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the contiguous United States, and there much to see with its Spanish colonial architecture and Spanish fortress dating back to the 17th-century. The home is walking distance to St. Augustine’s Historic District, where visitors can visit the historic sites and museums or enjoy a romantic dinner. The Airbnb’s pretty front porch is an ideal place to begin or end your busy day with a cocktail or cup of coffee.

The large second floor bedroom has 700 sqaure feet of open design.

A ferry from nearby Pine Island brings guests to North Captiva, where a golf cart is the preferred mode of transportation This half-acre property surrounded by lush vegetation and removed from neighboring homes includes a main house and guest cottage for a private escape. The interiors have a warm, beachy vibe, while the windows and decks look out onto the Gulf of Mexico and its beautiful sunsets.

Guests enjoy an easy stroll to the beach for swimming and shelling, and renters get access to the North Captiva Island Club, which includes tennis courts, two pools, a restaurant and bar. There are also fishing and hiking options on the island. Dogs up to 25 pounds are allowed.

This eight-bedroom home has a swimming pool and a Micky Mouse-themed putting green.

Yes, this eight-bedroom home just south of Orlando in Kissimmee is a short 15-minute drive from all the magical fun at the Walt Disney World Resort complex and Universal Orlando Resorts, but the family-friendly attributes don’t stop there. The entire house has been designed as an homage to the world of Disney—something that may enthrall kids and parents alike. Young guests can choose a bedroom inspired by Toy Story, Frozen, or Mickey Mouse, then challenge each other to foosball in the superhero-themed game room. Adults can relax in spaces with soothing neutral color schemes and modern decor, on the covered lanai or around the backyard fire pit.

The whole family can gather for movie night in the home theater, a Star Wars-inspired area that takes you to a galaxy far, far away, then make a splash in the pool and hot tub and practice their golf game on the putting green. Guests also have access to the amenities at Encore Resort at Reunion, which include a fitness center and water park. Kissimmee Waterfront Park has walking paths, playgrounds and a fishing pier.

Jungalow Beach is surrounded by tropical paradise.

Avid Instagrammers will be in heaven at this photogenic coral-colored three-story home with its boho-meets-tropical style and poolside tiki bar. There are lots of screened and open-air outdoor spaces for enjoying the beach breezes or soaking up the sun, plus a large, L-shaped heated pool and outdoor restroom with a shower.

The three-bedroom house is a short walk from the beach and comes equipped with beach chairs, an umbrella and two kayaks, plus a cart to help you get everything down to the beach. It’s also close to all the shops and restaurants on Pine Avenue, but you may be happy to just stay put and soak in the home’s getaway vibe. If you do need to squeeze in a little work during your vacation, there’s a dedicated workspace.

I have been a professional writer for more than 25 years covering a range of topics including travel, business, real estate and home decorating. My travel stories have appeared in publications and on websites such as USA Today, FamilyVacationist, Smarter Travel, Tripadvisor, Times of the Islands and Gulf + Main. My work has also appeared in Washington Post’s Express and Florida Trend. I have lived in the Sunshine State for almost two decades and have written about it extensively, from tips and advice on visiting Walt Disney World to where to stay for a romantic getaway or fun family trip. I’m always looking for new places to discover in Florida with my husband and teenage daughter.