Kick back and enjoy the awesome views of Siesta Key for your next Sunshine State getaway. (Airbnb/)
Now more than ever, Florida is on the top of most American’s travel lists. With 1,350 miles of coastline and more than 4,500 islands, the Sunshine State has plenty of real estate for those seeking salt and sand—all reachable by road trip or domestic flight.
Here are our top Airbnb picks across the state, from the Siesta Key to the Panhandle.
Right on the Beach—Siesta Key
You can’t beat the location—and the beachside view—of this dog-friendly four-bedroom home on Siesta Key, a white-sand destination 90 minutes south of Tampa. Like many seaside rentals, this property is two stories, with multiple balconies, giving your group the chance to spread out and take in the sunsets at this west-facing spot.
The home also comes with free use of beach chairs and bicycles, making it a great choice for travelers who are flying in and want to go carless.
Casablanca House—Captiva Island
Beach, pool, hot tub—why choose when you can enjoy them all? (Airbnb/)
Hidden by towering palm trees, this four-bedroom house on Captiva Island is a tropical oasis set on one of the most picturesque islands in Florida. Just offshore of Fort Myers, Captiva charms with its white beaches and warm, calm Gulf of Mexico waters that, together, rival the Caribbean—and it’s all reachable by car.
As for the Casablanca House, we’re taken by the private outdoor pool and hot tub surrounded by tropical landscaping, as well as the outdoor living and dining areas that make you feel like you’ve rented out an entire resort just for you and yours.
Pink Paradise—St. Augustine
The second-floor lounge view will keep your social media feeds stocked with fantastic vacation photos. (Airbnb/)
Everything about this oceanfront A-frame in St. Augustine, just 70-some miles south of the Florida-Georgia border, screams fun. With a bright pink exterior, this four-bedroom getaway sits right past the crest of the dunes and steps from the Atlantic.
The whole theme is pink, from the Adirondack chairs circling the dune-side fire pit to the bar stools and dining room chairs in the airy, open-floor-plan main living space. The house is full of art and thoughtful touches that make it seem more like you’re getting away to a favorite stylist friend’s retreat.
Time in a Bottle—Santa Rosa Beach
The compound sleeps up to 15 people and is located right in the heart of this beautiful area. (Airbnb/)
Set just opposite the Gulf of Mexico on the other side of famous State Road 30A—the main road threading through Santa Rosa and a handful of hip beach towns on the Florida Panhandle—this seven-bedroom compound is a standout choice for that next family vacation or friend trip.
The interior is decked out in the white-and-neutrals palette you’d expect for Santa Rosa, and the home has its own private pool perfect for lounging on an inflatable. We love the second-story deck where you can take your morning coffee or early evening cocktail and soak in the view of the turquoise shallows of the Gulf.
Chic Biscayne Getaway—Miami
The resort-like pool will have renters feeling the biggest VIPs in town. (Airbnb/)
Chic and minimalist, this three-bedroom in the Biscayne area of greater Miami won us over with its 20×10 heated pool, as well as the hot tub and shaded two-person poolside hammock beds. You’ll want to devote ample time to the backyard where mature landscaping keeps this hideaway feeling private.
Inside, the white interior with pops of color feels fresh. We like that the owners cater to a Miami traveler’s needs, offering room-darkening shades and walk-in closets. The location, just 12 minutes from Wynwood Walls and eight minutes from the Miami Design District, is also a highlight.
The Lazy River Mansion—Orlando
Seriously, all you need to know is that the pool has a lazy river. (Airbnb/)
If you’re more of a pool person than a beach bunny, there’s no better spot than this 14-bedroom home just outside Orlando—with its own lazy river. Float along the separated perimeter of the pool, try the slide then sip a cocktail atop one of the submerged stools.
The home also has its own two-lane bowling alley, as well as a pinball arcade, basketball court, in-home cinema, pool table and poker table, so staying in for a bachelor party or other event is easy. There’s also a sauna, steam room and hot tub, so you and yours can have a spa day without going anywhere.
The Water’s Edge—Fort Pierce
For the solo beach bum or a quick romantic escape, this place will do the trick. (Airbnb/)
Everyone wants to stay right on the beach, and this one-bedroom guest house in Fort Pierce offers that instant access, along with the privacy that comes with sharing a border with Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. The spot feels utterly remote and secluded—and the waves happen to be perfect for surfing when conditions allow.
As for the home itself, the interior décor pops with color, but again, it’s the exterior that beckons, from the hammock to the pool large enough for lap swimming.
Loggerhead Home—Anna Maria Island
Hop in the golf cart and tour the popular island before returning to your own tropical pool. (Airbnb/)
This two-bedroom home with a pool is a great fit for families, but you don’t have to have kids to appreciate the golf cart and bicycles that come with the rental. If you’re not out cruising the island, you’ll be out back where palm trees and tropical landscaping surround the pool, patio and tiki bar. Play bartender, then enjoy a round of ping-pong, cornhole or Kan-jam, all included.
The big draw is the location—just two blocks from the beach of Anna Maria, the barrier island that’s an hour’s drive south of Tampa—but many folks simply stay put at this resort-like tropical sanctuary.
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