OceanView Greatroom. To recreate the feel of a true beach house we wanted real 'Heart of Pine' floors. Here you cannot go new. You have to go old. They don’t sell the good stuff anymore. We found a mill in Georgia and had the floors made for us out of 100 yr old timbers from a building out of Nashville, TN (only 50 miles from where I grew up in Shelbyville, Walking Horse Capital of the World). Then we added a huge side picture window to enhance the view and two sets of French Doors opening out to a Covered Oceanfront Balcony with amazing Ocean Views, Breezes and Sounds. For your entertainment we added a wall mounted Big Screen TV with Comcast and Wireless Internet. Even a Streaming Video box for You Tube and Netflix (if you have an account). You can even view the family photos together on the big screen. Plus share hours of fun playing games on the large Dining Table. We provide several but I recommend Rummikub. It is our family favorite and can be played from 8 to 88. It is a game you actually have to think and I hope it will become a tradition in your family too and make you think or your stay in St Augustine. There a are 2 bedrooms downstairs with private baths but if you need more space the leather sofa folds out into a very comfortable Queen Sleeper with access to a Full Bath by the Kitchen .
Gourmet Kitchen. We had the kitchen custom made. Lots of glass doors so you could find things, even bead board inside to give it that “Beachy” look. And “white granite” counters. It is in all the magazines, so I had to have it, but can't tell you how hard it was to find. The stainless appliances feature the new French door refrigerator. a convection Smooth Top Stove with 2 ovens so you can cook 'two things at once' & the quietest dishwasher I have ever heard. It is fully equipped with Pottery Barn dishes and glasses and all the pot, pans and utensils you'll need to create a gourmet meal. You will enjoy cooking so much and you may save enough money to stay another night! We hope so.
Two Bedrooms with Private Baths. The Bedrooms are both downstairs. Here we used a cool, soft grey marble. The most beautiful stone I've ever seen. I had the beds custom built with Reading Sconces on each side for those who love reading in bed. There are Pottery Barn Curtains and French Doors leading out to an ocean-side paver patio with Table for morning coffee or 'more games'. Both have 42” wall mounted TVs and wireless internet.
Private Baths. Both bedrooms have new, private bathrooms. One with a large 6’ shower and 2 shower heads. The other with dramatically lit 'Jetted' Garden Tub and separate “Rainhead” Shower.
Outside. In back is a huge paver patio with BQ, dining table and chairs. It is a combo grill for both gas or charcoal since we did not know which you would prefer. Also an outdoor shower with hot and cold water when returning from the beach. Chairs and Boodie Boards provided as well as both Bath and Beach towels. There is a shared Laundry. Parking for 2 cars.
Remember, if you need more space, or less, there are 4 Cottages in all:
COTTAGE #1 has 6 Bedrooms + 3 Sleeper Sofas & 5 Baths (Seeps 6-19)
COTTAGE #2 (Described here) has 2 Bedrooms + 1 Sleeper Sofas & 2 Baths (Seeps 4-6)
COTTAGE #3 is a 2 Bedroom +1 Sleeper Sofa & 2 Baths (Sleeps 4-6)
COTTAGE #4 is a 1 Bedroom +1 Sleeper Sofa & 1.5 Bath Sleeps 2-4)
Total is 35.
Now to the Beach and why I call it the 'Best Beach'. You need to do your research here. There is a tremendous difference in the beaches and only 18 streets of what most people agree is the Best section of Beach where we are located. Why? I have 5 reasons...
BEST BEACH. There are 4 distinct Beaches in St Augustine. Be sure and find out “where” your beach house is located before you book.
First is the SAND. The sand is like powder, not coarse ground up shells like Vilano to the northo. This is the white powder you are looking for. Great for drip castles!
Second, at OCEAN IS RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR STEP. There is no long raised boardwalk like further south along Atlantic View with a 5 minute walk across the dunes to navigate with the cooler & chairs before you ever get to the water. Here the ocean and the VIEW is steps from your door. Be careful. There are some “beachfront” homes that are so “far from the beach” because of the sand dunes that you can hardly “see” the ocean.
Third, there are NO CARS. This is a major distinction. Everything south of A Street has Cars. Imagine trying to play paddle ball or throwing football with cars continually passing by & having to be on constant baby alert. Not while you are on vacation!
Fourth, the beach is WIDE with GREAT WAVES - Some beaches in Vilano to the north are narrow & steep, some even with rocks. The slope of the beach affects the waves. They break so close in you can't boogey board. The locals consider this the BEST SURFING around. There's a friendly Surf shop with lessons & rentals right down the street on 1st Lane if you have some adventurous ones. The rest will have plenty of fun with the boogey boards provided by Seaside Cottages free of charge.
Last, the beach is within WALKING DISTANCE of loads of activities and restaurants. Many beaches both north and south are so isolated you have a long drive to get to anything. Not here. It is so nice to be able to walk over to a restaurant for breakfast or send the kids out for Ice Cream Cones. There is a park nearby with Tennis and a YMCA for swimming or workout. Even a funky BQ restaurant with live music where you can have a drink and watch your little ones play in the POOL. But better yet is the Pier. Located within walking distance they have a new Spash Pool the kids will love plus Beach Volleyball courts, pier fishing, a Farmers Market and Free Live Music Concerts. How wonderful is that?
So…… Please call if I can answer any questions day or night or visit my website with photos of every room and check out my You Tube Video.
I hope you will enjoy your stay and come to think of this as YOUR Home at the Beach.?
At your service,
Linda
