E Florida`s Most Unique Accommodations

Family FEATURE
Florida’s Most Unique
Accommodations
By Nancy DeVault
W
ant to create long-lasting vacation memories? Make your
family’s next trip unforgettable by staying at one of these
unique rental properties!
Island Retreat
Rent your own private island off
Marathon in the Florida Keys! Situated on
Pretty Joe Rock, officially named Sea Shell
Key, sits a two bedroom, two bathroom,
air-conditioned conch house with bamboo
and rattan furniture, cathedral ceilings
with exposed beams, and wood and tile flooring. The master suite boasts
a sunken Jacuzzi tub and walk-in double shower with ocean views. French
doors lead from the great room to a screened porch and covered deck –
ideal for watching the sunrise or sunset.
This remote tropical experience offers modern conveniences with a full
kitchen, electricity, water, fish cleaning station, and docking slip for the
included 17-foot center console motorboat. The house is surrounded by
landscaped boardwalks and an ancient exposed reef of native vegetation,
such as black mangroves, sea grapes, and pitch apples, which attract a
variety of migrating birds. Your family may be greeted by the dolphins,
manatees, and fish that swim in the surrounding crystal clear, warm waters.
Book a weeklong stay on Pretty Joe Rock for $3,995. Or explore other
private island properties off Marathon, ranging from $2,995 to $13,800 for
two to three bedroom homes, at RentMyIsland.com.
Luxurious Lighthouse
Built as a replica in 1983 of the famous Thomas Point Lighthouse
on the Chesapeake Bay, “Katie’s Light” is a distinctive three bedroom,
oceanfront rental on Amelia Island with a deck that extends over the
beach and wraps 360-degrees around the house. With a love for sailing
and nautical culture, property owners David and Susan Caples named
Includes complimentary Wi-Fi, beach chairs, and traditional upscale
amenities. Price: $500 per night or $3,330 per week (March 1 – September
2); $400 per night or $2,664 per week (September 3 – February 28); and
monthly rates available upon request. Visit KatiesLight.com.
Swamp Bungalow
Located in the heart of the Everglades, Big Cypress Gallery is the nature
sanctuary, art gallery, and home to photographer Clyde Butcher (known as
the Ansel Adams of the Everglades) and his wife. Visitors seeking a change
of pace can find shelter at two onsite houses – the swamp cottage and
bungalow – nestled on thirteen lush subtropical acres.
The spacious two-bedroom cottage overlooks a large pond. The master
bedroom has a king bed and private bath, while the second bedroom has
a queen bed with a hall bathroom. The one-bedroom bungalow contains
a king bed and full bathroom. Amenities for both houses include an
additional sleeper sofa, screened-in veranda, full kitchen, and great views.
Summer rates range $225-$295 per night.
While you’re there, take a 1.5
hour exploration walking tour led by a
knowledgeable guide through the Big
Cypress National Preserve. Warning:
You will get wet (and the kids will love
it)… depending on the water level, you
might end up waist to chest deep in the
swamp so bring a change of clothes!
Weekend tours are $50 per adult and $35 per child under 16. Visit
ClydeButchersBigCypressGallery.com.
Treehouse Turf
A yurt – an indigenous Mongolian dwelling comparable to an Indian
teepee – sits on the edge of a deep quarry along the Santa Fe River, located
northwest of Gainesville. Arrive to the treehouse – built
in 2004 by Patrick McKann, a biologist and carpenter
– via car, hiking trail, or river vessel (boat, canoe,
hydrobike, or kayak).
The downstairs 16x16 platform holds a propane
stove, cooking gear, chairs, table, cooler, fresh water, sun
shower, and outhouse with composting toilet. Campfire,
using dead wood from the grounds, is permitted. Climb
the stairs to find 14-ft. floor-to-ceiling screens and
umbrella top that protect adventurists from insects and rain, while granting
a tranquil space outfitted with a queen mattress, four foam sleeping mats,
and blankets. A translucent dome covering the circular rooftop emits
moonlight and shadows of the owls or hawks flying above.
their unique home after their eldest
daughter whom they raised at the
lighthouse.
The whimsical structure features
a large kitchen, dining room, and
entertainment area on the first level. Take the spiral staircase up to the
second floor bedchambers and, back on the first floor, find an additional
slumber space (to sleep 1 adult or 2 children) in the Captain’s Quarter (a
handcrafted reproduction of a Captain’s bed).
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ORLANDO FAMILY MAGAZINE
MAY 2015
Enjoy the wildlife refuge as you watch deer dash, turkey scurry, and
gopher tortoises dig. Roam paths along the river to the Sunshine Spring
or the Black Pool. Rental includes two complimentary hydrobikes (bicycle
straddling kayak-like pontoons) and two wide-tire bikes. Be sure to pack
traditional camp gear, such as bug spray, groceries, ice, and lanterns.
Rental is ideal for families comprised of two adults and up to four
children or four adults. Price: $115 minimum (2 campers) for single night