By Kellilynn Hann
In the past, luxurious travel conjured images of yachts and caviar, bathroom chandeliers, staff catering to every whim, and gold-leaf everything. In a word: excess.
However, the idea of luxury travel has evolved. Brian Chesky, Co-Founder and CEO of Airbnb, said vacationers are looking for a more holistic experience. “Today’s luxury traveler is craving more than just high-end accommodations; they seek transformation and experiences that leave them feeling more connected to each other and to their destination.”
Carrie McDougal, President of tour company Cultural Crossroads, echoed this sentiment. “Travelers looking for a luxury trip want their dreams to become reality. They look for something unique, above their expectations… This includes exclusivity, privacy, and everything from relaxation to adventure.”
These changing expectations means new challenges for the vacation home rental industry. A luxury vacation home needs to be more than high-end sleeping quarters. It must offer something extra — a home theater, amazing location, gourmet kitchen, concierge service — luxury travelers expect where they stay to add to the joy of the trip, to enhance their entire travel experience.
We sorted through thousands of luxury vacation homes across Florida to bring you a selection suitable for the discerning traveler who wants (and deserves) to experience the best the Sunshine State has to offer.
NORTHEAST FLORIDA
The beach is calling… and here’s your answer. Soak in the rooftop hot tub while admiring the ocean view in this modern 6-bedroom home, enjoy sand and sea vistas from all five bedrooms in this Fernandina Beach Home, or bring the whole family to this Ponte Vedra mini-mansion with elegant columned porch overlooking the beach.
Rather be in the heart of Jacksonville’s famously vibrant city scene? Try this opulent 5400 square-foot villa, this charming home in the historic Riverside area, or this Italian-style getaway with dreamy lighted pool.
If golf is your game, you’ll drool over this 8,300 square foot estate that backs up to the fairway of the famed TPC Sawgrass golf course.
Experiences: Jacksonville draws thousands of sports fans every year—now it’s your turn to play. Throw a tailgate party without lifting a finger through Gameday Tailgate Experience, or create a custom golf package.
Driftaway and Waterfront Paradise on Anastasia Island sit along the Intracoastal waterway, giving you a close-to-everything location and incredible scenery. Both homes have a private boat dock and pool.
These properties offer the ultimate vacation luxury— your own sandy path to the beach. Try Chautauqua, a beautifully restored 1926 bungalow, Dune Walk, or this Oceanfront Premiere home with concierge service and pass to the Marsh Creek Country Club.
Experiences: St. Augustine is the nation’s oldest city, which means plenty of interesting historical sites. Create a customized experience through St. Augustine Gold Tours, or get a double-dose of history by flying over the sights in an open-cockpit vintage biplane. To experience luxury on the water, charter a sailboat from St. Augustine Sailing or spend the day on a schooner.
CENTRAL FLORIDA
The proximity to incredible theme parks means there’s no shortage of jaw-dropping vacation homes. Magical Vacation Homes alone has over 400 vacation homes available for rent in the area— their luxury Elite Series includes stunners like Reunion Castle, Magical Mansion, and Grand Traverse Manor.
Isole Villas is ideal for large groups looking to be pampered— you’ll be greeted with champagne, have an on-site spa and gym, theater, game room, saltwater pool, commercial kitchen, dining hall that seats 40, basketball court and concierge service.
Airbnb has given their coveted Luxe ranking to several rentals near the theme parks, including Golden Bear, Muirfield London, Villa Belle, and Reunion Heights.
Villatel not only offers incredible themed homes you’ll never want to leave, they make your stay extra fun by bringing entertainment right to you. Schedule in-home concerts, magicians, cooking classes, costume parties, art classes and much more— and capture it all with a professional photographer.
Experiences: Did you know Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World offer VIP experiences? Plan your dream trip, get the best seating at shows, skip lines for rides, and enjoy behind-the-scenes access not included in regular ticket prices.
The large villas and rental homes common to coastal tourist areas are hard to come by here, but Gainesville has no shortage of smaller, outstanding vacation rentals. Three-bedroom homes include this Gainesville Gem near the university, this Modern Smart Home with a heated saltwater pool, and this centrally located home in the exclusive Hampton Heights area.
Experiences: To relax and recharge, spend the day at Spa Royale, enjoy local farm-to-table dining at Mildred’s Big City Food, then finish off the evening at Blackadder Brewing Company (which has over 30 homebrew awards). If you love drag racing opt for a VIP skybox at the Gainesville Raceway.
EAST COAST OF FLORIDA
Loblolly on Merritt Island is a peaceful retreat where you can watch dolphins, sip drinks under stately oaks, and go kayaking right from the yard. Other family-friendly properties near Cocoa Beach are SailAway, Blue Horizon, and Cocoa Sands, a six-bedroom home with private beach access.
Experiences: If you’re on the Space Coast, you must stop at Kennedy Space Center. Get a VIP view of a launch, dare to train like an astronaut, then dine with one. Also, don’t miss local favorites Ron Jon Surf Shop and Florida Key Lime Pie Company.
Having welcomed over 10 million visitors in 2018 alone, the Daytona Beach is clearly a desirable destination. Stay at Amarula Estates, an expansive 11-acre retreat that gives you privacy while being close to everything. You could also book this gated villa on the beach.
Experiences: Volusia county allows bonfires on the beach, so reserve a spot and make it a magical night. If you’re a Daytona 500 fan, you’ll want to drive a NASCAR Race car around the all by yourself or as a passenger.
In Fort Pierce, you can’t go wrong this seven-bedroom estate with the beach on one side and the Intracoastal on the other.
For a truly one-of-a-kind experience, rent the Mansion Yacht— a, 9,000 square foot yacht-inspired home on stilts in the water.
In Jupiter, renting the Waterway House means you can admire the turquoise waters of the inlet and the ocean, while this sleek Singer Island home offers a chef’s kitchen and grand piano.
Experiences: If you love golf, Jupiter is the place for you. There are many courses, including the scenic Abacoa Golf Club course designed by Joe Lee and Johnathan’s Landing Golf Club with a course by Tom Fazio. If relaxing is more your speed, enjoy an amazing spa package from Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA
White sand beaches and clear water make Pensacola a magnet for vacationers, and rental homes here have a “wow” factor to match. Ensenada Cinco has vaulted ceilings and windows framing uninterrupted beach views, Camelot in Destin has a private pool and seasonal beach service. Smaller (but no less amazing) four-bedroom beachfront homes include Aqua Sound in Destin and El Cielo Azul, a Mediterranean-style charmer on Dune Allen Beach.
Experiences: Pensacola is the official home of the world-famous Blue Angels. Shows are in July and November; you can watch practices starting in March. Other trip treasures: charter a private yacht, tour Navarre Beach in a Scoot Coupe, sample local citrus wine, and test your skill on the Nicklaus Course at Bay Point Golf Club.
For a taste of country life, try Magnolia Manor, which is surrounded by ancient oaks and has an indoor pool. To be near midtown, try The Gathering at Magnolia Hill, or this luxury home that offers concierge service.
Experiences: District 850 is the ultimate entertainment destination— dine, be a virtual reality robot, enjoy some axe throwing, try an escape room— all in one place for the luxury of maximum fun with minimum hassle. Tallahassee also has dozens of bars and nightclubs, including these swanky rooftop bars.
