Waves 19 is an easy five-minute stroll from the beach and the Gulf of Mexico. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo isn’t part of some giant development, however. The entire gated complex has only 20 units. That means you won’t have to battle crowds to enjoy a swim in the heated pool, nor will you have to fight over the chaises on the poolside patio. At times you and your family might be the only ones relaxing among the leafy palm trees or playing Marco Polo in the pool. You might not even have to wait your turn to play air hockey in the complex’s game room. What’s more, the Waves complex has an outdoor grill. If you reel in any flounder or trout while on a fishing charter, you can barbecue it right here; the salt-laced breeze is the perfect seasoning.
As for Waves 19 itself, the two-bedroom, two-bathroom corner unit is located on the second floor. The master bedroom includes a luxurious California king bed, the other two twin beds. Both rooms feature a flat-screen TV and a ceiling fan to help lull you to sleep on evenings when it’s not quite warm enough for air-conditioning. Even better, there’s a full bathroom for each bedroom: You won’t have to wait on line for your turn to take a shower. Though the bedrooms offer plenty of storage—there’s even a huge walk-in closet—you can pack light if you prefer: Waves 19 has its own private washer and dryer.
The open-plan great room is spacious enough to accommodate 2 sitting areas, each with its own plush couches. The kids can watch a movie on the 50” flat-screen TV in one area while the adults chat over cocktails in the other. This layout really comes in handy if you have additional overnight guests, as one of the sofas opens into a queen-size bed, enabling Waves 19 to sleep six people in total.
You can set up your laptop at the living area’s desk, unless you’d prefer to take advantage of the free WiFi while perched at Waves 19’s breakfast bar. Three people can sit at the counter for a snack or to help with food prep. The kitchen, on the other side of the breakfast bar, is fully equipped with appliances, cookware, and tableware. There’s even a dishwasher, because nobody wants to scrub plates when the beach is just a hop, skip, and jump away. The dining table, which seats four with room to spare, is large enough for you to spread out a 1,000-piece puzzle or gather around for a game of Monopoly.
Then again, you might not be spending much time indoors. Just a few blocks from Waves 19 is Upham Beach. A favorite spot of dolphins, it’s notable for its pristine white sand and a rock jetty almost tailor-made for watching the fiery sunsets over the gulf. When you’re not swimming, canoeing, kayaking, parasailing, paddleboarding, racing jet skis, or collecting seashells, you can enjoy lunch or a snack at the Seaside Grill—it’s right along the beach.
If you tire of sand and surf (difficult to imagine, we know!), you can walk to Corey Avenue in less than ten minutes from Waves 19. Lined with galleries, boutiques, and eateries, it also hosts a Sunday open-air market with live music and other events. Or you can head to St. Petersburg; the Dalí Museum, the Chihuly Collection, the Sunken Gardens, and Weedon Island Preserve are among the attractions within a half-hour’s drive.
Waves 19 has a one-week minimum stay, but once you’re here you’ll never want to leave. Make your reservation today, and start planning how you’ll be spending your time in the sun.