6 cool places to pick the right Florida house
Tucked between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida has long since attracted a sun-loving crowd. It’s a state that’s famed for its theme parks, though there’s plenty more on the menu – powder-soft beaches, rustling mangrove forests, artist colonies and historic European settlements just a few of the highlights in store. Florida vacation rentals are the perfect place to call home, no matter whether you’re travelling with family, friends or the other half. But where to stay? From Destin to Daytona Beach, dive in to discover our top picks for the best places to stay in Florida holiday homes.
1. Vacation homes in Orlando
Orlando vacation rentals are among the most popular of Central Florida vacation rentals, thanks largely to their proximity to the whimsical world of Disney. Theme parks aside, Orlando makes for one of the state’s most diverse holiday destinations. From arts and culture to nightlife and entertainment, epic experiences are around every corner. There’s a bucket load of retail therapy on offer too, not least along buzzy International Drive and at Central Florida’s largest shopping centre, the Florida Mall. Start your search for Orlando holiday homes in the popular neighbourhoods of Lake Buena Vista and Kissimmee.
2. Miami holiday rentals
Nestled at Florida’s south-eastern tip, Miami is known the world over for its Latin American vibe – perhaps best experienced in the smoky cigar shops and open-air cafés of Little Havana. For culture of a different flavour, look for Florida condo rentals in the Design District north of downtown, where a well-heeled crowd enjoy luxury shopping, public art and celebrity-chef restaurants. Just want to hit the beach? In Miami, that means South Beach: its art deco architecture serving up a backdrop recognised the world over.
3. Destin vacation rentals
A top pick in the Florida Panhandle, Destin is famed for its stunning white-sand beaches and green-hued waters. It’s a city that’s home to some of the best shopping and dining on the Emerald Coast, world-famous fishing and a medley of Florida vacation rentals with private pools. For fun-loving families, Florida rentals in Destin offer easy access to a host of memorable experiences – climbing the dunes at Henderson Beach State Park and roaring down the slides at Big Kahuna’s water park just a small taster of what’s on offer.
4. Saint Augustine holiday homes
The perfect pick for culture vultures, Florida’s north-eastern city of Saint Augustine lays claim to being America’s oldest city. The city’s brick-lined streets are filled to bursting with fabulous Spanish architecture, not least the 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos and Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth. Elsewhere, you’ll find world-class art galleries, boutique shopping and a distinct European flavour. Smart family homes and swish apartments are among the most popular accommodation options here, while the neighbouring city of St. Augustine Beach is the perfect place to hunt for cheap beachfront rentals in Florida.
5. Holiday rentals in Daytona Beach
Holiday homes in Daytona Beach are the ideal choice of accommodation along Florida’s Atlantic Coast – these properties on the doorstep of all manner of high-octane fun. For race fans, highlights include Daytona International Speedway – the 500-acre “World Centre of Racing” and host of the Daytona 500. A little culture comes courtesy of the historic Daytona Beach Pier and the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts and Science, while for families, the appeal of Daytona Beach rentals lies firmly in the Boardwalk amusement area and the Daytona Lagoon water park.
6. Fort Myers vacation homes
As Florida holiday destinations go, Fort Myers is arguably a must-visit. Set along the Caloosahatchee River north-east of Cape Coral, the city’s revamped waterfront boasts an impressive line-up of shops, galleries, restaurants and nightclubs – other must-see attractions along the river including Burroughs Home and Gardens and the plush winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. For beach lovers, Florida holiday rentals in Fort Myers are a stone’s throw from the sweeping white-sand beaches of Cayo Costa and Sanibel.