Entire home

Private Pool Cottage–Tropical Garden, Firepit, Fast WiFi, Family & Pet-Friendly

Photo gallery for Private Pool Cottage–Tropical Garden, Firepit, Fast WiFi, Family & Pet-Friendly

Emerse yourself in a breathtaking relaxing tropical garden. It will cleanse your soul.
The living room and the kitchen are in the center in the cottage. The couch pulls out into a comfy 3rd bed.
You'll sleep so well on the king bed in the Patio bedroom. Even though your 15 minutes from everything in Miami, it's a quiet place to decompress.
Gather around our gas fire pit and swap stories of your Miami adventures. You can even book a S'mores package on your Guest Portal.
Beaches are what we're famous for, and we're happy to let you know our favorite!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6656.6 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pool

Explore the area

View in a map
El Portal, FL
  • Barry University
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • MiMo Biscayne Boulevard Historic District
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Miami Design Shopping District
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Miami, FL (MIA-Miami Intl.)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Common spaces

1 Double Sofa Bed

Garden Bedroom

1 King Bed

Patio Bedroom

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Cottage Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Private Pool Cottage–Tropical Garden, Firepit, Fast WiFi, Family & Pet-Friendly

Breathe deep—you’ve arrived somewhere different.
Out here, fruit trees outnumber streetlights. The garden hums with quiet life, and the air carries a warmth you don’t just feel—you exhale into it.

There’s a hammock in the shade, a clawfoot tub behind the door, and just enough space between you and the world to finally slow down.

Before booking: Please review our house rules, complete our guest verification, and sign our short-term rental agreement with our partner, Truvi.
The space

The Miami Pool Cottage isn’t a glass-and-chrome condo or a spotless modern build. It’s a guest house with a soul—two bedrooms nestled into a half-acre of tropical greenery, where mornings begin with light filtering through avocado leaves and nights end by the fire under stars.

Whether you’re here to celebrate something, escape something, or simply rest, this is a place that holds space for you.

We live on the property and give our guests complete privacy—but we’re close by when needed.

What You’ll Love

• Two private king bedrooms with premium linens
• Comfortable sleeper sofa for extra sleeping space or lazy afternoons
• Private gated entry and smart lock access
• Oversized 17x35-foot pool with loungers, umbrellas, floaties—including two oversized swan pool floats
• Half-acre garden with mango, avocado, star fruit, banana, and more
• Canopy daybed, treehouse, hammock chairs, and firepit for shaded naps and starry nights
• Fully equipped kitchen for morning coffee or full meals
• Smart TVs in living room (55") and garden bedroom (40")
• Outdoor dining areas, coolers for day trips
• Optional baby gear: high chair and pack-and-play available on request
• Free parking for two vehicles
• Three independent AC units—one in each room—so everyone can stay comfortable while using only what’s needed
• Quiet, walkable neighborhood near I-95 and both airports

Many of our guests tell us the stay feels easier, more meaningful, because of the way we host. We’re nearby when you need us, and happy to share what’s worth seeing—and what can be skipped. If you’re marking a birthday, an anniversary, or anything worth celebrating, we can add a little magic to the space before you arrive. It’s available as an optional add-on and meant to make your arrival feel less like check-in, and more like coming home to something special.

Inside the Cottage
• Bright living/dining area with space to spread out
• Comfortable sleeper sofa for lounging or additional guests
• Fully equipped kitchen for great breakfasts or a simple cup of coffee
• Two king bedrooms with closets and high-quality bedding
• Bathroom with original clawfoot tub and shower—perfect for long soaks

Outdoor Living
• Lounge poolside beneath palms
• Drift off in the shaded daybed or hammock chairs
• Climb into the handcrafted treehouse—great for kids or quiet time
• Gather around the firepit or pick fruit fresh from the trees
• Fire up the gas grill for a dinner under the open sky
• Rinse off in the outdoor rain shower tucked into the garden—refreshing after a swim or a sunny nap
• Spot butterflies, lizards, and the occasional peacock

What to Know
• The pool is not fenced—please supervise children
• No pesticides used in the garden—it’s fruit-safe, but critters may wander through
• This is a vintage guest house with character—not a brand-new build

House Rules & Booking Details
• Maximum occupancy: 6 guests
• No smoking, parties, or unregistered visitors
• Optional extras—early check-in/out, baby gear, EV charging, pet stays, mid-stay cleanings, and more—can be arranged by request
• Professionally monitored outdoor security cameras monitor entry points for your safety

Come stay with us and experience a different side of Miami—lush, peaceful, and thoughtfully personal.

We’d be honored to host your time here.
Guest access
You’ll receive your private access code 24 hours before arrival. It’s set to activate right at check-in and will automatically expire at departure, making arrival and departure simple and secure. A smart lock on the cottage gives you effortless entry throughout your stay.

The entire cottage is reserved just for you. Tucked into the village of El Portal—Miami-Dade’s smallest and most storied neighborhood—you’ll feel worlds away, yet remain just minutes from I-95, both major airports, the beach, and the best of Miami’s culture and dining.

Other things to note

At Miami Vacation Stays, your safety and comfort are our top priorities, especially during Florida’s hurricane season! While hurricanes are a part of life here, this means cancellations due to storms are not covered under their policy. To safeguard your plans, we highly recommend travel insurance to cover any potential delays or disruptions (https://str.li/TravelInsurance)!

Power outages can occasionally happen, but don’t worry—we provide battery-operated lights and keep our homes fully storm-ready with clear safety information to keep you informed. Most importantly, our friendly team is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you feel at ease and taken care of. So, relax and enjoy your stay, knowing you’re in capable hands with us!

What’s Included & How We Host
You’re welcome to enjoy all the amenities that make the Miami Pool Cottage feel like home:
The deck chairs and garden furniture, pool floats (yes, including the giant swans), gas grill, fire pit, treehouse, and washer/dryer are all here for you to use, free of charge. Pool towels are provided, and parking is always complimentary.

Quiet hours begin at 10 PM to help keep the peaceful tone of the property for everyone’s benefit.

Please note: smoking, parties, and events are not allowed.

The property accommodates up to 6 guests. If your group includes more than six, an additional fee of $200 per person per night will apply. (We do make thoughtful exceptions for families with small children—please reach out to us directly for more details.) The pool is not heated.

A Note on Optional Services
We’ve kept our nightly rate intentionally fair. Instead of building everything into the price, we offer a number of optional services you can add to make your stay more comfortable or celebratory—only if and when you need them.

Some of these extras include early check-in, late check-out, pet stays, EV charger access, mid-stay cleanings, and baby items like cribs or high chairs. These services must be arranged before arrival and will be reflected in the final charge.

You’ll find more details about what's available in your Guest Portal, and of course, we’re happy to walk you through anything you're curious about.

Traveling With Pets?
We welcome dogs with advance notice. Our pet fee is $35 per night, per dog. If you have people visiting who bring their dog, you'll be responsible for paying the same pet fee for your whole stay. We assume that any dog in the cottage is your responsibility.

Guest Verification & Safety
Please note that we utilize our trusted partner, Truvi, to verify the details of our guests. This adheres to the guidelines set by booking channels for professional management companies, such as Miami Vacation Stays. It may be something you haven't experienced before on this platform, because most hosts are not professional management companies.

We believe trust works both ways. That’s why we’ve partnered with Truvi, a verification and screening platform that helps ensure guests are booking with a legitimate host—and vice versa. Truvi also manages our damage waiver and will send you a short-term rental agreement to sign before check-in.

Linens & Towels
You’ll find everything you need here to settle in comfortably: fitted sheets, top sheets, soft blankets, pillows, and a full set of towels for each guest—one bath towel, one hand towel, one washcloth, one pool towel, and one beach towel per person. All of this is included in your stay.

If you have any questions before or during your trip, we're nearby and happy to help.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 9 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Property Registration Number DWE2329079

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Miami

Located in El Portal, a neighbourhood in Miami, this holiday home is in a rural area and near the beach. Miami Design Shopping District and Bayside Marketplace are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Miami Beach Beaches and Bayfront Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Kaseya Center or Hard Rock Stadium. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing, kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours.
Map
El Portal, FL

What's nearby

  • Barry University - 3 min drive - 3.0 km
  • MiMo Biscayne Boulevard Historic District - 3 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Miami Design Shopping District - 6 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Bayside Marketplace - 10 min drive - 11.4 km
  • Kaseya Center - 10 min drive - 11.4 km

Getting around

  • Earlington Heights Station - 7 min drive
  • Miami Golden Glades Station - 11 min drive
  • Miami, FL (MPB-Public Seaplane Base) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪7-Eleven - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Donde El Flaco Burgers - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Checkers - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Pool Cottage–Tropical Garden, Firepit, Fast WiFi, Family & Pet-Friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Private Pool Cottage–Tropical Garden, Firepit, Fast WiFi, Family & Pet-Friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Pool Cottage–Tropical Garden, Firepit, Fast WiFi, Family & Pet-Friendly?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Private Pool Cottage–Tropical Garden, Firepit, Fast WiFi, Family & Pet-Friendly located?

This family-friendly Miami holiday home is located by the sea, within 2 mi (3 km) of MiMo Biscayne Boulevard Historic District and Barry University. Miami Beach Beaches and Bal Harbour Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 2 out of 2 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 2 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 2 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 2 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 2 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joseph W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome Cottage

Had an awesome stay here! Really clean and awesome hosts! Just loved it!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elisabeth S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely month-long stay

My husband and I stayed for a little over a month as "digital nomads," working remotely every day from home. We were extremely comfortable, wifi was excellent (we brought a wifi extender, just in case, but it would probably have been fine without it), and we are so happy we made the decision to take the plunge to spend our winter working in this beautiful setting, leaving the cold climate of home behind. The starfruit and loquat fruit trees outside were an bonus treat. Thank you!
Stayed 34 nights in Feb 2022

About the host

Hosted by Jacomina

Host profile image
Jacomina and Pascal have been hosting guests for over 5 years. 100+ amazing reviews later, we love having you stay with us.

89% of guests (we checked) mention that they've enjoyed our hospitality in their reviews. And we'd love to get that average up into the 90 percentile.

We love traveling ourselves and have stayed in over 100 vacation short term rentals, where we are always looking to learn how to be better hosts.

Why they chose this property

We've lived in El Portal for over 25 years and love this hidden gem. Although it's the smallest municipality in the most populated county in Florida, it boasts its own village council and police force. It is the place where Miamians want to move to today.

What makes this property unique

The half acre property is rare for a densely populated city as Miami, and once you step through the wooden gate, you are transported from city to quiet, tropical paradise. The cottage is nestled in old growth trees and a tropical garden that bursts with fruits, flowers and wild life.

When you stay with us, you get access to the whole garden (even the treehouse) and of course the large pool for your enjoyment.

Languages:

English, French, German, Italian, Dutch

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests