The Miami Pool Cottage â A Peaceful Garden Retreat with Personalized Care
Welcome to a place that feels both rare and familiarâa peaceful, private retreat surrounded by fruit trees and warm air that invites you to slow down and truly relax.
Decompress in our peaceful garden after a day of crowds, traffic, and parking that Art Basel brings with it every year. The Miami Pool Cottage is a short (9 miles) distance from the Miami Beach Convention Center, but it`s light-years away from the hustle and bustle of the international art fair.
The Miami Pool Cottage is a beautifully restored two-bedroom guest house set within a half-acre tropical garden in El Portal, one of Miamiâs most charming and historic neighborhoods.
Here, your days move at a gentler pace: mornings begin with sunlight through the avocado leaves, and evenings end beneath the palms by the fire pit. Whether youâre here for an extended getaway, a special family trip, or simply to recharge, this home offers space, serenity, and thoughtful service in equal measure.
Highlights Youâll Appreciate
âą Two private king bedrooms with soft, premium linens
âą Comfortable sleeper sofa for added flexibility
âą Fully equipped kitchen for home-cooked meals
âą Bright living and dining area with ample space to unwind
âą 15x25-foot pool with loungers, umbrellas, and floats
âą Outdoor shower, gas grill, and fire pit for relaxed evenings
âą Half-acre tropical garden with fruit trees, butterflies, and birds
âą Gated entry, smart lock access, and complimentary parking
âą Baby gear available on request (high chair, pack-and-play)
âą Optional add-ons: early check-in, late check-out, pet stays, mid-stay cleaning, EV charging
âą Reliable Wi-Fi and individual AC units in each room for personalized comfort
Thoughtful Hospitality
Guests often tell us their stay feels differentâcalmer, more personal, and easierâbecause of the way we host. We live nearby and are available when needed, but your privacy always comes first. Our goal is to offer a level of service you might expect from a boutique hotel, with the warmth and flexibility of a private home.
Every stay includes access to our local recommendations, so you can skip the tourist traps and discover the real Miamiâbeautiful beaches, vibrant neighborhoods, art, food, and hidden spots that locals love.
Outdoor Living
The garden is the heart of the property. Lounge by the pool, nap in the shade of a hammock, or gather around the fire pit at sunset. The handcrafted treehouse delights kids and adults alike, and the outdoor rain shower offers a refreshing rinse after a day in the sun. Youâll find mango, banana, avocado, and starfruit trees throughout the propertyâripe for picking when in season.
Peace of Mind
We know that planning a stay involves trust and details. Thatâs why we partner with Truvi, a professional verification and guest screening service that ensures a smooth and secure booking process. Youâll receive your personalized access code 24 hours before check-in, and it will automatically deactivate at checkout.
Professional outdoor security cameras cover entry points for your safety, and the home is fully licensed and insured.
A Few Things to Note
âą The pool is not fenced or heatedâplease supervise children.
âą The garden is organic and pesticide-free, so you may see small wildlife.
âą Smoking, parties, and unregistered guests are not permitted.
âą Maximum occupancy: 6 guests.
âą Quiet hours begin at 10 PM to maintain the tranquil environment.
Optional Services
We keep our nightly rate fair by offering optional services that can be added as you like: early check-in, late check-out, pet stays, EV charger access, and mid-stay cleaning. You can add these options and review their pricing on our guest portal. Weâre happy to prepare the home for special occasionsâanniversaries, birthdays, or simply a warm welcome after travelâwith small, thoughtful touches to make your arrival feel special.
Perfect for Extended Stays
Many guests choose to stay longer hereâwhether to escape colder weather, spend time with family, or simply enjoy the sense of calm the property offers. The fully equipped kitchen, laundry, and spacious layout make long-term comfort easy, while the peaceful setting and attentive service ensure youâll feel well cared for throughout your stay.
Why Guests Love It
The Miami Pool Cottage isnât a modern condo or hotelâitâs a private guest house with heart and history, where comfort and care come first. From the fruit trees to the clawfoot tub, every detail has been chosen to make your time here restful, restorative, and memorable.
Come experience the quiet side of Miamiâwarm, green, and welcoming.
Before booking: Please review our house rules, complete guest verification, and sign the short-term rental agreement.
Youâll receive your private access code 24 hours before arrival. Itâs 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 PortalâMiami-Dadeâs smallest and most storied neighborhoodâyouâll feel worlds away, yet remain just minutes from I-95, both major airports, the beach, and the best of Miamiâs culture and dining.
We live on the property and love to welcome you in person. Most guests enjoy a tour of the cottage and garden, but you can also book a self-check-in.
For your privacy and security, discreet outdoor cameras help ensure that only registered guests access the property.
A few optional amenitiesâlike early check-in, pet stays, or celebration setupsâarenât included in the nightly rate and must be arranged ahead of time. Youâll find all the details in our house rules.
The cottage is located in El Portal, Miami-Dadeâs smallest village and one of its most connected. With attentive hosts nearby, a dedicated local police presence, and quiet, tree-lined streets, your stay here is both peaceful and secure.
El Portal is one of those rare places that still feels like a secret. A quiet village shaded by banyans and mango trees, it sits just minutes from Miamiâs most iconic neighborhoodsâyet holds a rhythm all its own.
Set along the Little River, El Portal was once sacred land to the Tequesta people, and something of that energy remains. Today, peacocks still wander its side streets. Neighbors wave. And the air feels just a bit softer beneath the tree canopy. It âs peaceful hereâideal for morning walks, afternoon bike rides, or evening runs beneath towering palms.
Youâre less than a mile from I-95 and within easy reach of both Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports. In 15 minutes or less, you can be in Wynwoodâs art district, toes in the sand at South Beach, or exploring the boutiques of Bal Harbour and Brickell. Whether you`re here for galleries and nightlife or slow mornings and long strolls, youâre well-positioned to explore it allâthen return to somewhere calm.
For those who love a good wander, weâre happy to point you toward our favorite finds: the Art Deco walking tour in South Beach, open-air shopping on Lincoln Road, or a night of music and mojitos in Little Havana. And if youâre celebrating something special, we can help you mark the moment in just the right way.
The Village of El Portal has its own local police force, an unusually strong sense of community, and a long history of welcoming travelers. With us nearby, and the quiet of the neighborhood holding steady just beyond the gate, your stay will feel both private and safe.
If you`re bringing a car, you`ll find free parking either along the swale or just in front of the house, tucked beneath the shade of the trees. For those skipping the rental, rideshares like Uber and Lyft are common in the area and easy to arrange. Some guests even enjoy walking to nearby shops and restaurantsâjust be mindful that Florida heat doesnât always make for the most leisurely stroll.
Your personalized access code will be active starting at 4:00 PM on the day of arrival and will automatically deactivate at 11:00 AM on the day of departure. The Cottage is secured with a smart lock to make entry smooth and secure.
If you`d like to request an early check-in or a late check-out, just let us know in advance.
Whatâs Included & How We Host
Youâre 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. Parking is always complimentary.
Quiet hours begin at 10 PM to help keep the peaceful tone of the property for everyoneâs benefit.
Please note: smoking, parties, and events are not allowed.
At Miami Vacation Stays, your safety and comfort are our top priorities, especially during Floridaâs hurricane season! To safeguard your plans, we highly recommend travel insurance to cover any potential delays or disruptions!
Power outages can occasionally happen, but donât worryâwe provide battery-operated lights and clear safety information to keep you informed.
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 childrenâplease reach out to us directly for more details.)
The pool is not heated.
A Note on Optional Services
Weâve 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 celebratoryâonly if and when you need them.
Youâll find more details about what`s available in your Guest Portal, and of course, weâre happy to walk you through anything you`re curious about.
If you have any questions before or during your trip, we`re nearby and happy to help.