St Augustine Villa Villekula Beach House, Summer Haven, FL

Try out the island life on this gorgeous barrier island, home to Villa Vikkekula. As a happy and inviting vacation retreat, it welcomes guests with bright colors and tropical atmosphere. The owners call it their “Pippi Longstocking” House; “three stories of color and love”. It’s so named for its bright paintwork, charming nooks and crannies, lovely shutters and picket fencing. Any visitor here will gladly note its likeness to beloved Pippi movies of old. So fun and lovely - no one ever wants to leave! Just 100 yards from the Atlantic Ocean, on a tiny barrier island - the river is just behind the house.

The house sleeps ten guests in four spacious bedrooms, with three and a half baths available as well. It’s a crayon box you get to live inside, right next to the beach. Three stories of color and love: The top floor great room has 16 windows for views all around. From the outer deck is a very partial view of the ocean. Cooks kitchen opens to the dining area, opens to the living area, opens to the dining deck. A roomy pantry and powder room completes this top level. The second floor holds three roomy bedrooms and two baths, plus a deck off the master bedroom suite.

The top floor is dedicated to the main family space. Here, a great room with sixteen windows provided wrap-around views. Glance to the water and back again, or come upstairs to enjoy the sunrise and later the sunset.

A small kitchen opens on to the dining area, making family meals a cinch. Beyond that is another living area, and beyond that the large outside dining deck. It gets better and better! Stock up on all your indulgent vacation essentials (and don’t skimp on the brownies). A big pantry will keep it all at hand and is a great destination for midnight snacks.

Just downstairs is the main bedroom floor, where three bedrooms show off in cheery colors bathed in constant sunlight. Each room has a comfortable bed and lovely ambiance, distinguishing itself with its own linen and accent colors. Who will pick the blue room? What about the salmon twin bed room with artisan drapes? The green room looks even better when the morning sun brings it to life.

Enjoy this vacation together yet keep your own schedule - choose to sleep in late in the room you choose for yourself. The master suite’s occupants even enjoy their own private deck. What better place for a rewarding night cap?

On the first floor, find every convenience you’ll need while enjoying home away from home. A carport provides shady parking and the fenced yard is ideal for your pets (yes, they’re invited, too!). Laundry facilities are available - though the hammock might sound more tempting.

All bathed in sunlight and cheery colors - beautiful linens and every touch to give each guest an escape in their own room. The first floor is a large entrance foyer, laundry and utility room, carport, fenced yard, hammock, gardens, climbing trees - both sun and shade.

Note: Due to Summer Haven beach erosion concerns created by Tropical Storm Faye, there is now an area of large boulders blocking the beach access points closest to the property. This is a matter of much press (and legal battles) as a private home owner did to protect his beach home which in turn blocked the public access point. Although you can walk in between these boulders to access the beach like the locals that live near by, the nearest easy beach access is approximately 1 mile north at Fort Mantanzas National Park. It has (free) paved parking and provides beach access via a meandering boardwalk through the park. It takes approximately 5 minutes to walk this boardwalk to get to the beach.