Getting ready for Mermaid Cottage (Viv-Down)
The retro ground-floor half of a historic beach bungalow - screened patio, courtyard fire pit and hot tub, no stairs
Sleeps 3 1 bedroom 1 bathroom Ground floor, no stairs Short walk to the beach Dog friendly
Viv-Down is the ground-floor apartment (Unit A) of a historic beach bungalow on Coastal Highway, with retro appliances in tomato red and seafoam, walls in tangerine and cobalt, and a screened patio that catches the shade all afternoon. Everything is on one level; the kitchen sits beside the dining area in one open run (there is no formal living room).
This page is the answer to "what does the house have?" so you can pack with confidence. Your welcome letter arrives by email three days before check-in with the address, keypad code, Wi-Fi details, house rules, trash day and check-out instructions. Nothing on this page replaces it.
🍳Kitchen & Cooking
- Retro refrigerator with freezer, working cooktop, microwave, toaster, kettle and blender
- Cookware, baking sheet, dishes, silverware and wine glasses
- The oven is decorative only and must not be used; there is no dishwasher
- Dining table
☕Coffee Setup
A drip coffee maker with a starter supply of coffee - bring grounds, not pods.
🧻Starter Supplies & Paper Goods
We leave a limited starter supply of paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, dish soap and basic toiletries to get you settled. It is a starter supply, not a full-stay supply, so plan to pick up more for a longer stay.
🛏️Bedrooms & Linens
King bed in the bedroom (ceiling fan, smart TV) plus a futon in the same room that opens to a full bed for a third guest. Linens, extra pillows and blankets provided.
🚿Bathrooms
One bathroom with a walk-in tiled shower (no tub), off the main living area. Hair dryer, basic soaps, shampoo, conditioner and body wash provided.
🧺Towels
Bath towels and beach towels are provided.
🏖️Beach Gear
- Beach essentials are provided
- We supply a minimum of 4 beach chairs (there are typically more, but we do not guarantee more than 4), a beach umbrella, a wagon and sand toys.
🌴Outdoor, Pool & Spa
- Private screened patio with seating and a propane grill - we supply the fuel
- Courtyard paver patio under a lit pergola with a fire pit and Adirondack chairs (shared with the upstairs unit)
- Hot tub (shared with the upstairs unit)
- Fenced yard
📺Entertainment
- Smart TV with cable
- Board games
- Publix plaza two minutes away rents and sells water-sports gear; Camachee Cove for boat rentals and charters is four minutes over the bridge
📶Wi-Fi
Fast Wi-Fi. The network name and password are in your welcome letter.
🧼Laundry
Stackable washer and dryer in the exterior shed behind the red door at the base of the stairs, shared with the upstairs unit. Iron and ironing board provided.
🚗Parking
One parking space per unit. Do not park in the neighborhood to the north or you will be towed; please follow the parking instructions in your welcome letter.
🧸Family & Little Ones
- Pack 'n Play available on request with 48 hours' notice
- Room-darkening shades
💻Working From the Beach
- Laptop-friendly workspace
🛺Golf Carts
Optional golf-cart rentals (4-seat and 6-seat) are available through Finn Golf Carts, a separate rental business that delivers to Vilano 101 homes. Carts are not included with the home and are booked separately.
🎒Things You May Want to Bring
- Sunscreen, bug spray and after-sun lotion
- Groceries and coffee pods or grounds beyond the starter supply (Publix is minutes away)
- Extra paper goods for longer stays
- Beach bag, water bottles and a cooler for beach days
- Any special baby or dietary items
- Chargers, and a swimsuit for day one - the pool and beach are ready when you are
📌Important House Notes
- Single-level home with no stairs to enter.
- The home sits on a busy main street and you will hear road noise.
- The second floor is a separate rental (June-Up), so you may see other guests on site; the hot tub, laundry shed and courtyard are shared, the screened patio and apartment are yours alone.
- Dogs only, two maximum, with a nightly fee; guests upstairs may have dogs too - please keep yours leashed at all times.
- Keypad entry (code in your welcome letter).
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the oven?
No - the retro oven is decorative only. The cooktop, microwave and toaster all work.
Is there a dishwasher?
No dishwasher in this apartment.
Is the hot tub private?
It is shared with the upstairs apartment; your screened patio is private.
While you are here: our favorite things to do in Vilano Beach and St. Augustine →
Questions this page did not answer? Message us through your booking and we will get you sorted. - The Vilano 101 team