11 of the best villas in Florida

Times

25-05-2025

Whether you're planning to zip around Central Florida's famous theme parks or bask on one of the white-sand beaches that fringe the Gulf coast, the Sunshine State is a crowd-pleaser. But Florida has such a titanic wealth of accommodation — world-class boutique hotels, mushrooming resorts, cheerful holiday cottages — that it can be hard to know where to begin when booking a trip. For families and larger groups, a self-catering villa is an excellent option and, fortunately, Florida's mammoth offering appeals to a variety of budgets and tastes.
These glittering holiday rentals are destinations in themselves. Whether you want an enormous pad complete with a games room and a lazy river, or a luxurious waterside oasis with a palm-lined pool and a roof deck, we've got you covered. Read on for our pick of the finest villas in Florida.
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££ | POOL | Sleeps 34
The snow-white beaches of St Pete-Clearwater, located on Florida's sun-drenched Gulf coast, are regularly voted among the best in the world — and this gargantuan villa big enough for three football teams places you just steps from the sand. The highlight is the rooftop terrace: here, a pair of hot tubs offer the perfect spot for a sundowner coupled with generous views across the Gulf of Mexico. The rest of the rental unfolds in a string of slick modern rooms — a generously equipped wood and rattan-clad kitchen; airy living rooms; eight bedrooms decked with soft neutrals; and seven stylishly minimalist bathrooms. It's the ideal beachside retreat.£££ | POOL | Sleeps 10
The Florida Keys — an island chain stretching out from the state's southernmost tip — move at a wonderfully slow pace. And this sprawling villa is the perfect base for a week or two spent snorkelling, boating and beach basking. The property comes with its own private boat dock, so you've got direct access to the archipelago's sparkling waters. The villa's decor fits the dreamy island vibe too, with three whitewashed bedrooms filled with plants and turquoise accents, and a pool deck dotted with palm trees. Take advantage of the complimentary bicycles, paddleboards and kayaks which make it easy to explore the laid-back community of Marathon by water or land. £ | Sleeps 6
Easy access to the water is the drawcard of this swish spot in Greater Fort Lauderdale's Dania Beach. A neatly manicured garden (a delightful suntrap) unfolds next to the pretty canal, with perfectly positioned Adirondack chairs placed out for enjoying the view. The property's private boat launch is a springboard for adventures too. Things are kept simple on the inside, with whitewashed walls, gleaming tiled floors and generously sized windows that milk those attractive canalside vistas. The three bedrooms here are comfortable and airy, with queen-size beds and — in some — canal views. In Fort Lauderdale proper, don't miss a stroll along shop-packed Las Olas Boulevard, or the champagne-coloured sands of Fort Lauderdale beach. ££ | POOL | Sleeps 18
This waterside bolt hole offers a lesson in coastal luxury. Whitewashed rooms and terraces are brightened with pops of turquoise and sea green, a good reminder that the Gulf of Mexico is just steps away. The private wooden jetty decants you directly onto Bradenton beach's sugar-white sands while, back at the property, a sleek, ocean-facing pool deck is dotted with loungers and colourful Adirondack chairs (the pool is heated). Three out of the eight bedrooms have balconies, so your morning coffee might also be served with a side of sea views. A ten-minute drive will land you on sparkling Coquina or Cortez beach, while downtown Brandenton, with its seafood restaurants, boutique stores and studio-packed Village of the Arts, is not much further away.
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£££ | POOL | Sleeps 36
Kissimmee, located in theme-park-packed Central Florida, markets itself as the 'Vacation Home Capital of the World' — and giant retreats like this one throw weight behind that moniker. This lavish rental sprawls over more than 1,000 sq m, folding in a whole host of extravagant amenities — there's laser tag, a home cinema and an impressively stocked games room. The playground continues outside: float down a lazy river; prop up the bar at the alfresco kitchen, or challenge the family to a round on the putting green. Beyond the whimsy, the decor is sophisticated: dark leather, exposed brick and pale neutrals style out the spacious kitchen, open lounge and ten bedrooms. Best of all, the Walt Disney World resort is just a 25-minute drive away.
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££ | POOL | Sleeps 24
This Central Florida retreat wows with impressive Spanish-style architecture before you even get through the door — once inside, you're greeted with an elaborate string of rooms, including a plush lounge, a marble and dark wood-clad kitchen, spa-like bathrooms, and eight colour-splashed bedrooms. For the kids, there's a play room complete with a giant slide; for adults, there's a sleek gym and a pool deck that would look right at home in a high-end hotel. The location is ideal for a family getaway: you're a stone's throw from the region's famous theme parks, plus a top-rated golf course. ££ | POOL | Sleeps 11
If you want to combine a beach-city break with a relaxing home-from-home retreat, consider this Miami sanctuary. Perry House provides a peaceful hideaway in one of the buzziest cities in the US. The suburban Miami Gardens location places you within easy driving distance of sought-after neighbourhoods including South Beach, with its art deco jewels and bar-lined strands, and gourmet haven Little Havana. Back at the villa, you can cool off in the generously sized pool (a real win for an urban retreat) and whip up dinner using the alfresco kitchen. Inside you'll find everything you'd expect in an ultra-luxe villa: a compact games room, a string of five thoughtfully designed bedrooms, hotel-worthy bathrooms and a bright open-plan kitchen/lounge. £ | POOL | Sleeps 6
Retreat to this wonderfully homely Gulf coast hideaway, which drops you moments from a blinding white beach and a short way from the little town of Venice, with its cheerful boutiques and seafood joints. The villa itself has a cosy vibe: slouchy couches, an open kitchen and breakfast bar, and colourful furnishings spread across the three bedrooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the generous outdoor space, which includes a heated pool on a glass-covered terrace.£ | POOL | Sleeps 12
This Daytona Beach escape couples the resort experience with the privacy of a villa. The rental home, attached to the Wyndham Ocean Walk Resort, drops you within kissing distance of Daytona Beach's sweeping blonde sands, and allows you to take advantage of all the hotel's amenities — from its giant pool and lazy river to its family-friendly restaurants and bar. The accommodation has everything you need if you want to retreat away from the hotel's hubbub, including a full kitchen, comfy living and dining area, and bedrooms with sea views.££ | POOL | Sleeps 14
The Florida Panhandle is one of the state's most underrated regions — Gulf coast cities such as Destin have chalk-white beaches and family attractions including waterparks and child-friendly museums. Located in a pristine gated community, Seas The Dream offers a quiet retreat from which to drink in all the beachside action. Your party will have access to your own section of Destin's glittering beach, plus a private pool. Interiors nod to the oceanside location, with jolly palm-tree-stamped wallpaper, shell ornaments and soft furnishings in teal, turquoise and grass green. There's a well-equipped kitchen, six cheerful bedrooms (one with a bunk bed), and four bathrooms, making it a great spot for families.£ | POOL | Sleeps 6 (multiple units)
Golf lovers will appreciate this string of compact villas in the sun-drenched Gulf coast city of Naples. The 36-hole course is the property's pride and joy, while the large palm tree-lined pool will satisfy those who don't plan to tee off. The villas themselves are smart and functional, with green finishes and golf-inspired art, full kitchens and ample dining and living space. This part of the state is nicknamed 'Florida's Paradise Coast' for good reason, too: expect sparkling white beaches, gentle turquoise waters, and easy access to the Everglades, a wildlife-rich wetlands area thick with mangroves and pines.
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