You may remember that I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was taking my daughters to the Cottages of Seaside Florida for a few days.  They are 17 and 25 and have never seen an ocean or been to a beach (unless you count a lake beach, but that’s SO not the same).

On the beach in Seaside FLAllison and Heather the moment we got to Seaside

We did lots of research before we decided that the small beach town of Seaside, Florida would be the ideal location for their first beach experience.   Seaside is a pedestrian-scaled beach town in Florida,  located directly on Northwest Florida’s acclaimed sugar-white sand beaches in South Walton County on Scenic Highway 30A, between Destin and Panama City Beach.

Gorgeous Seaside, Florida. Learn more at TidyMom.net

Why Visit Seaside Florida? 

Well, first I read that Seaside, FL was voted as the “BEST BEACH ON EARTH FOR FAMILIES” by Travel & Leisure Magazine!  After spending time there, we agree wholeheartedly!

Gorgeous Seaside, Florida. Learn more at TidyMom.net

It’s one of those places you dream about visiting.  Seaside is an 80-acre, unincorporated beach town, where cobblestone streets are lined with charming pastel cottages, white picket fences, and picturesque storefronts.  No one is in a rush, you will see families riding to the ice cream shop, bike following bike following bike.  The center of town hosts a weekly farmer’s market, outdoor concerts, and movies under the stars.  It’s surrounded by renowned restaurants, quiet cafes, gourmet food trucks, clothing and jewelry boutiques, art galleries, home and garden stores, a quaint book and record store, a surf shop, toy store and dozens more. No fast food chains, no Starbucks, no hotels….. just independent entrepreneurs in this small iconic coastal town.

Gorgeous Seaside, Florida. Learn more at TidyMom.net

Sounds like something out of a movie, doesn’t it?  That’s probably why The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey was filmed in Seaside, 15 years ago this year.

Gorgeous Seaside, Florida. Learn more at TidyMom.net

Cottage Rental Agency of Seaside was kind enough to host us for our stay and I can’t wait to share our cottage of Seaside Florida with you!  

Cottages Of Seaside Florida:

There are about 300 different colors of cottages in Seaside and just as many unique picket fence designs.  No two pickets on any one street in Seaside can be of the same design.

Seaside has won numerous awards for its architecture and town planning and has been the subject of three books and countless articles.

Gorgeous Seaside, Florida cottages. Learn more at TidyMom.net

Each road in Seaside leads to its own Beach Pavilion to enter the beach for that particular street.   This is one of many GENIUS ideas behind the pioneer of Seaside, Daryl Davis.  Founded in 1981, this small coastal town was described by Time magazine as “….the most astonishing design achievement of its era and one might hope, the most influential.”

Gorgeous Seaside, Florida. Learn more at TidyMom.net

One of our favorite parts about staying in Seaside is, we felt like we were at home, not vacationing in a hotel.  Where life is simple, the white sandy beach and emerald water is just a simple walk away……….sigh………

The Cottage Rental Agency is the premier on-site rental provider in Seaside, they offer over 200 vacation rentals in Seaside from private one-bedroom beachfront hideaways to spectacular homes that sleep 14 or more.

Our beach home for 4 nights and 5 days was a grand two-story penthouse, known as Far Niente, located above Central Square in Seaside, offering panoramic views from every room!  It was jaw-dropping gorgeous!

Come take a peek at our Seaside Florida Cottage!

A View Inside Far Niente Cottage 

Seaside, Florida Far Niente Cottage | Cottage Rental Agency. Learn more at TidyMom.net

We had our own private lobby and elevator to the 2nd-floor main level.  The French limestone floors leading to a bright, open and contemporary two-story living room with soaring 25′ ceilings, expansive windows, designer furnishings, a fireplace, 42″ flat-screen HDTV/DVD, and much more, including a modern chef-ready kitchen!

The kitchen was fully stocked with everything you could possibly need, although the coffee maker and wine glasses and Wolf refrigerator were the only things we really put to use.  We ate out the whole time, but you could come and have everything you need to fix as many meals as you’d like right in the cottage.  Modica Market which sells morning mimosas and fresh cut flowers is a gourmet market and deli that is sure to have everything you could need!

   Seaside, Florida Far Niente Cottage | Cottage Rental Agency. Learn more at TidyMom.net

We all fell in love with the decor!  Lots of white, linen, and reclaimed wood!  I felt like someone knew exactly what my dream home would look like!  It was magical to call this home for a few days!………I wanted to move in!

Seaside, Florida Far Niente Cottage | Cottage Rental Agency. Learn more at TidyMom.net

Allison claimed the queen bedroom on the second/main floor with a flat-screen TV/DVD and shares a bath with the living area.  Right off the bathroom was a washer and dryer, which worked out great for having clean fresh beach towels each day.  Far Niente had everything we needed to wash all of our sandy clothes before we took them back home!

Seaside, Florida Far Niente Cottage | Cottage Rental Agency. Learn more at TidyMom.net

The third floor has another queen bedroom and bath and the master suite features a king bed, vaulted ceilings and a 32″ flat-screen TV with a master bath with two sinks, a shower, and large soaking tub.
As gorgeous as the rounded stairways were, we loved the small private elevator, especially for getting our suitcases up to each floor.

Gorgeous scenic Gulf view Seaside, Florida | Far Niente cottage. Learn more at TidyMom.net

The gorgeous patio balcony overlooking the center of town and the Gulf is where I “tried” to get a little work done, but as you can imagine the view was a little distracting, and the ocean and food trucks were calling my name.

Look at the view we had!!  Just note, I snapped this early on Monday morning before everyone else was up……see how peaceful and quiet it is in the VERY CENTER of everything!  You can also tell what a quick little walk we had to the beach.

Seaside, Florida. Learn more at TidyMom.net

The town of Seaside has more than 340 homes, cottages, townhomes and penthouse apartments.  The Cottage Rental Agency offers more than 200 vacation rentals in Seaside, Florida. Each home is independently owned, decorated and graced with distinctive character and architectural details. To see what is available for rent visit CottageRentalAgency.com

All Cottage Rental Agency guests receive the following amenities:

  • Two (2) Complimentary Bike Rentals
  • Complimentary bottle of wine
  • Welcome Beach Tote with Souvenir
  • Unlimited DVD Rentals with Popcorn
  • Business Center with Internet Access
  • Complimentary Use of Beach Toys Including Boogie Boards
  • On-site Check-in and Management Services
  • On-site Housekeeping Services Available
  • Concierge to Assist you Planning your Day
  • Golf Voucher for One (1) Complimentary Round of Golf when you Buy One (1) Round at Baytowne, Raven or Links Golf Courses in Sandestin (includes cart rental)

Seaside, Florida | Cottage Rental Agency. Learn more at TidyMom.net

We had such a BEAUTIFUL and wonderful time in Seaside!!  Check back next week to see some of the fun we had in and around Seaside!

If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation spot on the beach, I can not recommend Seaside, FL and Cottage Rental Agency enough to you.  I now know why Seaside was voted as #1 Best Beach on Earth for families.  We are hoping to go back again and bring Steve along next time!

To follow along or see more pictures of Seaside, check out their Facebook page!
To read more about  Seaside, FL  visit  SeasideFl.com
To book the Far Niente where we stayed or another cottage, visit CottageRentalAgency.com

…………I think I see a beach chair calling my name!

Scenic Gulf View at Seaside, Florida Learn more at TidyMom.net

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I’m Lovin’……. Cottages in Seaside, Florida

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Let us know what you’re lovin’ this week!

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Disclaimer:  Cottage Rental Agency hosted us by graciously providing a complimentary Stay at Far Niente but all views, opinions and my love for Seaside are all my own.