Now's the time to lock down your summer beach rental, and it seems there are more luxurious options available than ever before. Want to live in a magazine-worthy pad for a week? Here are a few of our favorite picks.
Windswept
2402 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, South Carolina
Details: 6,100 square feet, 7 bedrooms, 8 baths, 1 half bath, sleeps 12
Cost: From $11,450 a week
Contact: Exclusive Properties at 843-886-4753 or exclusivepropertiesus.com
Expertly designed by architect Carl McCants, this Isle of Palms stunner boasts unobstructed panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
It features custom interior trim, shiplap walls, a metal roof and a 600-square-foot veranda with a fireplace. Get ready to entertain or simply wow the family with your skills using the kitchen's top-notch appliances, including a Wolf gas range and a Sub-Zero refrigerator. Store your vino properly in the dedicated wine room, after hauling it and other supplies up using the elevator that conveniently opens at the entry and by the pantry.
Couples vacationing together will love the two master suites. One is oceanfront on the main living level, and the second-floor suite features vaulted ceilings and more panoramic ocean views. Bring a crew to fill the other four bedrooms and maybe even the library, which can be used as a seventh bedroom. All have en suite bathrooms and two have porch access. The level housing the heated pool and spa tub is designed with two main outdoor living areas: one for serious sunning, and the other providing poolside covered shade, an outdoor kitchen and a private boardwalk to the beach.
Sweet Carolina
49 Dune Lane, Hilton Head, South Carolina
Details: 4,500 square feet, 8 bedrooms, 9 baths, 1 half bath, sleeps 26
Cost: From $9,950 a week
Contact: Beachside Getaway at 866-443-5922 or beachsidegetaway.com
You don't need to fly to the South Pacific to find this tiki paradise - it's just a few hours' drive from Chattanooga, located on Hilton Head Island's North Forest Beach.
You could fit two whole soccer teams in this oceanfront getaway and still have space for four more people. With a crew that big, chances are not everyone will get along the whole trip. That's no problem in this house, where there's enough living space to give everyone some breathing room.
Choose to cook your meals in the gourmet kitchen on the main floor, in a huge, open space shared with the dining room and living room, or step out to the outdoor kitchen with built-in grill. On the second floor is another living room, and outside there's an open rec room with ping pong and plenty of seating. Head to the tiki bar to have a drink and watch TV, or simply swim to a seat at the pool bar. The shallow portion of the pool is perfect for laying out on a lounge chair or watching the littles play in the bubble jets. Finish off the day roasting s'mores on your beachfront fire pit. It's like having your own beach resort.
Copperline
52 Banfill Road, Grayton Beach, Florida
Details: 2,700 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, sleeps 10
Cost: From $2,451 a week
Contact: Royal Destinations at 866-534-0841 or royaldestinations.com
Imagine greeting the day with a yoga session on Copperline's shuttered yoga porch, taking in the salty sea air and gulf views with every breath. Or picture yourself bidding the day adieu from the third-floor sunset deck, with a cocktail freshly made at the wet bar, gazing out over all of Grayton Beach from your private perch among the magnolia trees. On the main level, a covered travertine lanai runs adjacent the long, jetted private pool.
With this architectural gem's high ceilings and glass walls, you'll feel you're one with the landscape. Even if you're traveling with other families, everyone will have plenty of privacy and space to spread out across the home's three levels, each with its own spacious suite with direct access to an outdoor space. It's also one of very few rental properties located on a beach that doesn't require anyone to sleep in a bunk bed.
Free beach chair and umbrella service is a luxury you won't know how you've lived without, and four adult bikes are also included, should you tire of walking, as shopping, restaurants, the beach and entertainment are all close enough that you won't need to touch your car keys the whole trip.