Perfect for families with children, Bathtub Beach Retreat is named for the shallow, calm waters (like a bathtub) that gently shimmer off the nearby offshore reef. The reef blunts large waves, transforming the beach into a 'bathtub' and idyllic spot for children & toddlers to play. Little ones can safely enjoy the perfect Florida beach vacation, under the watchful eyes of the county lifeguard stand literally next door.
Beach-goer's delight! Spend your days with your toes in the sand with over 100 linear feet of beachfront property right off your back porch! NEAR the beach? We are ON the beach! New to the BHIP family, this exclusive 5-star home is nestled in a secluded cove, a literal stone's throw from the Atlantic Ocean surf (and so close you can cast a saltwater fishing rod from the open deck). Situated in a quiet residential area—there are no condos, or high rises for miles.
And across the street lies your own private access path to the pristine Indian River, offering some of the best paddleboarding, kayaking and watersports in the world. (Enjoy our complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, bicycles, boogie boards, metal detectors, & much more.)
Wear your t-shirt, shorts & flip-flops to the airport, because that's all you need for your Florida beach-house vacation . . . We provide the rest. Travel light—and live large—with the fully-stocked, 5-Star-amenity properties of Beach Houses in Paradise ("We stock heavy, so you can travel light".)
At rates starting at less than $100 per night per bedroom, enjoy 5-star luxury amenities and accommodations at an affordable price (the proverbial champagne on a beer budget!). Note: Bathtub Beach Retreat is rented only to one party at a time; you will not be sharing the premises with strangers or unknown travelers.
SAVE with the owner's many discount plans: FL resident, senior, first responder, military, education, medical, civil service, volunteer & more.
SWIMMING POOLS / FITNESS / TENNIS / GOLF: Looking for a pool? How about 3?(!!) While the ocean and river are fun, some outdoor fanatics still want MORE: With your stay of 1 week or longer, the owner includes FREE complimentary passes to 3 resort-style pools at the nearby Ocean Club @ the Marriott Hutchinson Island Resort (includes golf, tennis & fitness, too). The Marriott is located just 1 mile north of the home.
Everything is included free with your rental
From bicycles to beach blankets, from towels to toilet paper, and all points between. Did you know that fewer than 25% of Florida listings include high chairs for little ones? Many vacation rentals don't even provide you a full supply of toilet paper (!) or such basics as towels, bed linens, toiletries, paper goods or even cooking essentials like salt, pepper, spices, oils, and other basic staples.
And can you imagine arriving at your beach vacation rental, only to discover that there are no coolers, ice, beach chairs, beach towels, beach blankets, umbrellas and beach toys like sand pails, bikes, cornhole, volleyball, kayaks, and horseshoes? Why waste the first day of your precious vacation — or more money — shopping at the local Wal-Mart?
Instead, book a Beach House in Paradise and begin relaxing the moment you arrive. (We even pre-heat hot tubs and pools, and put out the bathrobes & towels so your relaxing beach vacation can start the moment you arrive.)
No hidden fees: Other vacation-rental companies nickel & dime you to death with surcharges such as pool-heating fees, WiFi surcharges, fees to use shampoos & soaps, rental fees for kayaks, bikes & paddleboards, even a fee if you don't empty the refrigerator at the end of your stay(!) At BHIP, there are no hidden surcharges, and no fines or penalties.
Perfect Location
Not only is the home situated in the most biodiverse marine environment in North America (source: Florida Oceanographic Institute), it's also located in Stuart FL, 2024 winner of the USA Today "Best Coastal Small Towns in America" rankings. (And #1 winner of the "Happiest Seaside Town in USA" award by Coastal Living Magazine!) Locals of a certain age—that remember TV's "The Andy Griffith Show"—proudly call Stuart the "Mayberry of Florida".
What others say about our town (Stuart, FL)
- USA Today: #1 Best Coastal Small Town in America (2024 winner)
- Coastal Living Magazine: #1 Happiest Seaside Town in America (2016)
- House Beautiful Magazine: #1 Most Beautiful Small Town in Florida
- Smithsonian Magazine: Best Small Towns to Visit in the U.S. (3rd place)
- America In Bloom (Audubon group): #1 Most Beautiful City in America
- American Planning Association: #1 City in Florida (2020 winner)
- Oprah Winfrey: "Most charming American towns you've never heard of" (6th place, O Magazine, Jan 2020)
- FindTheHome: #1 Best Place to Retire in the U.S.
- OnlyInYourState: 1 of 8 "Most Beautiful Small Towns in Florida"
- Huffington Post: Top Florida Beach Towns
Uncompromising Comfort is Our Standard
MORE THAN 10 ADULTS? Bathtub Beach Retreat might be a tight fit. Please inquire before booking.
A treasure chest of delight
Bathtub Beach Retreat sits in the middle of the "Treasure Coast". To this very day, gold doubloons, pieces of eight and other Spanish treasure still occasionally wash up along Hutchinson Island, especially following big storms. In fact, just three hundred yards away, the House of Refuge Museum showcases relics from prior shipwrecks, one of which—the Georges Valentine wreck—is a fun snorkeling experience and is close enough to swim to from the beach house (Complimentary beach-comber metal-detectors provided, too).
Help preserve our pristine area
The waters in and around the beach house are among the most biologically rich and environmentally sensitive in the entire United States. The owners of the home are ardent supporters of local environmental groups for 20+ years, with financial support and contributions well into the 7 figures.
Help preserve the natural beauty and sensitive ecosystem surrounding the home:
- Don't touch/approach dolphins, sea turtles and manatees. These are protected species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife officers in their boats have powerful binoculars; they WILL fine or arrest you.
- Be responsible with fishing tackle. Avoid leaving behind loose lines and tackle after a successful day fishing. (Birdlife gets tangled in fish lines or snagged by hooks ... or by fish they've caught who still have hooks in their mouth.)
- No littering (this includes even urinating into the water or emptying alcohol/soda into the water).
Property Details
Amenities
Check Availability
December
January
How to Book
"Bathtub Beach Retreat" is available on all major travel websites and beach house rental booking platforms. For pricing and availability, search your favorite travel platform for "Stuart FL" and use the map feature to navigate to the oceanfront area just east of the towns of Stuart Florida and Sewall's Point Florida. (There, you will find our "Beach Houses in Paradise", including "Bathtub Beach Retreat".)
Need help? Questions?
Photo Gallery
Highlights:
Beach & Oceanfront Area:
Riverfront Recreation Area:
Kitchen & Living Areas:
Grand Master Suite:
Additional Bedrooms:
Additional Interior Photos:
Driveway / Garage:
Exterior / Decking / Balconies:
Map
FAQ
- Is the home wheelchair or motion-impaired accessible?
- Bathtub Beach Retreat features an elevator to the main level and a stair lift to the upper level for access to all floors.
- Are boats and jet skis included?
- All human-powered toys you see — from bikes to kayaks, from paddle boards to snorkels — are included free with your rental. (Note that surfboards tend to be highly specialized items that many of our guests bring themselves. If you would like to rent surfboards, they are available from several providers.) Motorized items — such as jet skis, boats, cars, or RV’s — can be rented from nearby providers.
- Are events allowed at Bathtub Beach Retreat?
Although Bathtub Beach Retreat is available for small-scale and modest events, it is NOT a party house. The area surrounding the home is environmentally fragile, and cannot safely withstand more people than the posted maximum occupancy of the home itself. The house also lacks a single large room suitable for hosting a large group. If you want to have a big party near the beach, consider these nearby alternatives: The Marriott Hutchinson Island Resort has ample facilities for large events, and The House of Refuge has a smaller room that it rents out to small-to-medium-size events.
- Do you offer discounts?
We offer many discounts: Military, educators, civil service, medical, rescue and law enforcement. Active or retired. Even Florida residents save (but Seniors age 50+ get the biggest discount of all).
- Are there alligators?
- Alligators don't exist in this part of Florida. (Gators can't survive near the beach in saltwater environments; they live only inland, where there is plenty of fresh water.) At Bathtub Beach Retreat, both the river and ocean are salty.
- Can I combine a Florida beach house vacation with a Disney World Orlando vacation?
- Yes. For those interested in combining a beach house experience with Mickey Mouse, Disney World, Universal, and all the other Orlando Resorts: It's a two-hour drive from Bathtub Beach Retreat to Disney and Orlando, driving along the Florida Turnpike. (Avoid the Interstate). Many vacationing families in our beach home community will spend a week bringing three (or four) generations together in a Florida beach house, then "spin off" the younger side of the family to Disney World for a few days.