BOOK NOW! FALL DISCOUNT: St. Augustine Townhouse for 2 nr Beach, Non-smoking

September/October special, $300 discount on 28-day stay!

Our tropical 2/2 near-beach townhouse is a NON-SMOKER's dream... (We regret, we CANNOT RENT TO SMOKERS due to owner's extreme nicotine allergies.)

We're perfect for a couple-- relax in our shady garden, or work-at-home, with FREE WIFI! There are 2 bedrooms with queen beds and adjoining bath. Lovely private flowering tropical garden... enjoy beach walking, dolphin- and boat-watching on the bay, and ocean splashing in the uncrowded South Ponte Vedra Beach area on the north end of St. Augustine.

SMALL DOG or CATS WELCOME: $150 fee. Certain dog breeds restricted, please discuss with owner.

TOURISM TAX is 5% in St. John's County for all rentals; VRBO does not collect this. Kindly pay our Property Manager upon check-in (cash, check or money order). These funds are used to repair and renourish the beaches after hurricanes, build protective beach shelters, bathrooms, picnic tables, parking areas, etc.

HAVE CHILDREN or TEENAGERS? We are ADULTS ONLY. We are not set up for children in this quiet, mature community. Our special furnishings, antiques, and fabrics are not "wet-bathing-suit-kid-friendly"! We recommend St. Augustine Beach's family-friendly condos with pools, mini-golf, surfing, and more for kids/ teenagers, and are happy to refer you to an appropriate rental.

LOVE GOLF? ANTIQUES? MUSEUMS? There's world-class golf at World Golf Village, and TPC Sawgrass Resort just up the road in Ponte Vedra. And St. Augustine is a history-lovers' and antiquers' dream come true. New to the area? Just ask, and I will guide you to all of the wonderful restaurants, museums, music, and fantastic water and wildlife venues you could ever want!

Guests say we are "perfectly located!" on the more private North Island of St. Augustine, 3 miles north of Vilano Beach. We are 30+ minutes from Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, yet only 8-10 minutes from the heart of the San Marco antiques district of St. Augustine.

THE BEACH:
It's true--our beach is St. Augustine's "best kept secret"! For quiet beach-walkers, the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean beach at South Ponte Vedra is never crowded, plenty of free parking, shelter and showers... beauty, peace and tranquility, no further than a 5- minute walk from our front door, or 5-minute drive to a special beach entry with parking lot, covered shelters with picnic tables, washrooms, and showers to clean off that lovely sand that gets between your toes.

GOOD TO KNOW: St. Augustine Beach, on Anastasia Island, is fun for kids and families, because it's on "the strip" of motels and restaurants. But there is a $10/day entrance fee (or $100+ annual pass), it's usually extremely crowded, and 4-wheel drive is required. It's also a 20 -25 minute drive from our home in heavy traffic. (Can you tell? We prefer the beautiful north end of the beach, 5 minutes from our townhome!)

VILANO BEACH? We're just 3 miles from this charming little historic fishing village--with restaurants, fishing pier, and a drive-on beach entry--just across the Vilano Bridge from the antique district & downtown St. Augustine!

THE OWNER:
I'm Dr. Diane Schneider. I was a theology professor before I "jumped ship" to do research and serve patients at Mayo Clinic hospitals for 9 years. I am still a Vibration Medicine Specialist and a professional harpist using harp vibrations for therapeutic work in psychiatric hospitals and prisons. I fell in love with St. Augustine, bought The Vine-Covered Oasis, and lived here full-time for 7 years. I still love living at The Oasis part-time, and I try to meet as many of my guests as possible! I enjoyed decorating my home with beach-themed oil paintings, watercolours, and some tropical-style antiques, that might remind you of a beautiful Key West-style island retreat.

I decided to open up my home to long-term stays for adults who are looking for a clean, quiet place to relax and renew themselves in peace--people who really love beauty, long walks and sunrises on the beach, sunsets on the Vilano Beach pier. I'm an animal lover, so of course, beloved small dogs and cats are welcome, too. After a walk on the beach, my favourite spot is our 'secret garden' tropical backyard--where you can nap under the magnolia tree, or have a late dinner outside on the deck, all in complete privacy.

The House Manager team of Zoraida and Juan Mayoral are very welcoming, and will be a phone call away for any questions or needs relating to the home; they are both English- and Spanish-speaking. They are also fluent in sign language.

THE ROOMS OF THE VINE-COVERED OASIS:
Now, for the interior of The Oasis. Please know that the pictures simply cannot do justice to the ocean colours and the light and airy feel and space of this home. Contact me to visit any time for a walk-through.

First, the vine-covered entrance leads to a red oak and leaded glass door with an electronic keyless entry (you will receive the code before arrival). The entire townhouse has tile floors except the carpeted stairs to second floor. A guest with some mobility issues could use a walker or travel chair easily on the first floor, but we regret the bathrooms are not actually wheelchair accessible.

There are two Master Bedroom suites. On the first floor, The Hemingway Suite has a lovely British West Indies tropical air: a Bernhardt pecan four-poster queen plantation bed with marble-top small dressers and bedside tables, carved palm-leaf overhead fan with remote, specially chosen artwork on the walls, and vaulted ceilings for a spacious feel. There is a large closet and, a few steps away, the bathroom features a travertine walk-in shower instead of tub. There is a lockable door on the hallway outside these rooms, for complete privacy.

On the second floor, The Ocean Suite, in soft shades of green, is beachy and a bit whimsical. It features a pickled-pine spindle queen sleigh bed, overhead fan, and wicker/rattan dresser and bedside table. On one end of the room, there's a comfortable conversation area where you can read or relax on the tropical print sofa (queen-size sleeper sofa) or the cozy papasan chair, with a wicker coffee table. The adjoining bathroom is light and airy, with travertine marble floors, 3 large closets, and a rare and delightful skylight over the tub and shower. There is an assist bar on the tub for easy access. Both suites have locking doors for privacy.

Downstairs, the dining room, with a beautiful glass-and-rattan vintage island table (very spacious for 2), flows into a high-ceilinged living room with comfortable sofa, 50" inch Roku-enabled television with cable, and ocean-themed artwork. Two wonderful matching Lane recliners flank the sofa--you will love them!

Sliding doors lead onto the glass and screened lanai, where a vintage table and chair set for 2 can be a cozy breakfast spot, viewing on the magnolia tree and tropical greenery of the deck and backyard. (A storage room on the lanai contains beach chairs, etc.) The garden, just outside the lanai, with its flowering plants is truly a spot for rest and renewal… whether relaxing in the shade or having an informal dinner on the large deck.

Back inside, the kitchen, just off the dining room, has granite counters, all Whirlpool stainless steel appliances, and is equipped with many helpful appliances ( InstantPot, large Foreman grill, 12-cup coffee maker, blender, rotating waffle-maker just like the hotels, and so on) and a variety of plates and bowls.

Just off the kitchen is a laundry room with baking items and Pyrex storage bowls, and a large Maytag washer and dryer set. The washer is the latest technology that uses very little water, and "vibrates" the clothes clean!

TO SOOTHE, HEAL, AND REVIVE:
Dr. Diane says, "Life is jam-packed and stressful. I am honoured to offer a beautiful island of calm to adults who come in exhausted and drained from carrying many burdens. May my townhouse be a real oasis to you, a time of peace, and I hope that you leave feeling refreshed, blessed, and much healthier and happier than when you arrived."