Located in a secluded, central spot in the heart of Seaside, Pleasure Principal is a classic, old Florida cottage with a large, inviting screened porch. Easy, convenient guaranteed beach access to Seaside's private beach is one block down the sand path between Pensacola and Odessa streets. The westside pool is at the corner only steps away. The shops and restaurants of Seaside are a five-minute walk or a one-minute bike ride. Pleasure Principal is a “dog-trot” design, divided through the middle by a porch that opens the house to salty gulf breezes and looks out to a side yard with saw palmetto, muscadine vines, sand live oaks, sand pines, sago palms, beauty berry, and southern magnolias. If you remember and yearn for the “Old Florida” experience—simple, clapboard houses with big, screened porches set amid a wild landscape—Pleasure Principal offers a contemporary version of that magical Florida of yesteryear. The owner describes the sensibility of Pleasure Principal as “cracker Caribbean,” which was inspired by the rural homesteads of north Florida melded with the island architecture of the West Indies. It’s not about fancy stuff, but the right stuff—dine or socialize on the porch, shower outdoors without being an exhibitionist, cool off under ceiling fans, grill in the yard beneath a tree canopy, gaze at constellations in the night sky from the tower. These are the kinds of beach experiences Pleasure Principal affords. It’s like a big wooden beach tent with modern amenities. The name is a twist on a psychology term popularized in the 1960s—pleasure principle: the instinctive drive to seek pleasure and avoid pain, expressed by the id as a basic motivating force that reduces psychic tension. Principle is morphed to principal, so there’s a shift from idea to leadership position. You get the idea. And there is no better mantra for a perfect vacation than seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.
Pleasure Principal has 2 suites on the second floor. Each has a full bath, smart TV with streaming capability, and lots of privacy because the bedrooms are on opposite sides of the porch. The front bedroom has a queen bed, and opens to a private screened porch. The rear bedroom has a queen bed and a side niche with a desk. The tower, with dramatic views of the gulf and town, is accessed via a spiral stair adjacent to the rear bedroom. The living room has a sleeper sofa full bed and a is located across the porch on the first floor. So, when needed, the living room can function as a makeshift third bedroom, suitable for kids or teenagers, allowing the house to sleep a maximum of six people (adults and kids totaling 6; not ideal for 6 adults). Every room in the house features ceiling fans and opens directly to the outdoors. The kitchen/dining area is located across the porch opposite the living room. It has an electric oven and cooktop, dishwasher, and microwave, and features a vintage, Old Florida ambiance with vinyl flooring, a ceramic countertop, and open shelving embellished with a collection of vintage cookware and bric-a-brac. There are two large dining tables, one in the kitchen that sits six, and the other on the porch that sits eight. In addition to flat panel smart TVs with cable and streaming; a DVD player; a VHS tape player; wi-fi with excellent coverage throughout, including the porch; a stereo system you can plug your iPhone or MP3 player into; there’s a supply of old-fashioned board games, jigsaw puzzles, trashy pulp fiction for leisurely beach reading, a large movie library of VHS tapes, and the walls are covered with original art.
For a clear description on the unique layout of this cottage please call Sandpiper Vacation Rentals.
* The cost of swim and fitness passes is optional and listed as part of the “HOST FEES" in VRBO’s cost breakdown. The cost for this cottage is $56/day. Please email us if you would like to remove this charge after booking.
*This home does allow one small (25lb or less), non-shedding dog for a $250 pet fee added to the initial on-line booking
*2 complimentary bikes
FREE WIFI