Entire home

Once Upon a Tide | Wren Beach Rentals by Portoro

Photo gallery for Once Upon a Tide | Wren Beach Rentals by Portoro

On the beach
Exterior
Terrace/patio
TV, fireplace, books, offices
Interior

Reviews

9.4 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms3 bathrooms

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot Tub
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Once Upon a Tide | Wren Beach Rentals by Portoro

Summary:
The perfect beach getaway!
* Wake up to coffee and a stunning sunrise.
* Spend all day lounging on the beach and cooling off in the ocean.
* Wind down with a gourmet dinner overlooking the water.
Embrace the essence of coastal living in this modern 4 br home. Directly on the beach, this home features spectacular views and plenty of space to make lasting memories.

The Space:
Every great beach vacation begins with “Once Upon a Tide”! Nestled on a dune looking over the Atlantic Ocean, Once Upon a Tide is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath oceanfront home that was completely remodeled in early 2024. The house can sleep up to 12 guests (ideally only 8 adults). The main living area is on the 2nd floor, which offers beautiful views of the beach. The spacious kitchen is open to the living and dining areas, making it easy for everyone to gather. The fully stocked kitchen features stainless appliances, granite countertops, and plenty of cabinet space. There is bar stool seating for four at the breakfast island. The dining table seats ten. The living room has a large leather sectional sofa which wraps around the fireplace and TV. The views of the blue horizon are amazing from the house.

There are two bedrooms on the main level of the house, one on each end of the home. The primary bedroom has a comfy king bed and views of the ocean. There is a wall-mounted TV, plenty of dressers, and a walk-in closet. The primary bathroom has a large walk-in shower. The 2nd bedroom also has a king bed, TV, and ample storage space for your clothes. This bedroom also has a private, full bathroom with a walk-in shower. Just outside the 2nd bedroom is an office with a desk for those who must do a little computer work during their stay. There is also a queen size murphy bed in the office. The third bathroom is off of the living room on the 2nd floor and has a walk-in shower. This bathroom would serve the guests staying in either of the bedrooms on the 3rd floor. Upstairs are two more bedrooms. One has a queen bed and the other has a large queen-over-queen bunk bed with a trundle underneath. Both bedrooms have dressers and TVs. Please note, there is not a bathroom on the third floor.

The 2nd floor balcony spans the width of the house and provides an amazing outdoor gathering space. There is plenty of furniture on the balcony, including a dining table with seating for eight. On the ground level is a huge deck with comfy chairs around a fire pit, several lounge chairs for tanning, and your own private hot tub! There is a grilling area on the deck with a gas grill (we provide the propane). Just before you walk down the stairs to the beach, you’ll find two built-in benches on the deck. This is a great place to enjoy the sunrise in the morning with a cup of coffee. The beach is just steps away from the deck.

Experience the beauty of sandy shores where you can swim, sunbathe, surf, paddleboard, and fish. Take leisurely walks along the beach to discover treasures like shark teeth, sand dollars, and sea glass.

Explore Anastasia State Park for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, birdwatching, and picnicking in a stunning coastal setting.

Discover the rich history of Historic St. Augustine by visiting landmarks like Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.

Stroll down St. George Street, a pedestrian only thoroughfare in the heart of the historic district, lined with charming shops, restaurants, galleries, and historic sites.

Immerse yourself in the Gilded Age at the Lightner Museum, housed in a historic hotel, showcasing a diverse collection of art, antiques, and artifacts.

Experience the thrill of getting up close to alligators, crocodiles, and exotic animals at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, which also offers educational shows, zip lines, and exhibits of native Florida wildlife.

Take a scenic short ferry ride to Fort Matanzas National Monument, a historic Spanish fort located on Rattlesnake Island. Learn about its role in protecting St. Augustine during the colonial period while enjoying views of the surrounding marshlands.

Indulge in delicious cuisine at the many restaurants in St. Augustine, cafes, and eateries. From fresh seafood to international fare, there is something to satisfy every palate, including popular spots like 180 Vilano Grill and Pizza, Briskys BBQ, and Beaches at Vilano.

*Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced. Per County regulation, this house can accommodate 10 "occupants," excluding children 12 years of age or under. However, the house sleeps a total of 12.

Please note, that all guests staying at a Portoro home are required to sign a rental agreement and provide a valid form of ID. The primary reservation holder must provide a Government-Issued ID that matches the name on the rental agreement. This is a requirement from St. Johns County. All guest's names (first and last) must be provided. The ages of any minors are required to be listed. This is for emergency and insurance purposes.

Guest Access:
We offer self-check-in. Portoro uses smart locks.

• We cannot guarantee early check-ins or late checkouts in advance. If the house happens to be ready earlier than our standard 4 pm check-in time on the day of your arrival, we, in most cases will allow an early check-in. For a reliable alternative with guaranteed check-in or check-out timing, it's recommended to book the night before or after your scheduled arrival or departure.

Getting Around:
Immerse yourself in the blend of adventure and activity by renting a bicycle. Lose yourself in enchanting streets, uncover hidden treasures, and enjoy the ocean breeze. Take in a leisurely pace with beachfront strolls, explore shops, and savor local cuisine on foot.

Enhance your experience with a sunset cruise, offering breathtaking views and the chance to spot playful dolphins. For the adventurous, rent kayaks, paddleboards, and other watercraft to explore our beautiful estuaries and waterways.

Local favorites include Brewer Beach Rentals, St. Augustine City Tours, and Adventure Boat Tours.

Please note that beach driving is not permitted. Beach access points can be found on Coastal Hwy at even-numbered properties and on the 3000 block on S. Ponte Vedra, specifically odd-numbered properties.

Other Things to Note:
Please pay close attention to following the house rules. Non-compliance could result in sizable fines.
- All guests staying at a Portoro home are required to sign a rental agreement and complete identity registration.
- Age restrictions apply. Please inquire for more information.
- All guests must be included on the guest list and not exceed the maximum number stated on the listing.
- To ensure your safety, proper access to the home, and guest features, ALL guests are required to read the house manual upon arrival and notify Portoro with any questions.
- Known damages incurred during your stay must be reported to the property manager immediately.
- Before check-in, we will send you detailed directions to ensure a seamless arrival.
- Pets are not allowed at this home. If undisclosed pets are brought into the home without Portoro’s approval, there will be a cleaning charge of $500.
- We cannot guarantee early check-ins or late checkouts. When it is possible to check in early or check out late, there will be a fee for anything outside of a one-hour window within our standard times. If your need for an early check-in or late check-out is great, your best option is to book an additional night.
- The home has cameras for external monitoring only.
- HOTEL TAX COLLECTION: Both St. Johns County and the State of Florida require all hotel and vacation rental hosts to collect hotel tax. We collect these two taxes within the booking transaction. The state requires 6.5% and the county requires 5%.
- LONG-TERM STAYS: (Snowbird, long-term rental). Contact Wren Beach Rentals by Portoro to discuss if a long-term stay discount applies to this listing. Stays over six months are waived from paying the State and Local Hotel Tax. However, there are additional fees we need to collect for damage coverage and housekeeping. In compliance with our policies for long-term stays, we need to collect an additional cleaning fee for guests staying longer than 3 weeks. Your Guest Ambassador will coordinate the cleaning schedule for a minimum of once every 2 weeks. You can request cleanings more frequently if desired. Additional cleaning charges will be sent using a payment request or resolution request, immediately following the cleaning. Your guest ambassador will reply shortly and be available to assist you where needed.

Interaction with Guests:
We offer self-check-in. Portoro uses smart locks.

•We cannot guarantee early check-ins or late checkouts in advance. If the house happens to be ready earlier than our standard 4 pm check-in time on the day of your arrival, we, in most cases will allow an early check-in. If your need for an early check-in or late check-out is great, your best option is to book the night before or after your arrival/departure.

Property manager

Wren Beach Rentals

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Pool/Spa

  • Spa tub

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Shower/tub combination
  • Towels provided
  • Hair dryer

Living spaces

  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Office
  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Service animals only (pets not allowed)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near the ocean
  • Near the sea
  • On the waterfront

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Note from host: Charge may apply

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

65c29482492ee3000e5e65d3

About the neighborhood

Map
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

What's nearby

  • Castle Otttis - 2 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Vilano Beach - 2 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park - 9 min drive - 9.4 km
  • St. George Street - 11 min drive - 11.4 km
  • Castillo de San Marcos National Monument - 12 min drive - 11.8 km

Getting around

  • St. Augustine, FL (UST-Northeast Florida Regional) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Kings Head British Pub - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Beaches at Vilano - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Aunt Kate's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Schooner's Seafood House - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Cap's On The Water - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Once Upon a Tide | Wren Beach Rentals by Portoro pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

What time is check-in at Once Upon a Tide | Wren Beach Rentals by Portoro?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Once Upon a Tide | Wren Beach Rentals by Portoro?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Once Upon a Tide | Wren Beach Rentals by Portoro located?

Nestled on the beach, this South Ponte Vedra Beach vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Usina Beach and Castle Otttis. Vilano Beach and Tolomato River are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Once Upon a Tide | Wren Beach Rentals by Portoro Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 12 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 12 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 12 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 12 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 12 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Garrick L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Ultimate Beachfront and Kitchen
Beachfront house is right on the water, had an excellent two-level deck with hot tub, beach chairs, outdoor games & water craft/toys. This rental had the best equipped kitchen we’ve ever had with every kitchen tool and appliance you need and more. The cleanliness was superb. We also really appreciated the plentiful dedicated beach towels.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brenda B., Port Orange, Florida, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Sensational 70th Shindig
Four high school (and earlier) friends vacation to celebrate our 70th birthdays in 2024. We had lots of fun and laughter and thoroughly enjoyed staying at Once Upon a Tide. Views were wonderful to enjoy over coffee and cocktails. The kitchen was really well stocked with everything to meet our needs. Lots of games and other amenities. Plenty of room and clean. Linens and beds were great.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lana G., Atlanta, GA

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Home on the Beach!
We had a great time and rarely left the house! There were so many games and toys even our teenagers were kept occupied and happy! The kitchen is well stocked, the beds were super comfortable and the outside deck was wonderful. We will definitely book this home again, it was perfect!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dan B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our Stay
Great place and well stocked. Little things that were missing aren’t worth mentioning. Amazing beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Danielle R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous Beach House
This house is well done, has everything you need and more, and you cannot beat the location! My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at once upon a tide. The open floor plan was beautiful, the large tables for eating dinner inside and on the upstairs deck are really nice. The sunrise views from the living room, as well as the upper and lower decks are spectacular. The office off the main floor bedroom was perfect for me to be able to work with great beach views. The amount of games they had for the kids and family are great! And the details (from toiletries to towels and cooking appliances) that they thought of to make your stay more enjoyable was a huge plus!!! We loved being able to come up and use the bathroom under the house while on the beach without going in the house. The hot tub was a fun treat and we are already talking about coming back. Highly recommend’.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

mikepgh09 S., Pittsburgh, PA

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic property and great stay!
The 10/10 reviews are spot on. Very newly remodeled property, fully stocked inside and out including beach toys, chairs, umbrellas, etc. Nice hot tub and lower deck only steps to an essentially private beach. We had 2 neighbors on the beach to the north (nicely spaced out) and we could literally look down the beach one mile to the south with no one in sight. Paddle boards were a big hit with our teens and they even had an opportunity to be out with dolphins only a few feet away. Great local restaurants within 20 min or less and many with exceptional takeout for those beach days where you want to stay out a bit longer and just chill at the house for dinner. There's a very long dining table with wall to wall ocean views for your dining pleasure. All in all a great stay and would definitely come back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Robin R.

Disliked: Cleanliness
So Happy!
This house exceeded our expectation. Everything was clean and more perfect than the pictures showed. We have rented many beach houses and we have never had one that was better equipped in the kitchen..it had everything we needed. Regarding the outside...the space was over the top amazing. Upper and lower decks were spacious and had the perfect furniture for all our family. The beach equipment room/half bath was even so so nice. So organized and so many toys and chairs for the beach. This house is a 15 out of 10, we loved our 1st stay in St Augustine at Once Upon a Tide!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Margaret E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic beach house
Wonderful house and great locations! So many thoughtful touches. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paula W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful vacation
I very rarely review the VRBO properties where I stay. I am very picky and this house, we affectionately called the big banana, was perfect! It was very clean! The inside was so nice, comfortable beds, great showers, and lovely furniture. But, the best part was the outside decks! They have supplied everything you need! Watched the sunrise with my tea, ate meals at the large outside table, played yard chess, used the hot tub several times, and lit the fire pit..:all only steps from the beach! The house is so close to St. Augustine. The rules are reasonable. I have stayed at homes where the rules were ridiculous! You might want to add muffin tins and a slow cooker to the kitchen. Bring extra toilet paper. This is a great property! Our family loved it! Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathy M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect for our family
Very comfortable stay. Very well stocked in every way (except toilet paper ;)
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matthew T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Vacation
I highly reccomend this property to anyone with decent sized family. It has everything you need for a great beach vacation anf you can't possibly get any closer to the beach. My family and I had a great week and we plan to visit again.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Allison V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exceeded our expectations and would love to go back!
I can't recommend this house more! We'd love to go back. We went with four adults and 8 kids for our spring break. It was perfect for us. We felt like the house had everything! It was clean, had easy access to what felt like our own private beach, games and activities outside including a giant chess board, hot tub, pool table, ping pong and a fire table. There was an easy-to-access room/bathroom off the deck for kids to use. I loved the giant decks. The adults could sit on the lower level one watching the kids, or chatting with people in the hot tub while sitting on a lounge chair. We'd go out early in the morning to sit on the top deck, read a book and watch the waves. The area/neighborhood was very quiet and calm, and only a 10-15 minute drive from downtown St. Augustine for when we wanted to be in the city. We'd go out to dinner, minigolf, to the fort in St. Augustine, but it was always nice to drive back to our quiet and private beach area. The house itself was beautiful with brand new everything. The bed was the most comfortable bed I've slept in for a long time. The kitchen was a great size, with a big eating table which was perfect for our group. The living room was perfect for playing games or having a movie night. The rental company was incredibly kind, responsive and helpful. They communicated often leading up to our stay and I knew exactly what I needed to pack, what would be provided, recommended activities / grocery stores / etc. Thank you!!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vinod D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous beach views and property
We were here to celebrate my birthday and “Once Upon a Tide” did not disappoint. The property was completely renovated and beautifully done. Everything was labeled and organized. My family had the best time….best time part was the view!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024