As we revealed last Saturday, we spent a week soaking up the sun on a small island off Florida’s west coast: Madeira Beach. We returned to Virginia with sun-kissed skin, a boatload of shells, and plenty of stories — starting with a tour of the charming cottage we called home for the week.
Wanting a more personal, tropical experience, we skipped the typical beachfront hotel and looked for a private, dog-friendly option. That search led us to Island Paradise Cottages of Madeira Beach — an affordable, stylish choice just steps from the sand.
Island Paradise features eight delightful cottages in varying sizes; we stayed in a one-bedroom unit called the Gulf Mist. Each cottage has its own private entrance and sun porch, and the grounds are well cared for with communal spaces that emphasize the island vibe — a festive tiki hut, a pool, and a hot tub designed to enhance that you’re-on-vacation feeling.
Inside the Gulf Mist we found a roomy living area, a compact corner kitchen, a peaceful bedroom, a spotless bathroom, and a large walk-in closet (handy for stashing our bikes). The cottage felt like a comfortable home-away-from-home. The décor leaned more toward practical beach style than high-end design, but that fit the setting perfectly — we spent our time relaxing, and discovered how easily sand brushed off the tropical couches.
We spotted a familiar basketweave tile pattern in the bathroom — a look that, in this cottage, intentionally reads a bit yellow. We learned the tile was original and that the cottages date back to the 1950s, which explained why the place felt so comfortably familiar.
We took lots more photos during our stay and captured other island adventures in our photo album. If you plan a trip to Madeira Beach, consider staying at Island Paradise and say hello to our gracious hosts, June and Bill.