Blue Bell Cottage in downtown historic St Augustine Florida  

Description from the manager

Experience downtown St. Augustine like a native in our charmingly updated Blue Bell Cottage, just 2 blocks from the Matanzas River in a quiet neighborhood. Completely updated inside, it's the perfect getaway with vintage appeal and modern convenience!<br/>Blue Bell Cottage looks quite small from the front, but is surprisingly roomy within. A back porch with a jaunty rope railing extends the space into the fenced backyard, which boasts outdoor seating for a courtyard effect. After a busy day sightseeing in the city, you will love coming home to this intimate, delightful place!<br/>Step into the living room and you are greeted by hi...gh ceilings, beautiful décor, and ultra-comfortable furniture that seems to invite long conversations. The old fireplace runs up the center of the house, simply decorative now but still boasting its ancient bricks. Long windows, from the days before air conditioning (don't worry; Blue Bell Cottage has central air!), ensure panoramic views from all directions. The "bones" of this splendid old cottage remain as lovely as ever, while a TV with VCR and DVD player are on hand to offer modern entertainment.<br/>On the far side of the fireplace is a lovely dining room with a small round table set for 4. You will never feel cramped at Blue Bell Cottage, because the furnishings are in proportion to the size of the rooms. Here you have a spacious area, light and open, with a modern chandelier and the perfect table for games as well as meals. You have free wireless Internet at Blue Bell Cottage too, so this may be the place you set up the laptop to check opening times of the attractions you want to visit and to update your Facebook status.<br/>The kitchen is nothing short of enchanting, with all new appliances that manage to look vintage, a cheery checkerboard floor, bistro table, old-fashioned-looking worktable with an inset double sink, and a chalkboard for leaving messages. Everything you need to cook and serve meals can be found in these cupboards and drawers, so if you like, stock up at the nearby grocery and do some home cooking. If not, the microwave is great for heating up the takeout, there's ice in the freezer for frosty beverages, and the coffeemaker will get you going in the morning!<br/>Both bedrooms at Blue Bell Cottage are so comfortable and attractive that you'll have trouble choosing between them! The "master" bedroom has a queen-size bed, piled high like beds of old for maximum comfort, with a reading chair, his-and-her lamps, cheery rag rugs on the hardwood floor, and big windows on two walls. <br/>The second bedroom has a double bed in an even larger room, with a double door leading out to the courtyard and an en suite full bathroom. This room can be drenched in sunlight or shaded tight, depending on your desire, and offers plenty of storage and sitting space. Such a homey room, certain to induce sweet dreams!<br/>A half-bathroom, a lovely little foyer, and a utility area with washer and dryer plus a second sink (handy for wet swimsuits!) completes Blue Bell Cottage. It's the perfect nest for a family, two couples, or group of friends visiting the city. We've provided all the linens, towels, blankets, and pillows you'll need, so you can pack light. And at Blue Bell, you're just 2 blocks from the trolley stop -- right in the heart of the action without the tourists, crowds, or traffic!<br/>Blue Bell Cottage is just a stroll away from the Castillo de San Marco Fort, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and other attractions in historic downtown St. Augustine. It is a home maintained with love and delightful attention to detail, such as the pretty stained glass window overlooking the back porch and the colorful quilts on the beds. Come stay here on your next visit to St. Augustine, and see the city from one of its most charming neighborhoods. We predict you'll soon be recommending Blue Bell Cottage to all your friends!Read more

Additional Location Information

Additional notes from owner

In Historic St. Augustine

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• steve s
  Northport, Michigan

  Cute house, close to town, quiet neighborhood.

  Left on 11/09/2012 for a stay in November 2012
  
  

  What a wonderful stay we had at your adorable Blue Bell Cottage. Everything looked brand new the place must have been recently updated. We had everything we needed and were very comfortable. Loved the dual shower – quite luxurious, the private yard area and all the tasteful decorator furnishings.
  It’s really all about location, location, location, being able to walk to all the downtown attractions and restaurants. We loved our daily bike rides on the Huffys!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Families w children

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• Maggie G.
  Savanna, GA

  Very cute cottage in a fab location

  Left on 09/10/2012 for a stay in August 2012
  
  

  Although the cottage is on the small side, it is very cute and has an amazing location!

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• 
  Cumming, GA

  Great location... Perfect for dog lovers!

  Left on 08/06/2012 for a stay in July 2012
  
  

  Location is wonderful! A big bonus for us to be able to bring dogs! Cottage has small fenced in area that we loved! Property management company was super helpful! Initially had trouble accessing wifi, code for bike locks, and lack of parking. Management company sent a representative within an hour of contacting them to correct problems! Very impressed and appreciative! Remember to pack any cleaning supplies you might need. Ex. Kitchen spray, mop liquid, laundry detergent, kitchen sponge. None provided. Also* Make sure and get clear instructions on designated parking spots. The 2 provided spots are really big enough for 1 large SUV/truck. Police will wake you up knocking on the door if wrong! The home owners surrounding the cottage will not be happy. Once we figured out parking we were all good! Excellent location and will return again. Thanks again to rental management team for making our stay great!

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• Emily B
  154914

  Blue Bug Cottage

  Left on 06/03/2012 for a stay in May 2012
  
  

  Very cute house with good location, close to town. Unfortunately, once inside the house all charm was lost. Within ten minutes in the master bedroom, my legs were covered with small black bugs. I felt small sharp bites and tried to wash the bugs off in the shower, assumed they were from outside. I then noticed the bugs in the carpet and on the floor in the bathroom. We tried to catch them but they were jumping. We quickly packed our bags out of the house and drove to a pharmacy. The pharmacist confirmed that they were fleas and my ankles and legs were covered with red bites (more then forty in total). We returned to the property and called Vacation Rental Pros emergency after hours number. The representative was helpful and moved us to a different property right away as it was after midnight. I waited until after noon the next day and had to call vacation rental pros myself as no one had called. We requested to stay in the new property and not return to the bug house. I was told a manager would call me back right away. I did not receive a call and had to call again myself at 9 pm to find out where we were supposed to be sleeping. Again was told a manager would call back which did not happen until 24 hours later. Waiting by the phone and not knowing where we were going to be staying wasted the first two days of our trip. No one at vacation rental pros even apologized for the inconvenience, let alone the forty itchy bites that are still on my legs one month later!! I would hesitate to rent from Vacation Rental Pros again and would definitely avoid a house that allows people to bring dogs and fleas into the house!

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  Detailed ratings for this rental

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? No

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• 
  Gainesville, GA

  A Cute Little Doll House

  Left on 04/25/2012 for a stay in April 2012
  
  

  Our cleaning person had not showed up so when we arrived at 4:00 pm a substitute was just beginning the cleanup. She worked hard and was through at least 45 minutes before she had predicted. We absolutely loved Blue Bell Cottage and the thoughtful attention to detail in their decorating. Everything we could have needed for our stay was at our fingertips. If you love feeling a part of history, you will surely enjoy this property.

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• Edward M.
  Penetanguishe, Ontario

  A great place to explore St. Augustine!

  Left on 04/19/2012 for a stay in March 2012
  
  

  Bluebell Cottage was better than we expected. The convenience to the historic downtown, beaches and golf were exactly what we were looking for. About 3 minutes to the old city gates and less than 10 minutes through the old fort and along the sea wall to the Bridge of Lions. About 10 minutes to Vilano Beach â?? and Porpoise Point where we watched the dolphins at sunset. The home itself is tasteful and well appointed. The neighbourhood is charming and the folks who live there are friendly and engaging. We will certainly return.

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• Susan S.
  Milford, Ct

  Great little spot in St. Augustine

  Left on 02/03/2012 for a stay in January 2012
  
  

  We spent the month of January at Blue Bell. We had a wonderful time exploring St. Augustine and were able to walk to many of the attractions and restaurants in the area. The house was perfect for 2 people. I have to admit that the beds were a bit small. We are used to a king bed so the queen was small for us. We had guests stay and the bed in the guest bedroom is only a double so that was really small. Other than that, the house was clean, updated, great backyard(small) fenced for our dogs. We loved it. We are looking to relocate to the Jacksonville area so it was a great spot to explore homes and golf. Weather was perfect. Can't go wrong a Blue Bell. Thank you for the opportunity to stay there.

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• Jennifer R.
  Marshall, NC

  Walking distance to everything!

  Left on 01/18/2012 for a stay in December 2011
  
  

  The Blue Bell Cottage was a perfect spot for my family. From morning runs through the neighborhood to walking down the street to catch the Trolley or to discover a new restaurant...the location of the cottage was outstanding.

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• 
  Palatka, FL

  Our Experience in St. Augustine at the Blue Bell

  Left on 12/12/2011 for a stay in December 2011
  
  

  The house was very nice, clean, and well maintained. Everytime I called Vacation Rental Pros they were very helpful. The hesitation that I would have in regards to recommending this property to someone else is the noise and the very limited parking. It is the fault of no one at your office that the city workers were right outside our door pumping out the manhole and driving up and down the street early in the morning twice during the week of our stay. It is also no one's fault that the next door neighbor breaks out his leaf blower around 7 am every morning and blows off his porch and front yard every morning. We did have a toilet problem that I believe was a result of the city pump out early one morning but the property manager promptly sent someone out to resolve it soon after we reported it. All in all everything was fine and it worked out.

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• Heidi F.
  Forest Park, GA

  Wonderful experience!

  Left on 10/31/2011 for a stay in October 2011
  
  

  We really loved our stay at Blue Bell Cottage! First, the location is great! Closer to town than I realized. It was so easy to walk everywhere. Second, the cottage is so cute! I love the decor and furnishings. The couch and bed were both comfortable. We were happy to find that the queen bed was in the back, larger bedroom, which is not what the description says. We enjoyed eating breakfast outside of the patio. There is no picture of the shower but it is a nice, tiled shower with 2 shower heads. Everything looked clean and in good condition. I really hated to leave and hope we get to come back someday.

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• Michael W.
  Saint Augustine, Florida

  A perfect cottage in a perfect neighborhood

  Left on 08/08/2011 for a stay in July 2011
  
  

  Stroll around the Castillo at 3 in the morning via the neighborhood's own well-lit private sidewalk, amble down to the sea wall to glance across the harbor at the Lighthouse, or mosey over to the Shrine grounds. It's all within a 5-block radius. The cottage is exquisitely renovated and charmingly decorated. Its furnishings and amenities are well-considered and reveal respect for the guests. Blue Bell is comfortable, quiet, and fantastically located for a perfect visit to Saint augustine. It comes with our fullest and most enthusiastic recommendation!

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• Aida B.
  Stone Mountain, Ga

  Storybook cottage!

  Left on 07/19/2011 for a stay in July 2011
  
  

  The place was like out of a book! It is newly renovated and has adorable decorations. The location was also amazing! Only one or two streets down from Castillo de San Marcos!

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• Christi M.
  Deland, Florida

  Our stay at Blue Bell Cottage.

  Left on 06/14/2011 for a stay in June 2011
  
  

  Absolutely loved this place. Location was perfect, cottage was cozy and decorated with great style. Only negative is the small bath toilet was broke and not fixed during our stay. Since it was to friends I had to sneak into her room if I had to use the restroom. But seriously loved it and would absolutely go back. Have recommended it too!

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• Daniel U.
  Coral Springs, FL

  Property is large enough and kept clean and in excellent shape.

  Left on 06/01/2011 for a stay in May 2011
  
  

  We loved the fact that the house is in walking distance to the St augustine main attractions

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• Hilary S.
  Charlotte, NC

  Cute cottage so close to town

  Left on 09/19/2010 for a stay in September 2010
  
  

  Such a cute house in such a great neighborhood. So easy to walk everywhere and the house was so comfortable - I am thankful for the fantastic air conditioning and all the amenities.We had a great time, would stay again and tell friends to rent this property if they are coming to St. Augustine!

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• Maria F.
  Miami, FL

  Maria F.'s review of Blue Bell Cottage in downtown historic St a

  Left on 09/09/2010 for a stay in August 2010
  
  

  Our vacation was wonderful. Everything was as described. Location is a plus!!! I would like to extend a special thanks to Vacation Rentals, they were very helpful with us before going to our destination. We had a slight change of plans, and they were right there ready to assist us!!! I will definitely use this company again!!! 100 % honest!

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• 
  Clermont, FL

  Great Girls Getaway

  Left on 08/22/2010 for a stay in August 2010
  
  

  We stayed here for our annual girls golf getaway and this cottage was perfect. It is so much larger than it looks and everthing is updated inside. There is a great backyard and front porch to enjoy sitting around in the evenings. It is within walking distance to Ripleys and all the attractions. The neighborhood was very quiet and we all felt very secure. A short driving distance to many great golf courses. We really enjoyed our stay and would recommend this to anyone.

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• 
  st cloud, fl

  perfect venue in a perfect location

  Left on 07/07/2010 for a stay in July 2010
  
  

  We felt more like residents of Saint augustine than visitors. We were able to walk to everything downtown or walk two blocks to catch the trolley. We were also able to enjoy meals together at the cottage and had plenty of space for our large family. There was even plenty to do on the day it rained because we had a whole house to use instead of just a hotel room.

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