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The Smith House - Updated Historic Charm

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Historic Smith House, originally built in 1925 and lovingly renovated
Exterior detail
Lush landscaping between the house and the road provides for privacy
Travel a well-lit walkway and enter through the front porch
Front porch extends the length of the main living area

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4117.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Outdoor space
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
  • Grayton Beach State Park
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Seaside Beach
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Blue Mountain Beach
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Destin, FL (DSI-Destin-Fort Walton Beach)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

The Smith House - Updated Historic Charm

Overview: Enjoy a rare opportunity to stay in one of the most historic homes in Grayton Beach -- The Smith House. Originally built in 1925, our renovation provides the house with all the modern conveniences while maintaining its true southern “old Grayton” charm. Guests love the vaulted ceilings and exposed beams, wood floors, large screened porch, and the vintage Florida decor. Cozy, yet sophisticated, the Smith House is perfect for a few friends or a small family.

**During the Spring Break and Summer seasons, we require a 7-night minimum stay (Sat - Sat time frame). Otherwise, there is a 3-night minimum. Exceptions are allowed on a case-by-case basis.**

**The maximum number of guests is limited to four (4) persons, including infants and toddlers.

Located in the heart of fun and funky Grayton Beach, and surrounded by lush landscaping that includes mature oaks, magnolias, and palms, the Smith House offers a private oasis for guests who want it all … an easy stroll to the world’s most beautiful beach as well as a peaceful retreat at which to begin and end each day.

The Living Space: The Living Room boasts 2 full-sized comfy couches and a 50-inch Smart TV. The kitchen is fully outfitted with everything you would need to cook a gourmet meal.

The Bedrooms: The master bedroom has a queen bed and a 42-inch Smart TV, and the smaller bedroom has 2 extra-long twin beds to accommodate both children and adults, as well as a 40-inch Smart TV. The house has reliable wireless internet service.

The bathroom provides a vanity with 2 sinks and a tub/shower, and an additional period pedestal sink is located in the hallway outside the bathroom. But the “guest favorite” is the fully enclosed outdoor shower that is adjacent to the porch. Spacious and private and outfitted with hot and cold water, visitors can experience the luxury of showering in nature under a canopy of oaks and magnolias.

And the porch ... It’s the best part of the house, for sure! Extending the length of the main house and wrapping around to the outdoor shower, the porch includes 2 comfortable sitting areas, a rustic cypress dining table, and a comfortable day bed for reading and relaxing. Just off the porch is a large private brick-paved patio with a picnic table, chairs, and Weber charcoal grill. Dimmable overhead patio lights create a unique and beautiful outdoor dining experience!

Extra Amenities: The outdoor shed houses 2 complimentary beach bikes as well as a large wagon loaded with all the beach gear you will need: 4 chairs, a large umbrella, cooler, and beach rafts and toys. After spending the day on the beach, guests often use the bikes to explore the adjoining beach towns in the late afternoon. In the evening, you have an easy walk to the world-famous Red Bar restaurant as well as several other outstanding dining opportunities. 

The Smith House is the perfect vacation retreat. You will want to come back year after year!

** The owners of the Smith House have a second rental cottage in Grayton, Stella Luna. Stella Luna is on the same street and will rent as either a 2 bedroom/2 bath (sleeping 2-5; VRBO #3064133) or as a 3 bedroom/3 bath (sleeping up to 7; VRBO #3024947)

Keywords: cottage, beach house, cabin

Property manager

Kelly Buzzett
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
*7-night minimum stay during the Spring Break and Summer seasons (Sat - Sat time frame); Otherwise, 3-night minimum stay required. Some exceptions.
During Spring Break, we rent to families and couples only. No spring break groups.
Hurricanes / Storms: No refunds will be given. Hurricane season is June 1 – Nov. 30. We recommend you purchase travel insurance if this is a concern.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Santa Rosa Beach

Located in Santa Rosa Beach, this cottage is in the city centre and near the beach. While the natural beauty of Grayton Beach State Park and Seaside Beach can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Sandestin Golf Resort - Raven, Burnt Pine, Baytowne, The Links. Sundog Books and Eden Gardens State Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Santa Rosa Beach, FL

What's nearby

  • Grayton Beach - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Grayton Beach State Park - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Seaside Beach - 5 min drive - 3.5 km
  • Blue Mountain Beach - 6 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Santa Rosa Beach - 10 min drive - 6.9 km

Getting around

  • Panama City, FL (ECP-Northwest Florida Beaches Intl.) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Blue Mountain Beach Creamery - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Amavida Coffee Roasters - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Pickle's Snack Station - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Surfing Deer - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Bud & Alley's Waterfront Restaurant & Bar - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Smith House - Updated Historic Charm pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Smith House - Updated Historic Charm?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Smith House - Updated Historic Charm?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Smith House - Updated Historic Charm located?

Located in the heart of Santa Rosa Beach, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Grayton Beach and Grayton Beach State Park. Seaside Beach is 2.2 mi (3.6 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 257 out of 259 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 259 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 259 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 259 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 259 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spring break

Great house! Super convenient to shopping, food and beach. Great communication from the host
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Debra K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erinn L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stress relief getaway

Beautiful and charming
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Smith house

Kelly was wonderful and the Smith house was absolutely lovely
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Raymond F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

We loved the house and the communication with the owners was excellent.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ladd M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely House in a great location

We loved the house – it has so much more charm than the cookie-cutter new builds and we were impressed that there have been only 3 owners in it's 100 year history! Kelly has done a great job of maintaining all of it's original character but with all modern amenities. It was well stocked with things such as spices, coffee filters, etc. And Kelly left us a bottle of wine and fresh cut flowers! The house works well for a couple or a family of four but I would not recommend it for 2 couples as the 2nd bedroom is pretty small and has twin beds.The outside area is awesome but unfortunately we didn't really get to use it as we were there in cold weather – in fact it snowed our last day there - the infamous snow of January 2025. We were able to use the bikes quite a few times our first few days before it got too cold. The bikes were great for getting to some of the other communities but there is quite a few good restaurants and bars within walking distance too. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Astrid L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Getaway

Overall fantastic experience and would love to stay again some day.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karina G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Karina G

Excellent communication between the host and us, she made everything clear and simple. And gave us all the guidance we needed to know the area and make the most out of our vacation.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robin H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome Location -!

Quaint, adorable & very cozy cottage style rental house. It was just my husband & l but definitely room to accommodate more people. Very relaxing front porch & atmosphere in general. Walked to many bars, restaurants & shops. Would love to return some day
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything you need!

We had the most relaxing vacation that we have had in a long time. House had such charm and was equipped with everything one would need. Was clean, comfortable, and peaceful. Looking forward to coming back again. Fantastic time!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ema T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Immaculate Cottage

I’m going to try to keep this brief. Hands down one of the best places I’ve stayed. Immaculate inside and out. Best porch sitting ever. Every detail was so thoughtfully done. Kelly the owner was great with communicating and so welcoming. Thanks!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful property

We had a great stay, the house was perfect and Kelly was a great host. The property is clean, comfortable and has everything you could possibly need. It exceeded expectations, we hope to stay at the The Smith House again in the near future!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hannah T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Grayton gem!

My family and I had the pleasure of staying at Kelly's beautiful home for four nights, and it exceeded all our expectations. The accommodations were perfect for us, especially our 2-year-old, who loved running around the spacious front porch, dancing to the music on the radio. The outdoor shower was a delightful bonus that we thoroughly enjoyed. We can't wait to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jarrod W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Outstanding

My family was extremely happy with the accomodations. Kelly has done an outstanding job with decorating the home and it feels so cozy. Additionally, everything you could possibly want in a kitchen was included and the rooms, bath and living area were great as well. Staying in early August I was a little concerned about the AC keeping us cool at night but was pleasantly surprised that it worked great our entire stay. All in all, my family had an excellent stay and look forward to returning in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing stay

The house was just as described, it had everything we needed to feel right at home. The outdoor shower was perfect after a day at the beach and sitting on the porch in the evenings was very peaceful. Great recommendations by Kelly, Morrison Springs a must! We almost didn’t make the drive but glad we did!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

GENEVA J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Old Florida Beach Property

Every single aspect of our stay at Smith House was excellent. The home is a wonderful old style beach cottage with updated conveniences and comfortable furnishings. Everything you need is there, except your swimsuit and phone + charger. The owners couldn't be more thoughtful in preparing the house or more helpful in communicating about what to expect.The adjectives I think of for Smith House are: Gracious, comfortable, perfect for summer or winter relaxing away from the maddening crowd. The beach/ocean also cooperated for our stay offering days of fun in the sun and serf. Lots of good eating and fun within walking distance. I can't think of a thing I would change.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason Kennedy N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming Cottage

Our family loved the historic Smith House in Grayton. The front porch and outdoor space provided our family time to relax and unwind in a wonderful setting. Looking forward to going back soon.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful charming house. Can't wait to return.

This is our 5th vacation to 30A but first time at Grayton Beach. Smith House is the best, and we can’t wait to go back. Communication with the owner was the best we have ever experienced in our many years of renting on VRBO across the country. The beach wagon was perfect and enabled us to walk to the beach and then travel down the beach with the 4 chairs, a shelter, our cooler, and some toys to find a quiet area to set up. (This takes some serious effort on the white powdery sand, but it’s well worth it if you enjoy having the beach to yourself.) The two bikes were in good shape, and we explored the bike trails from Seaside to Blue Mountain. And, having a shed to store all the toys was very nice. The outdoor shower was perfect after a day at the beach. We enjoyed breakfast and dinner on the large screened porch with good fans to keep us cool. We enjoyed lunch on the patio picnic table. The kitchen had everything we needed to cook meals. The house itself was very comfortable with nice furniture and decorations. The lighting was plentiful inside and outside when we needed it but relaxing in the evenings. I was very impressed with how clean it was when we arrived. Expectations: DeFuniak St. and the gravel road behind Smith House can get a little noisy with happy people walking home from the beach area until around 11:00 PM or so. After that, it’s very quiet. If you like to be in bed early, a white noise machine solves the problem.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magnificent

Can’t say enough good things! They thought of everything & love a stocked home! They had ice waiting, trash bags and paper towels - and everything was spotless! The communication was top knotch- Kelly thought of all my questions before I could ask them! 10/10!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

joe w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Joe

Nice place, good spot, well equipped
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brooke F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical Stay in Historic Smith House

We just returned from a wonderful stay at the Smith House. We thought the listing looked great in pictures, but our expectations were exceeded when we stepped inside. The house is full of historic charm and elicits calm and relaxation. Kelly has outfitted the home with so many charming pieces of art and has embraced the old Florida beach cabin look. The sofas are clean and comfortable, the mattresses are extremely comfortable, and the towels are new and plush. We enjoyed the proximity to the beach and all of the shopping and restaurants in Grayton Beach. We used our car very little. The wrap-around screened-in porch was a lovely spot for puzzles on a rainy day, morning coffee, and evening reading with a glass of wine. The home has one bathroom with double sinks, but with the additional sink in the bedroom hallway and the outdoor shower, the home basically felt like a two-bathroom place. We have stayed in many rentals but have never stayed in a place quite as charming as Smith House. We will, without a doubt, return!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cat N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A cozy cabin rich in history!

We rented this location for my Mother and Daughter for a close location to our wedding venue. The location was perfect as it was close to our venue as well as easy access to beautiful Grayton beach. The home was very comfortable and filled with small touches that made all the difference. Our family had a wonderful stay and we can’t wait to come back to enjoy the location ourselves! Also, Kelly was an amazing host. She stayed in constant communication with us and provided an overall document of the area, where to eat and places to visit. We loved it!!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Magical

Kelly is the very best host and her hospitality is impressive. The Smith House is charming, comfortable and very unique. We loved the location, the bikes and Grayton Beach. It is a magical place!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chelsea M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful historic beach town spot

From the moment we booked, the communication with the owners was outstanding! Upon our arrival, we realized how sweet and special the Smithhouse is. There is so much history and charm, nestled behind the palms that add a bit of character away from the rest of the high-rise condos Along 30A. It is perfectly located close to restaurants and shopping and just a short walk to the beach. The house was well, equipped, clean, extremely cute, and everything that we could have needed was there. There was no issues whatsoever and it honestly felt like home! I could see us booking this again very soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

About the host

Hosted by Kelly Buzzett

Host profile image
I come from a long line of Walton County natives and spent every summer of my childhood on the sands of Grayton Beach. My husband & I moved here permanently when our sons were born and were lucky to have raised them in this magical beach town. We love the charm and authenticity of Old Grayton, the fabulous beach and lake, the friendly locals, and the quirky nature of our town. We are year-round residents of Grayton Beach and are available to answer any of your questions or help you with anything you need during your stay. We are honored to own the Smith House and hope that you will love the house and our town as much as we do.

Why they chose this property

Simply put, a stay in the Smith House is magical. You are immersed in a by-gone era, while enjoying all the comforts of a modern home. If you are tired of sterile, look-alike/feel-alike beach vacation rentals that are poorly stocked and less-than-clean, look no further. The Smith House is authentic, fully stocked, exceptionally clean, and up-to-date. We welcome you to experience Grayton Beach in our special cottage.

What makes this property unique

Address: 267 DeFuniak Street, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
There is so much to do in Grayton, from swimming, fishing, and surfing in the Gulf to playing in the 'pass' at Western Lake. You can try kayaking or Stand Up Paddle boarding - on the Gulf or on the calm waters of Western Lake - and you can snorkel on Grayton's amazing artificial reef structure, just off the State Park. Nearby you can find a world-class water skiing facility, dolphin cruises, freshwater springs, and miles of hiking/biking trails in the adjacent State Forest. Fabulous restaurants are a short walk away, and there is also a little convenience store, a gym, and wonderful shops and galleries just down the street. Grayton's welcoming white-sand beaches are surrounded by State Parks on all sides, and we have miles of off-road paved bike paths along 30A. Grayton is the epicenter of 30A!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests