Villas on the Space Coast - Cocoa Beach/Merritt

[nezza]

Hi,

I'm planning a family holiday for 8 people in September this year and we are considering Cocoa Beach / Merritt Island. So I have a couple of questions:

1) Can't find many villa rentals in this area - do they exist?

2) What are Cocoa Beach and Merritt island like? By that I mean are they very cheesey seaside resorts - like a Blackpool with better weather! I've heard that Daytona is certainly like this.

3) Where else could we stay that is a one hour or so drive from Orlando that's near a beach (or just very nice!)

Thanks for your help!

[kevinprewett]

quote:Originally posted by nezza

Hi,

I'm planning a family holiday for 8 people in September this year and we are considering Cocoa Beach / Merritt Island. So I have a couple of questions:

1) Can't find many villa rentals in this area - do they exist?

2) What are Cocoa Beach and Merritt island like? By that I mean are they very cheesey seaside resorts - like a Blackpool with better weather! I've heard that Daytona is certainly like this.

3) Where else could we stay that is a one hour or so drive from Orlando that's near a beach (or just very nice!)

Thanks for your help!

Nezza,
try vaction rentals by owner - [link removed], lots of choice.
Let me know if it helps, if not I can suggest something else!

[orlandobabe]

I prefer Clearwater to Cocoa. That's about a 2 hour drive. Sarasota is also very nice.

[blott]

There aren't many villas for short term rental in that area but there are a lot of condos, although whether they would sleep eight, I'm not sure.

Cocoa is a residential/retirement type area but Merritt Island is where the wildlife reserve is near NASA.

I'd try to avoid the Atlantic coast during spring break as there are a lot of students who party in that direction!

[esprit]

There is a good reason for this. That area isnt zoned for short term rentals only for long term rentals. It was a decision taken by the officials in those areas. You may find an appartment being let "on the side" but there is no official industry there and no managment companies. Cocoa is slightly less cheesy than Daytona. The gulf beaches are nicer though more than an hours drive to find an area that is zoned there too.

[nezza]

Thanks for all the replies, that certainly answers my questions, basically I'm onto a loser trying to find one large rental property for 1 week on that side of Florida.

Looking at alternatives to the east coast, what would my options be within an hour or so of Orlando on the west side? I guess Clearwater and the like are too far away...

[orlandobabe]

Clearwater is about the nearest beach.Unless there is something in Tampa Bay. Maybe someone else can help you there.