5-star, Mediterranean-style luxury villa perched high atop the Ocean dune, w/heated oceanfront pool, 7BR & 5BA. Sited on a narrow stretch of barrier island, LDV includes your own boat dock on the nature-rich Indian River (North America's most diverse estuary, with more than 4000 species of plants & animals). Enjoy free kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, snorkel/fishing gear & more (inc boats & jetskis!) (Note: This home is not available for parties or events) The space Live/Work/Play on your own private beach – and at your very own private luxury beach house. Get far away from the crowds . . . and get closer to those who matter the most. Your remote barrier-island 5-star oceanfront palace is located on the FL Treasure Coast, a tranquil oasis safely isolated worlds away from hotspots. Enjoy gigabit-speed commercial-grade secure WiFi internet . . . so fast, you can stream 4K movies at night, and so secure that you can safely and productively work from “home”, with a powerful signal that reaches all the way to the beach/river. Clean & Safe: We meet or exceed all safety measures & other best practices specified by the CDC, Dept of Health, and FL Department of Business & Professional Regulation. We utilize hospital-grade cleaning & disinfectant standards. We stock your home with cleaning supplies, alcohol, hand sanitizer & more. (During the initial shutdowns in Spring 2020, our spotlessly-clean homes passed muster with "front line" hospitals and medical departments, hosting entire hospital nursing units and doctor families for extended stays.) Save: Ask about our FL resident discount! ABOUT THE HOME: Italian for "The sweet life", La Dolce Vita is a European-style luxury pool home/villa which sits directly on the Atlantic Ocean, and directly on the Indian River (with private dock). LDV is operated by Beach Houses in Paradise. At rates starting at less than $100 per night per bedroom, enjoy 5-star luxury amenities, accommodations and an ON-the-beach location at a price you can afford. (It's like champagne on a beer budget!) Note: La Dolce Vita is rented only to one party at a time; you will not be sharing the premises with strangers or unknown travelers. Never before available to the public, La Dolce Vita arrived to the vacation-rental market for the very first time in 2016. Already a high-end luxury beach villa, the majestic property was further upgraded and restored in with all-new beds & furnishings, 4K UHD TVs, high-speed business-class wifi internet, and more. La Dolce Vita is the only home available from Beach Houses in Paradise that features both a built-in heated pool and a private elevator. (no more stairs!) Plus: it features a huge double-oven kitchen and spacious open floor plan. With 7+ bedrooms and 6 baths, 100 linear feet on both the ocean and bay/river, a big oceanfront relaxation deck (and separate observation/sundeck), plus riverfront dock, and more than 3000 square feet of bedrooms, bathrooms and living area, La Dolce Vita is among the largest and most luxuriously appointed ocean-to-river beach houses we currently offer. La Dolce Vita is situated on a private beach in a quiet residential area -- there are no condos, high rises or large public beaches for miles (no crowds, just a beach all to yourself and your group). The Atlantic ocean is right off your back porch. And 15 paces from your front door is a nature-preserve walkway that leads to your own 300-foot-long deep-water private dock on the Indian River, offering some of the best fishing in the world, and stocked with all your favorite water toys. (complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, bicycles, boogie boards, inflatable rafts, fishing poles & tackle, metal detectors, & more). Boats & jetskis available, too! Plus: Enjoy our complete set of complimentary water toys and recreational items. Kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, fishing gear, snorkel gear, and so much more. Jetskis & boats are available, too! SAVE! We offer many discounts to Airbnb members: Military, educators, civil service, rescue & law enforcement, medical & more. Active or retired. Even Florida residents save $$. (But Seniors age 50+ get the biggest discount of all). Inquire with your inquiry/booking. Own a boat? Bring it! Moor it at your own private dock, and there's even room to park your trailer. RV? room for that too! La Dolce Vita is less than one hour from the Palm Beach International Airport, and less than two hours from Orlando and the theme parks. Travel light -- and live large -- with the fully-stocked, 5-Star-amenity properties of Beach Houses in Paradise. (At BHIP, our motto is "We stock heavy, so you can travel light") About BHIP—La Dolce Vita is one of several luxury five-star properties operated by Beach Houses in Paradise, the 20-year leader in offering five-star luxury, amenities and service in sunny beachfront settings. Read our reviews, and see how families and groups like your own are enjoying five-star experiences IN THEIR OWN HOUSE—at nightly rates starting less than $100 per private bedroom—just a fraction of the price you would pay at a beachfront hotel/resort! ------ ALL-INCLUSIVE / EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED: From bicycles to beach blankets, from towels to toilet paper, and all points between. (Did you know that fewer than 25% of Florida listings include high chairs for little ones? Many vacation rentals don't even provide you a full supply of toilet paper (!) or such basics as towels, bed linens, toiletries, paper goods or even cooking essentials like salt, pepper, spices, oils, and other basic staples. And can you imagine arriving to your beach vacation rental, only to discover that there are no coolers, ice, beach chairs, beach towels, beach blankets, umbrellas and beach toys like sand pails, bikes, cornhole, volleyball, kayaks, and horseshoes? Why waste the first day of your precious vacation -- or more money -- shopping at the local Wal-Mart? Instead, book a Beach House in Paradise and begin relaxing the ~moment~ you arrive. (We even pre-heat hot tubs and pools, and put out the bathrobes & towels so your relaxing beach vacation can start the moment you arrive.) ------ Not only is the home situated in the most biodiverse marine environment in North America (source: Florida Oceanographic Institute), it's also located in Stuart FL, 2024 winner of the USA Today "Best Coastal Small Towns in America" rankings. (And #1 winner of the "Happiest Seaside Town in USA" award by Coastal Living Magazine!) Locals of a certain age—that remember TV's "The Andy Griffith Show"—proudly call Stuart the "Mayberry of Florida". But don't take our word for it . . . Check out these awards recently won by our area: * USA Today: #1 Best Coastal Small Town in America (2024 winner) * Coastal Living Magazine: #1 Happiest Seaside Town in America (2016) * House Beautiful Magazine: #1 Most Beautiful Small Town in Florida * Smithsonian Magazine: Best Small Towns to Visit in the U.S. (3rd place) * America In Bloom (Audubon group): #1 Most Beautiful City in America * American Planning Association: #1 City in Florida (2020 winner) * Oprah Winfrey: "Most charming American towns you've never heard of" (6th place,  O Magazine, Jan 2020) * FindTheHome: #1 Best Place to Retire in the U.S. * OnlyInYourState: 1 of 8 "Most Beautiful Small Towns in Florida" * HuffingtonPost: Top Florida Beach Towns ------ MORE THAN 12 ADULTS? La Dolce Vita might be a tight fit. Please inquire before booking. ------ Nervous about alligators? Don't be: They don't exist in this coastal part of Florida. Here's why: Gators can't survive near the beach in saltwater environments; they live only inland, where there is plenty of fresh water. At La Dolce Vita, the river -- located just north of the St. Lucie inlet -- is very salty, as the ocean water comes in and out twice a day with the tides. ------ MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY: The home is very popular for family vacations. Our posted maximum occupancy assumes there will be some number of children/teens using the bunk-beds bedroom, which which easily sleeps 5+ kids/teens. The "adults only" maximum occupancy is lower (by 5). If you are considering a stay with a large number of adults, PLEASE INQUIRE BEFORE BOOKING. ------ Taxes & Fees: * Occupancy Tax: Airbnb collects a 6.0 to 6.5% Florida sales tax from you (the amount varies by Florida county) -- and which it labels as "occupancy taxes". Airbnb directly remits this amount to the state of Florida. * Tourism Tax/Bed Tax: Martin County Florida requires BHIP to collect an additional 5.0% "bed tax" (tourism tax), which is added to the nightly rental rate by Airbnb. (For example, if a home's owner has set the nightly rate to $500/night, Airbnb will present the cost inclusive with the additional 5% county tourism tax, or $525/night. Airbnb collects this from you, remits to BHIP, and BHIP remits to the county. * Cleaning/Restock Fee: Our beach houses are operated the same as any 5-star luxury hotel or world-famous oceanfront resort, but with one big difference: This 5-star luxury standard of excellence is presented in the warm and lavish setting of a wealthy family's grand ~home~, rather than in the cold setting of an impersonal giant hotel chain. Our magnificent beach homes come ~completely~ stocked for a turnkey beach-house vacation. Pack nothing: All you need bring are your flip flops, beach clothes, and fresh groceries. Other vacation rental companies provide a house that, except for furniture, is otherwise empty: A no-frills "spartan" experience, where you are expected to bring your own toilet paper, towels, beach toys, coolers, kitchenware, dishware and more. But not us: At BHIP, all of that is already included in your rate, and is already ~inside~ your sparkling-clean beach house. So that the moment you arrive, you can breathe easy and immediately begin your vacation (which is a lot more relaxing & fun than what other vacation rentals offer: heading out to the local Wal-Mart to buy toilet paper & more, after a long and stressful day of traveling) ------ NO PARTIES OR EVENTS ALLOWED: This home is not available for parties or events. It is NOT a party house. Plus: The area surrounding the home is environmentally fragile, and cannot safely withstand more people than the posted maximum occupancy of the home itself. If you want to have a party near the beach, consider these nearby alternatives: The Marriott Hutchinson Island Resort has ample facilities for large events, and The House of Refuge has a smaller room that it rents out to small-to-medium-size events. ----- Bedrooms & Bathrooms: Platforms like Airbnb may define "bedrooms" differently than the definitions used with regard to building codes, fire & safety codes, health-department codes and other applicable regulations and laws. For example, Airbnb may count any "sleep room" towards the overall bedroom count, including rooms featuring wall beds, sofa beds, lofts, and other makeshift sleep rooms. Similarly, Airbnb may define the term "bathroom" differently than the definitions used with regard to building codes, fire & safety codes, health-department codes and other applicable regulations and laws. For example, Airbnb may consider the existence of outdoor hot/cold showers and similar bathing facilities as a component of the overall bathroom count. For specific details concerning the bedrooms and bathrooms presented in this booking, please contact the property manager. ----- Rental agreement: Rental of this luxury home is subject to the owner's standard terms & conditions, which includes liability disclaimers and other matters of importance. If, after booking a reservation, you decide you are not comfortable with the agreement, you have the right to cancel your reservation without penalty, subject to the terms of the cancellation policy presented to you at the time of booking and accepted by you at the time of booking. Guest access At rates starting at less than $100 per night per private bedroom, enjoy 5-star luxury amenities and accommodations at an affordable price (It's like champagne on a beer budget!) La Dolce Vita is rented only to one party at a time; you will not be sharing the premises with strangers or unknown travelers. Other things to note ONE OF ONLY 60 BEACH HOUSES LIKE IT IN THE U.S.A: La Dolce Vita is among the fewer than 60 beach houses in the entire United States that sit DIRECTLY ON THE OCEAN and also sit DIRECTLY ON A MILE-PLUS WIDE RIVER with private dock for fishing and water toys, and where the river empties into the ocean just a short mile away. Start every day with breakfast views of a glorious sunrise gently emerging above the peaceful ocean. Usher in each evening with mesmerizing vistas of golden-hued sunsets rippling across the majestic Indian River. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A NATURE-LOVER'S PARADISE: This Ocean-to-River Beach House sits at the southern terminus of the Indian River, the most biologically diverse estuary in all North America (according to marinelife samples taken by the Florida Oceanographic Society marine biologists in May 2015 ... samples taken just yards away from this home's dock!) From the dock, tiki hut, or oceanfront deck, watch manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles frolic year-round. Birdlife abounds with ibis, egrets, herons, warblers, pelicans and more. And the fishing? Well, let's just say that while a Publix supermarket is conveniently located just a few blocks down the street, you'll never need to buy fish from the market during your stay! ----------------------------------------------------------- A WATER WONDERLAND: In addition to the private beach, enjoy your own private dock adjacent to tiki-hut entertainment deck, complete with complimentary fishing equipment (fully-stocked tackle & gear), snorkeling gear, and even complimentary water toys like paddleboards, surfboards, kayaks , rafts and more. (For those that wish to bring their own boat and/or jetskis, access is easy: Trailer to the public boatramp a mile away, and park your watercraft at your own private dock during your entire stay. There's even room for your trailer in the ample parking area provided directly in front of the beach house). Of course, boats, jetskis, and windsurfing rigs are also available locally. --------------------------------------------------- A TREASURE CHEST OF DELIGHT: And there's even more fun to be had: the Ocean-to-River Beach House sits smack dab in the middle of the "Treasure Coast". To this very day, gold doubloons, pieces of eight and other spanish treasure still occasionally wash up along Hutchinson Island, especially following big storms. In fact, just two hundred yards away to the north of the beach house, the House of Refuge Museum showcases relics from prior shipwrecks, one of which -- the Georges Valentine wreck -- is a fun snorkeling experience and is close enough to swim to from the beach house! (Complimentary beach-comber metal-detectors are provided, of course!) ----------------------------------------------------------- HELP PRESERVE OUR PRISTINE AREA The waters in and around the beach house are among the most biologically rich and environmentally sensitive in the entire United States. The owners of the home have been financial supporters of local environmental groups for many, many years, with financial contributions into the 7 figures. Upon your arrival, you will notice and appreciate the extent to which exhaustive measures have been taken to preserve the pristine areas surrounding the home in a no-impact, leave-no-trace manner. ("Leave no trace": After you have enjoyed your stay, the beaches and waters surrounding the home should appear exactly as they appeared when you arrived. -- No footprints, no litter, no nothing -- it's as if you never visited) Help preserve the natural beauty and sensitive ecosystem surrounding the home: * Do not touch or approach dolphins, sea turtles and manatees (who swim near the end of the dock). These are protected species. The Florida Fish & Wildlife officers in their boats have powerful binoculars, and they WILL arrest you. * Be responsible with your fishing tackle. Avoid leaving behind loose line, hooks and other tackle after a successful day fishing. (Pelicans, egrets, heron and other birdlife get tangled in fish line or snagged by hooks ... or by fish they've caught who still have a hook in their mouth. * Do not litter (this includes urinating into the water, emptying alcohol or soda into the water, and