For me, that delightful feeling of relaxation starts when I hit the Causeway and see the beautiful Laguna Madre. It gets a little deeper when I step out of the car, feel the sea breeze and smell the salty air. Then I’m in full relaxation mode when I walk in the door, where I like to pause and take it all in with gratitude. This house is truly made for relaxing.
Here are 10 of my very favorite things about Two Palms.
- All that space! Vacation homes are most comfortable when there are several areas for smaller groups to gather but still be part of the big group. On the main floor, people might be catching up in the living room, playing a game at the dining room table, watching football n the game room, hanging out at the bar trying out cocktail recipes, or sitting on one of the balconies and watching the world go by. The first floor apartment is perfect for gaming (and snacking) teens. Everyone can find a place to connect or a pocket of peacefulness.
Bonus: The four bathrooms mean there are four showers, so even with a big group no one’s waiting too long to get cleaned up before dinner! - It’s just a 5 minute walk to the beach. We load up the wagon with a canopy, chairs, coolers and sand toys for the kids. We set it all up (being careful to anchor the canopy well!!!) and enjoy the beach. If any kids need lunch or a nap or are just “done,” it’s an easy walk back to the house – and easy to come back later.
- The private pool is great for gathering. Drinking wine and chatting while we float in the water is a favorite pastime for girlfriends weekends or after the kids have gone to bed. Of course, the kids love it, too. I’m just saying, though: It’s pretty magical at night.
- The first floor apartment is handy for so many reasons. It opens out to the back patio and pool, and the kitchen makes it easy to prep for grilling dinner and to keep drinks nice and cold. It’s also nice to have a bathroom right there without having to walk dripping wet into the main part of the house. (And it would make a great rental on its own!)
- The three balconies give you some easy outside time. They offer front-row seats for the excitement of watching fireworks and SpaceX rockets, as well as a peaceful place for morning coffee. And there’s almost always a breeze.
- Entertaining is so fun and easy at the sunken wet bar. I like experimenting with new cocktail recipes, and the blender and electric juicer make it easy to forgo mixes and create fresh drinks. (The kids really love no-alcohol pina coladas!) We put out snacks on the bar, fire up a Spotify tiki playlist, and sit and chat like we’re on an episode of “Cheers.”
- It has an upscale-but-casual feel. It’s nicely furnished but not so fussy that you’re worried about kids with sandy feet or wet bathing suits escaping into the house before they get hosed off outside. It’s a family home, so we wanted to create a comfortable, homey feel but still feel like we’re on vacation at a nice VRBO property.
- High-speed internet means we can sneak in some work time if needed. The Google Mesh system makes sure the whole house has coverage.
- All the things needed for a relaxing beach vacation are there: fully-stocked kitchen, lots of linens, beach towels, sand toys, camp chairs, games, washer and dryer, and more. Easy peasy!
- And what may be the most important feature of all: the Blue Marlin market is just across the street. Whether it’s food, floaties or flip flops, you are a 2-minute walk from finding what you need. Also breakfast tacos, beer, sunscreen, ice cream, ice, bottled water, whatever ingredient you forgot to get for a recipe, and much, much more. (They’re also really nice people.)
Two Palms SPI 