Escape to Paradise
Frequently Asked Questions
We want your stay at Southern Serenity to feel easy and stress-free from the moment you begin planning your trip. Below are answers to many of the questions guests commonly ask. If you need additional information, we’re always happy to help.
Where is Southern Serenity located?
Southern Serenity is located on Fort Myers Beach, Florida, just a short walk to the Gulf’s sugar-sand beaches and close to Times Square, Margaritaville, restaurants, shops, and local attractions. The home also offers convenient access to the bay side of the island.
How far is the beach?
The Gulf beach is approximately a 5–7 minute walk from the house. Many guests enjoy walking back and forth throughout the day for swimming, shelling, sunset viewing, or simply relaxing by the water.
Does the home have a private pool?
Yes. Southern Serenity features a large heated private pool with comfortable outdoor seating and gathering spaces. Many guests spend entire days enjoying the outdoor area without needing to leave the property.
Is the pool heated year-round?
Yes. The private pool at Southern Serenity is heated year-round to approximately 83 degrees to provide comfortable swimming conditions in every season.
Unlike some vacation rentals that charge additional daily or weekly fees to heat the pool, we include pool heating as part of your stay. We believe guests should be able to fully enjoy the outdoor space without worrying about unexpected add-on charges or “nickel-and-dime” pricing.
How many guests can Southern Serenity accommodate?
Southern Serenity can accommodate up to 12 guests.
The home includes five bedrooms with six beds, along with a Queen Murphy bed located on the first level, providing flexible sleeping arrangements that work well for multigenerational families and larger groups.
If you have specific questions about sleeping configurations or guest suitability, we’re always happy to help you determine whether the home is the right fit for your group.
Is the home family-friendly?
Very much so. The home is stocked and arranged based on real multigenerational family use. Guests traveling with children, grandparents, or extended family often find the layout and amenities especially comfortable.
Is the home suitable for guests with limited mobility or multigenerational families?
Yes. Southern Serenity is designed to work well for multigenerational family stays.
The first level of the home offers an apartment-like feel with a Queen Murphy bed and convenient access without needing to use interior stairs, which many guests find helpful for grandparents or those who prefer fewer steps.
While the home is not specifically designed or certified as ADA-accessible, guests often appreciate the flexibility of the layout and the ability for some members of their group to stay comfortably on the main level.
If mobility considerations are important for your stay, we encourage you to reach out so we can help you determine whether the home will be a good fit for your needs.
Does the home have stairs?
Yes. Southern Serenity is a multi-level home, and interior stairs are required to access the main living areas and upper bedrooms.
However, the first level offers an apartment-like private space that many multigenerational families find especially helpful. This level includes a Queen Murphy bed, a full kitchen, and a full bathroom, allowing some guests to stay comfortably without needing to use interior stairs throughout their visit.
While the home is not specifically designed or certified as ADA-accessible, this flexible layout often works well for grandparents or guests who prefer fewer stairs.
If mobility considerations are important for your stay, we encourage you to reach out. We’re always happy to help you determine whether Southern Serenity will be a comfortable fit for your group.
Is the home professionally managed?
Southern Serenity is personally cared for by the owners. We visit regularly and remain actively involved in preparing the home for guests. This hands-on approach helps ensure a clean, well-maintained environment and clear communication before and during your stay.
What amenities are provided?
The home includes a wide range of practical vacation amenities such as a well-equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, beach gear, Wi-Fi, smart TVs, outdoor living spaces, and more. We focus on providing the items families genuinely use during their stay.
If there is something you need that is not listed, please ask — we’re happy to help when possible.
Do we need a car during our stay?
Many guests choose to rent a car, but it is not always necessary. Fort Myers Beach is easy to explore by golf cart, walking, or rideshare. Shops, dining, beach access, and activities are all conveniently located nearby.
Are there nearby activities for families?
Yes. Guests enjoy beach walks, fishing from the nearby Mound House pier (no license required), local restaurants, island shopping, resort day-pass experiences, themed miniature golf, and scenic golf cart cruising. Some families also plan a day trip to inland water parks or lagoon attractions.
Are there upscale or fine dining restaurants near Southern Serenity?
Yes. Guests looking for quieter or more refined dining experiences will find several excellent options nearby, including Costa Cucina at DiamondHead (walkable from the home), Fresh Catch Bistro, Matanzas on the Bay, and Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille.
If you’d like recommendations based on walking distance, sunset views, or special occasions, we’re happy to help.
What time is check-in and check-out?
Specific check-in and check-out times will be provided in your booking confirmation. If you have special timing needs, please let us know — we will try to accommodate when possible.
What are your payment and cancellation terms for direct bookings?
To confirm a reservation, we require one-third of the total rental amount at the time of booking, with the second payment due 45 days prior to check-in and the final balance due 21 days prior to arrival.
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM, and check-out is 10:00 AM.
The home accommodates a maximum of 12 guests.
Guests traveling with pets are welcome with prior approval and a separate pet fee.
We aim to offer fair and transparent cancellation terms:
- Reservations cancelled 15 or more days before check-in receive a full refund
- Reservations cancelled 7–14 days before check-in receive a 50% refund
- Reservations cancelled less than 7 days before check-in are non-refundable
If unexpected circumstances arise, we encourage guests to reach out. We always try to be reasonable and helpful whenever possible. We recommend guests consider travel insurance to protect their plans.
Is parking available at the home?
Yes. Southern Serenity offers on-site parking for up to three passenger vehicles or light utility vehicles.
Parking is limited to designated driveway areas. Large commercial vehicles, heavy trucks, trailers, and RVs are not permitted.
If you have questions about vehicle size or parking needs, please reach out before booking — we’re happy to help ensure the home is a good fit for your plans.
Is the home cleaned between guests?
Yes. Southern Serenity is professionally cleaned after every stay by a cleaning company we have worked with for several years.
Guests pay a dedicated cleaning fee that goes directly to the cleaning vendor. Because of this long-term partnership, we are often assigned the same experienced two-person cleaning crew that knows the home extremely well. The owner of the cleaning company also routinely inspects the property between guest stays.
In addition, we (Shelley and Brad) personally visit and conduct surprise inspections throughout the year to ensure the home continues to meet our standards for cleanliness, safety, and comfort.
If you have special cleaning or preparation requests for your stay, please let us know — we are often able to accommodate.
How do we book our stay?
You can check availability and book directly through our website, which offers a simple and personalized reservation experience.
Southern Serenity is also listed on Vrbo for guests who prefer booking through a familiar travel platform. You’re welcome to reserve whichever way feels most comfortable for you.
If you have questions before booking, feel free to reach out — we’re always happy to help.
What if we need assistance during our stay?
We remain available to help guests before and during their visit. Our goal is to make your vacation feel smooth, comfortable, and memorable.
Is smoking permitted?
To keep the home fresh and comfortable for all guests, smoking or vaping of any kind is not permitted inside the house.
Guests who choose to smoke are welcome to do so outdoors, away from open doors and windows. We simply ask that cigarette butts and related items are disposed of properly — not in planters, landscaping areas, or around the pool.
If our cleaning or landscaping team needs to collect cigarette debris from around the property after a stay, an additional cleanup charge may be applied. This fee goes directly to the crew who performs the extra work.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping us maintain a clean, pleasant environment for future guests.
Does the home have a water softener or filtered drinking water?
The home does not have a water softener, which is typical for properties on Fort Myers Beach.
For drinking water, both refrigerators are equipped with built-in filtered water and ice dispensers for your convenience.
We’ve owned the home since 2018 and have been visiting the area since 2005, and neither we nor our guests have experienced any concerns with the water quality — including tap water.
The home is serviced by the local municipal water system, which is regularly tested and meets all state and federal drinking water standards.
What if I have questions not addressed here?
We’re always happy to help. If you don’t see your question answered here, please feel free to reach out anytime. You can message us through the booking platform, contact us through our website, or call or text if that’s easier.
We want you to feel fully comfortable and informed when planning your stay, and we’re glad to assist however we can.