Why Families Love Our Two Kitchens

Most vacation homes have one kitchen. Southern Serenity has two—and families traveling with 10–12 guests quickly discover why that makes vacation easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable. 

"The extra kitchen was very much appreciated! The kitchen was very well stocked for a rental property. The pool was great as well as the location. We were there for Thanksgiving and would love to stay at Southern Serenity again."

— December 2025 Guest

 "The house is amazing—perfect for our family of 12! Shelley & Brad have thought of everything... two kitchens, two washers and dryers, a completely outfitted patio area with grill—it was spectacular."

— February 2026 Guest

Most vacation rentals have a pool. Few have a fully equipped kitchen, full bathroom, dining area, and grill all within a few steps of the pool deck.

Southern Serenity's lower-level kitchen was designed to make pool days easy. The refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, filtered water dispenser, microwave, stove, and sink are all just inside the patio door. 

Outdoor-friendly dishes, cups, and serving pieces are kept downstairs so guests don't have to carry supplies up and down stairs throughout the day.

Fire up the grill just outside, keep drinks cold in the refrigerator, blend frozen cocktails, store snacks for the kids, or set out lunch and dinner buffet-style while everyone enjoys the pool.

Many families tell us the lower level becomes the unofficial headquarters of the vacation. Kids can swim, grandparents can relax nearby, meals can be prepared steps away, and everyone can stay together without constantly running between floors.

The lower level also includes a full bathroom, large Smart TV, dining area, and direct access to the pool patio—making it easy to spend an entire day enjoying the outdoor living space.

For large families, family reunions, holiday gatherings, and multi-generational vacations, having a second kitchen just steps from the pool often becomes one of the most appreciated features of the home.

One of the things we hear most often from guests is how much they appreciate having living space on multiple levels.

For many families, vacation means traveling with grandparents, parents, teenagers, young children, and sometimes even family friends. Finding a home that works well for everyone can be difficult.

Southern Serenity's lower level provides a comfortable retreat with its own fully equipped kitchen, full bathroom, dining area, large Smart TV, washer and dryer, and direct access to the pool patio. Many grandparents appreciate being able to enjoy much of the home's living space without constantly going up and down stairs throughout the day.

While the upper levels remain the heart of the home, the lower level gives families flexibility. Early risers can enjoy coffee before the rest of the house wakes up. Grandparents can relax near the pool while staying close to the kitchen and bathroom. Teenagers often claim the lower level as their own gathering space for movies, games, and late-night snacks.

Some guests have even described the lower level as feeling like a private apartment within the home.

The result is something every successful family vacation needs: enough space to spread out when you want privacy, while still allowing everyone to come together for meals, pool time, beach days, and family memories.

Whether you're celebrating a milestone birthday, gathering for a family reunion, traveling with multiple generations, or simply bringing together relatives who don't get to see each other often, Southern Serenity was designed to help everyone stay comfortably under one roof.

Some of our favorite guest memories have come during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, family reunions, milestone birthdays, and other special celebrations.

When you're hosting 10–12 people, one kitchen can quickly become crowded. Two kitchens give families the flexibility to spread out, stay organized, and actually enjoy time together.

Imagine Thanksgiving dinner with the turkey roasting upstairs while side dishes are being prepared downstairs. The microwave is running in both kitchens. Kids are enjoying lunch by the pool. The grill is cooking burgers and hot dogs just outside the lower-level patio door. Drinks, snacks, and desserts stay close to the action without constant trips up and down the stairs.

The lower-level kitchen sits just steps from the pool, outdoor dining areas, grill, and full bathroom, making it the perfect place to serve meals, store drinks, refill snacks, and keep everyone gathered in one place.

Many families tell us that meals naturally become the center of their vacation. Mornings begin with coffee and breakfast together. Afternoons revolve around poolside lunches and grilling. Evenings often end with family dinners, card games, stories, and laughter long after the sun goes down.

With seating for six indoors on the lower level, additional outdoor dining areas just outside the patio door, and plenty of room around the pool deck, Southern Serenity was designed to bring people together.

The best family vacations aren't built around schedules. They're built around time spent together. Having two kitchens simply makes that easier.

As one guest shared:

"The house is amazing—perfect for our family of 12! Shelley & Brad have thought of everything... two kitchens, two washers and dryers, a completely outfitted patio area with grill—it was spectacular."

Another guest wrote:

"We were there for Thanksgiving and the extra kitchen was very much appreciated!"

Those are exactly the kinds of memories we hoped to create when designing Southern Serenity.