Frequently Asked Questions

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Have a question before or during your stay? Below you'll find answers to the most common questions about booking, check-in, pets, fishing, dining, and more. Our homes are fully stocked with everything you need: gear, linens, entertainment, and essentials. The only thing you need to bring is yourself.
Where are your beach houses located?
Beach Houses in Paradise is located on the southeast coast of Florida, on Hutchinson Island (also known as South Hutchinson Island) in Stuart, FL and Jensen Beach, FL, in Martin County, on Florida's Treasure Coast. The area is within approximately one hour north of the Miami / Fort Lauderdale / West Palm Beach metro area, and approximately two hours south of Orlando and Disney World.
What does "Ocean to River" mean on your listings?
An ocean-to-river home is a property with direct frontage on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon: it spans the barrier island from ocean to river. You can swim in the ocean in the morning and fish from the riverfront in the afternoon, with both sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and sunset over the Indian River Lagoon visible from the same property.
What is the community like near the beach houses?
The beach houses are located on South Hutchinson Island in Stuart, FL and Jensen Beach, FL. Stuart is known as the "Sailfish Capital of the World" and is often called the "Mayberry of Florida" for its small-town character and unhurried pace.

The town is large enough to support meaningful cultural attractions: museums, nature exhibits, live theater, and a walkable Historic Downtown with more than 20 restaurants, galleries, waterfront access, and a free daily shuttle, while remaining genuinely uncrowded. Stuart's Historic Downtown has received recognition from USA TODAY, Coastal Living, Smithsonian Magazine, Southern Living, and others.

The adjacent Indian River Lagoon, which borders the river side of the ocean-to-river homes, is North America's most biologically diverse estuary, home to more than 2,200 animal species and 2,100 plant species, including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and a wide variety of fish. The Florida Oceanographic Society, headquartered in Stuart, is a good resource for learning more about the lagoon ecosystem.

Learn more About Stuart FL, USA Today's "#1 Coastal Small Town in America" (2024 national winner).

For a guide to area attractions, dining, and events, visit our Local Area Guide.
Is there a list of what's stocked at the beach house?
At Beach Houses in Paradise, "We stock heavy, so you can travel light." The homes are fully stocked both inside and out.

Outside: Beach towels, coolers, beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, paddleboards, boogie boards, snorkel gear (masks and fins in assorted sizes), bicycles, fishing rods and tackle, river shoes and sandals in assorted sizes, and water-safety life jackets in assorted sizes from infant/toddler through 4XL. A Pet Spa outdoor wash-down station is at each home. At homes with a private dock, the dock is pre-licensed for private recreational fishing. Where a home has a riverfront recreation area, it includes amenities such as a fire pit, hammock, and tiki bar.

Pool and hot tub: The hot tub/spa is drained, cleaned, and pre-heated before each guest's arrival as part of the standard turnover service. Most homes have a private heated pool.

Inside: Bottled water; a hot-beverage station with a Classic Nespresso machine (with a complimentary assortment of capsules), drip coffee maker, ground regular and decaf coffee, Bigelow tea selection, and condiments; a fully equipped kitchen; bathroom linens, bath robes, slippers, and shampoos; and his-and-her personal toiletry kits in every bathroom (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and other essentials).

Entertainment: Sonos wireless audio system throughout; PlayStation and Xbox consoles; on-demand movies. Many homes also have a game room with ping pong, foosball, or billiards, and a private putting green; check the individual property page for specifics.

Internet: Free commercial-grade WiFi at a minimum 1GB speed (often faster), with no surcharges. Coverage extends outdoors as well as indoors, including usable signal at the end of the dock at homes that have one.

Laundry: Washer, dryer, iron, ironing board, dryer sheets, and detergent. Larger homes have two separate laundry centers.

What is NOT stocked: Fresh produce and groceries, personal clothing, and personal grooming items beyond the emergency toiletry kits.

For more details on amenities, see our Five-Star Amenities page.
Can I bring my pet?
Yes. All Beach Houses in Paradise homes are pet-friendly, and our local beaches are pet-friendly as well. The homes are designed with pets in mind: no permanent carpet (sealed hardwood floors with washable rugs), washable furniture slipcovers, and waterproof covers on all sleeping surfaces including dog beds, sofa sleepers, and bunk beds. Additional pet amenities include pet gates, food and water bowls and a "Pet Spa," an outdoor wash-down station ideal for rinsing sandy paws or giving a full bath.

A non-refundable pet fee of $95 per pet applies. This fee is passed directly to the cleaning and restocking company to cover the additional post-stay work required to return the home to a dander-free condition for guests with allergies.
What discounts are available?
There are ten different ways to save on a BHIP reservation:

• 5% Florida-Resident Staycation Discount
• 5% Affiliation Discount (first responders, military, teachers, healthcare workers, civil servants)
• 10% Senior Discount (anyone in your group age 50+)
• 25% First-10-Bookings Discount (occasionally offered on newly listed homes)
• Up to 50% Introductory Discount (first 90 days of a new listing)
• 5% Combination-Booking Discount (two or more adjoining homes booked together)
• 15% Repeat-Offender Discount (returning to the same home you've previously stayed in)
• 5% "Try Something Different" Discount (booking a neighboring home you admired during a prior stay)
• 5% Early Re-Booking Bonus (book your next stay within 30 days of checkout, stacks with other discounts)
• 5% Share-the-Memories Bonus (share photos, videos, or a story from your stay, stacks with other discounts)

For full details, visit our Deals & Discounts page.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes. Beach Houses in Paradise gift certificates are available for purchase. Visit our Gift Certificates page for details.
What is the cancellation policy?
The standard cancellation policy depends on the type of reservation:

• Single-home reservations: Cancel at least 30 days before check-in for a 100% refund.
• Multi-house compound reservations: Cancel at least 90 days before check-in for a 100% refund.

A separate hurricane-specific refund policy also applies regardless of timing.
Is there a hurricane refund policy?
Yes, and it is one of the most generous in the vacation-rental industry. If the NOAA National Hurricane Center places your beach house inside the "5-Day Zone of Uncertainty" for a Hurricane (H) or Major Hurricane (M) during any day of your stay, you may cancel and receive a 100% refund, no questions asked.

The policy also covers:
• Missed or delayed flights caused by hurricane conditions
• Mandatory evacuation orders issued for our area
• Post-hurricane property damage that renders the home temporarily uninhabitable

Full details are on our Hurricane Policy page.
Can I book multiple beach houses together in a single reservation?
Yes. We offer several "Beach-House Compound" options: paired or grouped homes that can be reserved together in a single booking at a 5% combination-booking discount. These range from two-house combinations (such as Twin Beaches and Twice as Nice) to larger compounds (such as the Aquarius Ocean-to-River Resort, which sleeps up to 64). 
What are the standard check-in and checkout times?
Standard checkout is 11am. Standard check-in is 5pm. The six-hour window between those times is when the cleaning and restocking company prepares the home for your arrival.
Is early check-in or late checkout available?
Not very often, and here's why. Our occupancy rates run at nearly 100%, which means another group is checking out of your beach house at 11am on the same day you arrive at 5pm. The cleaning and restocking company requires approximately six hours to properly prepare the home, so early check-in is almost never available. Late checkout is unavailable for the same reason.

That said, we do offer a practical solution for guests with early-arriving or late-departing flights: the half-day rate. With a half-day rate, you can check in as early as 7am or check out as late as 11pm. The owners accomplish this by taking the home off the market for the adjacent night, so the cleaning company can prepare the house a full day early (or a day later). The half-day rate is exactly 50% of the nightly rate for that adjacent night.

Note: The half-day rate is subject to availability and may not be offered during peak seasons (Spring Break, Summer, year-end holidays) unless requested early, ideally at the time of original booking.
What airports are closest to the beach houses?
The most convenient airport is Palm Beach International (PBI), approximately 45 minutes south. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) and Miami International (MIA) are each within approximately 90 minutes. Orlando International (MCO) is roughly two hours north.

We strongly recommend having your own vehicle during your stay. Ride-hailing services (Uber, Lyft) are available but are known to be unreliable this far out on the barrier island: drivers are often reluctant to travel to the island given the low likelihood of a return fare.
Is there a car service or airport transfer you recommend?
For a reliable professional option, we recommend Carey Worldwide, a five-star black-car service operating in all 50 states, staffed by licensed, insured, and background-checked professional drivers. It is not inexpensive, but it is dependable.

Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are available in the area, but coverage on the barrier island is inconsistent. We strongly recommend having at least one vehicle of your own during your stay.
I'd like to ship something to the beach house ahead of our arrival. How do I do that?
We recommend against shipping directly to the beach house. At most of our properties, owners have configured mail-forwarding addresses with UPS and other carriers, so packages are likely to be routed away from the property. At homes without forwarding, packages may arrive during another guest's stay and be mistakenly opened or taken.

The good news: there is a UPS Store conveniently located on the mainland, on the route from the airport to Hutchinson Island, just before the two large bridges. We recommend shipping your items there and picking them up on your way in, or during your stay.

UPS Store: 2336 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996. Phone: 772-221-9300
Can groceries or food be delivered to the house before check-in?
Deliveries cannot be received during the six-hour cleaning window between 11am checkout and 5pm check-in. The cleaning and restocking company is required to lock down the property during this period and turn away all visitors, including delivery drivers.

For delivery after check-in, Instacart delivers from the nearby Publix Supermarket (900 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart). Note that delivery timing in our area can be irregular. If scheduling groceries for your arrival evening, we recommend requesting a 7pm or later delivery window to avoid items arriving before the 5pm check-in and sitting in the Florida heat.

For restaurant delivery, DoorDash is the most dependable service in our area. ASAP.com (formerly DeliveryDudes) also has solid coverage. Most restaurants participate with at least one of these services.
We are bringing young children. Do you have Pack 'n Plays, high chairs, or other infant and toddler gear?
Yes. We stock Pack 'n Play portable cribs, high chairs, booster seats, safety gates, and child-sized water-safety vests in all sizes. We can stage a Pack 'n Play in the room of your choice prior to your arrival: just let us know your preference when you contact us.

Note: For insurance reasons, the homes do not carry full infant cribs, strollers, baby swings, bicycle seats, or car seats. These can be rented from local companies familiar with our properties:

• A Baby's Choice: 772-220-8188 (deliveries available after 11am on arrival day)
• Baby's Away: 800-571-0077
Is maid service available during our stay?
Maid service is not standard in the vacation-rental industry, but we are happy to arrange it. The typical arrangement is two cleaners working a two-hour shift ($25/hour per cleaner; $100 total for most homes; larger groups may require additional cleaners at a higher rate).

Service hours are generally 12pm–2pm. Standard services include fresh bedroom and bathroom linens, bed-making, bathroom cleaning, kitchen and dishes, and floors.

During the service window, guests are asked to vacate the home and secure any pets in a room that will not be cleaned.

Availability: Mid-day service is typically available on weekdays during peak seasons (Spring Break, Summer, holidays), but not on Saturdays or Sundays.

To schedule, notify us of your preferred date(s) at least 10 days in advance.

Note: Your beach house features both cleaning supplies & household tools, plus a full laundry center, including washer/dryer, iron & ironing board, dryer sheets, detergent & more. (Larger homes feature two separate laundry centers.)
I read in your listing that jet skis and boats are available. How does that work?
All human-powered recreational items shown in our photography are included free with your rental: kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, snorkel gear, fishing gear, beach gear, and more. Motorized items subject to Florida registration requirements (jet skis, boats, cars, RVs) are not included, but are available in three ways:

1. Bring your own: Many guests trailer their own jet skis to the property. There is parking for a trailer at the beach house, and you can moor your jet ski at the dock or beach it on the sand.

2. Rent near home and bring: Some guests rent a jet ski (and trailer) from a company near where they live and transport it to the beach house.

3. Rent locally: Two local providers deliver directly to the property:
   • Salty's Watersports: delivers to the dock; also offers hourly rentals and longer-term rentals. Overnight availability carries a premium due to insurance costs.
   • Feet Wet Adventures: located close to most BHIP properties with docks; competitive rates; delivers to your dock or riverfront area.
Do I need a fishing license to fish from the dock?
No. The private docks at Beach Houses in Paradise are already licensed for private recreational (non-commercial) fishing. As long as you fish from the dock and follow Florida Fish & Wildlife regulations on catch and size limits, you are covered.

That said, many guests qualify for exemptions regardless, including minors under 16, seniors 65+, Florida residents, and residents of states with reciprocal agreements (such as Georgia). You can review requirements and purchase a license if needed at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Martin County also maintains a useful reference page at the Martin County Tax Collector's site.
Do you recommend any fishing charters?
Yes, here are two providers:

• Lady Stuart: A "fun for all ages" group charter that sails twice daily out of the Marriott Hutchinson Island Resort & Marina, close to most of our properties. Half-day trips at reasonable rates; poles and bait included. The mates work for tips and are a great source of local fishing advice.

• Sweet Relief Charters: Captain Chris White offers smaller, more intimate private charters covering both freshwater (river) and saltwater (ocean) fishing.
Where can I find bait and fishing supplies?
Locals favor the Snook Nook in Jensen Beach, a well-stocked shop whose staff and regulars are a reliable source of local knowledge on what's in season and what's biting where. If you're staying near Bathtub Beach on SE Macarthur Blvd, mention that specifically; it helps narrow the advice considerably.

For convenience, the nearby Publix carries some bait options in a freezer near the entrance, and several area gas stations stock frozen shrimp, a reliable all-purpose bait.
Can we get additional fishing poles during our stay?
Yes. If you need more fishing poles than came with the home, or if any broke during your stay, contact the property manager and we'll arrange delivery, often within the hour during daytime.
Do you recommend any sightseeing or sailing charters?
Yes. A few local favorites:

• Sail La Vie, a Pontoon Tiki Boat
• Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Boat Tours (Florida Atlantic University)

Note: Sightseeing operations in our area are sometimes seasonal due to lower population density than other parts of Florida. Larger year-round operations can be found about an hour south in the West Palm Beach / Fort Lauderdale area.
What restaurants do you recommend in the area?
A few local favorites:

Oceanfront dining:
• Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steak (Jensen Beach): Widely regarded as the best oceanfront dining experience for 100 miles of Florida coastline. Indoor seating is upscale; the outdoor area is casual. Skews toward a slightly older crowd.
• Shuckers on the Beach (Jensen Beach): A few blocks north of Kyle G's; more casual, lower price point, and a good fit for large groups with children

Downtown Stuart (walkable dining district):
Stuart's Historic Downtown has a dense cluster of restaurants: sushi, French, Italian, and casual waterfront options, all within walking distance of each other.

Waterfront casual, Port Salerno:
• Twisted Tuna and Shrimpers are located near each other and offer Jimmy Buffett-style casual waterfront dining.

For foodies:
• 11 Maple Street (downtown Jensen Beach)
• District Table & Bar (Port Salerno)

For more listings, visit the Eat & Drink section of our Local Area Guide. Note: We do not endorse and have no financial relationship with any of the restaurants listed.
Do restaurants deliver to the beach house?
Yes. Most restaurants in the area offer delivery through one or more services. DoorDash is the most dependable in our area. ASAP.com (formerly DeliveryDudes) also has solid coverage.

For grocery delivery, Instacart delivers from Publix and a range of other stores. DoorDash and Instacart can also handle deliveries from convenience stores and drug stores.
Do you work with any private chefs or catering companies?
Yes. Several chefs have prepared meals in our properties and received strong reviews from guests:

• Chef Ryan Liepa (Zest Gourmet)
• Chef Mike Febre (True Roots Catering)
Are any of the homes accessible for elderly or mobility-impaired guests?
Yes. Many of our listings have a private elevator, making them well suited for multi-generational groups with elderly or mobility-impaired family members. The twelve individual homes with a private elevator are: Bathtub Beach Retreat (elevator plus a stair lift to the upper level), La Dolce Vita, Oceania, Restoration Sands, Art on the Beach, Nirvana Shores, Del Mar al Cielo, Bella Vista, Chateau de la Mer, Gardens at Bathtub Beach, Aquarius Oceanside, and Xanadu. The multi-house compound Yin and Yang also has an elevator, as do two compounds: The Resort at Bathtub Beach and Aquarius Ocean-to-River Resort.
 
Should anyone in your group have difficulty with mobility, you may want to consider taking advantage of a home healthcare aide that can provide another set of eyes, and helpful support. If you would like to make any arrangements for home health care aides, please let us know. (An additional hourly fee would be involved for any healthcare aid related assistance.)

For wheelchair-accessible beach equipment rentals, see "Do you have a recommendation for wheelchair or beach-accessible mobility equipment rentals?" below.
Do you have a recommendation for wheelchair or beach-accessible mobility equipment rentals?
Yes. OxyPros Plus in Stuart and Cloud of Goods rent wheelchairs and other mobility equipment suitable for beach use.
What is "Resort Access" and which homes include it?
Resort Access is a named amenity that provides free guest passes to the Ocean Club facilities at the nearby Marriott Hutchinson Island Resort & Marina, including three resort swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness center, and an 18-hole executive golf course. This benefit is included at no additional charge with rentals of 7 or more nights.

Seven individual homes include Resort Access: Family Tides, Heaven Can't Wait, Bathtub Beach Retreat, Carpe Diem, As Good as it Gets, Eden Beach Retreat, and Restoration Sands. Two multi-house compounds also include it: Twin Beaches and Twice as Nice.
How does the grill work? Do we bring our own propane or charcoal?
The grill is a propane gas grill. We pre-stock it with a full propane tank and provide a spare tank, along with all grilling and cleaning utensils. The grill is cleaned before each guest's stay. At some homes, there are two grills: one on the ocean side and one on the river side.
What type of coffee maker is in the home?
Each home features a hot-beverage station with a Classic Nespresso machine (with a complimentary assortment of capsules), a conventional drip coffee maker with ground regular and decaf coffee, a selection of Bigelow hot teas, and all condiments.
Do you recommend any photographers in the area?
Two professional photographers have extensive experience shooting at our properties, from family portraits and maternity sessions to beach weddings:

Do you recommend any wedding planners or event specialists?
Yes. For beach weddings and events at our properties, see also our Beach Weddings page. Wedding Bells & Seashells in nearby Jupiter, FL specializes in beachfront events and special occasions, and is familiar with our properties.
Do you have a lost-and-found process?
Yes. Any items discovered by the cleaning and restocking company are labeled, secured, and sent to our warehouse. We hold lost-and-found items for three months, after which unclaimed items are donated to local churches and charities.

If you believe you left something at a beach house, contact us through the vacation-rental platform you used to book your reservation and provide a return mailing address for shipping.
Will there be someone available if we need help at the house?
Yes. Our staff, including the property manager, maintenance personnel, and cleaning personnel, are local to the neighborhood, provide their personal contact information, and are generally just a few minutes away. We are available 24/7. While we do not operate like a hotel (no concierge desk, no room service), response times are typically very fast.
How can I book a beach house for my vacation?
You can book directly on our website at beachhousesinparadise.com: use the availability search to check dates and reserve your home. Our homes are also listed on all major travel websites and vacation rental booking platforms; search your preferred platform for "Stuart,"or "Jensen Beach," and use the map feature to navigate to the oceanfront.