Flamingo Haven is a historic bungalow, with a private, heated (76-80°F) pool, built in 1926.
Centrally located in historic Seminole Heights & Tampa, this 2 bed 2 bath, with sofabed , is 2 miles from downtown & I-275, 3 miles from the Bucks Stadium & just steps away from the peaceful Hillsborough River.
Surfs Up, (2nd room), comes with both an upgraded Cooling Gel memory foam queen size mattress and an electric fireplace to bring you that cozy (& dare we say romantic?) ambiance. Turn it on, select your settings (includes no heat option) and cozy up to your loved one (or good book from our free Book Exchange!)
We also offer several selections of pillows; MyPillow, Bamboo, classic cotton and of course, feather! Combined with soft sheets, cozy, super-soft blankets, & light blocking drapes, you will feel rested for a whatever the day brings.
With a Keurig + Cappuccino Maker, & Tea Kettle (both with large selection of flavors) there's nothing to hold you back from the perfect start to a perfect day!
We also offer a slew of board games like Monopoly, Scrabble and Jenga, & FREE Netflix, so no matter the weather, you will never be bored! In fact, you will be so comfy, so relaxed, & have so much fun at Flamingo Haven, you will never want to leave the nest!
When you stay at the Flamingo Haven, you will feel this charm the city holds, as you walk the neighborhoods, along the river, or surround yourself with the century old past from the beautiful bungalows that make up this tight-knit community. You can feel the 120yr old history through the architecture of the ancient bungalows that flank the Hillsborough River.
BAKERS & CHEFāS-KITCHEN: Bakerās delight in this kitchen and come from far and wide to practice their craft here, and surprise their families with made from home dishes while traveling! Itās home away from home! Donāt feel like cooking? No problem! Guests rave about the exotic flavors & that includes breweries and wineries alike. Finding a farm to table is not unusual, and is in fact, the norm. While chain restaurants are not. The only chain restaurant you will find here is Starbucks.
Once you are here, you will see why itās so popular. Drinking your first hand made kava on the front porch while watch the blue jays teach their young to fly between the grand oaks has a way of making a lasting impression. It definitely does not disappoint.
GETTING AROUND: This home is within walking distance of many of the areas best bars and restaurants. But, if you feel like heading out further into the Tampa Bay and beyond, Uber and Lyft are easy options for getting around as they are available 24/7/365 due to the close proximity to the airport and the city.
šø (Note - by booking this house you are agreeing to the House Rules which states you will put everything back like you found them. Covered, clean and free of food and debris to avoid additional cleaning fees that the cleaners charge us to deal with "extra items" and follow the departure instructions).
āPOOL RULES * Swim at your own risk. * There is no lifeguard on duty. * No diving into the pool. * Children must be accompanied by an adult. * No animals in the pool. * No more than 6 person's in the pool. * The pool is heated, and is set to 81°F Oct - May. * Tampering with pool equipment is against house rules.
šø (Note - By booking this property, you are agreeing to the Pool Rules & agree to follow posted signs.)
There are other non-stated amenities in the home such as sugar, condiments, spices, and they may change from guest to guest. If you have a specific request, please message us and we will do our best to accommodate you!
Note - Anything above the amounts listed below will need to be purchased by the each guest.
Relax in this sun-filled historic 1913 home in the heart of Seminole Heights. Walk to top-rated cafes, breweries, bakeries, & enjoy a beautifully renovated space that blends vintage charm w/ modern comfort. A true Tampa local experience.
Seminole Heights
Relax in this sun-filled historic 1913 home in the heart of Seminole Heights. Walk to top-rated cafes, breweries, bakeries, & enjoy a beautifully renovated space that blends vintage charm w/ modern comfort. A true Tampa local experience.
Tampering with pool heater settings will incur a $250 fine without exceptions. For safety, avoid glass in the backyard, use provided melamine dishes.
No refunds/changes allowed within the Cancellation Policy. No late check-ins or check-outs. We recommend travel insurance.
Guests must dispose of all trash and follow city's trash/recycle schedule. Return any moved furniture to its original position before departure.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Tampa
Located in Tampa Heights, a neighbourhood in Tampa, this holiday home is near theme parks and on a river. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre and MacDill Air Force Base are cultural highlights, and some of the area's popular attractions include ZooTampa at Lowry Park and Florida Aquarium. Travelling with kids? Make time for Florida State Fairgrounds, or head to an event or a match at Raymond James Stadium. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and hiking/biking trails.
This family-friendly Tampa holiday home is located on a river, within 3 mi (5 km) of Kindred Hospital Bay Area - Tampa, Tampa Riverwalk and ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Armature Works and St. Joseph's Women's Hospital are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Everything was very clean, beautifully maintained, and thoughtfully equipped with all the details needed for a comfortable visit. We especially loved having the pool ā it made our stay extra relaxing and enjoyable. Thank you for creating such a welcoming and pleasant space. We would definitely love to return!
We loved the pool and outdoor seating in the backyard! It was also in a great location, short drives to Ybor City, the Bucs stadium, and the aquarium downtown. There's a great coffee food truck and Cuban bakery within walking distance, as well as the river for a morning walk. This was our first big trip with our baby (8 months), and it had everything we needed: pack & play with mattress, high chair, even a baby bath tub! Great hosts and we had a wonderful stay.
Thanks for the great review Patrick! We were delighted to have you and your family as guests and look forward to hosting you again. Stand tall and stay flamazing!
Flamingo Haven is the perfect place to stay when visiting Tampa. The hosts were responsive, kind and flexible. The home was warm, inviting and fully stocked with all of the essentials. We highly recommend this rental!
Great experience staying here! Although we didnt get to spend too much time at the house due to a packed schedule we definitely plan to return in the future for more relaxation. The house was a great location, clean and charming. Thank you for a great experience!
The house is comfortable and in a great location. We had everything we needed at the house, including chargers in the master bedroom. Check-in was a breeze and the owners responded quickly to questions. Canāt wait to come back.
This cozy house is just as described. It is nicely decorated and has a pretty backyard and pool. Itās in a quiet neighborhood yet close to Raymond James stadium, Ybor City and restaurants. Highly recommended.
This was a wonderful home to stay in! Within minutes of walking in and looking at all the well appointed amenities, my wife said should return! Instructions on entering, and just about everything else, were clear and easy to understand. You can tell there was extra care and attention made to make sure we were well-taken care of. Again, a fantastic stay!
Joey C.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Hi Joey and family,Welcome to the flock! Thank you for being such great guests! We appreciated that you followed the check in and check out instructions, and most of all, that you rested and had a flamazing time at Flamingo Haven! We do appreciate your business and the great review! You are welcome back anytime! Cheers!Kristin & JeffFlamingo Haven Vacations Your home away from home
Loved the decor and comfort! The tropical/seaside theme inside and out was so alluring we loved just hanging out. The bedrooms were large in size and plenty of closet space. The pool was the best part of the package! The only downside was the street was under construction. And definitely bring extra lounge towels for pool area chairs!
Very nice rental home!!
Debra S.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Thank you for the 5-star rating. We do our best to make sure every customer has the best experience. We try to be environmentally friendly, but as such, we still do supply one beach towel per person and a washer/dryer with free laundry soap and dryer sheets (which many short term rentals do not). Also, all of our guests are advised that they can reach out to us for additional towels, or anything for that matter, but we were never contacted. As for the construction it is completely out of our control as are any city construction projects - but thankfully, it does not affect parking or use of the home.
Let me just say that it was so nice to walk up to the property with the white picket fence the cute porch with the swing. Then you go in and everything is absolutely perfect. everything that you may need is provided and everything is clean. The backyard is your own oasis very private lots of space and different areas if you come with a larger family everyone will have there own spot. The host was always available immediately with any questions great communication. A true pleasure staying at The Flamingo Haven
YICEL C.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Hi Yicel! Thank you so much for the nice words and great review! You were a great guest, we really appreciated the wonderful communication and help you provided to us during your stay. Please come back again to see us! Welcome to the Flock! Kristin & Jeff
I chose to stay at the Flamingo Haven based on the location and the listed amenities available. The reviews were all extremely positive and now I know why! Check in was super simple and efficient. It was evident upon check in how much love and attention goes into making our stay comfortable! Our host Kristin was quick to respond to any questions we had and all directions were easy to follow! There was convenience on every front from shopping, restaurants and entertainment. It was just my 16 year old niece and I and I had to work a few of the days we stayed. The dedicated workspace was perfect for both a lap top and monitor and there was also a printer available if needed. The pool was perfect for my niece while I worked. We cooked and grilled most of the week, there was nothing we needed that wasnāt already there! The highlight of my stay was being able to take the bikes they had there to ride down to the river and watch the sunset!! I fell in love with the neighborhood too! Iāve stayed at some fancy places but this was so quaint and so charming! If youāre on the fence looking for a place with everything to offer, book the Flamingo Haven! You wonāt regret it!
This was the most stockrd house we've ever stayed in. It felt like a home not like a rental. The backyard pool is huge and clean, and all the little touches throughout the house, from extra toilet paper to the complimentary bottle of water and wine to top grade mattresses and pillows, all that made for a very pleasant stay. Mosquitoes were out of control but it rained a few times and it's Florida, so. Thank you!
Vadim P.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Thank you so much for visiting Flamingo Haven! It was a pleasure hosting your family. Thank you for the great communication! You are welcome back anytime!
Just returned from a 5 night stay at this property. It was a perfect fit for our family of 4, well appointed and a great home base for all our activities in the Tampa area. My husband and I enjoyed walking down the street to grab coffees at a local food truck and then heading down to walk along the river every morning. We never did see any alligators, just lots of Muscovy ducks and random other birds including the neighbors bird at the end of the street closet to the river that whistled at us as we walked by every morning. The neighborhood is charming and very walkable to the south with many craftsman style homes that have been updated and brought back to life.
The house itself was enjoyed - my teenagers loved the pool, my husband and I loved the convenience of two bathrooms and a fully stocked kitchen - though with all the excellent food options in Tampa we didnāt do a whole lot of cooking. We would recommend Flamingo Haven to anyone we knew heading to the area and would stay again ourselves if we return to the area.
My only hesitation in telling you about the excellence of this home is that it will be so popular it won't be available the next time I travel to Tampa. This property was a new listing when I first saw it. A property without reviews tends to give me a slight pause. Kristin, the owner, put me at ease right away by answering all my questions quickly, thoroughly, and with great enthusiasm. Everything in this home has been considered with guest comfort and enjoyment in mind. The decor is artfully flamingo without being kitschy. Check in was seamless and contactless, and we were greeted by a thoughtful welcome gift upon arrival. The kitchen is very well appointed, including stainless cookware and a Ninja blender. We slept on the sleep number bed, which was a dream of comfort. I was delighted by all of the extra touches and we enjoyed the Google Home system for playing music. We stayed two glorious nights, had a swim in the backyard pool, ate al fresco poolside, cooked and cooked in the modern kitchen, and relaxed comfortably in the great room inside. The second bathroom is a fabulous extra! One evening, we took a stroll through the neighborhood and along the river. It's an excellent location in a safe and welcoming neighborhood. Truly, I would not hesitate to book here again.
Onyxe A.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Thank you Onyxe for the generous and kind review! You and Monica were flamazing guests and we are proud to have you both as part of the flock! We are so grateful for, and absolutely love, the beautiful flamingo painting you made for all to enjoy! It is hanging proudly in the most popular room in the home for all to enjoy! We do hope to see you again soon! You are welcome back anytime! Cheers! Kristin & Jeff
We rented the FH house for 2-weeks, overall we enjoyed our stay.
House Notes: The house & neighborhood is 110 years old. Its a small 2 bedroom 2 bath house with updated appliances and a nice pool & backyard area. Its centrally located in the Seminole Heights area in Tampa. The house has good Wifi, and good AC & heater system - we used both during our stay. The water pressure is adequate at best - the showers have weak pressure, but work fine. The house is located on a narrow single lane street, and the driveway is tight even for small cars. On one side of the driveway there is a huge oak tree and the other has a front yard fence. This makes it very tight to get in and out of the car. There was road construction being done on the street, for the first week of our stay one end on the street was blocked with no access. Not a big deal as we could drive around the block to the other end and get to the house. Right down the street is the Hillsborough River & Rivercrest Park. It has nice walking/running paths and that many people used during the day. There are alligator warning signs along the river but we never saw any during our stay. The neighborhood was quiet during the evenings and the neighbors are nice and talked to us when we saw them.
Tampa Area Notes: Beware the drivers, we were cut off in traffic multiple times. There is road construction everywhere in the Tampa area. There is shopping and entertainment close by and Clearwater beach is 30 minutes away. Enjoy your stay!
Mike D.
Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Unfortunately, the City of Tampa, and much of the coast of Florida, has experienced some severe damage due to Hurricane Ian, causing street construction. But the home itself has been consistently occupied by short term renters since 2021 and has always received an extremely high rating due to the extra conveniences, (no charge heated pool, loaded kitchen, free amenities) and high quality of care.
We were unaware that the city was going to be doing construction on the road as they did not inform us prior. The last weekend the guest was staying there, with just a few days remaining in his 2 week stay, City workers put a door tag on the door notifying that driveways may be blocked beginning Monday morning. That allowed us no time to get information from the city.
He sent us a message through VRBO, which we promptly replied to, and I told him I would contact the city to find out what was going on first thing Monday morning when the city opened. He said not to bother, that he would go talk to them. I called anyways, but didnāt get a hold of anyone until later that day as they had a flood of calls.
During this time, he sent a photo saying they were done & all was good and that the driveway was not blocked.
The city advised that the City of Tampa & surrounding cities have been largely impacted by Hurricane Ian & have been doing road construction to fix damage. The road blockage was due to an issue with the sewage & water lines, which unfortunately caused the city to need to re-pave the road (that they had just finished paving before Hurricane Ian struck) and had to make emergency adjustments, affecting water pressure & blocking the street.
The guest was very understanding in conversations, said that he was having a great time & that the home was great! He never complained or mentioned the driveway. As far as parking, the driveway fits two vehicles & there is street parking. FedEx, UPS, and large trucks can drive down the road. The large oak in the neighbors yard does not hinder parking in the driveway. We havea Lincoln Navigator XL we park there. The fenced yard is for aesthetics, safety and service animals.
As far as rude drivers in the city, there are rude drivers in every city, in every state.
Itās unfortunate that this guest reviewed our home based on city construction from a National disaster, the street & rude drivers- which we had no control over, when the home itself is beautiful
FLAMINGO HAVEN of Tampa, Florida is a jewel in a cityscape. The heated pool, pretty front porch with its enclosed tropical garden, and finally, the cozy interior do not disappoint. The bedrooms and kitchen are really nice. And the best way to enjoy all that FLAMINGO HAVEN has to offer is to read the very helpful handbook the hosts send early on. The handbook is the reason we knew how to unlock all the hidden treasures that made our stay so wonderfulāfrom the sleep number bed to the the location of the broom.There is lots of guidance to help guests find everything, including but not limited to: toddler dishes, a griddle for making breakfast, if you cook, and even a crockpot.The neighbors are quiet and friendly when you see themāout walking their dogs in the evening, or along the river walk, if youāre out for a run, but not at all intrusive when youāre out at the pool or relaxing on the porch swing.Ours was a family of 6, including a 4-year-old, 11-year-old, 14-year-old, and a 16-year old. FLAMINGO HAVEN was able to accommodate all of our home entertainment needs as we caught a show on Netflix each night together; our laundry needs, as a family who visits Florida beaches daily; and also the needs of our swimmers, even our youngest. The way the screen door locks helps alleviate safety concerns as your bounce around and balance the needs of lots of kids while keeping an eye on the toddler.However you arrange yourselves, everyone can be comfortableāwhether on the sleeper sofa, or in either of the queen bedrooms. The hall and the master bath were both well-appointed, and probably, one of our familyās favorite aspects of FLAMINGO HAVEN. We loved the in-shower body wash, conditioner, shampoo dispensers. Where we usually donāt like the level of cleanliness in the bathrooms, FLAMINGO HAVEN was very good about this, in comparison to so many places on the market. Communicative and responsive management is essential, and FLAMINGO HAVEN delivered on this count as well.The whole family agrees: FLAMINGO HAVEN is a stay.
Jacelya J.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Hi Jacelyn and Family,Thank you, thank you, thank you! You were flamazing guests and we are tickled pink that you took the time to write such an amazing review about Flamingo Haven. It was so much fun getting to see pictures of the flamingos during your visit to Busch Gardens (we are obviously Flamingo obsessed) so that made our dayā¦and week!We really appreciate the great communication, which always kept us up to speed on the state of the home, and allowed us to stay in top of incidents before they became issues. Also, thank you for all the recommendations. We take any and all recommendations to heart as guest experience is our number one goal! You set the bar high on what a 5-star guest should be and we would love to welcome you back anytime! Welcome to the flock Kristin, Jeff & LilyYour team at Flamingo Haven Vacations
Enjoyed stay here. We enjoyed the pool. Located in quiet neighborhood with nice neighbors who helped navigating through roadwork. Road to house is affected by some city renovations but things were quiet in the weekend while we were there. We got a City Pass and enjoyed different things around the city. I'd stay again.
Jeff and Kristin provided a wonderful, peaceful, deluxe home away from home with their comfortable beds, fully equipped kitchen, and heated pool. Their VRBO provided the escape our party was looking for giving us rest and time to lay in the sun or float in the pool soaking up the rays. Questions were always quickly answered and any potential problems were quickly resolved. Their pictures and descriptions understate how nice this place truly is. Thanks for a great 4 weeks. We are happy to have been part of "the flock."
My family and I hail from Arizona. The week COVID hit the U.S., we closed on this house, which was intended to be our second commuter home since I was working in Tampa at the time. Due to stay-at-home orders, my teenage daughter and I ended up living here full-time, while my husband, and now co-host, Jeff, returned to Arizona to be with our other daughter and dogs. We were hoping to āwait outā COVID, but life had other plans.
Eventually, I convinced Jeff to sell our Arizona home and move to beautiful Tampa Bay. I fell in love with the lush, tropical landscape, the beaches, and the warm, humid airāespecially the thunderstorms āļø.
Our daughter then shared her dream to attend Sarasota Military Academy in Manatee County, prompting us to relocate. Once there, she joined the Rifle Team, a very expensive sport, and we decided to rent out this home to fund and support her passion, rather than sell it. With my background in Customer Experience, we focused on creating a unique experience for our guestsāsomething that would stand out from the typical corporate rentals.
For the past three years, our daughter has been competing in JROTC Airgun and Jr. Olympics events. Last winter, she placed 7th at the Jr. Olympics and earned an offer to join The Citadelās Rifle Team. Weāre working hard to support her as she pursues her dream of competing in the next Olympics over the next four years.
Thank you for being our flamazing guests and supporting a local business thatās helping to make dreams come true.
Why they chose this property
Welcome to our 120-year-old historic neighborhood, where grand oaks and brick-paved streets invite you to stroll along a scenic 1-mile path by the Hillsborough River. Snap IG-worthy shots at Tampaās first street mural while soaking in the areaās rich history and southern charm, all enhanced by our signature hospitality. Old Seminole Heights awaits your exploration, brimming with local breweries, antique shops, quaint cafes, and moreāall just a short walk away.
Flamingo Haven is the perfect home base, centrally located to everything Tampa Bay has to offer. With a quick 15-minute Lyft ride, you can reach pristine beaches with sugar sand, historic landmarks, USF & UT, aquariums, the Tampa Theater, Straz Center, and major venues like Amalie Arena, Raymond James Stadium, or Hard Rock Casino. Nestled in South Seminole Heights, weāre in one of Tampaās most desirable neighborhoods, known for its deep roots and charming 100+ year-old bungalows, including Flamingo Haven.
Take a leisurely walk through our close-knit community, where youāll be surrounded by historic architecture and vibrant local businesses. Whether youāre in the mood for record stores, pizzerias, breweries, candy shops, bakeries, salons (even Starbucks!), or more, youāll experience the regionās diverse culture and welcoming atmosphere.
Bird watchers, rejoice! Our towering oaks are home to owls, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Hawks, Herons, and more. A family of Blue Jays lives just across the street, and Cardinals occasionally grace our yardāstand still, and you might catch a glimpse. The nearby Hillsborough River is also a favorite fishing spot, where you can try your luck with Largemouth bass, Common snook, and Red drum. Just be mindful of local fishing rules and keep an eye out for alligators. To ensure safety, please avoid taking service animals near the water, and refrain from wading or swimming.
What makes this property unique
Flamingo Haven isnāt just a place to stay; itās an experience. We pride ourselves on offering a stay thatās all about pampering and comfort. Whether youāre looking for a peaceful retreat or a jumping-off point for Tampa Bay adventures, Flamingo Haven is your perfect destination. No hidden fees for essentials or amenitiesājust pure relaxation and fun in a setting that feels like home. Each room has a special touch that makes Flamingo Haven unique, from the king-size Sleep Number bed in the primary bedroom to the electric fireplace in the second bedroom, and even a book exchange and a hidden lifting coffee table. Thereās so much to explore and enjoy!
Every inch of Flamingo Haven is thoughtfully designed and equipped for your ultimate comfort. From Sleep Number mattresses to our commitment to providing more than just āstarter packages,ā we aim to pamper you. Enjoy unlimited access to amenities like shampoo, coffee, the grill, and a heated poolāall included with your stay.
The Coral Reef (primary bedroom) features a king-size Sleep Number bed that lets you and your partner individually choose your mattress firmness with a remote controlāsleep just the way you like it!
Surfās Up (second room) offers a cooling gel memory foam queen-size mattress and an electric fireplace that brings a cozy (and maybe even romantic) ambiance. Choose your flame color and heat setting (or enjoy the flames without heat) and snuggle up with your loved one or a good book from our free Book Exchange.
We offer a large selection of pillowsāMyPillow, Bamboo, classic cotton, and feather! If one doesnāt suit you, try another. Combine that with super soft sheets, cozy blankets, and light-blocking drapes, and youāre all set for a restful night, no matter what the day brings.
And for the perfect start to your perfect day, weāve got you covered with a Keurig, Cappuccino Maker, and Tea Kettleāeach stocked with a large selection of flavors to suit any taste.
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests