South Beach Club 205 is an oceanfront, contemporary condo that offers a one-car detached garage (very rare in Flagler Beach) and gorgeous ocean views. Talk about a retreat! Amenities include: a private walkway to an uncrowded beach, a pool overlooking the ocean at your disposal, and a screened-in balcony, where you can dine alfresco as the sea breeze whispers through the palm trees. When you stay at South Beach #205, all this--and so much more--is yours to enjoy.

South Beach is one of the newer condo complexes in Flagler Beach (an often-overlooked beach community, close to both St. Augustine and Daytona Beach). Located on a corner of the second floor, unit 205 boasts spectacular views of the Atlantic from just about every room.

You can think of the screened-in balcony as an extension of the living room. Furnished with tables and chairs, it’s an ideal spot to start your day watching the sunrise over the ocean, or to end it with a drink under the stars. You may want to bring your meals out there too--everything tastes fresher when enjoyed outdoors in the salt-tinged breeze.

Should you tire of watching dolphins and pelicans play in the surf, you can watch your favorite shows on the living room’s 50 inch HDTV. Decorated in serene sandy tones that echo the beach outside, this room is designed for comfort. Kick back with your laptop on one of the armchairs as you check your email--South Beach #205 has free wireless web access, after all--sprawl out on the floor to play a game with the kids, or stretch out on the generously cushioned couch for a midday nap.

You can choose from two dining areas: one between the living room and the kitchen and the other in the kitchen. Although meals together are one of the best parts of a family vacation, it’s also nice to have the option of seating the kids in one area so that the adults can enjoy a little quiet conversation in another. The condo’s open floor plan makes it easy to keep an eye on the little ones even when you’re in different areas.

Whether you plan to cook gourmet meals or simply brew some coffee in the morning, you’ll find everything you need in the kitchen, from appliances, to cookware and tableware and even a TV. There’s even a blender, so you can whip up milkshakes or margaritas--your choice! And because nobody wants to spend a vacation scrubbing plates, the unit has a dishwasher. South Beach #205 is equipped with its own washer and dryer as well, so that you can pack light without having to waste time at the Laundromat.

Catching up on your sleep is an important (and highly enjoyable!) part of every vacation, and the condo’s three bedrooms make doing so a pleasure. The spacious primary bedroom has a king-size bed, TV, and doors leading out to the balcony. You can view the ocean from your bed, and if you keep the window open, you’ll be able to let the rhythmic rolling of the surf lull you to sleep.

The sun-dappled, second bedroom features a queen bed and a TV. The third bedroom, which has a full-size Murphy bed and a TV, can also double as an office, a den, or a room where you can escape for a little private time.

With the beach being just the shortest of walks away and a pool right on the premises, you could easily while away your entire vacation without jumping in your car once. But then you’d be missing out on so many delights so close at hand: restaurants, golf, shops, Marineland, and historic St. Augustine.Or visit the Matanzas River, a wonderful area for fishing, kayaking and sailing, biking, and hiking paths. When you’re not out exploring, you can park the car in the unit’s private one-car garage, where you’ll also find six beach chairs, an umbrella, two boogie boards, and even beach toys (remember what we said about packing light?).

South Beach #205 has so much going for it, we’re not sure what our favorite aspect is. Why don’t you decide for yourself? Go ahead, book your reservation today.