If you’re well-traveled around the Sunshine State, you probably know a thing or two about tiki culture.
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If not, let me give you a quick overview. Tiki culture refers to an American arts and entertainment movement that started in California around a century ago in the 1930s. Tiki culture revolves around highly romanticized and pop-ified images from Polynesian, Melanesian, and Micronesian cultures, including places like Hawaii, Samoa, and Palau.
Tiki culture is all about bright, exotic aesthetics, and from its early days was associated with bars, tropical drinks, and kitschy décor. Today, it survives with many of the same markers: a visual ode to a fictional Polynesian world, a focus on brightly colored drinks, and a decidedly Margaritaville approach to good times.
If you’re curious, ‘tiki’ is a Māori name that was given to the first mortal, according to their mythology. Māori people are the original inhabitants of New Zealand, called Aotearoa. Tiki culture, as described in this article, has no basis in the culture, history, or modern lifestyle of indigenous groups across the Pacific Islands—it’s a fantasy version.
And it’s a fantasy that many people adore, especially when it’s time for a carefree vacation. If you’re a big fan of Tiki culture and sunshine, get a little inspiration from these rentals. They’re the best Tiki Airbnbs in Florida that you can rent right now.
[This article is part of TravelAwaits new Airbnb and Vrbo recommendation series. We dig into listings to identify the crème de la crème of Guest Favorites, Superhost listings, and hidden gems to make finding the perfect rental for your next trip a breeze.]
Best tropical tiki Airbnbs in Florida
Tiki Bar Paradise (Sarasota)
This three-bedroom home sleeps up to ten and has everything that a family will need for an excellent, beachy stay in Sarasota—tiki hut included. The home has tons of beach supplies and backyard games, along with a heated pool. Out back, you’ll also find a tiki hut that doubles as a bar… and even a kitchen. The tiki bar includes a refrigerator and television—plus, the obligatory tiki décor.
Tipsy Turtle (Captiva)
You might notice a running theme when it comes to the best Tiki Airbnbs in Florida: Most feature a tiki hut located in the backyard by the pool. This gorgeous three-bedroom Captiva Island escape spans three floors, all of which have their own water-facing balconies. But the tiki bar by the heated pool is the best place to soak up the sunshine. This tiki bar is also a swim-up, giving you a resort-style amenity, and is located near an outdoor TV area, maximizing your tiki time.
Coconut Grove Tiki House (Miami)
With dozens of palm trees overhead and a massive tiki hut providing shade and comfort by the pool, this is a prime pick for those who like grand tiki projects. (It’s basically a palapa.) The tiki structure includes a sitting area, two TV setups, a gas grill, and two large refrigerators. You might not spend that much time indoors.
The Tiki House (Treasure Island)
This unique setup is ideal for large groups, as the Tiki House is actually four one-bedroom condos put together. Out back, you’ll find a large hot tub that’s covered with a tiki hut. It also doubles as a bar and comes with stools. It’s a pretty basic tiki hut compared to others on this list, but the four-in-one private condo rental is worth mentioning. You’re also just steps from the beach.
Tiki Suites Floating Bungalow (Key West)
If you’ve looked into tiki Airbnbs in Florida before, you’ve probably seen images of this famous tiki bungalow that floats through the Gulf of Mexico near Key West. The company, Tiki Suites, offers multiple bare-bones floating tiki-style rooms, which function like open-air houseboats. They’re great for romance, especially for couples who love going off-grid… and who aren’t afraid of marine life. That being said, you have plenty of creature comforts when you rent a floating tiki—they come with AC, hot water, and mini fridges.
Kontiki Falls (Jupiter)
If you’re looking for a resort-style tiki experience, look no further. Kontiki Falls is a seven-bedroom mansion with its own over-the-top, dreamy pool setup out back. There are lush gardens that look like straight from the jungle, along with a pool lagoon complex that includes a waterfall hidden room. There are multiple lounging and sitting areas, along with multiple tiki huts. In short, it’s what tiki dreams are made of. To top it all off, this home also has a mini putt-putt setup out back.
Enchanted Tiki Retreat (Kissimmee)
This is another mansion—one that comes with eight bedrooms that can sleep over sixteen guests and a tiki-themed pool area where everyone can hang out. The pool is covered and is adjoined to a TV lounge area and a hot tub. The pool has plenty of tiki odes, from the thatched huts to the palm tree lights. Check out the theatre room—this home’s tiki amenities aren’t its only cool feature.
Tiki on the Canal (Cape Coral)
Here’s another three-bedroom with a heated pool and a tiki bar to match. The large tiki hut has a bar setup with seating. It’s placed in the middle of the backyard, between the pool and the mini putt-putt course, meaning you’ll have plenty of chances to enjoy the breeze in the tiki hut’s shade. This home is also located right on the water, and gives you kayaks and paddleboards to use during your stay. It’s perfect for water-lovers who moonlight as tiki bartenders.
Tiki Hut Orlando (Union Park)
If you like tiny homes, savings, and tiki themes, this rental near Orlando is perfect for you. It’s a handcrafted tiny home that’s covered in tiki fare, from the bedding to the walls to the kitchen cabinets. The tiny home is located on a small plot near other properties, and has its own cute garden setup to give you added privacy.
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