Before you book
Good to know
The practical details guests ask about most, in one place.
Good to know
- Two bedrooms plus a daybed on the upstairs landing until a queen Murphy bed arrives, sleeps six, all upstairs — king, queen, daybed, Pack ’n Play
- Full bath with clawfoot tub upstairs, half bath downstairs
- Room fans and extra blankets
- Iron, board and steamer
- Toiletries and soap included
- Hotel-grade linens and towels, fresh for every stay
- All sleeping and the full bath are on the second floor, reached by stairs
- Fully equipped kitchen, gas cooktop, outdoor grill
- Washer and dryer — cleverly hidden on the porch
- Central heat and air, gas fireplace
- Long covered north porch with swaying wicker chairs and ceiling fans
- Fenced yard, paver patio, palms, blooming azaleas
- Expansive paver driveway — RV, boat trailer, and multiple vehicles welcome
- Covered, secure parking for motorcycles, with a hose for a rinse
- One block to the river, the boat ramp, and the riverfront park
- Walk to downtown restaurants
- A contributing property in the Palatka South Historic District, on the National Register of Historic Places
The house
- How many guests does Hummingbird House sleep?
- Six. The front bedroom has a king bed, the second bedroom has a queen, and a daybed on the upstairs landing sleeps two until a queen Murphy bed arrives. A Pack ’n Play is stored at the house for a baby.
- Do we get the whole house?
- Yes. The house is rented whole, to one party at a time: both floors, the long north porch, the fenced yard, the patio, and the driveway are yours for the stay.
- Where are the bedrooms and bathrooms?
- The two bedrooms, the daybed on the landing until a queen Murphy bed arrives, and the full bath with its clawfoot tub are on the second floor, reached by stairs. The kitchen, the living rooms, a half bath, and the porch are on the ground floor.
- How old is the house?
- It was built in 1871 and restored down to the studs by its previous owners, keeping the twelve-foot ceilings, heart pine floors, and original doors. It is a contributing property in the Palatka South Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. More about the house as a historic rental.
- Is there air conditioning and heat?
- Yes. The house has central heat and air, room fans, and a gas fireplace for cool evenings.
What is provided
- What is in the kitchen?
- It is a fully equipped cook’s kitchen: a gas cooktop with a griddle, sharp knives, heavy pots, mixing bowls, a full spice shelf, and coffee, with butcher-block counters and an island with stools. There is also a grill on the paver patio.
- Are linens and towels provided?
- Yes. Hotel-grade sheets and towels are fresh for every stay, with extra blankets in the bedrooms. Toiletries and soap are included, along with an iron, an ironing board, and a steamer.
- Is there a washer and dryer?
- Yes. A washer and dryer are at the house, tucked away on the porch.
- What is there to do at the house on a rainy day?
- There is a shelf of books, board games and playing cards in the cabinet, a gas fireplace, and a covered porch where you can sit outside and stay dry.
Parking, boats, and getting around
- Is there parking at the house?
- Yes. The house has an expansive paver driveway with room for several vehicles and space to turn around.
- Can we bring a boat trailer or an RV?
- Yes. The driveway is large enough for an RV, a boat trailer, and multiple vehicles at once, which is unusual in a historic downtown. Fishing lodging in Palatka.
- Is there motorcycle parking?
- Yes. Motorcycles have covered, secure parking, with a hose nearby for a rinse.
- How far is the St. Johns River and the boat ramp?
- A few minutes on foot. Riverfront Park and the Palatka City Dock and Boat Ramp are a short walk east of the house. According to the City of Palatka, the ramps are free and open 24 hours. Fishing and boating the St. Johns from Palatka.
- Can we walk to restaurants?
- Yes. Downtown Palatka’s restaurants are a short walk from the house through the historic district. A weekend in Palatka.
- How far is St. Augustine?
- About 29 miles east on State Road 207, roughly 40 to 45 minutes by car. The nearest Atlantic beach, Crescent Beach, is a similar distance. A St. Augustine day trip from Palatka.
Planning your stay
- When are Palatka’s festivals?
- The Florida Azalea Festival is in late February or early March, the Mug Race is the first Saturday in May, the Blue Crab Festival is Memorial Day weekend, and Porchfest is the first Saturday in December. Dates are set each year by the organizers. The full festival calendar.
- Is the house suitable for a family with a baby or small children?
- Yes. A Pack ’n Play is stored at the house, the yard is fenced, and the daybed on the upstairs landing sleeps two and is a favorite with children until a queen Murphy bed arrives. Note that the bedrooms are upstairs.
- Can we hold a small gathering, like a shower or a birthday dinner?
- The yard, the patio, and the long porch suit small occasions such as a baby shower, a birthday dinner, or a bridal luncheon. Tell us what you have in mind before you book so we can confirm it works. Ask us about your plans.
- How do we book?
- Check availability on the booking page, or send us your approximate dates and we will reply personally. Check availability.