1/2 block to beach & Seawall! Unique dual-home layout with bungalow + separate studio cottage. Bungalow features a fenced backyard beach retreat with plunge pool, BBQ, fire pit & lounge seating, plus 2 king bedrooms and bunk room. Cottage has its own pool, deck, BBQ and King Bed; ideal for a second couple. Walkable Historic East End only minutes to the Strand, Cruise Port & UTMB. Free parking, beach gear & bikes included. Perfect for groups traveling together desiring more space and privacy.
▶ You can watch the the property video walk-through for a full tour (click 2nd image in photos).
Welcome to Realt na Mara (“Star of the Sea” in Gaelic) - a unique 2- home coastal retreat! You can save this property to your Wishlist by clicking the heart in the top right corner of the listing.
▶ This property features a main home and separate studio cottage located right next to each other on the same fenced property. Both units have private entrances, full kitchens, and bathrooms for comfort and privacy. Cottage guests also enjoy access to the main home’s backyard amenities — including the cowboy pool and fire pit — through a connecting gate, making it easy for groups to gather while still having separate private spaces. For added flexibility, this property may also be reserved as two separate vacation rentals; 3BR main home or the private cottage:
Bungalow Only (sleeps 10): Vrbo.com/5263891 or
Cottage Only (sleeps 3): Vrbo.com/5263866
▶ Sleeping Arrangements (sleeps up to 13)
Main Home -
• Primary Bedroom: King bed
• Second Bedroom: King bed
• Third Bedroom (Bunk Room): Twin-over-full bunks (top: 100lb limit, bottom: 300lb limit)
• Living Room: Twin trundle sofa bed
• Living Room: Full air mattress
Cottage -
1 King Bed
1 Couch
Please review the floor plan in the listing photos to ensure the layout works well for your group.
▶ Cruise Travelers:
Guests choose this home to avoid day-of-cruise travel stress, enjoy a night in Galveston, and start (or end) their cruise rested and refreshed.
▶ Why you’ll love it!:
Only ½ block walk to the beach and Seawall, this beautifully restored bungalow offers the perfect walkable beach location getaway in the historic East End.
▶ Beach Backyard Retreat!
Fenced, private backyard designed for relaxing and gathering. It features a temperature-controlled, large cowboy pool (chilled in summer, heated in cooler months), fire pit, BBQ, and comfortable lounge seating—perfect for unwinding after a day at the beach. Start your mornings with coffee, spend the afternoons cooling off in the pool, and enjoy a BBQ under the shade sail. Wind down fireside as the sun sets and stargaze.
Cottage: has it's own 4-person cowboy pool (chilled/heated), deck and BBQ, fully fenced (no backyard, but there is a narrow side walkway that leads to entrance.
▶ Key Amenities:
• 2 Cowboy pools (year-round
– chilled summer/heated winter
• 3 King bed (s)
• Fun kids bunk room
• 2 Kitchens
• Fast WiFi (700 Mbps)
• Washer/Dryer - Main Home
• Dedicated workspace(s)
• Roku Smart TVs
• Beach Essentials
• Bicycles (2 for each property)
• Pack n Play & high chair
• Pet Friendly
• Easy self check-in - flexible arrival time
▶ Cowboy Plunge Pools:
Enjoy relaxing in the cowboy pools—perfect for soaking and lounging. While not traditional hot tubs (no jets), they are chilled in summer and heated in cooler months for year-round enjoyment. The cottage 4-person pool can be heated to 104℉ (similar to traditional hot tubs).
▶ Location Highlights:
• Beaches & Seawall: 2 min walk
• Murdoch's: 4 min walk (0.7 miles)
• Bishop's Palace: 2 mins (0.5 miles)
• Cruise Ship Terminal: 8 mins (2.2 miles)
• Univ Texas Medical Branch (UTMB): 4 mins (1.6 miles)
• The Strand shopping, restaurants: 4 mins (1.4 miles)
• Pleasure Pier Amusement Park: 3 mins (0.9 miles)
• Texas Seaport Museum: 7 mins (1.4 miles)
• Moody Gardens Theme Park: 18 mins (6.5 miles)
• Schlitterbahn Water Park: 16 mins (6.1 miles)
▶ Local Recommendations:
We’re happy to share all our favorite local spots—just ask! We even have gluten free suggestions! A few of our favorites are listed below:
• Saltgrass Steakhouse – 4 min walk (0.1 miles)
• Mod Coffeehouse – 4 mins (1.3 miles)
• Shykatz Deli – 2 mins (0.4 miles)
• The SPOT! – 5 mins (1.5 miles)
• Galveston Bagel – 4 mins (1.1 miles)
• Sunflower Bakery & Café – 4 mins (1.3 miles)
▶ Parking
One free, off-street parking space next to the home via narrow alley access (common in Galveston’s Historic District where free parking is limited). PLEASE NOTE: Parking is tight and suitable for 1 standard-size passenger vehicle only. Oversized SUVs, large trucks, RVs, and trailers are not permitted and will not fit in the parking spot. Please park parallel to the home; parking on the concrete curb area is permitted. Do not block the alley at any time.
▶ Guest Access:
You'll have the entire bungalow and separate studio cottage to yourself. Each have separate entrances. The cottage has its own dedicated parking spot (1 vehicle). Main has free street parking with 2 passes that must be displayed in vehicle at all times. Lost or un-returned passes will result in a $1,000 replacement fee (the city charges that for replacement).
▶ Parking:
• Main Home: City permits 2 vehicles to park on the street. Main home has free street parking directly in front of the house (rare perk this close to the beach). Parking passes will be issued upon check in and must be displayed in vehicles at all times. Please remember to return the passes at checkout. Lost or unreturned passes will result in a $1,000 replacement fee charged by the city.
▶ Parking Cottage
One free, off-street parking space next to the home via narrow alley access (common in Galveston’s Historic District where free parking is limited). PLEASE NOTE: Parking is tight and suitable for 1 standard-size passenger vehicle only. Oversized SUVs, large trucks, RVs, and trailers are not permitted and will not fit in the parking spot. Please park parallel to the home; parking on the concrete curb area is permitted. Do not block the alley at any time.
▶ Other Details:
• Minimum Age to Book 25yrs old:
We require the booking guest to be at least 25 years old and actually be staying at the property each night of the reservation.
• Noise
We have outdoor noise monitors to help comply with Galveston’s strict Quiet Time Ordinance (10 PM–8 AM). These devices do not record conversations - only measure noise levels. Please respect quiet hours and our neighbors.
• Property Information:
The beach is just steps away from both homes. Please note the homes are not beachfront and do not offer direct ocean views.
• Main Home:
Enjoy your morning coffee on the front porch with beautiful Gulf sunrises, or take a short stroll to the beach to watch from the sand. The fully fenced backyard features a private retreat with a cowboy pool, BBQ, fire pit, and paver patio (no grass). A designated pet relief area with artificial turf is also provided.
• Studio Cottage:
A fully separate, standalone unit with private entrance, deck, cowboy plunge pool, BBQ, and king bed. Note this is a studio with the bed in a common area. The cottage is fully fenced for added privacy and security and is accessed via the alley between 14th & 15th Streets.
• Historic Homes:
This is a lovingly restored circa 1911 property—expect a blend of old-world charm and modern updates. Original floors in main home with a slight “wiggle” reflect the home’s character.
• Beach Access:
The homes are only ½ block to the Seawall and Galveston’s beaches.
• Heating/Cooling:
Main home has central air conditioning/heating and ceiling fans. Cottage has wall AC unit and portable heaters if needed.
• Pets:
We’re happy to welcome well-behaved dogs! We allow 2 adult dogs. The pet fee is included in the nightly rate when you add your pets to the reservation. Please see our House Rules/Pet Policies and the following so we can continue offering pet-friendly stays:
• Dogs only; max 2 main home/1 Cottage
• 1+ year old; no puppies
• Fully housebroken; please clean up after your dog
• No pets on beds or furniture
• In crate if left alone at property
• not left alone in backyard or outside due to pool & heat hazard
• Safety Features:
Homes equipped with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and first aid kits.
• Security Devices:
For your security the property is equipped with exterior security cameras (no cameras inside). Tampering with, disabling, or obscuring cameras is prohibited and against Vrbo Policies.
• No EV Charging:
Use of extension cords to charge vehicles/devices is prohibited due to safety and insurance requirements. This includes e-bikes, scooters, hoverboards, etc. Public EV charging stations are available nearby.
• Starter Supplies:
We provide starter supplies of coffee, tea, laundry detergent and dishwasher pods. For longer stays, guests may need to purchase additional items.
• Food and beverages staged in some photos for inspiration only – not provided during your stay. We do provide a starter supply of coffee and tea.