Walk to the beach from a signature Galveston Victorian on Millionaire's Row!
House in Galveston Island, TX
21 guests · 7 bedrooms · 5 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Top-tier experienceOne of the higher cost properties in the area
About this house rental
Walk to the beach from this majestic Victorian at 1704 31st Street!
This house, now known as Sweethaven, was built on three lots touching on the “Millionaire’s Row” part of Avenue O in the Kempner Park area of Galveston. Sweethaven is as close to the beach (just under half a mile) as a Great Storm survivor can be, as anything closer was destroyed by the Great Storm of 1900 (still the most cataclysmic natural disaster in U.S. history, with a death toll estimated between 8,000-12,000). She also made it through the 1911 and 1915 hurricanes; Carla (1961); and Ike (2008), among many others.
She has been remodeled repeatedly over time, but her bones go back 135+ years, to 1885. The house features original wood floors in most of the main rooms, with those of the foyer and middle floor rooms being particularly intricate.
Sweethaven is set up to welcome family reunions or similar large parties: the main house sleeps approximately 19 in beds with quality mattresses and bedlinens.
There are two bathrooms and four bedrooms on the top floor (Master’s Retreat with a king; Juliet’s Library with a single queen; The Overlook with two queens; and The Landing, with a queen and a twin). There are no TVs in any of the bedrooms in the house, only in the common rooms: you come to the beach to be with people, and if you need to hide in the bedroom, a book attracts less attention. However, there is high-speed wifi all through the house.
The middle floor is for wider gatherings, with multiple living and dining areas. The gourmet’s kitchen is big enough to prepare meals to feed all your guests, and equipped to delight any chef with double convection ovens, double microwaves, double dishwashers, double refrigerators, an ice maker, and a wine fridge.
The ground floor – the Torpedo Deck— is the sacrificial level, located in the flood plain; new building at this elevation is prohibited by city code. Originally open storage or servants’ quarters, it was converted to flex/office space decades ago when the property was owned by the Galveston ISD. This floor has a more modern industrial vibe: check out the massive concrete piers that support the house above, and the steam pipes and conduits that serve as the arteries and veins that conduct the fluids and forces that power the building. We use this area as the young persons’ retreat, with a Wardroom for fun and games, including a tournament-quality foosball table; a ping pong table; a real pinball machine; and a big TV for movies. Three bedrooms (the Bridge, with a queen; the Interrogation Room, with a queen and a twin; and the Forecastle, with three twins) and a modest bathroom with shower are also located on this level. Bedrooms at ground level are rare in Galveston, so this is a nice option for people with difficulty navigating stairs.
The carriage house apartment, available separately AFTER May 2022, is configured as an efficiency, with a small kitchen and bathroom, and a king bed. The carriage house itself features an outdoor shower, two water closets, a sink, and is large enough to host a small crowd if rain interferes with an outdoor gathering.
Sweethaven has two sets of washers and dryers if you need them.
There are a half-dozen beach cruiser bikes with locks that you are welcome to tool around on, but please keep them secure as they will otherwise disappear and you will have to pay for replacements. There is also a supply of beach toys so you don’t have to drag your own from home. And some beach chairs, and umbrellas, and so forth so all you have to do is show up and use them.
There are also various gas grills and barbeques for feeding your friends and family.
Parking: there is off street parking for ~3-4 vehicles. There is on-street parking for perhaps another dozen vehicles along both Avenue O and 31st Street. PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF OUR NEIGHBOR'S GREY HOUSE TO THE SOUTH!
This house, now known as Sweethaven, was built on three lots touching on the “Millionaire’s Row” part of Avenue O in the Kempner Park area of Galveston. Sweethaven is as close to the beach (just under half a mile) as a Great Storm survivor can be, as anything closer was destroyed by the Great Storm of 1900 (still the most cataclysmic natural disaster in U.S. history, with a death toll estimated between 8,000-12,000). She also made it through the 1911 and 1915 hurricanes; Carla (1961); and Ike (2008), among many others.
She has been remodeled repeatedly over time, but her bones go back 135+ years, to 1885. The house features original wood floors in most of the main rooms, with those of the foyer and middle floor rooms being particularly intricate.
Sweethaven is set up to welcome family reunions or similar large parties: the main house sleeps approximately 19 in beds with quality mattresses and bedlinens.
There are two bathrooms and four bedrooms on the top floor (Master’s Retreat with a king; Juliet’s Library with a single queen; The Overlook with two queens; and The Landing, with a queen and a twin). There are no TVs in any of the bedrooms in the house, only in the common rooms: you come to the beach to be with people, and if you need to hide in the bedroom, a book attracts less attention. However, there is high-speed wifi all through the house.
The middle floor is for wider gatherings, with multiple living and dining areas. The gourmet’s kitchen is big enough to prepare meals to feed all your guests, and equipped to delight any chef with double convection ovens, double microwaves, double dishwashers, double refrigerators, an ice maker, and a wine fridge.
The ground floor – the Torpedo Deck— is the sacrificial level, located in the flood plain; new building at this elevation is prohibited by city code. Originally open storage or servants’ quarters, it was converted to flex/office space decades ago when the property was owned by the Galveston ISD. This floor has a more modern industrial vibe: check out the massive concrete piers that support the house above, and the steam pipes and conduits that serve as the arteries and veins that conduct the fluids and forces that power the building. We use this area as the young persons’ retreat, with a Wardroom for fun and games, including a tournament-quality foosball table; a ping pong table; a real pinball machine; and a big TV for movies. Three bedrooms (the Bridge, with a queen; the Interrogation Room, with a queen and a twin; and the Forecastle, with three twins) and a modest bathroom with shower are also located on this level. Bedrooms at ground level are rare in Galveston, so this is a nice option for people with difficulty navigating stairs.
The carriage house apartment, available separately AFTER May 2022, is configured as an efficiency, with a small kitchen and bathroom, and a king bed. The carriage house itself features an outdoor shower, two water closets, a sink, and is large enough to host a small crowd if rain interferes with an outdoor gathering.
Sweethaven has two sets of washers and dryers if you need them.
There are a half-dozen beach cruiser bikes with locks that you are welcome to tool around on, but please keep them secure as they will otherwise disappear and you will have to pay for replacements. There is also a supply of beach toys so you don’t have to drag your own from home. And some beach chairs, and umbrellas, and so forth so all you have to do is show up and use them.
There are also various gas grills and barbeques for feeding your friends and family.
Parking: there is off street parking for ~3-4 vehicles. There is on-street parking for perhaps another dozen vehicles along both Avenue O and 31st Street. PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF OUR NEIGHBOR'S GREY HOUSE TO THE SOUTH!
Amenities
Pool
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Ski in / Ski out
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Galveston Island, TX
££££
Reviews
10.0
Our multigenerational family reunion was a blast because of this fabulous house! Two dishwashers! Two microwaves and an ice maker in a beautiful gourmet kitchen! Plenty of tables for dinner and games! Great communication w our hosts Rachel and Chris. Beach gear, bikes, paper towels, tp (the good kind!), soap, shampoo etc all included and made our trip easy and fun! Beautiful house. Old and rich with
10.0
We had an awesome time. There was nothing the host did not have. They communicated with us quickly when there was a question.. The house is beautiful and well decorated. We had a large group of 21 and we were very comfortable. Awesome house and awesome host
10.0
We had an AMAZING time at Sweethaven!!! The property is BEAUTIFUL, the owners are super easy to work with and very quick to respond to questions and give helpful tips for our time in Galveston. We walked to the beach, enjoyed a quick drive to the strand, and had plenty of room for the 13 of us. We didn’t even use all the beds! This is a perfect property!
10.0
The house was beautiful, historic, charming, and perfect. It had a huge kitchen with double appliances. The upstairs (top floor) is bright and very spacious. The bottom floor (ground level) was perfect for the teens in the family while the adults slept on the top floor. I would definitely recommend staying here. It’s close to everything too.
8.0
Several generations of our family traveled to Galveston for a family wedding and this house was a great option for us. Plenty of room to spread out and plenty of places to come together with enough rooms and beds for everyone from a toddler to a great-grandmother.
We enjoyed the living room, kitchen, and deck the most! We weren’t in town for long, but it was nice to have bikes to cruise around the historic neighborhood. Tons of beach toys, umbrellas and chairs allowed us to have a fun morning on the beach just down the road. We all had a great weekend and would stay here again!
10.0
We had an amazing time again this just as we had last year. The owners are awesome and so is the property!!! One of, if not the most beautiful house we have stayed at in Galveston. Hope to rent this house again next year!
10.0
We needed a place for 11 adults and 5 kids to gather to celebrate the New Year and watch the Sugar Bowl. Sweethaven was perfect!
The house was spotless, and all the beds were extremely comfortable. The large kitchen served as a social gathering spot and had everything we needed for cooking and dining. The Sono speaker system allowed us to connect through Spotify and play music throughout the main floor and on the porch as well. The spacious living room has a large TV and plenty of seating and was fantastic for watching the game. The downstairs area was a hit with the teenage kids, giving them space to talk, watch TV, and play games. There were board games, beach chairs, beach towels, and bikes as well.
The hosts were very responsive and pleasant, making the entire booking process and stay seamless. Any questions were promptly addressed, and their hospitality added a layer of comfort to our experience.
I love spending time in Galveston and can't say enough about this beautiful house. It had everything we needed and more. Galveston, paired with Sweethaven, created an idyllic setting for our gathering, leaving us with cherished memories of a truly wonderful time in this historic gem.
10.0
Some of my family stayed here for my sister’s wedding nearby. It was great for our group size (sleeping 10 adults), and could comfortably have held quite a few more. We really enjoyed the games downstairs, and the location where we could walk to the seawall. Overall a great place!
10.0
Everything was just as advertised, clean, great communication,
10.0
We stayed together in this beautiful home in a great location. We had a wedding for my daughter at the nearby Bryan Museum. The home was a perfect size for gathering the family. We prepared food for everyone and had a lovely time! The amenities were perfect. I would rent again for a family reunion.
10.0
The pictures doesn't do it justice. It's a beautiful, well kept up home but still has that old time charm. We spent a lot of time outside, either on the porch with the fans on or in the well shaded backyard and the heat was bearable. We were celebrating my mother's 88th birthday and she enjoyed it. The sizes of all the rooms were nice and although a lot of us, we definitely had room to breathe. Any and everything that you may need from games, a game room, chairs for the beach, plenty of refrigerators, plenty of dining tables, they've supplied it. The host and the owners respond quickly and are quite pleasant. We're already planning another trip to Galveston, just for the house!
10.0
The property was amazing. Our family of 15 was comfortable and we’re able to relax. We all had our own space and yet we were able to come together in the large living areas without any effort. The teens enjoyed the gam room and bikes. We were grateful for the beach equipment and used it daily. We had a beautiful week and would recommend this perfect Victorian lady to anyone
10.0
We enjoyed our stay! Chris and Rachel were so wonderful to work with and made sure we had everything we needed! My kids loved using the bikes and the game room is a huge hit! The kitchen is well stocked with everything you need to cook meals and the location was ideal! Thank you for such a wonderful experience!
10.0
This place was great. We had a family reunion here and everyone had a great time. Even my wife, who was dreading spending any time in the heat & humidity of the gulf coast, had to admit this was a great place to get together. Nice, big, we'll equiped kitchen. Plenty of table and couch space to gather around. The owner was VERY responsive, accommodating and pleasant to work with. The house is an easy 6 or 7 block walk to the beach and an easy drive to anything else on the island. There are a lot of stairs inside and outside the house, so not handicap friendly. Also the showers are on the small side. But it's an old house and I guess people took smaller showers back in the day.
10.0
Very nice and spacious home with plenty of space to comfortably accommodate a group of 10 adults and 5 teens. Sleeping areas, dining areas and cooking/meal service utensils all met or exceeded our needs, with a stylish flourish to boot. The covered and furnished walk around patio and provisions to grill and use the beach gear made for even more space to spread out and relax, and made it super convenient to hit the beach without having to pack and travel heavy prior to arrival. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone needing one space in which to gather and comfortably accommodate a multi-generation family affair.
10.0
We really had a fabulous time in the house. It had everything we needed plus more. The teenagers enjoyed having the lower level with all the games. The bicycles were also a hit. If you forgot anything the house probably has it available for you. So much room that we never felt like we were on top of each. Everyone was able to gather when we wanted and find a spot to be alone when needed. Sweethaven is a beautiful house! We loved our stay and will definitely be back in the future.
10.0
Had a 2-day retreat with 11 women. The house worked so well. We set up and worked in one of the living rooms where we could leave all our stuff and could then use the long kitchen table for eating. The group happily used all the bedrooms as well as made use of the fantastic kitchen.
10.0
This property was wonderful! It was a perfect place for our family to meet. We had 14 of us from 20-75 yrs. There is plenty of room for people to spread out and be comfortable. The kitchen is well-equipped, and the house is spacious and beautiful. We loved coffee on the deck each morning. We will definitely stay there again.
10.0
Six blocks from the beach, this 1890's house could tell some scary stories if it could talk.Like any other house this age, it has some weird architectural quirks. You can rally tell different owners have tried different things over the years.
The current owners have equipped it well for a vrbo home, especially the kitchen. PLENTY of refrigerator room!
Taking care of a house like this in Galveston's climate is not easy - the are some spots where wood is rotting and needs to be replaced, but nothing here is unsafe for adults. We know that the hosts are trying hard. They are great communicators and are willing to work it out if something is not right.
10.0
House is absolutely gorgeous! The huge Oak Trees in the yard are amazing!!!
10.0
We really enjoyed our stay, everything was as described and then some! The house is beautiful and full of extras you don't see in most VRBOs. We hope to make this house our new home for Mardi Gras Galveston every year here on forward!!!
10.0
We had a wonderful weekend
10.0
This home is stunning! It was so super spacious and comfortably housed my entire family of 21 for our annual Christmas party weekend. It had every amenity that we could want or need, to include a level 2 EV Charger in the garage for rapid charging. The giant smoker named Betty was fantastic for grilling and the outside speakers on the porch are a nice touch. The bed was super comfortable and the bathrooms and kitchen were wonderfully stocked! There was tons of outdoor seating with extra folding chairs in the garage. The location was absolutely perfect! Pleasure Pier and the The Strand were so close! We will definitely be staying at this home again.
10.0
Just off of 31st and Ave. O this house boasts a spacious yard, a great location and plenty of room. Blessed with a generous kitchen you can cook there with your family and friends. Lots of porch seating and seating out on the yard for those days when the heat has taken a break. Everyone in our group loved this house!
10.0
Chris and Rachel were the most responsive and accommodating hosts we've ever had! Their house was beautiful and had everything we needed to host a Thanksgiving dinner and a 90th birthday party. The kitchen was very well stocked with plenty of utensils, dishware and appliances galore. They had a fully stocked spice rack and pantry with paper and plastic products, foils, coffee & many condiments. They even stocked the fridges with some water, pop, beer and wine! We could truly just walk in and make ourselves at home. And speaking of the home, it is a beautifully decorated and appointed space with a nice blend of old fashioned details and updated conveniences. The beds were very comfortable as were the couches and other seats.
Knowing that my 90-year-old mother would be there, Chris texted and warned us that she would have to be able to do stairs and climb in and out of claw foot tubs (except for the lower level shower). My mom was fine with the stairs but the tub was a bit challenging for her. Also, she had to be very careful with the uneven transitions between rooms (which would also be difficult for a toddler). We would definitely stay here again!
10.0
The SweetHaven house was amazing! We had 7 couples and each one had a private room of their own. The house is so roomy and cozy. All the amenities were great and the hosts are very attentive. I would 100% highly recommend this home for a weekend getaway. Thank you Chris and Rachel for making our weekend comfortable and welcoming.
10.0
We had the BEST time at Sweethaven!!!! There is so much room- we had a large group of adults and everyone slept very comfortably!! House was so clean, close to EVERYTHING, and just so charming overall! We hope to be back!!!!
10.0
Beautiful home!!! Awesome location!!! We had a great time and will consider this location again. Our host Chris was great!! Had a couple minor issues that were addressed immediately due to him being available to answer our calls without ever having to leave a message!! Thanks Chris!!
10.0
Every once in a while you are just blown away by a place. This was one of those rare times. Every single family member who joined our reunion and 90th birthday party for mom raves about this house. The kitchen was incredible …really well laid out and had everything we could need to feed the crowd. Great location, all the beach gear you could need…and so much room! We would go back for sure.
10.0
The accommodations this house provided was everything. Besides the sheer beauty and coziness of this home, it allowed a family of our size to roam freely without feeling crowded. It allowed multiple areas in preparation for cooking. The first evening we used the grill connected to the pit which allowed us to cook enough meat to feed a small army in a short amount of time.
From the front porch for drinking an early morning cup of coffee to a relaxing evening of in the living room watching a TV show, to playing board games on the tables in the dining room as well as having a blast enjoying an energetic and healthy competition in table tennis, foosball, and pinball machine placed in the basement.
10.0
Sweet Haven is a beautiful property. The owners have taken great care in renovating this spacious home and have added special touches throughout the property. Be sure to check out the unique art hanging on the walls! The wrap-around porch with rocking chairs is lovely for enjoying morning coffee or evening cocktails. The kitchen has double ovens and dishwashers -- perfect for a catered event or for cooking with a group (we did both.) There are plenty of seating options for lounging or playing cards or games in the living space. The sleeping accommodations were comfortable and cozy, and the beach was just a short walk or bike ride away. Sweet Haven was perfect for our family get-together! I'm already talking to my girlfriends about coming back for a girl's weekend in the spring!
10.0
Amazing vacation
My family and I enjoyed our weekend vacation at this amazing home. Both Rachel and Chris were great super nice and accommodating. They were able to meet our needs. My family and I are looking forward to returning.
10.0
Family Gathering 2022
This property was amazing. So beautiful and positioned where my family of 18 (this time), were able to be together and yet still had to look for each other. Everything was setup with such excellence and professionalism which paid attention to the needs of the guest.
Our family members unanimously stated we will be back again to enjoy your beautiful in the future.
10.0
Great Visit and Stay in Galveston
Overall, had a great experience in Galveston. The house was clean, beds were comfortable, great water pressure in the showers. We had 9 people stay and there was plenty of space for all of us. The kitchen was beautiful and very functional for meals and loved the wrap around porch for the evening. Overall, would absolutely rent here again!
10.0
Charming, spacious home near the beach
I just finished a stay at this home catching up with a group of old friends, and we had a delightful time. The owners were incredibly responsive via phone and VRBO messaging, and they clearly care a lot about the place.
The kitchen is amazing and well-supplied, the best I've ever used in a rental. The first floor is filled with common spaces -- lots of distinct spots to spread out and chat, eat, or play board games. Comfortable furniture, and the game room in the basement is a nice extra.
The house has some historical quirks, which I loved from the start. Some of my friends were a little skeptical at first, but I think it crossed the line from quirky to charming for pretty much everyone after a little bit.
Great location, with an easy walk to the beach.
10.0
Great
Great
10.0
Family Reunion
This property is gorgeous! If you’re planning a trip to Galveston this is the house! The owners were an absolute delight to work with and very communicative. It is a gorgeous property and has everything we needed. You can walk to the beach but we decided on being dropped off by family members. (-; The water was so warm and we had a lovely breeze while laying on the beach. The property had beach chairs you could borrow and you can rent umbrellas/chairs on the beach as well. This property had so much room (we had 20 guests) that each of the family members had their own bed. Plenty of bathrooms but most importantly plenty of space! You could hang out in the fenced yard, on the porch, in the giant kitchen (2 refrigerators and two dishwashers!), dining room, living room, family room, and a spacious game room. We all came from out of town and most of us flew so it was refreshing not to have to pack so much stuff. The kitchen is fully stocked so after a quick trip to the store for food you were set. Plenty of bath towels and a laundry room if you needed to do a load. I appreciated all the closets and storage so everyone’s stuff wasn’t cluttering up with common space. The architecture of the house is beyond beautiful and the decorative touches from light fixtures, to floors to paintings etc was endless. It’s a cute and quiet neighborhood and was the perfect spot for our long overdue family reunion. Can’t wait to visit again soon!
10.0
Wonderful home with so much character and charm.
My wife (then fiancé) and I we're coming to Galveston to get married on the beach and then take a cruise for our honeymoon. We had 9 family members joining us and they ranged from 24 to 82 years old.
The home had SO much space and we never felt crowded. The kitchen is so large that we all could hang out in it without a problem. The kitchen has a large range, double ovens, double microwaves, double dish washers and there are several refrigerators.
The bedrooms have varying bed sizes between the rooms on the bottom and top floors. The bedrooms have in room A/C units which makes the rooms very comfortable. There are plenty of bathrooms with tubs / showers.
The home is close enough to walk to the beach and the strained is a short drive away as is the cruise terminal as are all other attractions.
The apartment above the garage is awesome, it is self-contained with a king bed, bathroom and kitchen.
This historic and lovely home is great by itself, but the hosts make it even better with their attention to their guests. From the first request for information to the check in / out process it was a pleasure to deal with them.
We are looking forward to a future vacation in Galveston so we can visit Sweethaven again.
Hugh & Bethany
10.0
2022 Graduation shenanigans with Major!
Our group rented this property to celebrate my sons graduation and scholarship to TCU.
Our stay at Sweet Haven was the best ever. First off, the host was so accommodating in answering questions and meeting our needs. Second, the house exceeded expectation. It was beautiful inside and out. Very spacious with plenty of bathrooms and beds.
Thirdly, it was convenient and accessible to planned activities: sea wall, Pleasure Pier, Leon’s barbecue, etc.
Great place to get away, relax, and wind down.
Definitely would rent again!
10.0
Would definitely book again!
Beautiful home!!! Lots of space! It was gorgeous. Pictures do no justice!
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Galveston Island?
The average price for a rental in Galveston Island is £195 per night. This rental is £1,047 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Walk to the beach from a signature Galveston Victorian on Millionaire's Row!. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Walk to the beach from a signature Galveston Victorian on Millionaire's Row!. Enjoy the water!
Is Walk to the beach from a signature Galveston Victorian on Millionaire's Row! pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Walk to the beach from a signature Galveston Victorian on Millionaire's Row!?
We found 12 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and parking.
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