Heron's Watch

Good place. No suprises. Great location a block from the beach and red bar.

- Posted: 3/16/2025

Stephen, thank you for your 5-star review! We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back to RealJoy for another stay!

Real Joy staff

Staff is so friendly and accommodating, thorough followthrough.

- Posted: 3/1/2025

We loved this cottage and the location! Beautiful area, boardwalk to beach is right at the end of the lane, and the boat ramp is less than a block away. Restaurants are less than a block in the other direction! Fabulous spot and lovely home!

- Posted: 12/30/2024

Donna, Thank you for the 5-star review. We're delighted to hear you loved the cottage and its convenient location. We hope you'll join us again soon to enjoy the beautiful area and surrounding amenities. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Great staff, Lauren, Parker & Walt.

- Posted: 12/15/2024

This is the 2nd time we've stayed here. We enjoy the cottage feel, the location to the beach, and activities. It's not new and modern but our family likes that.

- Posted: 12/17/2024

Great location and cute house! Perfect for our visit!

- Posted: 9/29/2024

This is our second stay at Heron’s Watch and it checks every box for us at Grayton Beach. Walking distance to the beach and Red Bar/shops, clean and cozy home with everything we need to feel comfortable while on vacation. The proximity to the beach is perfect with little children, as well as having access to the pool. We love Heron’s Watch and will be back again!

- Posted: 9/7/2024

Claudia, Thank you for the 5-star review. We're delighted to hear that Heron's Watch has exceeded your expectations once again. The convenience of being within walking distance to the beach and local attractions is a significant benefit, especially when traveling with little ones. We're glad you and your family felt comfortable and relaxed during your stay. We look forward to welcoming you back to Heron's Watch soon. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Perfect home in a great location!

- Posted: 8/9/2024

Megan, Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your vacation. We're thrilled to hear that you found the home perfect and enjoyed the great location! We hope you will join us again soon. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Our family of 6 will definitely be back!

- Posted: 6/22/2024

Laurel, Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your vacation. We’re thrilled to hear that your family had a great time and will definitely be back! We hope to see you again soon. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

The location is excellent and the accommodations are comfortable. It's conveniently close to the beach and local restaurants. However, the house could be better stocked. The amenities were minimal. It's a nice place, but for the price, it could offer more of the basics to welcome guests.

- Posted: 5/17/2024

Lisa, Thank you for the 5-star review. We're glad you enjoyed the excellent location and comfortable accommodations. You should have gotten an email prior to your stay letting you know that we provide starters of kitchen and bathroom essentials so you should plan to bring these items from home or purchase them once you get here. This is for safety reasons. We hope you'll join us again soon. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Wonderful house and great location. Highly recommended!!

- Posted: 5/12/2024

Kimberly, Thank you for the 5-star review. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay and found the house and location to be wonderful. We hope you will join us again soon. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Nice place

- Posted: 5/5/2024

We loved this property tucked in the heart of Grayton Beach. The beach is only steps away along with Red Bar, Hotz, and Chiringo around the corner. West Lake is close by as well. The house has everything you would want for a classic beach house. Two showers, 3 bedrooms, a large common area, and large porches front and back. Great parking attached to the property.

- Posted: 4/1/2024

Thank you for your5-star review, Ian! We're thrilled to hear that you loved the property and its prime location in Grayton Beach. We're glad you enjoyed the amenities and all the nearby attractions. We hope to welcome you back for another beach getaway soon! - Realjoy Vacations

Real Joy staff

We enjoyed our few nights in Grayton. We loved the front porch and it was just a short walk to the beach.

- Posted: 4/9/2024

Carrie, Thank you for the 5-star review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay in Grayton and made the most of the front porch and the nearby beach. We'd love to have you back for another relaxing getaway. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Location! Location!! Easy walk to the beach—and the Red Bar. Real Joy was a pleasure to work with!! Communication was great from the day we booked until we left. Herons Watch is a very cute, quaint house—very bright and fun—but could use some updating.

- Posted: 3/22/2024

Madeline, Thank you for taking the time to review your stay. We're thrilled you enjoyed the location and our communication! Your feedback on updating Herons Watch is valuable, and we're looking into making your next visit even better. We can't wait to have you back. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Loved this quiet little place and the area surrounding it! Only wish we’d have had more time here. We will definitely be back!!!

- Posted: 3/16/2024

Melanie, Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your experience. We're thrilled to hear you loved your stay and the area! We can't wait to welcome you back for a longer visit next time. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

We absolutely love staying here! The amenities are wonderful and the location is perfect. You will not regret it!

- Posted: 3/14/2024

Rebecca, Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your vacation. We're thrilled to hear how much you loved the amenities and the location! We definitely look forward to welcoming you back for another fantastic stay. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Just loved our stay It was prefect Great location Look forward to next time

- Posted: 12/31/2023

The location was wonderful, the hosts were attentive & Grayton was as GRAYT as always!

- Posted: 11/16/2023

Jessie, We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the wonderful location and that our team was attentive to your needs. Grayton's charm is indeed something special! We hope you will join us again soon. Thank you for choosing RealJoy!

Real Joy staff

Wonderful location.

- Posted: 11/25/2023

Lyndi, Thank you for taking the time to review your stay. We’re glad the location was wonderful and we hope you will visit us again soon. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Our stay was wonderful thanks to RealJoy!

- Posted: 11/16/2023

The house had some issues, but the location made up for it.

- Posted: 10/29/2023

Third year in a row for us to stay here. It’s a perfect size for a small family and very convenient walking to the beach and night life

- Posted: 10/20/2023

Damon, We're honored to have hosted you for the third year in a row! It's fantastic to hear that the size and convenience of the location have made your stays enjoyable. We look forward to welcoming you back for many more years. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

This place was perfect for our small family. The location was amazing! We rented bikes and golf carts and had the best time exploring nearby Watercolor and Seaside. We were able to walk right over to the Red Bar (delicious!) and Chirringos. The place was very cute, neat, and clean. I would totally stay here again.

- Posted: 9/29/2023

Shannon, We're thrilled to hear that the place was perfect for your family and that you had a fantastic time exploring the area. We look forward to hosting you again. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

We love Grayton Beach! This is one of the older, small houses - a bit quirky and cool. So close to the beach and the lake —and The Red Bar! Community pool is excellent. Furniture is comfortable. TV is very small, but was rarely on anyway. Front porch is very nice. We will be back!

- Posted: 8/26/2023

Great space for our family vacation.

- Posted: 7/29/2023

Loved staying here! A quintessential grayton house!

- Posted: 7/21/2023

Cricket, We're thrilled to hear that you loved your time at this quintessential Grayton house! It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed your experience with us. If you have any future plans to visit the area again, we would be delighted to host you once more. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Location could not have been better! Great place and would definitely recommend!

- Posted: 7/8/2023

Love the location to the boardwalk for the beach. Great front porch and plenty of room in the house.

- Posted: 6/17/2023

Amazing rental and location. We will be back!

- Posted: 6/2/2023

Rebecca, Thank you for letting us know that you had an amazing vacation. We’re glad that the location worked well for you and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

I was pleasantly surprised. Better in person than the pictures!

- Posted: 5/4/2023

Leigh, Thank you for letting us know that your expectations were exceeded. We hope you enjoyed some time on our beautiful beaches and had a safe trip home. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

We loved our stay in Grayton Beach. RealJoy was incredibly communicative and responsive, and the house had everything we needed for a relaxing beach getaway. We’d love to visit again!

- Posted: 4/17/2023

great stay, amazing location,

- Posted: 4/10/2023

Simone, we love that you enjoyed a great stay in this well-located three-bedroom, two-bath house. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

You could not ask for a better location in Grayton Beach! Very short walk to the beach and several shops and restaurants. The beds were super comfortable and the kitchen had all the cooking utensils you could ask for. The front porch swing was a highlight, as was the big dining table and comfy couch. A short drive to several grocery stores.
There were plenty of towels, but no beach towels (this was in the instructions we just missed it) And make sure and bring extra paper towels, toilet paper, and salt/pepper, etc. if you're planning on using the kitchen.
Overall a great option for us- would stay here again!

- Posted: 1/1/2023

Rachel, Thank you for taking the time to review your stay at Heron's Watch. We are glad that the location worked well for you and that you enjoyed the front porch swing especially. We look forward to seeing you next time. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Katheryn was a hard worker. We ran into a problem with our original rental days before arrival. Katheryn helped us find an appropriate alternative. The communication during our stay was a real bonus. Will be back. Will recommend RealJoy to others.

- Posted: 11/14/2022

Michael, Thank you for the 5-star review. We really appreciate your acknowledgment of our communicative staff. We're glad everything worked out for you. We hope you enjoyed some time on our beautiful beaches and had a safe trip home. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Great location. This property is perfect for a small family and provides a necessary amenities. This is our second year in a two to stay at Heron’s Watch and hope to stay there next year

- Posted: 10/21/2022

Damon, Thank you for the 5-star review of your stay at Heron's Watch. We're glad this property was perfect for your family and that you had everything you needed. We look forward to seeing you again. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

We enjoyed our stay at Heron’s Watch.
Cute and comfortable. Roomy and all one level. Beds were great. Location is outstanding.

- Posted: 8/25/2022

This was a perfect stay for us! The location is fantastic and the house is so cute! I would definitely stay here again!

- Posted: 8/21/2022

Fabulous location! Loved the short walk to the beach and restaurants. Already trying to plan when we can rent it again.
??

- Posted: 8/15/2022

Give this cottage a shot! It’s super cute and pretty clean! My family had such a good time so close to the action. It’s not updated but if you don’t mind that it has really good vibes.

- Posted: 7/10/2022

Scroll past all those negative reviews. This cottage was just the cutest. It’s an older house. I’m sure the people who only live in new manufactured homes can get prissy. But there is nothing like the charm and character of an old home. The solid wood doors, glass door knobs, claw foot tub, etc all just add to the unique charm of this cottage. Top it off with original artworks in every room (I’m an artist and really appreciated that), artsy paint jobs and matching furniture ALONG WITH the absolute best location, it really is a gem. Maybe add a cushion to the front porch swing. My only critique! We will definitely be staying here with the kids again. They loved it as much as I did!

- Posted: 5/27/2022

Super easy check in. Good communication with host. Incredible location. No stress, hate to leave.

- Posted: 5/22/2022

Greg, Thanks for the 5 star review of your stay at Heron's Watch. We are glad check in was easy and the location was incredible. We hope you'll be back soon! Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Herron's Watch is located at a truly prime location in Grayton Beach on Cottage Street probably 15 yards from the walkway over the dunes to the beach and we would rent the cottage again. The cottage is a well maintained and updated older structure, which was actually moved to its current location from another location near the Red Bar.
Cottage Street is not a through street (it dead ends at the walkway to the beach). Because of this, the front porch is useable and quiet.
The roughly dozen houses on Cottage Street share the pictured pool which is less than 20 feet from Herron's Watch. The maximum depth of the pool is only 5 feet so it is more for sunbathing or smaller children. We never saw more than a handful of people around the pool.
The initial furnished perishable supplies for the cottage were more than adequate.
While we did not cook, the cottage was amply furnished with glassware and kitchen supplies.
The cottage is furnished with ample towels and wash clothes, all of which were either new or in very good condition.
Flaws and faults were very minor (hence the five star review).
Each bathroom needs a hairdryer. The standup shower could use a plastic liner in addition to the shower curtain to help contain water within the shower. Great water pressure. The hot water tank delivered hot water at high water volume for two extended showers.
HVAC system and ceiling fans delivered ample cooling. The Unit was clean with no sand or grit on the floors (often an issue with beach property).
For sleeping quarters, we only used the king bed bedroom. The bedspread and decorative pillows for the king bed bedroom could use an update. The regular pillows were in good condition and the cottage comes with one set (that we saw) of additional regular pillows that were also in good condition. The king bed was still fine for sleeping and was comfortable with no sagging while sleeping but, perhaps because space is tight in the king bedroom, the end of the bed does give substantially if you sit on it. My personal preference would be for a queen bed in the room rather than a king given the dimensions of the room.
The real estate company sent text updates during our stay inquiring as to any problems and reminding as to checkout times.
Our all in cost for three nights during the second week of May was $1208 which was far less than any property with comparable proximity to the beach and the fact that Herrons Watch has only three bedrooms makes it a viable option for a couple looking to spend a long weekend in Grayton.

- Posted: 5/15/2022

Tim, We appreciate the 5 star review of your stay at Heron's Watch. We are pleased that you enjoyed the location, the pool and the front porch. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

great location

- Posted: 4/18/2022

Courtney, We are so glad you enjoyed your stay at Heron's Watch. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Lovely Vacation ?

- Posted: 3/4/2022

Excellent location. Beyond cutely decorated. A circa 1930 or 1940 cottage, excellently maintained.

- Posted: 2/19/2022

WONDERFUL!!

- Posted: 1/31/2022

Stacie, we are very happy to know that you enjoyed a wonderful rental experience. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.

Real Joy staff

Great location! Property is nice and clean and provided everything we needed for our vacation

- Posted: 10/15/2021

We loved our stay. House has everything we needed. Best location.

- Posted: 9/14/2021

Heather, we are very happy to know that you loved staying in this well-located three-bed, two-bath cottage that had everything that you needed to enjoy your stay. Thank you for choosing Real Joy.

Real Joy staff

Great spot

- Posted: 9/13/2021

We loved the house! It’s in a great location, very close to the beach, well stocked kitchen and access to the heated pool was a plus.

- Posted: 4/7/2021

Leslie, we appreciate you taking the time to provide us with some feedback regarding your vacation rental experience while staying at Heron's Watch. We are so happy to know that you loved this well located house, its proximity to the beach, the well stocked kitchen, and access to a heated pool. Thank you for choosing Real Joy.

Real Joy staff

Great location! Just steps from the pool, and a few houses from the beach walkway. So convenient!

- Posted: 9/13/2020

Great location, easy walk to beach and pool.

- Posted: 7/30/2020

This was hands down one of our best family vacations. The location is ideal for getting to and from the beach with beautiful views of the lake and the gulf. The porch was the best for coffee, in the morning, lunch at the picnic table, and wine at night. We cannot wait to go back!

- Posted: 7/29/2020

Hi Brooke, we're so happy you had an amazing family vacation here and that you loved the location. Thanks for booking with us, we look forward to your return.

Real Joy staff