Blog / Designing the Coral Cabana: Our Design Philosophy

Design · May 23, 2026

Designing the Coral Cabana: Our Design Philosophy

By the Vacation Thyme team

When we created Coral Cabana, the goal was simple: a private, boutique feeling home that works for big groups without feeling like a typical rental. Here is how that shaped the house.

A private oasis, not a shared resort

Coral Cabana is a private home with no shared amenities, designed for groups. The backyard is the heart of it: a heated and cooled pool, a hot tub, a custom tiki bar, an outdoor kitchen and barbecue, a fire pit, a patio TV, palms and plenty of lounge seating.

Elevated, but playful

We wanted the house to feel polished and still be fun. That meant a coastal palette, a cocktail bar and a selfie wall, alongside a game room with an arcade machine, pool table, ping pong and shuffleboard, plus outdoor games such as mini golf, bocce, life-size chess, cornhole, giant Connect 4 and disc golf.

Room to gather and room to spread out

The home sleeps up to 14 across three king bedrooms and a bunk room with two full-over-full bunks. Two full bathrooms, a full kitchen with two refrigerators, and an open layout mean the group can be together or apart. Every bedroom has a TV, a white noise machine and charging stations.

Stocked so you can pack lighter

Guests travel with enough already, so we stock the house with things you would otherwise pack. That includes a rolling cooler, wagon, beach chairs, an umbrella and beach toys, along with a travel crib, high chair and stroller, cookware and coffee, laundry supplies and starter toiletries.

Made to work for work, too

A desk with a 27-inch monitor and fast Wi-Fi make it possible to log in for a few hours, and there is yoga gear, resistance bands and kettlebells for a morning workout.