Retreat to the white sands, lapping waves and sound of seagulls at Anna Maria Island, Florida, where CATHY WINSTON finds the six most stylish and family-friendly rental houses that combine modern luxury with old-Florida charm.
For an island that’s just seven miles long and a mile across at its widest, Anna Maria Island packs a surprising amount into its beachy expanse, including a nature reserve and mile upon mile of powder-fine white sand.
Wild dolphins make their home off the coast, fins sparkling in the bay by Bradenton Beach, while sea turtles nest on the island’s shores, and there’s even the occasional shy manatee to spot in the mangroves.
This stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast couldn’t be further from the bright lights of Miami or bustling theme parks of Orlando. Crossing the bridge from mainland Bradenton, the laidback atmosphere – and 25mph speed limit in many places – means you can’t help but slow right down and relax.
Here, the beach rules. Restaurants like The Sandbar have tables where you can wriggle your toes in the sand, along with a sustainable ethos and ingredients grown on their own farm, while The Rod & Reel Pier sits right above the ocean, which provides the seafood on the menu. Further south, the protected Leffis Key nature trail is a perfect slice of unspoiled Florida, where the shallow waters shelter needle-nosed fish, and crabs and seahorses hide among the mangrove roots.
A free trolley bus circles from tip to tip of the island whenever you want to explore – the only stipulation is you have to wear shoes to ride it. Quirky boutiques line the island’s sleepy main streets, with the chance to have a massage on the beach between browsing souvenirs and jewelry.
And this low-key style extends to the island’s accommodation, as well. Forget high-rise hotels or sprawling all-inclusives – by law, no building is taller than 37 feet here, so you’ll find brightly colored houses with clapboard fronts, and rocking chairs perfectly placed on the porch to watch the world go by.
Between the traditional cottages, the island’s holiday homes mix a touch of old-Florida charm with plenty of modern luxury. Private pools, rooftop decks with views of the sea, room to dock your (rented) boat and houses sitting right on the beach. There’s space for the whole family to get together, too. So, whether you’re travelling in a four or a 40, we’ve picked the top six places to stay on Anna Maria Island.
SERENITY BEACH, ANNA MARIA
It’s wonderful spending time with family – and just as wonderful having your own space.
So, this cleverly designed five-bedroom house in the north of Anna Maria Island is just right. Sleeping up to 13, there are enough balconies, terraces, dens and living areas that you can always escape for some quiet time, before getting together in the main living room’s huge squashy sofas or around the BBQ on the patio by the pool. There are two pools, in fact, with a shaded swim-up table and wide shallow steps for kids to splash around the main pool, plus a smaller spa pool for lounging, all heated. No arguing over what to watch on TV, either, with seven in the bedrooms and living areas.
And on top of all the facilities you’d wish for – from washer-dryer to huge fridge, cupboard full of pool toys, ping-pong table and table football – the quirky décor is hard to beat. Octopus cushions join sun-bleached signs proclaiming ‘life is better at the beach,’ the master bedroom’s en suite boasts a huge standalone bath, and rooms feature shells galore and every shade of blue to suit the nautical theme. This is the seaside with style.
If you can drag yourself away, the sea itself and Gulf beaches are only a five-minute walk away, along with the restaurants and shops of Pine Avenue.
VACATION HIGHLIGHT: Who needs a car when you’ve got your own dock? The house is set on a canal, just a short distance to open water access if you fancy hiring your own boat during your stay.
HANG 10, ANNA MARIA
Who needs a hotel when you can check into your own slice of minimalist monochrome (complete with a few blue ocean-inspired touches, of course)? With space for 12, including single bunks and a queen-size sofa, plus two kings and one queen bedrooms, the four-bedroom house is ideal for larger families or groups with lots of kids sharing.
Outdoors, things get even more relaxed, thanks to the heated pool and spa, outdoor TV by the loungers, plus a bench swing on one balcony. Or re up the six-burner grill and watch the sun set from the first-floor terrace overlooking the pool before heading down the spiral staircase to the separate covered outdoor dining area.
With its open-plan ‘main room’, you can chat between the barstools at the kitchen island, on the comfy sofas in the living area or at the more formal dining table as you cook and eat. The house also has an unexpected bonus – an elevator up to the bedrooms, all with their own TVs and USB outlets.
If that’s just not enough space, you can link up with the five-bedroom Banyan Breeze next door, opening the double gates to spread out between the pools.
VACATION HIGHLIGHT: You’re just a few houses from one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, looking onto the Gulf of Mexico. This part of the coast is also one of the top surf spots for locals, with the island’s biggest waves – hence the name.
SEA LA VIE, HOLMES BEACH
Sometimes, “seafront” is an optimistic description. But this compact cottage literally couldn’t be any closer to the beach, with a deck out back that leads directly onto the sands. In the heart of Anna Maria Island, this peaceful retreat is still just a short distance from the island’s busiest area and the restaurants and shops of Holmes Beach.
Sleeping up to five in two bedrooms, here you get lulled to sleep by the crashing waves outside and woken by the sound of seagulls, rather than an alarm clock.
And while there’s no pool, you’ve got the glorious blue of the Gulf of Mexico just seconds away, tempting enough to spend the whole day on the deck or sand – watch the waves, lounge under an umbrella, re up the grill and watch the sun set over the sea. It’s worth packing binoculars to spot dolphins in the waves, too.
When you tear yourself away to head indoors, brights in the living room turn to cool blues in the bedroom, while the kitchen is small but with all vital facilities.
VACATION HIGHLIGHT: As well as the unbeatable location, you’re also right in the heart of the island so it’s a great spot to explore both Anna Maria city in the north, Bradenton Beach, in the south and you can head back over to the mainland and Bradenton itself.
Anna Maria Island Club 45, Bradenton Beach
If you’re travelling as a smaller group, there’s no need to miss out on the style and facilities of the island’s larger holiday homes. Set in a complex with 40 apartments, shared heated pool, hot tub and sauna, this condo sleeping four looks straight out onto the Gulf of Mexico from its oversized balcony. Only residents have a key to the pool itself, with a path leading straight down onto the beach from the loungers.
This property is much bigger than most of the two-bedroom offerings on the island, and there are two bathrooms to go with the two double bedrooms – useful if you’re traveling with a teen. Floaty voile curtains decorate the master bed, one of the many chic touches to set this apartment apart. With its prints of crabs and bright canvases of boats on the walls, and the deep blues and creamy whites of the décor, it’s the perfect way to get into the seaside spirit.
As well as the shared facilities, the condo has a well-equipped kitchen and dining room with a driftwood- inspired table plus sofas in the separate living area.
Right in the heart of the island, it’s also very close to the restaurants and bars of historic Bridge Street, one of the oldest spots on Anna Maria Island, with mini golf, boutiques and boat trips from the pier.
VACATION HIGHLIGHT: It has one of the biggest pools on the island, plus the beach is just a few feet further away.
MANDALAY BAY, BRADENTON BEACH
Who needs a hotel when you can check into a house with this much to offer? It sleeps up to 20, and you even get a view of both the Bay and the Gulf from the rooftop deck, not to mention your own private heated pool with waterfall fountains, a hot tub seating 12 and private dock. In fact, there’s enough space to get lost in, so you’ll easily find your own quiet spot even when it’s full – perfect for several families sharing.
Each floor has its own living and dining area, with two bedrooms and an office on the upper level, and the remaining five bedrooms on the main level – all with their own TVs, and seven bathrooms to share. Throw in two gourmet kitchens, one on each floor, and a separate ‘summer’ kitchen outdoors, which has its own BBQ grill.
It’s hardly surprising there’s also a lift to take you between floors, and a whole series of luxury details, such as a steam shower, remote-controlled blinds in the master bedroom and a huge 65-in TV in the upstairs living room. Even the pool has extra touches, with rotating color LED lights, plus loungers sitting directly in the water. There’s also a classic arcade machine with more than 200 different games.
Once you’re finished admiring the views from your own stretch of deck, it’s only a 30-second walk to the Gulf coast beaches.
VACATION HIGHLIGHT: You can hire a boat or jet ski to dock by the house, as well as fishing off your own mini pier.
SUMMER HOUSE, HOLMES BEACH
Can’t decide if you want sea views, a great pool, nearby beaches or a great location to explore? No need to agonize. From its rooftop deck, Summer House has views to the Gulf and the Bay, plus a hot tub to relax in, while down at the heated pool there’s a waterslide, spa pool and bar, dining area and BBQ.
The property sits in the center of the island at Holmes Beach, the sand a whole two minutes away, and you’ve got two wagons to transport your beach chairs, umbrellas and toys with you. If you want to explore further, there are six bikes to take out, before you relax in front of the 65-inch flat-screen TV, fire up the two Xbox 360s or hone your Pac-Man skills on the classic arcade machine.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are five balconies to retreat to, or head to one of the eight bedrooms, all with bright pink, coral and lime shades.
On a more practical note, there are two sets of washing machines and dryers, one on each floor, while the dining table seats 12 with space for six more at the kitchen island. A final bonus for animal lovers? You can even bring your dog.
VACATION HIGHLIGHT: If you need even more space, Surf View next door is almost identical, giving you 16 bedrooms and space for 38 people to sleep.
RENT THE ESSENTIALS
Rather not carry all the baby essentials across the Atlantic? At Fun & More Rentals you can hire everything from highchairs to pushchairs, as well as toys, monitors and car seats.
For more, visit Bradenton and the Gulf Islands website.