Guest Hook Travel Guides Anna Maria Insider Guide | Page 3

ABOUT THE WHYTES & THE REAL AMI...
Our family fell in love with Anna Maria Island the first time we visited in 1989.
Every summer since, we've spent our vacations on this island, and in 1995, we
bought our first condo here. Having a young family at the time meant we had
to rent our condo to offset ownership costs. Thankfully, by offering luxurious
accommodations at an affordable price, we were able to keep the condo booked
for an average of 50 weeks a year. These steady bookings allowed us to purchase
our second condo in 2013, and a third in 2014. While opening up these homes has
allowed us to keep returning to the island—and even better, to a house that feels
like home—we also truly enjoy offering a place to guests to discover Anna Maria
Island and feel at home here, too.
We were honored when TripAdvisor and FlipKey recognized our dedication to
providing a top-notch rental experience with a "Top Rental Property" award two
years running. More than anything, we appreciate that positive reviews from past
guests determine the award winners.
Anna Maria Island is not a place where you "go to" the beach—here, you are AT
the beach. From the moment your toes touch the powder-white sand beaches,
you'll know you've arrived at a coastal paradise where the sun, sand and water

“The timeless quality of AMI is the other part of
its unique identity. High-rise condos and fast-food
chain restaurants are pleasantly absent”

are essential to its identity. And the timeless quality of AMI is the other part of its
unique identity. High-rise condos and fast-food chain restaurants are pleasantly
absent, replaced by low-profile (yet sophisticated) beach cottages and local,
authentic shops and eateries.
Anna Maria Island is affectionately known as "The Island in the Sun." With Gulf
temperatures averaging 84 degrees, and 360 days of sunshine per year, the
surrounding, sun-warmed waters are called "The Nursery" for the pods of dolphins
that come here to raise their young. Dolphin sightings are frequent—when walking
the beaches, dining at a beach-front restaurant, or exploring the water by boat or
kayak—and even after years of such sightings, they've never lost their magic for us.
With the island's laid-back, unhurried charm, speed limits are mostly restricted to
25–35 MPH. A free trolley serves both tourists and residents, and a shuttle will
bring you here from each of the surrounding five airports. No car is necessary
for your vacation! Even better, the free trolley stops right in front of all our island
properties every 20-30 minutes from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
Forbes chose AMI as the "#3 Prettiest City in the Country" and Condé Nast Traveler
calls it one of the "Top 30 Islands in the World." So kick off your shoes and get ready
to explore this gem with family and friends!