Guest Hook Travel Guides Anna Maria Island | Page 9

MARIE & TOMAS' TIPS ON WHERE TO STAY... Anna Maria Island has a number of options depending on your needs. Below are Marie and Tomas’ very own condos, along with a couple of other suggestions. Should those all be booked up feel free to drop us a line and let us know. We're not a travel agency but will certainly try to lend a helping hand by offering some tips to make your search easier! Marie and Tomas’ Very Own... Tropical Sunset. Our condos have views and sounds of the Mexican Gulf and you'll flip-flop your way to the beach in less than a minute. There's a common heated pool and roof-top terrace for panoramic views of the Island. The biggest grocery store on the Island, Walgreen's CVS, beach shops, several restaurants and a life guarded beach is within a radius of 500 yards. Our two 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condos sleeping six, are located beside each other. This means you can rent both if you are a larger party. Read more... Marie and Tomas Suggest... A Lime Cottage. If you want your own private place where you don't have to share anything the Lime or Lemon cottages are for you! Chris So and his family has two 2 bed, 2 bath cottages. Both have pools. One is in Holmes Beach and the other in Bradenton Beach. He is a great host who is known for his hospitality and friendliness.... and how nice his cottages are! We'd also like to thank him for providing some of the pictures for this guide. Read more... Marie and Tomas Suggest... Harrington House. Anna Maria Island doesn't have any hotels, but there are some bed and breakfasts and lovely Harrington House is one of them. Nestled among the tall pine trees and Florida foliage, this B&B is built from coquina-block shell walls with pecky cypress wood for floors, ceilings and doors. A great alternative to renting a vacation home if you want a shorter stay, or just want to be pampered. Read more... MARIE & TOMAS' ANNA MARIA "Things to Avoid" Swimming at Bean Point... Don't Leave Holes on the Beach... Let Everyone Enjoy the Evening... Bean Point, at the northern tip of Anna Maria Island, is beautiful. Its serenity and quietness make it one of the most visited areas on the Island. It's where the gulf meets the southern part of Tampa Bay and the currents there can be deadly. Even just standing in knee high water people have been swept away. If you want to swim, walk at least 10 minutes to the south first. (The same thing goes for the southern tip. Do not swim in the pass between Anna Maria Island and Long Boat Key!) Don't dig holes on the beach and leave them open when you leave. Turtles occasionally fall into them and can't get out. So enjoy your day on the beach, but be sure to cover your tracks afterwards. Leave your car behind when you are going out for dinner on Anna Maria Island. The free trolley runs up and down the Island every 20 minutes all the way to 10.30 PM. So why risk getting stopped for an alcohol test (and believe me the police force is very present on the Island) when everyone can enjoy their drinks with a clear conscience. Many places have limited parking space as well and valet parking is almost non-existent so it's best to just leave the car at home.