Anna Marie Island?

[fairytale]

Hello again.

Ok, I've decided to spend a few days at Anna Marie Island prior to checking in at SSR this coming August. Having read many reviews regarding the area it sounds beautiful, however I have no personal knowledge whatsoever

Can any one recommend places to stay, eat, visit around the area?

We have 5 days to spare at the beginning of our trip so if there are any places nearby also to visit or even maybe stay over the night I would welcome your experiences?

Thanks guys

Annette x

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We stayed for just 1 night here a few years ago.

http://www.tortugainn.com/

Nice, comfortable and well located.

To be honest most people who visit Anna Maria do so from a Clearwater or Sarasota base, there aren't that many hotels on the Island.
It is really quiet, whilst one of the best beaches in Florida there isn't a lot to do, which is not necessarily a bad thing I suppose.

We were on a tour down the coast, Clearwater/St Pete's/Anna Maria/Sarasota and Naples.

I remember there being some surf shops, Walgreens, souvenir type shops etc, I can't remember seeing a mall there and we didn't dine out anywhere as I recall. To be honest we spent a bit of time on the beach and just had a drive around, it was more an overnight stop before moving onto somewhere else. However, it's really peaceful, well worth a visit but for no more than a couple of nights perhaps.

This website is pretty good on what to do.

http://annamariaisland.com/

 

[fairytale]

Thank you so much for your reply

Can I be nosey and ask if you would tell me more about your coast road trip please?

We have recently booked our flights and have 5 days to spare prior to our checking date at SSR. We would love to see a little more of Florida in this time and am keen to gain experience from others Disser

We have spent a little time in Clearwater, and would spend maybe a day there again, but we would really like to see as much as we can.

Many thanks

Annette x

 

[dixonsontour]

We've eaten at the rod and reel pier which was good (casual) and also at the waterfront restaurant (was my birthday - a fancier meal)

If you look on trip advisor there are lots of recommendations for non chain places - that is the attraction of the place.

I know there is a free trolley to get around the island on.

There was also a nice play park near the rod and reel pier (or was it the city pier?! - we walked from one pier to the other not far)

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Sure.

We had 10 days touring the coast:

2 nights Clearwater - Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach
1 night Anna Maria Island - Tortuga Inn
2 nights Sarasota - struggling to remember where we stayed! Longboat Key I think
5 nights Naples - what was the Registry Resort, think they have changed the name now

Essentially we had a series of holidays where we didn't want to base ourselves just in Orlando, we have been all over Florida really including all of the East coast.

We split the holiday 10 west coast and 9 Orlando.

We have always loved the beaches on the west, superior to the likes of Daytona and Cocoa by some distance for me.

At Clearwater we visited the Marine Aquarium, spent a few days relaxing/shopping, walked on the beach went over to St Pete's bay and went over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (a must do). Nice mall at St Pete's called Tyrone Square.
Clearwater attracts a younger set of people, beach is lively.
They have spent a lot of time and effort on the beach front last couple of years, it's much nicer now than it used to be when there was always new hotels being constructed - which kind of spoilt 'the look'.

Sarasota we weren't that keen on, the hotel was 'ok' nothing special, I remember Joshua being just a baby when we walked around St Armand's Circle an outdoor shopping area. There are a few small beaches called 'keys' such as Lido and Longboat. Some of it is a bit hazy now to be honest, I just remember thinking we had an okay time but wouldn't go back.

Anna Maria is just paradise, but extremely laid back and quiet not for people who want an activity holiday. Lovely white beach, extremely friendly people. Like I said earlier there aren't that many hotels, it really is just a quiet small little island.

Naples is just my favourite place, difficult to put into words but I just adore it there. It is refined & relaxed, a contrast from Clearwater but the place just oozes class, lovely pastel coloured homes, nice shopping arcades, beach though a bit narrow. The hotel was also fab.
One year we drove across to Miami from there and down the Keys.

I don't think we could do it now, the chopping & changing wouldn't suit Joshua, to be honest that's if anything the downside in that you are constantly moving from place to place. In addition I don't think any of the places are suitable for say a 7 night stay, as there just isn't enough going on.
They do offer a contrast though.

This website is worth a look - http://www.beachhunter.net/

 

[tony64]

City Peir is the one with plenty of parking, we have had lots of lovely meals here, Eating Grouper sandwiches watching a pod of dolphines swim has been a highlight on several holidays.

 

[dixonsontour]

If you want to go further up the coast we've had enjoyable days out to Tarpon Springs and Caldesi island.

Tarpon springs was famous for sponges and has a big greek influence. So an orthodox chuch, greek restaurants, shops selling sponges etc

Caldesi island has won best beach in USA in recent time. You get a boat across from honeymoon island state park to it.

If you dont mind driving maybe base yourself in a villa maybe bradenton/sarasota area and then visit a few places.

Accomodation would also be cheaper off Anna Maria Island/away from beach.

Siesta key is also supposed to be nice.

 

[kristieuk]

I know it's not for everyone, but we have spent at least 2 weeks a year here since I was 22 - getting on 14 years now - and we got married there 5 years ago too, so you could say we know the Island pretty well!

There are lots of places to stay, many 'motels' which are basically what we would consider to be apartments, with self catering facilities, many are smack on the beach. You can also rent a home yourself if you were to stay for the 5 days, I think lots have a 3 day minimum rental.

Here is a link to lots of the available accommodations so you can have a look http://www.annamariaislandchamber.org/AbouttheChamber/BusinessDirectory/WheretoStay.aspx

There are lots to choose from, it's just deciding what you want. There are lots places to eat on the Island, no chain restaurants or anything, but the Sandbar and the Beachhouse are on the beach / waterfront, and perfect for watching the sunset, for higher end dining, the Beach Bistro and Sign of the Mermaid are amazing, for casual dining, the City Pier is a great experience, there are lots to list, but it's nice just driving around looking. The Island is long and think with one main road running through the middle, so you cant go far wrong. There are lots more restaurants off the Island within a 20 minute drive or so.

Any information you want, feel free to post here or pm me. We don't like sharing the secret, but, we trust you not to tell anyone else

 

[Tony Toon]

Hi, we've stayed by Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria twice and find it perfect. Like you, we spend a little time, for us usually a week, during our Disney/Florida holiday on the Gulf Coast. The beaches are great and the perfect way to relax. I guess with a young family you may struggle to keep them amused if they quickly get bored with sea, sun and sand but for me a week does just fine to recharge the batteries. There are some nice restaurants on the island as has been mentioned. Our personal favourite is The Creperie, a small and friendly French restaurant where we have enjoyed both breakfast and dinner. Food is very good with occasional celeb clientele. We intend to spend some time on the island during our hol this year too. We have stayed at nice apartments at Runaway Bay Condominiums in the past but intend to look elsewhere this year - not that we can fault them, we just want to try somewhere different.

If you care to venture inland just a short way along Cortez Road towards Bradenton then you will find lots of chain restaurants. For a mall there are the Ellenton Premium Outlets about half an hour away along Manatee Avenue just off the I75 if you suffer retail withdrawal symptoms. You would spot them on your way to Anna Maria. You could also take the beautiful drive down through the island past Longboat Key to St Armands Circle. We personally found this much vaunted shopping area much overrated but the drive is stunning.

We certainly like the idea of a break (sacrilege?) from Orlando.

 

[purplejam]

We love this area and have stayed about 4 times on Anna Maria Island. We have timeshares so can't really help with motels.

There are lots of good restaurants our favourite is Rotten Ralph's

As everyone says its a laid back place - but I love it.

It's a great place to relax after a hectic time at the parks.

If you are into shopping there is a fab outlet mall at Bradenton

 

[Corky Morris]

We love AMI. We stop in villas on Homes Beach or apartments right on the beach so cant help with hotels, sorry.
The place is indeed quiet, but that is what we love. There are no McDonalds or Pizza Huts on the strip just local restaurants. The Beach House is great, particularly at sundown. My boys love the simplicity of The stone baked pizza place which is just over the bridge on Cortez. And its really cheap as well.
The beaches are awesome. We have swam with manatees & dolphins.
There is a Publix 2 minutes away.
If you head toward Bradenton there are the usual restaurants (applebees etc), a cinema, a bowling alley, crazy golf etc.
We were going to buy a place in Kissimmee, but over the last few years we have decided to buy on Holmes or Bradenton Beach as we just love the peace & tranquility.

 

[fairytale]

Thank you all soooo much for all your advise and experience, they are all very much appreciated.

We have decided to try and find a base ideally Anna Marie Island or Siesta Key and the travel around a little from there.

We are looking at renting a condo or apartment instead of a hotel and ideally on the beach so if anyone has any recommendations for me they would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again

Annette x

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I don't have any direct recommendations other than just google really, though the links below are old they are still active, not sure if they are of any use.

http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/Anna-Maria-Island-Florida.html
http://www.annamariaislandcondorentals.com/vacationrental.html
http://gulfcoastrentals.com/florida/annamariaisland/annamaria.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Vacation...na_Maria_Island_Florida-Vacation_Rentals.html