Vacation Rentals by Owner

~~ Paradise without Passports~~

Guest: Daniel (Minneapolis, MN USA)
Date of Stay: 04/02/12 Review Submitted: 04/26/12

As someone who has vacationed on beaches from the Italian Riviera to small villages in Mexico, I found that the Coconut Club was on par and far easier than many farther away options, especially with children. The panoramic views from the 2nd story 2 BR are world class, and when you've had enough looking out the windows, just walk out your door and on to the beach for the real deal. My young children (10 and 7) were captivated by the clear, shallow, and warm water for hours on end. We all loved eating dinner on the beach and the incredible sunsets and star gazing that ended each perfect day. Plenty of creature comforts, privacy, and fresh caught fish within biking distance for the grill. It really doesn't get any better stateside.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful & Relaxing Spot!

Guest: Jo-Anne C.
Date of Stay: 03/03/12 Review Submitted: 05/02/12

We loved it! This was our first time renting but would not hesitate to go back. Great location, great surroundings, and very clean. I can't say enough nice things about Manasota Key. We have been to Florida several times but this was our favorite place. I would highly recommend to friends and family and Sally was so easy to deal with. Very helpful and did not hesitate to answer any of my silly questions :) I must say that I wish it had had a dishwasher but stacks of paper plates did the trick nicely. The house is nicely outfitted but no so nice that you didn't want to sit on the furniture and relax! Thanks so much Sal for sharing your beautiful spot with us!

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Best spot on gulf coast!

Guest: Sarah K. (Orlando, Fl)
Date of Stay: 11/01/11 Review Submitted: 02/10/12

This beach house has it all. We come from Iowa every year and stay at least a week. From the interior the space is user friendly, plenty room for our family of 4 ad the modern tasteful decor feels florida but not to beachy. The kitchen is well equipped with all the possible needs to cook great meals. The unit was very clean and the bedding in great condition. There is laundry too which was useful. The view is amazing literally right on the water. The fabulous sunset can be seen perfectly from inside or outside. the beach is clean soft and full of shells, fossils and sharks teeth. The water is shallow and easy swimming for kids and adults. A huge bonus is that the house is walking distance to stump pass state park which in one of best beach parks we have ever seen. It's full of birds and foilahe and the ranger gives nature walks. Also the area has great local restuarants. Another bonus is the beach crowd is so family friendly not a party atmosphere as most other spots. It's quiet clean and beautiful all around!

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This is the Real Florida.

Guest: Patti W. (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
Date of Stay: 10/29/11 Review Submitted: 12/20/11

I've been coming to this property for several years. I tell my friends that "you literally walk out the door and are on the beach" and it is completely true. The units are clean and nicely decorated and the owners available by phone for any problems (like the time the wind snapped a beach umbrella). But what makes this property special is this: there is not a highrise anywhere on the key, the beautiful people are all sunbathing somewhere else, and the seabirds and turtles are thriving undisturbed. Dolphins cruise by daily. A blue heron patrols the beach in search of easy pickings from bait buckets. Nearby restaurants serve grouper and redfish and a mean cup of she-crab soup. The water is blue and clear; the beach sparkling clean. It is, quite simply, perfect. What Florida was meant to be. What Florida used to be. Still here.

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All I Can Say Is WOW!!

Guest: Kris (Valrico, FL/USA)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 06/05/11

The photos were spot on; inside and out. It's very well maintained, and I can't wait to go back again. The owners are open and very friendly. I think we stayed in our swimsuits 90% of the time, going in and out of the ocean at all hours since it was right out back. Large screened in porch, great for morning coffee, dinner and playing cards all the while listening to the waves crashing on the shore. We went right up the street and rented a 6 passenger pontoon boat for the day...We didn't get to see any Manatees, but we did see plenty of dolphins and did some fishing.. Wonderful experience.... You'd be crazy to pass up this place!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Vacation Home on Excellent Family Beach

Guest: Guy (Intracoastal Waterway of Southeast NC)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 05/25/11

We had a fabulous week in May at this beautiful beach home. Very well stocked home Excellent views of Gulf and sunsets We enjoy water sports: Standup Paddleboarding, Kayak Fishing and Scuba Diving , was a great location with gulf beach in front and bay in back Stump Pass State Park was incredible and uncrowded, made for some nice walks. Owners were great to deal with!! Hope to be back soon!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Rejuvinated by the warm gulf breezes and beach sounds!

Guest: Misty & Claude (Northern Ontario)
Date of Stay: 02/26/11 Review Submitted: 04/05/11

We had such a great time at Sally and Jon's beach house for three weeks this March, 2011. Everything was perfect. How could it not be when the beach is your front yard? Everything was spotless when we arrived and looked exactly like the photos in the listing. The picture window in the living room is like a living picture, ever changing and quite amazing when you see the dolphins swimming by, the pelicans diving for fish and the people walking the beach in search of shells and sharks teeth. The screened in porch is just a great area to have your morning tea and coffee, read or to just sit and listen to the beach sounds. We really enjoyed meeting the other people that were renting the downstairs apartments. Thank you Sally and Jon for allowing us to enjoy your beautiful beach house.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Wunderbar gelegene Wohnung am Golf von Mexiko

Guest: Family (Switzerland)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 10/25/10

Wir haben in dieser direkt am Strand gelegenen Wohnung wunderbare Ferien verbracht. Die Lage ist einzigartig! Auf dem Sofa sitzend geniesst man die herrlichen Sonnenuntergänge; man kann die Mahlzeiten auf der geschützten Terasse einnehmen oder einfach im schönen Garten (eigentlich Sandstrand) den Tag geniessen. Natur pur! Das kleine überschaubare Englewood bietet alles was es im Alltag braucht.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Perfect Gem

Guest: Cincinnati Crew (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10 Review Submitted: 08/17/10

We found this property 3 years ago while searching the Homeaway site. Having never booked thru a site previously we were hesitant but what a wonderful experience. The owners were great and the process was easy. When we arrived the first time we were thrilled. We had a terrific property right on the beach with everything we needed (outside of food). My children were 12 and 3 at that time and were up at the crack of dawn everyday just waiting to see what would swim by dolphins, rays, manatees and they loved to watch the "" turtle man"" come by each day and check the nests along the beach to see if they had hatched. This property is a perfect and with the recent upgrades made such as the new kitchen they have made it even better. We will keep coming back year after year and consider it to be our own little piece of paradise. Oh and If you like searching for sharks teeth it's not hard just bend over and there will be one at your feet.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Reenergize nd Getaway

Guest: D&N (Plant City, FL)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/11/10

Perfect get away for a couple or small family. The one bedroom one bath apartment offers all the comforts of home including access to a washer and dryer. Just a few steps from the beach gives you the opportunity to swim, fish or do nothing other than watch a sunset and the beautiful horizon. You can walk five minutes south and enter a state park with about miles of unspoiled natural Florida beach. This part of Englewood reminds us of the small town old Florida with restaurants and very little car traffic. We enjoyed fishing and kayaking while we vacationed. This is the perfect vacation spot for us and feels like our own personal get away.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Vacation House Manasota Key, Florida

Guest: Bruce and Allison (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 04/24/10 Review Submitted: 05/24/10

My family has been renting this house in Florida for 4 straight years. It has been a pleasure renting from Sally, her customer service is fantastic. She does her best to make our vacation fantastic. The pictures and the listing are completely accurate. The house is very clean, and decorated like a florida house should. The beach and gulf are fantastic. From fishing out front to looking for shells and shark teeth, this is a wonderful place to relax right in front of your house. Every evening the gulf of Mexico presents a fantastic sunset to enjoy right out your back door. There is many things to do around this area from boating, jet skiing to sight seeing. We golf close by and vist the shops and restaurants in Venice and Sarasota. If you are looking for a wonderful place that allows you to kick back and relax or enjoy many activities this is a great house in a great spot. Enjoy! Bruce, Allison, Ethan and Sam Boston, MA.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

"Happy" is HERE

Guest: Nofro (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 04/17/10 Review Submitted: 04/30/10

Clean clean house, beautiful views, and everything that should be there - is, and it all works. Step out of this lovely house and onto your gorgeous beach, stretching as far as you can see. The seaside is your backyard, clear water and cool breezes. We spent a glorious week going for early morning runs on the beach, then swimming in the Gulf and building sand castles with the kids. Ice cream cones in town then sunset dinners at our House By The Sea. "Jungle Safari" into Stump Pass Park exclaiming over geckos, crabs found in their shells, dolphins leaping in the bay, ospreys, pelicans, Great Blue Herons and two Great Horned Owl babies roosting on a branch. So easy to be happy here, a truly treasured memory.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Guest: Carolyn 10 (Phoenix, AZ)
Date of Stay: 03/18/10 Review Submitted: 03/18/10

We loved staying at the cottage. Every morning we sipped our coffee while watching the surf and birds from the living room. After that, we would spend the day swimming, shelling, and fishing. One day we rented a Kayak and padded up and down the beach. I would definitely recommend this property and Englewood beach.

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Guest: Mom23rugrats (Atlanta, GA, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/11/10 Review Submitted: 01/11/10

We were so excited to snag this little gem for the week between Christmas and New Years. We have truly never stayed in Florida and been this close to the water or had this great a view. Sal expertly manages her properties and her personal touch makes you feel as though you've known her for a very long time. The house is so well appointed that you feel as though you have borrowed a friend's home. The cleaning staff keeps these units absolutely spotless. There was not a single grain of sand on the floors when we checked in! (Please also take care of it so that it's in the same condition when we return!) Her care and particularity with furnishings, linens, cleaning and the recent kitchen renovation reflect the owner's love for this home. Touches such as non-skid tile, new appliances, beach towels, extra blankets and pillows and wi-fi make this a complete vacation. The kitchen is well-suited for those who want to cook and the home's location is convenient to several local restaurants. We can certainly see why Sal has repeat guests. The upstairs 2 bedroom unit was quiet and private. The picture window is a delightful surprise and was a constant reminder that you are at the beach and every room has a great view. So close to the beach, you will be quite comfortable sitting on the porch while your children play safely in the sand. Our vacation here was just what we needed. Thank you, Bruggemans! We'll be back! Robb and Sharon Johns Creek, GA

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Guest: Melissa116 (Grand Blanc, MI)
Date of Stay: 01/09/10 Review Submitted: 01/09/10

I truly cannot imagine a better place to stay if you are looking for a beautiful place right on the beach with all the comforts of home! The view from the livingroom is nothing short of amazing and the proximity of this property to Stump Pass and all the local restaurants makes this beautiful beach house a place we will want to come back to year after year!!

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The perfect getaway- a true beach house

Guest: Sarah K. (Orlando, Fl)
Date of Stay: 10/14/09 Review Submitted: 10/22/09

We have stayed several times in this unit. It is immaculately clean and new feeling. The master bed room and living room have broad sweeping views of the ocean. The bathroom is updated and plenty large. There is a large screen porch that has a great gas grill. Best of all there is a new kitchen. It really feels like a home. The kitchen has lots of counter space and a big comfortable table. We enjoy cooking seafood and salads here. Our daughters love to play in their room with the 2 twin beds. The front of the house is on the beach so we can see the kids at all times. The water is great, usually warm and clean. The area has a few great local restaurants. If walking is your thing this is a great spot. Being on the key is so picturesque. There is state park down the beach perfect for hikes, bird watching and picnics. You really don't need a car once you are here. There are wave runner and boat rentals in the bay. There a dolphins regularly in the ocean and Manatees in the bay. There is a children's playground up the road as well. We never want to leave and always love to return to this home away from home. It is truly the best value for anyone seeking a beach experience and relaxing holiday.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Guest: Busy Bees (Manhattan IL)
Date of Stay: 01/28/09 Review Submitted: 01/28/09

We have stayed here for 2 years in a row for Christmas. We love the screened porch--read alot here, had every breakfast, cooked shrimp on the grill and enjoyed the view and sound of the ocean. A clean, quiet beach for sunbathing and frisbe, friendly neighbors. The condo is sparkling clean with everything you could want. A great view from the inside even. We totally relax here with our daughter on break from college and our son who is now working at his career. Wonderful walks on the beach and road into "town". Great food down the road at Lock N Key restaurant, and the White Elephant Pub. We even got in a very competitive round of miniature golf and went kayaking. We discovered Dearborn Street--great shops and the Mango Bistro,for specialty coffee and healthy food. A relaxing, bonding time for our family back in Chicago busy and freezing now!!!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/01/08 Review Submitted: 12/07/08

We found this the perfect setting for a relaxing week on the beach after a busy few days at Disney! The gorgeous white sand begins 5 feet from the doorstep and it is only 40 steps to the ocean. The sunsets and star gazing - Incredible! It is a great place to take walks on the beach, collect shells, build sand castles, boogie board on the surf or to just soak-in some sun with a book. All three units in the beach house are charming, quaint, clean and cheery. The amenities are great - we prepared a nice Thanksgiving dinner in our kitchen and on the grill. Grocery shopping is close-by. Great location for 1-3 families since there are three units in this beach house. We are happy to provide a referral for this wonderful property.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/01/08 Review Submitted: 12/07/08

I searched hundreds of condos on the internet. When this one popped up I automatically fell in love with it. When we arrived I fell in love with it in person! This condo is everything Sal and Jon described. The view, the cheery colors of the condo, the neighbors, the dolphins, sea shells and shark's tooth hunting, cooking on the grill. We loved it here!

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relaxed and rested

Guest: Busy Bees (Manhattan IL)
Date of Stay: 12/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/08/08

We are a married couple who run two businesses with a child in college and one in high school. Not easy to get all four of us together for any length of time. This was perfect. The screened in porch faces the ocean for a way to get away from the sun yet still feel like you are on the beach.We took our morning coffee and breakfast there and spent many nights just talking and listening to the ocean. Plenty of great places for lunch and dinner within even walking distance. Great place for walks on the pleasant surrounding streets. Close to Sarasota for the Marie Selby Botanical Garden and the Mote Aquirium. Very clean condo with wonderful view and quaint kitchen. We are back in Chicago but feel rejuvinated by the warm air and rest. (Be ready to leave by the checkout time, cleaning staff is there promply at 10:00 a.m.)

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.