Looking at the front of "The Anchorage" from the road
Location: Private Homes, Mid Island, Fort Myers Beach, Florida South West, Florida, USA (S. of Times Square (entertainment district) 2 min. car ride)
Accommodations: House, 5 Bedrooms, 3.5+ Baths (Sleeps 10)
Only 2 Min. Walk to Beach!! "The Anchorage" 5 bdrms 3.5 baths PBS Host, The PIano Guy's Beach Home
Just steps (less than one football field or 2 minute walk) to the powdery, white, beach located directly across the road through a private, tropical beach entrance. You’ll be sure to find a perfect balance of relaxation and fun in the sun here on our mid-island location on Fort Myers Beach, Florida! All the fun of a beach front home at 1/2 the cost!
Our lovely beach home is a duplex. It is perfect for two families vacationing together or one big family to spread out! We refer to the two sides as “Sunrise and Sunset” which together comprise “The Anchorage.” Our beach home boasts tasteful, tropical, airy furnishings. Relax on the lanai, dine under the large umbrella-ed deck or take a cool shower in your own private, outdoor shower. Just steps to the beach for some of the best shelling in the country, midnight star gazing and awesome sunset celebrations all at half the cost of staying beachfront. No need to worry about wandering little ones; we have 2 beach carts to carry your treasures (kids, coolers, towels, chairs, etc) to the beach effortlessly.
Here’s the basic layout of our beach home.
Right Side (Sunset) : You can enter the right side of the house (Sunset) through the screened lanai. There are two bdrms on the ground level floor. Each has a separate outdoor entrance as well as being connected to each other through a door that can be left locked for privacy or open for company. Each of these bdrms has its own bath, living area consisting of chair, couch and TV as well as an outdoor porch with chairs. One of these bdrms (queen bed) has a half bath and the other (queen bed) has a full bath, laundry facility as well as a kitchenette. The private, outdoor shower can be accessed through the hallway the leads to these bdrms and upstairs.
Upstairs you will you find the family room, kitchen, 2 decks, full sized laundry facilities, 2 bdrm (1 king and 1 queen), full bath and bar area with stools and dining area. Both decks are outfitted with tables and chairs.
The left side of the house (Sunrise) has a separate, private entrance. It contains a small deck with table and chairs, family room, full bath, bdrm (king) loaded kitchen, bar area with stools and dining area. Our kitchens have everything you need and more: refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, coffeemaker, toaster, blender, silverware and dinnerware and all the gadgets you will need whenever you are cooking in.
So, to sum up the whole house,
5 bedrooms
3 1/2 baths plus private outdoor shower
Sleeps 10
2 fully loaded kitchens
1 kitchenette
There are two, full size laundry facilities.
House Amenities:
2 BBQ Grills and tools, 2 VCRs, Great variety of Children’s VHS videos and beach toys, 2 DVD players, Mid Island location, Steps away from private beach access, 4 TV’s, 2 Lanai, 3 Large outdoor decks, 2 Full sized washer and dryers, 2 Beach carts, 2 CD Players, Free Long Distance (in US), Free high speed wireless internet access, Perfect floor plan for two families to share, Two loaded kitchens, Trolley stop for local commuting available nearby, Covered parking, Air-conditioning, Blow dryers, Iron boards, Sand toys, Game boards, Movies, Books, 2 Pianos and instructional materials. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) 19 miles away
We provide enough laundry, bath and dish washing soap, paper towels and toilet paper to get you started. Since a full-sized grocery store is just right down the street you always have what you need. Of course plenty of bath towels, fluffy pillows and bed linens are also always at hand in our lovely beach home.
The Anchorage is located on Estero Island, a seven-mile stretch of ocean- front which is filled with shopping, dining and entertainment. You can enjoy para sailing, jet skiing, volleyball pits, live music, eats and drinks all within walking distance. Right down the street you will find nice recreational facilities including tennis courts, basketball, and a large pool and water park featuring water slides and lifeguards for the kids. My favorite beach activities are biking and running along the ocean while watching and listening to the dolphins splash beside you! Our daughter still loves blowing bubbles and the all-time favorite activity of flying a kite up and down the beach. The Anchorage is located mid-island which provides a quiet, private, tropical beach experience, but is still close enough to Times Square (entertainment district) for the times when you want to take a walk on the “wilder side.” Here at the Anchorage, you will be sure to find a perfect balance of relaxation and fun in the sun! The Anchorage is only a 2 min. drive from a Grocery store (approx. ½ mile.) A pharmacy, movie theater and medical Center are also close by. Since the international airport is only about a 25-30 minute drive (19 miles) with available taxi, shuttle and limousine services readily available, transportation is never a problem. This is an awesome location on the island – a beautiful section of pristine, sandy beach and wonderful shelling “Non-beachy” favorites include catching a movie at the theatre and put putting.
All in all, this house offers extraordinary fun, comfort, and convenience to enjoy an unforgettable vacation with your family and friends. It is absolutely perfect for families, and family reunions. Hope you can drop your anchor with us soon at The Anchorage! All the fun of a beach front home at 1/2 the cost!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Washer: 2 full size washer and dryers in unit
- Dryer: 2 full size washer and dryers in unit
- Linens Provided: Fluffy pillows and soft comforters make the bedrooms better than home
- Garage
- Covered Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD (2)
- VCR (2)
- Video Library: Lots of children's/ family movies already in beach house **Free, DVD rentals during stay (limit 2 at a time) but you can exchange them as often as you want.
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Fully stocked! You won't even miss your own kitchen ...
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Fully stocked!
- Refrigerator: 2 full sized upstairs in main kitchens and 1 dorm sized refrig in kitchen Efficiency on Sunrise side
- Dishwasher: upstairs on Sunset side
- Microwave: 2 full sized upstairs in main kitchens and 1 full sized one in kitchen Efficiency on Sunrise side
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio: These beautiful, outdoor spaces are what sold us on our beach home! There is a private outdoor space awaiting each of the guests!
- Balcony: You can star gaze by night and breakfast by morning!
- Lanai
- View/Location
- Ocean View: While on our front balcony or in the front yard, if you happen to be looking when a boat passes by, you will be able to know you are viewing the ocean ... So, technically we wouldn't advertise that we have an ocean view home, but we are very close to the beach and every once in a while you can see a boat go by.
- Water View: While on our front balcony or in the front yard, if you happen to be looking when a boat passes by, you will be able to know you are viewing the ocean ... So, technically we wouldn't advertise that we have an ocean view home, but we are very close to the beach!!!
- Communications
- Telephone: Free long distance and high speed wireless internet access
- Free Long Distance: Free long distance calls within the continental US
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): Free high speed wireless internet access on both sides
- Other Amenities
- Just steps (less than one football field or 3 minute walk) to the beach, tropical setting, beach carts,beach toys, 2 full sized in door private laundry facilities, spacious, 2 Pianos and instructional materials, bright and airy, tasteful tropical furnishings, plenty of room for two families to vacation happily together, 2 loaded kitchens, outdoor private shower, games, 2 downstairs bedrooms are suites, full-sized grocery store is just right down the street, Have you always wanted to be able to sit down at a piano and play a few of your favorite tunes? Now’s your chance … Maybe this vacation will be one that will allow you to knock one of your lifelong dreams off your to-do list.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly: A $200.00 non-refundable pet fee must be paid before occupancy
- Kid Friendly: Lots of games, puzzles, videos and beach toys provided for hours of fun in this home all on a quiet street.
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters: 25
- Smoking Not Allowed: Smoking allowed only on outdoor decks
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Basketball Court
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Miniature golf
- Other Activities
- How About a Piano Instruction Vacation Right on the Beach? Return from your vacation with more than just photos: combine sun and fun with learning for a truly memorable getaway. You are invited to unwind on one of the loveliest beaches around... Stay in the Piano Guy's beach home (Emmy Winning host of public television’s “The Piano Guy with Scott Houston) located on Fort Myers Beach, Florida for your next vacation. Our beach home is set up with everything that you will need to learn how to play the piano: Piano with headphones, Scott's video instruction, Fake books (the tunes,) Scott's printed instruction books. All this is provided at no additional cost to you while you are our guest in our lovely beach home! There is a piano in both Sunrise and Sunset. You can work at your own pace in Scott's home on a gorgeous beach. Sounds like the perfect vacation, doesn't it! What? You say that you simply want to be a "beach bum" while on vacation, no problem. We can help you with that too!
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Prices include all taxes and cleaning fees!
Starting Oct 19 2009 .. $1565/week for 5 bedrm beach home (both sides)
Starting Dec 19, 2009 .. $3330/week for 5 bedrm beach home (both sides)
Starting Jan 2, 2010 .. $1970/week for 5 bedrm beach home (both sides)
Starting Jan 30,2010 .. $2780/week for 5 bedrm beach home (both sides)
Starting April 10, 2010 .. $1970/week for 5 bedrm beach home (both sides)
Starting Dec 19, 2010 .. $2780/week for 5 bedrm beach home (both sides)
Above Prices Include Taxes and Cleaning Fees! No Unpleasant Surprises!
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2007
Scott and Theresa Houston are the owners of "The Anchorage Beach Home" located on Estero Island on Fort Myers Beach Florida. They live full time in Indianapolis, Indiana and enjoy swimming, running, entertaining and music!
We love the beach! We have been fortunate to have experienced many beach vacations over the years in numerous places including Jamaica, Hawaii, Florida, Grand Cayman, Caribbean, California and Bahamas but have always come back to SW Florida time and time again - by far S.W. Florida has the softest, whitest, tropical beaches around.
Why the Owner Chose Private Homes, Mid Island
We chose Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island in particular because it offers just the right mix of fun verses peaceful times. Captiva and Sanibel are too quiet for the couple of nights that we like to go out to listen to some live bands or to enjoy some food and drinks out. On Ft. Myers beach you have lots of entertainment options. As we said, the perfect ratio of fun to peacefulness can be found here.
Our little Estero Island secret is that we are far enough south that you can almost always count on experiencing nice, warm weather during spring and winter breaks unlike in most other Florida beach locations. On Fort Myers Beach you can expect great weather and beautiful beach filled days at half the cost of vacationing on neighboring Sanibel, Naples or Captiva.
The Unique Benefits of this House
We searched for a long time before we purchased a beach home. We knew exactly what we wanted and knew it when we found this home.
We fell in love with this particular beach home for many reasons; here are a few that might be of particular interest to you:
1. We are only a 2-minute walk directly across the road to the beautiful beach and can enjoy it at half the cost of staying beachfront. We pass that savings on to you!
2. It allows us the luxury to vacation with another family or our extended family without being right on top of each other.
We get the best of both worlds, traveling with family and friends we love, but having plenty of room for everyone to spread out to have their “personal” time too when we are vacationing at our lovely Beach Home.
3. Grocery shopping is no longer a dreaded, all-day affair because we now have a full sized grocery store just a few streets over from us. Yea!!! You think we are kidding, but this is a HUGE plus!!
4. Again, the location is great. Once we arrive on the island there is no reason to leave because everything we need is available right here on the island.
Oh, we almost forgot to mention that Scott is the “The Piano Guy” on PBS. So … you can enjoy all the wonderful, “beachy” décor and at the same time have a unique opportunity to learn how to have fun playing your favorite tunes on the piano during those non-beachy times at no additional cost to you. Everything you need to learn to have fun on the piano is available to you while you are our guests at the beach home.
We are sure that you will love our home too. We have many happy guests that come back year after year and our goal is to make you and your family our guest for many years come!
Property Photos
- Looking at the front of "The Anchorage" from the road - Mid Island Vacation House near Beach, Biking, and Golfing
- Entering the Sunset Side Through the Cozy Lanai - Mid Island Vacation House near Beach, Biking, and Golfing
- Looking into Kitchen from Family Room in Sunset - Mid Island Vacation House near Beach, Biking, and Golfing
- Bright and open family room upstairs in Sunset
- Comfy, Bright Master Bedroom on Sunset Side
- Sunset upstairs guest room with queen bed
- There is Always a Sunny Spot to Enjoy a Quick Snack, Card Game or to Read a Book
- Outside deck on Sunset side is the perfect place to have dinner
- The Private Outdoor Shower is Always One of the Most Popular Spots in the House
- Sunset Suite Downstairs Features Queen Bed, Sofa, 1/2 Bathroom and TV
- Sunset Suite Downstairs Features Queen Bed, Sofa, Full Bathroom and TV
- A Peek into Laundry Room and Shower Downstairs in Sunrise Suite
- Bright and Open Family Room Upstairs in Sunrise
- View of Cheery Room with King Bed Upstairs in Sunrise
- Beach Carts Found in Both Sunrise and Sunset for Easy "Beaching"
- Private, Tropical Beach Entrance Directly Across Estero Blvd.
Guest Comments (39)
First (10) of (39). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #206748
There have been 6427 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2008.
This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - October 13, 2009
Positive Rating
Dear Scott and Teresa, What a great day on Fort Myers Beach and at your fantastic beach house! It would have only been made better if you were here with us! Now we’re off to Captiva, where it all began … Hope to see you soon in the North!
Positive Rating
Dear Houstons- We can’t believe how quickly 4 weeks flew by here on the beach. The accommodations are very comfortable and livable and we enjoyed the quick access to the beach. Also, Kathy and Sam, your friends next to us were delightful. Hope we will be able to repeat another year- if the economy doesn’t tank! Good Luck and God Bless You!
Positive Rating
Dear Houstons, Our family gathered here from Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan and Utah for our mother’s 70th Birthday celebration. It was a wonderful week filled with great memories to cherish, including our daughter’s first trip to the ocean (23 months ofd). She started the trip on a showmobile in the morning and a sunset over the Gulf in the evening Now we get to return to the several feet of snow we have gotten at our house over the past week. If you are ever in Brighton, Utah, I would love to teach your daughter to ski! Thanks for the experience! Eric, Deborah and Aurora Railsback
Positive Rating
Dear Houston Family, Thanks for sharing your beach house with us. We were here to celebrate our mom’s 70th birthday (April 25, 1939). We came from Michigan, Connecticut, Utah and Maryland for the event. We rarely all get together and this was the perfect location. Our mom took us to the beach when we were little – so hopefully it brings back some good times for her. Mary Ellen, Peter and Daniel Levine
Positive Rating
I have been having a great time here. I am going to leave a couple of shells so you can add them to your collection or start a new one. Here are the names of everyone staying Jordan, John, Lourdes, Trish, Lennon, Michael, Michelle, Garrett, Cameron
Positive Rating
Dear Friends, Thank you so much for letting us stay in your home. My family and I enjoyed it so much. There was tons of room for the whole family. A short walk to the beautiful beach was great. We enjoyed it so much! Thank you again, Steve, Maureen, Ajamie and Family- Indianapolis, IN
Positive Rating
Our stay in Ft. Myers was outstanding. Beautiful home and comfortable family setting. We thank you for opening up your home. Hope we are able to return soon with our dear friends the Ajamie’s. Thank you so much. The Alexanders (Indianapolis, IN)
Positive Rating
Out of all of our stays in Fort Myers this was the best. I would definetly stay here again! It supplied everything we needed especially your comfy beds. Decorations were awesome.
Positive Rating
Very nice and most comfortable home you have. WE have loved being here and we hope to be back next year! Thanks so much. Pam Borkelow Patsy Wood Sue Baker (Mississippi Girls) PS Loved Junkanoos and neighbors on both sides!
Positive Rating
Dear Scott and Teresa, We had a great February in your beach house. Ft. Myers is great! Fondly,