Christmas Vacation

Guest: polofamily (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 12/27/09 Review Submitted: 02/17/10

We have been to Anna Maria Island for 11 years in a row and stayed in condos and houses over the whole island. We now have a new favorite place to stay! We were so happy with the quality of the appliances and how well the kitchen was stocked, we ate in most of the time. The location was perfect. We pull our boat down from Michigan and found the canal and dock easy access in and out. We had a range of ages (17-73) and everyone found plenty to do within walking distance or a short ride. Unfortunately, the weather was unseasonably cold so we did not get to use the pool, but it looked beautiful. Will definitely stay here again.

Owner response:Thank you for taking time to submit your comments. We would love to have your family stay with us again.

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

three generation friendly and worthy of special celebration

Guest: Sandy O (De Pere, WI)
Date of Stay: 03/12/11 Review Submitted: 01/14/12

We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on Anna Maria Island and in anticipation of that special event, I spent many hours on the internet searching for the perfect rental for our 8 member, three generation family. We ranged in age from 61 to 3, and had a variety of vacation interests. Among the prerequisites for our lodging were: enough space to relax together, yet enjoy privacy as needed; high-end hotel quality beds; cleanliness; well-equipped kitchen; laundry facilities; heated pool to accommodate the young and not-so young; easy access to the gorgeous beaches; proximity to nice restaurants; amenities such as beach towels and outdoor grill; and a friendly, easy to access owner and staff. C-View matched and exceeded our expectations in every way! In advance of arrival, our questions were answered promptly and courteously. The owner went out of her way to provide island contacts for fishing expeditions, bike rentals, restaurant recommendations, and even beach photography. Upon arrival, we enjoyed a basket of goodies tailored to our ages and tastes. Everything was pristine and modern! When the pool initially seemed to be heated insufficiently, a staff member was called out promptly to remedy the situation. A late departure request by one of our members was handled with understanding. Having never been to Anna Maria before this visit, I was a bit concerned about the "short walking distance to the beaches" described for this property. Our grandsons (age 6 and 3 1/2 at the time) and the rest of the gang easily walked the less than five minute trip on quiet streets. If you haven't had the privilege of enjoying this slice of heaven called Anna Maria, please note that most visitors seeking to avoid traffic and crowds prefer the northern end of the Island. C-View is in that quieter zone, which in my opinion, enhances the vacation experience. I am also amazed that C-View is very competitive, price-wise. Given the amenities packed into the place and the quality/accessibility of management, it is a bargain for larger families who need many bedrooms. I will return to this paradise home whenever I can!!

Owner response:Wow! What a wonderful review! Having grown up in a large family and spending lots of time anticipating our annual two week vacation, I know how important the property is to a happy stay. I am so pleased C-view Florida will always be part of great family memories. We look forward to hosting you family!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Our Family Thanksgiving Vacation

Guest: Janet Z.
Date of Stay: 11/19/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

We enjoyed our vacation week very much. The house was beautifully decorated and very welcoming. It is spacious and our 9 family members were all very comfortable. The separate "wing" with two bedrooms and a bath was perfect for my son, his wife and two babies. The kitchen was well equipped for all our needs,the pool and backyard very enjoyable. We were able to walk to the beach which was another plus. I would recommend this rental to anyone with a large group as it has space for everyone to be comfortable yet also be together. We will definitely be looking to return again in the future. The service was also excellent.

Owner response:We work hard to make the property special. It is always a great testimonial to know you would stay with us again. I am glad C-view Florida will be part of your Thanksgiving memories. We look forward to having you stay with us again soon. On behalf of all the team who help with the property, thanks for taking time to submit the wonderful review.

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simply wounderful

Guest: Maggie (Stockholm, Sweden)
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 08/07/11

We stayed in this amazing villa for a week in hot and steamy July. Not only was it a well equipped house with great beds (hotel comfort) and top of the line equipment in kitchen and laundry room, the airconditioning worked flawlessly, which was greatly appreciated in the heat. The owner has also done a great job decorating the place to make you feel right at home (and we loved the welcome basket). And when you think it can't get any better, you take a plunge in the awesome pool, deep in one end, and baby friendly in the other. If we lived closer, we would come back every year. PS. The photos of the house are no way near as nice as the house itself.

Owner response:You were great guests and we do hope you will stay with us again soon! Thanks for your comments which I am sure future guests will appreciate.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Fabulous Vacation at C-View !

Guest: Terri and Jerry (Georgia)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 07/01/11

Beautiful and Private home! Our family loved the spaciousness and cleanliness of this home. It is beautifully decorated and the tropical landscaping around the pool provides so much privacy. C-View is so much prettier than the photos on the website. The home is well equipped with everything you need to have a comfortable and relaxing vacation. The owner was a pleasure to work with and made sure that any requests we had were met. We have already recommended this property to our friends and we most definitely will visit C-View again. Anna Maria Island is a treasure and if you didn't know better, you would think that you were in the Caribbean with the beautiful clear water and sandy white beaches. Anna Maria Island is our favorite vacation site in Florida!

Owner response:We look forward to your return. It is nice to think our home will always be part of your vacation memories. The house keeper was especially pleased to see how tidy the house was when she arrived! Your recommendations are greatly appreciated -- the best form of advertising!

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We will be back!

Guest: Rachel (Annapolis)
Date of Stay: 06/04/11 Review Submitted: 06/12/11

Beautiful, well appointed large home. Pool was perfect; we fished from the dock. A short walk to a great, less populated expanse of beach. The pictures are a very good representation of the property and the property is clearly well maintained. At one point, we had five adults and 3 children (five good sized bedrooms) and we didn't even feel over crowded. I love this island and we loved this home.

Owner response:Glad you enjoyed your stay! Do visit us again soon. You were wonderful guests.

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

Absolutely Wonderful!

Guest: lilirose (Gainesville, GA)
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 05/24/10

What can I say! This home was a wonderful home away from home for our family of 8 plus 2 grandchildren. Not wanting to repeat previous comments, but the pictures on the website do not do it justice! The living area is very open and well decorated, but everyone was able to have some quiet time if needed in their lovely bedrooms. The pool is perfect for both children and adults since it has a stepped entry for children and then a deeper end for the adults. We were pleasantly surprised with how well the home was stocked with beach towels, beach chairs, shampoo, lovely dinner ware as well as a large dining table where we could all gather for meals. As promised the lovely white beach was just steps away and we were also able to walk to 2 Scoops for ice cream and to the Sandbar Restaurant for dinner. We also discovered that we could paddle our kayak from the canal in the backyard to the city pier. What a gem of a home on a lovely island. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Owner response:Thanks for taking lovely care of the house. We do hope you return soon to enjoy Anna Maria and C-view Florida.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children.

Guest: Gina L (-)
Date of Stay: 04/17/10 Review Submitted: 04/29/10

Your pictures don't do it justice. The house was just perfect for our family. The kitchen was stocked with the best of appliances, pots, dishes, etc. even a grill outside. The little ones really enjoyed the shelf in the pool. It made supervising them so much easier, and not having to lug beach towels, sand toys, even beach chairs was a huge help. The beach was beautiful and we rented kayaks and it was great having the canal right in our backyard. Thanks for a wonderful week of sun and fun.

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Just Great!

Guest: Earphen (MA, MN, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/24/10 Review Submitted: 04/02/10

We loved it! We certainly echo the good things others have said. This is an extremely well-planned and decorated home that easily accommodates children and adults. We were four generations on a mini family reunion. It's easy to be in and feels comfortable. Highly recommend both the house and area. We were sad to leave and still have island fever!

Owner response:Thank you for your comments and suggestions. We look forward to having your lovely family stay with us.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Reward Yourself with a Secluded Getaway to C-View!

Guest: Anonymous (-)
Date of Stay: 02/01/10 Review Submitted: 03/29/10

If you're seeking a truly relaxing and enjoyable vacation, C-View is the place for you! The owner is pleasant and easy to deal with. Our family has been to Florida several times, visiting traditional tourist destinations such as Disney World, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens, along with secondary attractions in those areas. We've stayed in world-class resorts and hotels, condo communities, and with friends. While considering many resorts on the gulf side of Florida, we were strongly encouraged to stay on Anna Maria Island, using VRBO to find accommodations. Honestly, I had never heard of either. Friends who've lived in Tampa for a few years said "locals" refer to Anna Maria Island as "old Florida" ... free of the blight of over-commercialization, meaning no large high-rise hotels or resorts, no unsightly, never-ending strips of retail tourist traps, and no lengthy traffic delays. So, for our first vacation in several years, we decided to take a gamble... and are thrilled that we did! Anna Maria Island is an absolute idyllic jewel of a destination. Thoughtful planning and controlled development seamlessly blend its preserved, quaint architecture of the past with newer styles. There are dozens of outstanding restaurants ... plus, spectacular Holmes Beach, which stretches for miles and affords ample views of stunningly beautiful sunsets. C-View provides an invitingly tranquil setting overlooking a channel on the island's north end, with fine accommodations and amenities. The L-shaped design creates ample space between bedrooms to ensure each guest's privacy, while the large open common area gives you a central area to cook, dine, talk, entertain or move outside to the private pool. Lazing on the patio during the day provided numerous opportunities to view local wildlife, including majestic Blue Herons that landed tamely in the backyard on several occasions. The night-time sky provides a crystal clear view of the heavens unlike any other, while their reflections in the pool and on the open water are purely astounding. A casual stroll to the northeast puts you on the beach facing Tampa Bay in mere minutes, while an equally short walk to the southwest puts you on the gulf side at the Sand Bar restaurant. The adjacent city park marks the northernmost tip of Holmes Beach. Should you desire a more conventional activity during your stay, you're only a short drive to the mainland (movies, malls, golf, etc…)

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