Vacation Rentals by Owner

Christmas Delight

Guest: Bets (Pinehurst)
Date of Stay: 12/22/11 Review Submitted: 01/01/12

Nine days of glorious weather and a cozy cottage were not enough. Everything was as promised, plus, plus, plus. The friendly town library is right across the street. An easy stroll to the Circle K for the morning paper and hot coffee, then back to the bench to watch the pelicans drift over the morning breakers. Thanks for making our 2011 Christmas so special!

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

Perfect In Every Way

Guest: Denise P.
Date of Stay: 10/08/11 Review Submitted: 10/26/11

The photos do not begin to do justice to this charming beach cottage. Everything we needed to feel right at home was available. The mattress in the master bedroom was high-end and extremely comfortable. The owner was very helpful, communicative and accommodating. We loved that we were able to bring our two labs with us...both because of what we saved by not having to board them and the fact that I didn't have to worry about them all week. The house was pristinely clean...you'd never be able to tell that this is pet-friendly lodging (no hair, odor, etc.). Many restaurants, shops are within easy walking distance. I never wanted to leave!

Owner response:Thanks to this guest for her kind words. Many of our guests bring their pets. We find most take wonderful care of Periwinkle and their furry "kids" are well-behaved. We also have a regular visitor in the form of a stumpy-tailed but very friendly black cat who stops by the back yard most afternoons at cocktail time. The Periwinkle yard is not totally fenced so pets must be kept on a leash; the Periwinkle yard is a lovely place to sit outside with a pet and enjoy the tropical flowers and palms. The neighborhood around Periwinkle is great for dog-walking with a leash and there is a wonderful walking/bike path that runs along the Gulf just south of the cottage where many of our guests take their pets.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Perfect Stay

Guest: Johnny (Central Florida)
Date of Stay: 06/12/11 Review Submitted: 06/19/11

I recently stayed in this island home and it is everything you would want for a relaxing time at beach, and access to the island is right outside your door. You won't need a car because the trolley stops right at the corner and will take you from one end of the island to the other ( I believe the trolley runs on 20 minutes intervals). The crosswalk to the beach is right there at the corner too. It's great for your teens and elderly family members as the city is pro pedestrian. Prepare to put on a few pounds as the restaurants are great. You won't need a car or the trolley because these restaurants are within walking distance. I recommend Oma Italian restaurant (on the corner opposite the trolley stop) , The Beach House restaurant (across Gulf Drive), Rotten Ralph's (a short walk to Bridge St.) and the Gulf Drive Cafe (right down the beach)<<< (Do breakfast here at least once). Thank you again Mrs. Greene

Owner response:We love our stays at Periwinkle, too. The sense of neighborhood, the friendly restaurants, the gorgeous beach, and spectacular sunsets over the Gulf make us want to stay there forever. When we return home we have our beautiful memories of Anna Maria. Thanks to this kind guest - we are so glad you enjoyed your stay!

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

The Cottage Was Just Perfect!

Guest: Jim and Jenn
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 06/19/11

"It was a great feeling like a home away from home....but with a beach at your front door"! The cottage was just perfect! We really had a great time there and enjoyed the short walk across the street to the beach each day and each evening for our "Sunset cocktails" at the Beach House. Loved the back yard table area as well. I can see why guests enjoy coming back. We would like to do the same as well. Again, thank you so much for the opportunity, I have to say that I believe we preferred your area of the Beaches more than that of Sanibel and Captiva. We might NOT even wait a whole year to come back......

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Perfect In Every Way

Guest: Amy
Date of Stay: 05/10/11 Review Submitted: 05/20/11

Just wanted to let you know we had an absolutely fabulous time on Anna Maria Island! Periwinkle was just perfect in every way. You have decorated it beautifully; it was also very clean and the beds were so comfortable. I don't know what kind of pillows were on the king-sized bed, but I wish I had one for home. The landscaping was impeccable. We really enjoyed all the tropical flowers that we don't have here in Missouri! The kids enjoyed all the sand toys and beach floats.

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Awesome!

Guest: Sue (Middleton, WI)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11 Review Submitted: 02/04/12

We stayed at Periwinkle Cottage for a week last spring and we are still reliving the fabulous memories. It was perfect for my husband, daughter, son and me. Our kids were 2 & 4 when we were there and they had a ball catching lizards and caterpillars in the yard when we weren't playing on the beach. I cannot truly express what a great time we had and I am sad I didn't book it right away for this year because nowhere else seems ro compare. Thank you!!

Owner response:Hi Fred and Susan! Thank you so much for your wonderful and kind review of Periwinkle. It means a lot to us that our guests love Periwinkle as much as we do. We hope you will always return to Anna Maria and that your memories of your time there with your children will always be be treasured.

Recommended for:Families with young children

We Love It!

Guest: Sharon
Date of Stay: 03/26/11 Review Submitted: 03/30/11

We are here!!!! It is so cute! We love it, adorable little cottage. There is so much living space. We have been enjoying the front and back gardens. The landscaping is lovely! We love being near the beach and Historic Bridge St. Also, there is a cute tiki bar at the Gulf Drive Café. And what quiet neighbors, City Hall and the library!!

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Home away from Home!

Guest: Joyce & Ralph
Date of Stay: 11/12/10 Review Submitted: 11/23/10

Well located, roomy, comfortable cottage with lovely landscaping. Owner's instructions are very user friendly. We had a wonderful stay - and plan to stay longer the next time!

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Guest: Kathryn
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 10/10/10

I don't think there is anything else that you could do to your cottage to make it any better I wouldn't think of staying at another cottage on the island.

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A Satisfied Periwinkle Visitor

Guest: Kathryn
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 10/10/10

I don't think there is anything else that you could do to your cottage to make it any better I wouldn't think of staying at another cottage on the island.

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A Terrific Choice for a Beach Vacation

Guest: Michael
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 07/20/10

Thank you for your (always) prompt response. You have been a pleasure to deal with and the Periwinkle Cottage is charming and comfortable, a terrific choice for a beach vacation. We have already recommended you and the cottage to others since we have come home. Thanks again for working hard to make our vacation as good as it was.

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Do Not Change A Thing

Guest: Jim & Sandy
Date of Stay: 06/20/10 Review Submitted: 07/10/10

As for the Periwinkle, everything was great. Do not change a thing. The short distance to the beach, the restaurants nearby, the trolley bus system, etc. made it a great place to stay. We are sure we will stay with you again when we come to Florida again.

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Heaven On Earth!

Guest: L. & R. Jolly
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/16/10

Three words: heaven on earth! My husband and I had the best vacation. Thank you so much! You know how, at the end of your vacation, you are just ready to go home? WE WERE NOT. The cottage, the location, the weather, the beach, food, and generally laid-back vibe we felt was just perfect for us. We used the trolley and bikes to get everywhere. The only exceptions were to go to Lido Key to kayak; to the Rod and Reel Pier and Cortez Fish Co. to dine; and Retro Rosie’s to shop (wow, I could have spent days there). We need to re-book for next year, but we want to stay longer!!!! Thank you, again, Tharon. What a treat!!!

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You Can Absolutely Share My Comments!

Guest: Anna Rae
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 05/29/10

My sister-in-law and I can't stop talking about our wonderful trip to Anna Maria and our stay at Periwinkle Cottage. We are definitely coming back! The cottage was cozy and we felt right at home. The local people and visitors were very kind and welcoming. Can't say enough about it! You made the rental experience very easy and it was a pleasure. We want to rent again, but for a longer period of time. We'll keep an eye on the calendar!

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Lynda & Tony M England

Guest: Lynda M. (Manchester England)
Date of Stay: 11/28/09 Review Submitted: 02/16/10

We spent a wonderful week in November in this delightful cottage. The cottage was perfect inside and out. We could not have chosen a better place to relax the weather made it perfect. We were steps to the beach and the trolley stopped at the corner. Tharon was wonderful she answered every email promptly, this is the place to go to relax. We will certainly return to this wonderful island home.

Owner response:Lynda and Tony are among our family of international guests. We greatly value our guests from abroad and want them to always feel welcome at Periwinkle - often our European guests have longer vacation times than we Americans so can spend several weeks with us. During these extended stays they take advantage of the many sightseeing opportunities in the surrounding area as well as long walks on the beach; some enjoy exploring the island by bicycle (there are several shops that specialize in bike rentals on the island). Thanks for this great review, Lynda and Tony!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

relaxation

Guest: potsie (valparaiso, in usa)
Date of Stay: 09/20/09 Review Submitted: 10/06/09

This was my first experience renting a vacation getaway and I must say I am extremely pleased. The process from the very beginning was easy and uncomplicated. The accomadations were exactly as presented. The cottage was everything we could have wanted. There was not one thing we needed that was not there. the location was perfect.. we will plan our next getaway using this process again. Our overall experience was a perfect 10!

Owner response:Our focus is on you, the guest - making the rental process simple and easy and at the same time giving you clear information about the property, what's included, what you can expect at Periwinkle and in the surrounding neighborhood. We know that renting a property sight unseen, from a private owner, can create some uncertainty, but we make every effort to treat our prospective and current guests the way we would want to be treated - with courtesy, responsiveness, and a professional transaction. We want you to come back! Thanks to this very kind guest for the great review...

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Location and very clean!~

Guest: Amy B. (Indianapolis, IN)
Date of Stay: 04/26/09 Review Submitted: 05/20/09

This was a perfect location for my husband and our 2 small children. Everything you need is right there within walking distance. No need to get in a car the whole week. The property is very very clean and well kept. The beds all seem to be brand new and very comfortable. We will definately choose this home again for our trip next year. Perfect location, perfect size, perfect vacation! We have already recommended this home to friends that might travel at a different time than us.

Owner response:Thanks for this reviewer's assessment of Periwinkle and the area - one of the things most of our guests say they like most about staying at Periwinkle is the laid-back atmosphere on the island and the many nice shops and restaurants within easy strolling distance. The beach is not crowded and sunsets are beautiful. We appreciate your business!

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

Weddingmoon, August 2008

Guest: K and L (Chesapeake, Va., USA)
Date of Stay: 08/23/08 Review Submitted: 09/24/08

Periwinkle is awesome! We had such an unforgettable "Weddingmoon" down there! Your cottage is very well maintained, extremely clean, and beautifully appointed. Furnishings are in excellent taste and in excellent condition, right down to the very convenient gas grill out back. The whole "turn-key ready" beach cottage Weddingmoon week was such a wonderful experience. I've got to tell you, that whole "location, location, location" real estate mantra is definitely working in your favor with Periwinkle cottage. We bounced daily from there to all sorts of "wow" spots in the area. We were able to comfortably travel to Longboat Key, St. Armand’s Key, Lido Key, Bird Key, Bradenton, Sarasota, Siesta Key, Casey Key, Venice, ... and that is above and beyond all of the truly great beaches, shops, restaurants, and sights right there on Anna Maria Island. We had a sunset wedding, barefoot in the sugar white sands of Siesta Beach on Siesta Key, and honeymooned in Periwinkle Cottage on amazing Anna Maria Island. We strolled the bright and clear beach line of Anna Maria Island for miles. We kayaked among pods of dolphins in the Intercoastal Waterway between the mainland and Siesta and Casey Keys. We photographed our bare feet together in the shallow surf at every beach we visited (a daily ritual for us ... themed with our "Barefoot Wedding".). We swam in warm crystal clear waters that were teaming with small "very friendly" fish. We were able to photograph Dolphins, Osprey, Bald Eagles, Pelicans, Gray Herron, Spoonbills, Flamingo, and countless seabirds from surprisingly intimate distances, in their natural wild settings. Sunsets over all of the Gulf beaches are indescribably amazing. We were so inspired, that we decided to get matching dolphin tattoos the day before we checked out of Periwinkle. [We highly recommend Josh at "Baby Blues" tattoo shop in Bradenton.] By divine intervention, or by twist of fate, our "Weddingmoon" was absolutely unforgettable, ... a beautiful weather week, punctuated by major storms on both ends. We drove down through Tropical Storm Fay in northern Florida, and drove up through the outer bands of Hurricane Gustaf on our way back up the coast through Florida and Georgia. In between those two, however, was a week of incredibly awesome Florida summertime, ... hot sunny days and warm moonlit nights. In short, we are truly satisfied customers. Periwinkle is worth every dollar invested ... and then some!

Owner response:The guests who wrote this wonderful review were first-time visitors, and there are many other positive comments in the guest book at the cottage. About 60% of our Periwinkle guests are return visitors who, together with the owner, feel the cottage is our collective island retreat. There is a unique sense of the personal at Periwinkle. In fact, many guests leave something for others to enjoy when visiting the cottage - a piece of art, something for the kitchen, new beach chairs, a portable stereo. We appreciate all our Periwinkle friends!

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

Our first time to anna maria

Guest: Georgian's (rocky face,ga. )
Date of Stay: 06/03/08 Review Submitted: 08/12/08

The periwinkle is a well maintained , beutiful cottage that our family of four realy felt at home. We were amazed by the convienience of this cottage to attractions. There are many different restraunts just steps away.The beach is across the street, parasailing was also in walking distance, and the trolley stop is just across the street as well. All in all this first time trip was delightful thanks to Tharon, and the Periwinkle.Thank you for letting us enjoy your cottage.You don't need a car once you get here the trolley will cover the whole island and is a free, fun thing our kids enjoyed. Thanks again, Shawn and Family

Owner response:Periwinkle is a "home away from home" for many of our guests who return from year to year. We often stay in touch with our guests between visits and keep up with their families, grandchildren, and even their pets! Shawn and Family, thanks for your nice comments about Periwinkle and come back soon.... Tharon

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