Vacation Rentals by Owner
Florida's Best Kept Secret [#258429] | View Property
Boca Grande
House, 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6)
$1800-$2850/wk
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Traveler Reviews (24)
Wonderful, Relaxing Vacation!
Guest: FL girl
(orlando, fl)
Date of Stay: 05/11/12
Review Submitted: 05/14/12
We had a wonderful time at this charming house. It is the perfect location and within walking distance to the town. We will definitely come back!!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
We're baaack!
Guest: Meg R.
(Norwalk CT)
Date of Stay: 05/05/12
Review Submitted: 05/15/12
We’re baaack!! We LOVE Susan’s house and we love Boca Grande. This is our fourth time here and we come back because there’s no better place we can think of to relax and unwind. The house is so comfortable and beautifully furnished—the perfect balance between comfort, elegance, amenities and beach house. There are books, games, DVDs and an iPod dock for my music. I loved sitting on the very private deck with the pool in the back in the morning with my tea or after a day at the beach. We loved sitting on the front porch dining or playing cards in the evening. The kitchen has everything I could possibly want to cook a great meal. We also grilled on the gas grill out on the deck. The Tempur-Pedic bed in the master bedroom downstairs was awesome—we are sold on that! The restaurants offer dining style from casual to more refined tastes, so there’s something for everyone. The book store is one of my favorite places and this year I finally visited the Community Center, a fantastic resource. My husband highly recommends the sugar doughnuts from the bakery around the corner. And, if Terry is in town, sign up for the best massage you’ll ever have! We love that we can walk from the house to anywhere in town, drive the golf cart to the end of the island and hunt for sea shells along the shore by the historical Boca Grande Lighthouse or take pictures of the birds. There’s a great osprey nest near the Sunset Grille where every sunset was a beautiful signature at the end of a perfect day. We’ll be back again—soon!
Recommended for:
fantastic place!
Guest: Susanna C.
Date of Stay: 04/12/12
Review Submitted: 05/02/12
My family and I spent 7 glorious days at this super cozy house in Boca Grande. The April weather was perfect as Susan, the owner promised. My 6 and 2 year old had the best time driving in the golf cart sans car seats and playing at the never crowded Lighthouse beach. The kids also loved our early evening walks to the Loose Caboose for ice cream. The house was perfect with breezy front porch, cozy beds, central air for good, comfortable night sleeps. The kitchen is well stocked with all utensils and pots and pans you could possibly need. The gas grill was a huge perk. We stocked up, per Susan's suggestion, at the big grocery store right outside of Boca Grande as the local little grocery, Hudson's is quite pricey (and quaint) though this is where we bought the freshest shrimp and salmon. We also loved Newland's, a little gourmet food shop around the corner from the house. They have the best tuna salad, crab cakes and lobster rolls. Oh and ask Susan to hook you up with Terry for the BEST massage! A lovely lovely home with all you need and just a hop skip and jump from town....truly a home away from home. Thank you Susan and Frank!
Recommended for:
Shhh! Don't tell anyone
Guest: Anne N.
Date of Stay: 01/03/12
Review Submitted: 01/22/12
Boca Grande is a very special place on earth. We hope poeple don't find it!! What a wonderful place to stay in what we call heaven, is this beautiful and charming "Old Florida" Classic Cottage. Susan has absolutely created the perfect ambiance in her ,historic home. All the updates are so well done yet still keeping the old cozy cottage feel. We particularly love the convient close to everything location, walk or cart to town, Gasparilla Inn, the Beach and especially Boca Bargains on Mon-Wed & Sat. Love the Stove, Pool, Bed!!!! and the beautiful landscaping (So Private, It's great!) We have to say a Special Thanks for the Best day of our trip was going out with Captain Mark Futch on a cruise to Ueseppa Island! Mark is like having a virtual area Historian/ Docent as your Captain. His is one of the Original Families on Boca Grande, Charming and fascinating. We had a blast, Thank-you for the reccommendation Susan! We will be Back Soon! Anne and John
Recommended for:
So Wonderful, I Hate To Let You Know!!!
Guest: Paula A.
Date of Stay: 11/06/11
Review Submitted: 11/24/11
This was exactly what we were hoping to find! The cottage is pristine clean, with adorable Pottery Barn type furnishings, 2 full baths, and 4 small bedrooms. It included an un-advertised Grapefruit Tree which allowed us to have fresh juice every morning. A 2 minute walk we were at shops, restaurants, market, beach, Gasparilla Inn, etc. With the included bikes or golf cart we were able to tour most of the island. We loved having dinner by candlelight on the cottages' front screened porch, taking the golf cart to the beach to enjoy a glass of wine and watch the sunset with the neighbors, renting a boat at the marina and spending the day on the Gulf with the dolphins, then eating lunch on Cabbage Key at the Tarpon Lodge. (Hopefully, I didn't just make it impossible for us to rent this cottage in the future!) Bill and Paula Anderson Beverly Hills, Michigan
Recommended for:
The Wills Family
Guest: Ginena
(New York, New York)
Date of Stay: 10/13/11
Review Submitted: 10/26/11
We spent a wonderful week in Boca Grand in this beauiful place! The sunset on the beach for a family wedding could not have been better as we gathered from a number of different places and found this "special" spot!!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Perfect "staycation" destination!
Guest: Bridget D.
Date of Stay: 09/02/11
Review Submitted: 09/19/11
This was just what we needed! We live in Fort Myers so Boca Grande is only about 75 minutes away but we wanted to go someplace where we could unwind and unplug. Boca Grande in September is just that. We almost had the island to ourselves! Susan's house is adorable and well equipped with all the basic necessities and even many luxuries. The gourmet kitchen had everything available to easily create all kinds of meals. We started each day with coffee on the front porch and spent our afternoons sitting in the pool, grilling and listening to music. There were few places actually open for business but we did enjoy several meals at South Beach which had excellent blackened grouper! We rode bikes all around the island and enjoyed sunset at the beach. It was a wonderful trip for my husband, my parents and myself and we look forward to the next visit!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.
Great Vacation
Guest: John
Date of Stay: 07/16/11
Review Submitted: 07/27/11
My wife and I, our daughter, son-in-law and 2 grandchildren (ages 2 and 4) just returned from a week’s vacation in this home. I had researched condos and homes to rent for quite some time and finally decided on this one because it seemed to have what we needed at an affordable price. It turned out to be more than we had hoped for. After mornings at the beach we came back to an inviting pool and patio. The golf cart allowed travel around the island in a fun way and we were able to either cook in the large kitchen or find great restaurants nearby for eat-in or take-out. If you’re looking for a vacation near the beach with privacy, I highly recommend this home. My wife said this was the best “water vacation” she has ever had.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
We loved this cottage!
Guest: Margie
(Florahome, FL)
Date of Stay: 07/10/11
Review Submitted: 07/17/11
This cottage has everything! It was better than I had hoped for. We found that being close to the small "village" of Boca was so important. We were minutes away from restaurants, shops and bike trails but also only 2 blocks from the Gulf! The cottage itself has a big family style kitchen and the beds are so comfortable, the style is a shabby sheek; white cotton quilted comforters, over- stuffed couches and big pillows make this the beachy atmosphere. we really like. Its not possible to run out of towels, they supply a huge amount of nice fluffy, thick beach and bath towels The pool is great as is the cute front porch. I loved the cool painted hard wood floors, ceiling fans in every room and the vaulted wooden ceilings. I hope we can reserve this again in the winter. I would love to see all the citrus trees in the yard full of oranges, lemons and limes. You won't be disappointed with this rental. The Dupree's Florahome, FL
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Truly Grande!
Guest: David R.
Date of Stay: 06/30/11
Review Submitted: 07/13/11
WOW! If you know Boca Grande, or even if you don’t, this house will exceed all of your expectations about what a stay on the island should fell like; a great vibe, a cook’s kitchen, backyard privacy and a perfect location. The house is literally just blocks from everything. I would recommend this home without a single reservation. The owner is responsive, caring and genuinely wants you to enjoy your stay. Five star service from start to finish. Although we only live about two hours away, we’ve clearly found our new getaway place. I may leave my deposit on account!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Wonderful Home-Away-From-Home
Guest: Chris B.
Date of Stay: 06/19/11
Review Submitted: 07/11/11
For the past 20 years, our family members from across the country have met in Boca Grande for our annual June tarpon fishing adventure. I have visited here the last 10 years, and it's been my responsibility to arrange our lodging. This home is the best lodging we've found on Gaspirilla Island. It's charming, cozy and comfortable in every way. The neighborhood is quiet, the beds are comfy, the kitchen is roomy, the air conditioning is wonderful and the pool is private and refreshing. It's clear that the owner places a high priority on keeping everything in ship-shape condition so that her guests can spend their entire time relaxing and enjoying all that Boca Grande has to offer. There are wonderful restaurants on the island, and the tarpon fishing is world class...truly an amazing adventure.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Relaxing and fun all in one
Guest: katie & John
(tampa, FL)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11
Review Submitted: 06/10/11
My husband and I just returned from Boca grande and it was wonderful, The house is absolutely perfect. From the moment you walk in the house you feel like you are on vacation. It was so nice having our morning coffee on the front porch every morning and then enjoying a nice bike ride before lunch. When we didn't feel like dining out for dinner we picked up some prepared items at Newlin's (amazing lobster cakes) or just cooked a meal in the spacious kitchen. The bedrooms are great, The beds and linens are really comfortable. Very well stocked with towels, linens, beach towels, beach chairs, and an umbrella. Susan was so helpful and great, i would definitely like to rent this house again.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Irish Experience in Boca
Guest: Gerry W.
(South Dublin, Ireland)
Date of Stay: 05/14/11
Review Submitted: 05/31/11
We spent a lovely week in this Property in Boca Grande in May 2011. The house is very comfortable and is situated close to the “town centre”, within comfortable and safe walking distances to all of the very good, reasonably priced restaurants. Susan is great to deal with and dealt with any questions promptly .The house is great and Boca Grande belongs to a distant, safer and more pleasant age. The house is situated in a very quiet street, with great neighbors and if you visit, make sure to hire a Golf Cart, which is the local transport system and is very appropriate to the area. The house also has a south facing disposition, which gets sun for most of the day which suits us Europeans making the pool area a very enjoyable extension of the house. Gerri Ireland
Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
A Wonderful Week in Boca Grande
Guest: rachel
(Wayne PA)
Date of Stay: 04/25/11
Review Submitted: 05/23/11
I have been meaning to write you and thank you again for allowing us to stay in your lovely home. We had the most magical time in Boca Grande. It was simplicity at its best with a great combination of style and ease. I loved every inch of your home and felt as if I had been living there forever. Outdoor showers, laundry among the orange trees, sautéed shrimp over arugula and a cold glass of wine by the pool. Starfish discoveries, puzzles and service at St. Andrews- this was perfection. I will send you a photo link tonight when I get home and will fill out the review. I would not change one thing about your house. Question- Would you be able to apply our security deposit to a down payment for next April? xo
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Our first vacation on Boca Grande
Guest: Christine
(Rowayton,CT. USA)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11
Review Submitted: 05/04/11
Upon arriving with our daughter, son in law and two little grandkids, we discovered a welcoming, adorable home that accommodated us all. We especialy liked having our own bedroom/bathroom downstairs. The large kitchen with eating area was super and very well equipped. It was so nice to have three choices for dining...front screened porch, kitchen and screened pool deck. We also enjoyed eating out which was very easy to do with the six of us, Our favorite restaurant was TheThird Street Cafe right around the corner. The food was great and we had the choice of indoor and outdooor dining. We found that being relatively in town,but on a quiet street, was perfect for various age groups. Library was near, as were playgrounds, beaches, ice cream, bakery and shopes, when some rested. Very often we went to the beach in the morning and then used the pool in the afternoon, when the sun was strong. We have already recommended staying at the White's home to lots of our friends, so you better book early!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Decisions, decisions....
Guest: Meg R.
(Norwalk CT)
Date of Stay: 04/09/11
Review Submitted: 04/20/11
We love your beautiful home and love Boca Grande. The house is very comfortably furnished; the tile work is amazing! I loved the big kitchen and found everything I needed to cook indoors or out on the patio with the gas grill. The patio (with the perfectly sized pool) is a great place to sun, swim, read and eat. The front porch is another favorite spot. Loved stretching out on the comfy sofa to read in the morning or sit at the table for a meal or a game of cards or just watch the world go by. And Boca Grande is a treasure! From the restaurants, to shopping, to bicycling or walking, bird-watching, swimming in the Gulf, beach-combing for seashells, there was more than enough to do. The yoga studio a block away is beautiful! Fresh shrimp from the marina—very tasty! Do we walk or golf cart to the beach? – depends on whether we have stuff to carry or just want a little stroll. Decisions! Decisions! The hardest decision to make is figuring out how we can stay longer next time. Highly recommended.
Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Vintage Chic
Guest: Chris
(Pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 03/26/11
Review Submitted: 04/24/11
We rented this charming cottage with another couple. The location is ideal: we walked to the beach, town and restaurants. Landscaping around the deck & pool affords ample privacy. Beds are comfortable; the white bedspreads and decorative mosaics are lovely. The kitchen is spacious and VERY well-equipped. We breakfasted at the large kitchen table, had cocktails at the deck table, and dined by candlelight on the screened-in front porch. Delightful!
Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.
Wonderful home in the historic district
Guest: jacquelyn
(Washington DC)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11
Review Submitted: 04/01/11
Our family has been coming to Boca Grande for many years and this has been our favorite house rental yet! Each of our 3 boys was thrilled to have their own room! The common areas are comfortable and full of light. I especially liked the kitchen that is equipped with nice cookware and plenty of pantry cabinet space. The backyard, while being in town, is nicely secluded and feels very private. We would love to rent again on our next trip to Boca Grance!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car.
Best Kept Secret in Boca Grande
Guest: sue
(nashville, TN)
Date of Stay: 02/18/11
Review Submitted: 05/12/11
This charming house is like being at home. The front porch with wicker furniture and the spacious deck and pool area are both inviting and great for entertaining or just relaxing. The landscaping is lush and beautiful. The bedroom with a full bath on the first floor has great privacy while the bedrooms upstairs feel like Cape Cod. The openess of the living areas make it seem very spacious. Even a gourmet cook will be happy in the well-equipped and large kitchen. The entire property is well maintained and the owner is very responsive to any needs or questions. I'm going back in 2012 for a third month at the house - can't wait!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Had a great time!
Guest: Beach Bum
(Northern, NJ)
Date of Stay: 11/17/10
Review Submitted: 12/01/10
Boca Grande is beautiful. Everyone kept telling me that it is a “unique” place. They weren’t kidding. This house was perfect, the location ideal. Very close to the beaches, shopping and restaurants. In fact, you could walk to most places. The house was clean, bright and cheery. The kitchen was well equipped and it was nice not to have to pack beach, bath or hand towels. The owners of the property were a dream to work with. They answered any questions I had in a timely manner and were very friendly. I highly recommend this house and Boca Grande. The beaches are gorgeous, the restaurants superb and the house inviting.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Great property; great owner
Guest: Geo
(Florida)
Date of Stay: 07/16/10
Review Submitted: 07/19/10
My wife and I spent a 3 day weekend at this Boca Grande cottage. We thoroughly enjoyed the property. The house was very clean and quite comfortable; climate control, bedding, towels and linens, kitchen equipment; all were first rate. The large flat panel TV was surprisingly “deluxe” for a vacation home and the many mosaic decorative items and details gave the impression of visiting a friend's home rather than a "rental". The screened pool/patio area was very inviting and user friendly while beautiful and easily accessible beaches provided an inviting alternative. The South Beach Restaurant, just a few minutes away, was a casual spot to enjoy good food while seated literally steps from the beach on a screened patio watching the sun set.
Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Location, location, location!!
Guest: The Fab 5 Family
(Tampa, FL)
Date of Stay: 06/20/10
Review Submitted: 07/12/10
This is our 2nd trip to Boca Grande, and as Floridians ourselves, we were looking for a true beach get-away, in the true-beach fashion. We found it in this house, for it's location and character. The house is in the heart of town, close to EVERYTHING--beach, restaurants, marina, and shopping. We biked or walked everywhere, no need to even rent a golf cart. The house was immaculate, with a well-equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, pool, and outside shower making it a perfect place if kids are a part of your life! Susan is a gracious owner, available if needed. Don't expect this quaint house to "entertain" you, however--Boca Grande is meant to be enjoyed for it's outside,serene beauty, and staying in the house is just not an option for taking it all in.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Best Vacation We've Taken!!
Guest: St. Petersburg
(USA)
Date of Stay: 05/22/10
Review Submitted: 06/16/10
This home is fantastic, the PERFECT beach house! It was spotless, nicely decorated, roomy and very comfortable, its a happy home. The linens were very good quality and the cookware was also excellent quality. Although there are fabulous restaurants within walking distance we enjoyed cooking a few meals in the spacious kitchen. The screened in porch was a wonderful area to read a book or just sit and relax. The home is on a quiet street with beautiful trees surrounding it. The beach, restaurants, marina, shops, and parks were all within a short walking distance. The pool is a great size and fun to swim in after a day at the beach. We spent our 11 year wedding anniversary here and loved it! My husband, daughter, and I had such a wonderful time that we've booked the house for next year! It is a place to go to if you want serenity!!!! I highly recommend staying here!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Great house, great location
Guest: rjstanley111
(Charlotte, Vermont)
Date of Stay: 01/09/10
Review Submitted: 06/11/10
This place is a real treasure. It's simple cottage living at its best, just around the block from shops, the post office, newspaper and bakery. It's very well maintained and clean, with comfortable beds and new kitchen appliances. The owner is very responsive and a pleasure to work with. We love the painted wood floors and white bedrooms. With the front door and the big French doors open, there's always a nice breeze - it's outdoor living in total comfort. It's a three-minute walk to a great beach or an easy bike ride to the town tennis courts or the lighthouse; restaurants are a block or two away. We've absolutely loved our two stays and can't wait to get back.
Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.