Little Gasparilla Island Paradise Retreat

• Exactly as described

  Exactly as described

  • Guest Anonymous
  • Date of stay 03/30/13
  • Review Submitted 04/08/13
  this home was exactly as describe and very well cared for by the owners. The house was conveniently located between both the ocean and the bay. The location was mostly private with lots of vegatation and trees surrounding the home. We would recommend this home and would consider renting it again.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, families with young children, pet owners, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thank you! The Island is a true "paradise" experience and we are glad to be able to share it.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Our favorite vacation spot!

  Our favorite vacation spot!

  • Guest Jessica
  • Date of stay 03/23/13
  • Review Submitted 04/07/13
  We have rented this home twice and have loved it each time. It is in the perfect location, right between the dock and the beach, has great owners and friendly neighbors. It is just the right size for a couple or a small group. Everything in the home is as advertised on the website listing. The owners take great care of the property and everything was clean and well-kept. We would most definitely recommend this island, and more specifically this home, to others (although that would mean divulging our "secret" vacation spot!).

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

  Owner response: Many thanks to our wonderful guests who make it a pleasure to share the Island!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• The Perfect Getaway

  The Perfect Getaway

  • Guest Sean H.
  • Date of stay 04/15/11
  • Review Submitted 04/20/11
  My wife, 2 year-old son, and I spent a weekend here. Our stay, albeit much too short, was magical. It's impossible to convey the peace and tranquility you experience here with words, it's something that has to be experienced. The house itself was extremely comfortable and had all the amenities you'd want, minus the groceries. The sunsets are to die for and the privacy is unmatched. This is sure to become a yearly getaway!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• It's about what it's not that means the most to us.

  It's about what it's not that means the most to us.

  • Guest Mike
  • Date of stay 10/15/10
  • Review Submitted 11/14/10
  For 16 years now we have been coming to "our" beach house on "our" island, Little Gasparilla. Steve and Laura have asked us numerous times to post a review so that others can begin to understand how this place can change you. Honestly, we originally agreed to do this but then got a bit selfish. Why write a great review and risk losing our one piece of paradise to some other renter? It then dawned on us that we in fact can't be the gate keeper to this place. That, if more families experienced Steve and Laura's beach house, maybe they too would begin to grow closer as we have by laughing more, talking more, playing more (sharades, Scrabble, beach tennis, frisbee, and...), by going on long walks together, eating together-I could go on but you get the point. So what exactly is it that makes our piece of paradise so important to us (as I write this my oldest daughter is in her first year of college and has just texted me letting me know how excited she is that we're going to the beach house for Thanksgiving in one week-can you believe that? Not friends, but beach and family). As the title of this review indicates, it's really about what it isn't that is most important to us. First off, it isn't big. Our family consists of Mom, Dad, 4 girls, and 2 dogs. This house is small with two bedrooms and a downstairs library. And one common area. This house forces us to be close to each other. We love that. Second, it's not convenient. Getting there has become half the fun. No roads, restaurants, or grocery stores. Use the available water taxi or bring your own boat. That's the only way to get here. Our kids make the first Publix grocery stop on our way to the marina a major part of the anticipation. Don't forget the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. S'mores are a must. Last, it's unplugged. No TV, computers, etc, only music (speakers for your iPod/MP3 provided). We literally let go of the world for the week that we're there. Don't think this has been easy. Unplugging is a learned behavior. We've gotten pretty good, but for you novices, give yourself 2-3 days to really come down. Once down, you'll ask yourself over and over again...how can I extend my stay here? Keep Laura's number close just in case. We're truly blessed to have discovered our house and our island. It's become such a major part of our family that I believe the kids will forever be coming back here either to stay in Laura and Steve's house or possibly, in ours. Welcome to your new tradition.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• We loved this place

  We loved this place

  • Guest asdjf
  • Date of stay 02/10/10
  • Review Submitted 04/12/10
  We had such a great time here. Even though the weather was horrible, we loved this place. Great house. Very comfortable. We were there with our 4 year old twins for a week in February. Sadly, the weather was cold for us so we had a lot of time in the house. Luckily the house was comfortable and the island is beautiful. The kids LOVED driving the golf cart around and we loved being so close to the beach but not right on it. The kids could just go outside and play with no worries but we were still just moments away by leisurely stroll on the sand paths. The owners were easy to work with. They even sent back a hat we had left there and enclosed notecards from the island. I know it has been said before, but this feels like "old Florida". Simple, comfortable beach houses. Sand roads. Wildlife. Beach. Palm trees. Water. We would definately come back to the island and to this house. We hope it stays this hidden gem.

  Recommended for: Families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

$1000/week (+12% Sales Tax) .. $3200/month (+12% Sales Tax)
$500 deposit to hold dates.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.