Gulf Cottage Vacation

Guest: Kim and Noël (Meredith, NH)
Date of Stay: 11/13/11 Review Submitted: 11/22/11

If an idyllic setting, white sandy beaches and honest hospitality is your idea of a dream vacation, look no further! Hosts Ned and Myrtle Hall offer the answer to your dreams at Sandy Shores, Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. Last week we had the privilege of renting the Gulf Cottage, affectionately called “Grammie’s Cottage.” Ned and Myrtle have created an oasis of tranquility. The interior is tastefully decorated and the kitchen is well stocked with all the necessities to fix your own meals.We chose to eat in most nights because the Gulf view from the dining room table couldn’t be beat. Stepping out the door we found ourselves in a beautifully maintained tropical garden just steps from the white sandy beach that stretches for miles in both directions. From beach towels to blenders, big screen TV to internet access, Ned and Myrtle provide everything you need to enjoy a vacation you will treasure.

Recommended for:

Short trip to Tranquility

Guest: S&N (Saint Cloud, FL)
Date of Stay: 09/30/11 Review Submitted: 11/14/11

My wife and I stayed with Ned & Myrtle and had a wonderful time relaxing. The first thing you notice, besides the quaintness of the location and neatness of the grounds, is the immaculate cleanliness of the rooms! We were very impressed with how clean and cute the rooms were. Just a few stems from Gulf Blvd. and you are away from the rush and congestion of the outside and can feel the peaceful tranquility for this very beautiful and clean place. We are definitely looking forward to our next visit.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing, romantic getaway.

Amazing Time!

Guest: David (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/13/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

My wife and I stayed at Sandy Shores from August 13 until August 21, 2011. From the moment we arrived, Ned and Myrtle warmly showered with true Floridian hospitality. If you are reading this to help determine whether or not to stay here, well, you may as well stop your research and contact the owners as soon as possible. These reviews may seem too good to be true, but this is actually one of those times where one ought not to be afraid; this place is just that great! The gorgeous beach is truly in your backyard, and the beach house is exactly what one could ask for on vacation. There is even a CVS pharmacy literally across the street. Moreover, delicious restaurants are within a short walking distance, and/or a two minute drive down the street brings you to the greatest seafood joint I’ve ever experienced, Keegans Grill. I haven’t looked up the definition of paradise in a dictionary, but someone should tell Oxford or Merriam Webster to just write “Sandy Shores”.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Slice of Heaven

Guest: Susan (Danville, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 08/07/11 Review Submitted: 08/17/11

What a wonderful and lovely beach retreat! This is a little slice of heaven right on the gulf. I loved staying in the garden cottage and found it to be very cozy and very well equipped. It was so nice to know that everything was provided, including beach chairs and umbrellas! As many times as I have been to this area, I have never stayed in a place where there were so many amenities provided! Ned and Myrtle were so welcoming and friendly, as well. I hope to return to this beautiful home away from home sometime in the future. My only regret is that I did not have a whole week to stay!!!

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

RELAXING HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Guest: JRSmith (Anderson, SC)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 08/01/11

Our trip to Sandy Shores was wonderful. It was exactly what we were looking for. We love the beach, but in the past few years have gotten frustrated with the commercialized nature of most beaches. We wanted a simple, quiet vacation where it was easy to RELAX. This place was exactly that. It was impeccably clean, which is definitely a big thing for me since I work at a hospital, and am a little OCD when it comes to cleanliness. Ted and Myrtle live on the property, and were very inviting and informative. Ted told us that while we were staying that we were family, and they make you feel very much at home. The beach only has a handful of people on it at any given time which was a much desired change from the overpopulated beaches we have become accustomed to. If homey relaxation in traditional Florida fashion is what you are looking for, this place is perfect for you...I know it was for us. I have a response to make to the gentleman who keeps writing very poor reviews on this wonderful property. I think you may need to find a hotel on one of those commercialized beaches I was talking about, because Ned and Myrtle were nothing but kind and respectful to us, so it is my humble opinion that YOU must be the reason that you didn't enjoy your vacation, not THEM.

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

Paradise Found

Guest: Kay (Oklahoma City, OK)
Date of Stay: 07/08/11 Review Submitted: 07/17/11

This is the second summer we enjoyed Sandy Shores. Ned and Myrtle are wonderful hosts. They take care of everything. The tropical landscaping is always taken care of and sitting outside in the patio area is relaxing and beautiful. The Gulf cottage we stayed in has been updated with everything you need. Feels just like home. What can one say about the water and the beach? Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! The minute we get home we wish we were back at Sandy Shores. We'll be back.

Recommended for:Age 55+, pet owners, adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, people with disabilities, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Slice of Paradise

Guest: Juss (Bloomington, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 07/12/11

This was our 3 year to stay with Ned and Myrtle. The Beach House is beautiful, clean, fully stocked with fresh towels and kitchen supplies. It has been updated with a big, new HD TV ( tons of channels) and carpet. It is truely our home away from home. The location is perfect, beautiful tropical plants surround the grounds, right on the beach! The beach is large and not crowded. Plenty to see and do, centrally located between St, Pete and Clearwater - but not crowded. Ned and Myrtle are wonderful hosts! Always there if you have questions and need anything. We even had a cook out with the neighbors, they treat you like family. Best place to stay with the best hosts. Love to stay there, no people on the other side of the wall or running up and down the halls. We've been spolied and wont stay anywhere else. Thank you for sharing with us!!

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

Cozy Beach Getaway

Guest: P & G (Central Florida)
Date of Stay: 07/01/11 Review Submitted: 07/08/11

We had a lovely time at this cozy little getaway! The accommodations were very comfortable, quiet, and impeccably clean. Ned and Myrtle were very hospitable and welcoming! You can see the pride they take in their property!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway.

Not a very relaxing vacation

Guest: Jason (Nottingham, MD)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 07/04/11

I'll touch on the few positives things about the Gulf Cottage. The view is incredible. The kitchen is well equipped with everything you could possibly need. The dining and living area is nice. And the bed was extremely comfortable but the bathroom is very small. What you have to consider before renting any of their three units is that the owners Ned and Myrtle live above the Patio and Garden cottages. At least one of them is always on the property. I never saw Ned leave until the last day! From the time we arrived to when we left they would get on my 7 year old daughter for using to much water while rinsing off at the outdoor shower. Also about getting sand into their precious house. They mentioned several times about turning the A/C up when we left the house ( the air conditioning actually broke down for one full day). In addition they would correct me about properly dumping the water after rinsing. Myrtle did this at the end of the last full day as if it even mattered at that point! Ned is constantly sweeping and hosing down the walks and porches at all hours. I couldn't ever get completely comfortable the whole trip. The ironic thing about all this activity going on is that the property looked bleak and barren. Everything is old and cheap and the landscaping is atrocious. They even charge for using the washer and dryer. I was glad when the vacation came to an end. I was more than ready to head back to Maryland. And while I was driving home Ned actually called me on my cell phone inquiring about a wet spot on the carpet.

Owner response:In response to Mr L. unfavorable review we have this to convey: Myrtle and I strive each and every day to provide our guests with a pleasant memorable vacation. Our twenty seven 5 Star Reviews on this website without one negative comment is solid proof that we run a very successful vacation rental operation. In addition we have four other websites with the same results and our return business is outstanding! Here at Sandy Shores we provide a home away from home atmosphere that people love and respect and in this particular instance we honestly felt that this was not the case. - Water being used to rinse off outside was used so excessively that it flooded our patio area that was approx. 20 feet away and this happened on several occasions. - Water usage inside was no different. We had a large wet spot on the living room carpet, close to the bathroom which we initially thought was a serious leak in the foundation, that's why we called. Thankfully after blotting the carpet with towels and several hours later it was dry. By the way the four additional guests on the last day probably contributed to this incident. Let's all do the math 4 adults and 3 children in an one bedroom cottage and our bathroom is too small? - The AC unit was fixed within 6 hours of being notified. - We love kids - we explain everything in a calm and friendly manner, as we host countless young families yearly. - Regarding Mr L comments that our property looked bleak and barren and the landscaping is atrocious our response is: just last year we were honored to be one of only 12 cottages published on an annual art calendar of Indian Rocks Beach and twice we had photo shots on site for magazines related to the modelling industry . We must be doing something right to attract such activities. In summery we are the 3rd generation to own and operate Sandy Shores and our guests have said what a beautiful "old slice of Florida" we have. Regards Ned and Myrtle Hall

Recommended for:

Paradise Found

Guest: mare1260 (Glen Mills, PA)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 06/09/11

From the moment we were welcomed by Ned and Myrtle, we knew we had found paradise. Their warm hospitality made us feel at home immediately. The cottage was perfect; impeccably clean and charming. Not a detail was overlooked The complex was so adorable with little alcoves of seating and grilling areas equipped with quirky little decorations and gorgeous flora. The night time blooming flowers high in the palm trees were amazing. Ned shared not only his grilled steelhead trout with us but also the recipe. We enjoyed a golf clinic with him and shared time with his guitar and singing. A short walk through the dunes lies the incredible Indian Rocks Beach with its crystal clear waters where fish and shells abound. I have traveled a lot and this is by far one of my favorite places on earth. Highly Highly recommended

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