Twin Palms: Big House Close to Beach, Heated Lagoon Pool, Infant/Pet friendly
Stay at the home of a NY Times best-selling food writer and her architectural designer/tech husband! Pet friendly, lots of space and charm, great location (2 blocks to beach) with private lagoon-style heated saltwater pool amid lush landscaping and beautiful rock waterfall. Chef-outfitted kitchen with new appliances, 60-inch Sony HDTV, Italian leather reclining sofas, BBQ, beach gear, comfy beds, lots of infant and kid stuff. Plenty of space for friends or families sharing. Updated bathrooms with great showers. Ground floor, so no stairs!
The beautiful pool is completely surrounded by lush landscaping, so it's completely private. You'll love the real, working rock grotto waterfall. We keep at a warm 88F/31C degrees+ year-round at no extra cost.
This unique home offers four bedrooms with an optional fifth offers plenty of space for extended families, two families sharing or a friends retreat. Three of the bedrooms have king beds. We've got everything you need for infants & kids, including Pack N' Play cribs, baby monitors, high chair, sound machine, toddler cot, kids toys, etc. We also have "high locks" on all the pool-facing doors for safety.
We want you to feel like you're staying at a friend's beach house, not just a vacation rental, so we supply a lot of extra amenities and many small touches, like a welcome basket on arrival and more towels than you'll ever need. Our unique layout is great for two/extended families sharing, or a friends retreat.
Eat inside or out under palms on the deck; both tables can seat a big group. Help yourself to anything in the cupboards, which we keep stocked with spices, oils, vinegar, condiments, etc. for cooking great meals. Two kitchen islands means lots of space to hang out and cook, eat or just drink wine together.
We provide plenty of beach stuff, including chairs, umbrellas, a large canopy, boogie boards and enough sandcastle gear to build a fortress, plus yoga mats.
Our bathrooms have been renovated with great custom tile showers with European fixtures and cool pebble floors.
We provide all guests with a 30-page guide to the house, island and local restaurants. I grew up on the island and I'm a Paris-trained chef, so I can give you insights on the best places to eat, buy local seafood and even where to find the local farmer's markets.
We have been renting our home to select guests for 15+ years. We have hosted thousands of guests. We love the island and pride ourselves on providing a great experience for all our guests. You won't find a better value or more dedicated hosts anywhere on the island.
We have earned 100% five-star reviews for the past six years here on VRBO and another well-known rental platform. We know that selecting a place to stay isn't just about money, but valuable time to make memories with family and friends. We make every effort to assure you have an extraordinary experience.
We manage our home ourselves and it is our only rental on the island. We have guests who return year-after-year who have become part of our Twin Palms Family.
Note: We strongly suggest that all guests purchase travel insurance, especially those traveling to the island June 1 to Oct. 30th, tropical storm/hurricane season. If you book during those months, if you send proof of travel insurance that will cover the cost of your rental due to inclement weather/named storm, we will provide a $100 travel credit to offset the cost of insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions (Yes, this is longer than most listings. I write books, remember?)
Q. How big is your pool? Our custom lagoon-style kidney-shaped pool was installed in 2014. It's about 23 feet x 12 feet. It is not a lap pool. The compact size allows us to keep it at around 88F. It features a real rock waterfall, lush landscaping. Seating is spread out over three deck areas. Our outdoor deck table can seat ten at once, while the entire deck can seat up to 18. We keep our pool at 88 degrees+ all year and have it professionally serviced twice a week for optimal cleanliness.
Q. How close are you to the beach? We're located about 250 meters from the beach, about two blocks, a five-ish minute stroll, a 90-second drive in a golf cart or two minutes by bike. We lobbied our local city council and have the only official crosswalk with lights on this part of the island so you never have to wait for traffic. We have a heavy duty cart and a small trolley to carry all your beach gear. We provide plenty of towels for both indoor use and beach/pool use, a new front-loading washer/dryer combo with 20-minute wash setting and supply all laundry detergent.
Q. Are you pet friendly? A. Yes, we have a small terrier we love and adore. We can accommodate one dog up to 35 pounds per guest party, and guests must tell us about their dog in advance. We regret that our house isn't the right fit for guests with large dogs. We supply information on the local off-leash park, pet-friendly restaurants, plus other important info and provide food/water bowls. We do not charge a pet fee, but instead ask guests to leave a cash tip for our awesome cleaning team.
Q. How do we get keys? A. No keys! We use coded locks only. Arrive at any time after check-in using a secure code unique to you, generally the last four digits of your mobile phone number so you can remember it easily.
Q. Is there a dedicated work area? A. Yes, there is a desk just inside the entrance in the house in a small bedroom we call the Hemingway Room. It has a barn door and is private but not sound proof.
Q. Do you allow events? A. We only allow parties that are essentially family gatherings. We have had families host small wedding brunches or dinners as we are set up to serve a large group of diners.
Q. Do you have a minimum age rental? A. Yes. Due to the special nature of our home, we restrict rentals to guests 25 years and older. The individual renting the home must be on-site with the group.
Q. Do I need travel insurance? We recommend all guests purchase travel insurance, and for those booking between June 1 and October 30th, if you provide proof of travel insurance, we will give you a $100 credit toward your stay. We strongly advise travel insurance for bookings in August, September and October - we regret we do not provide refunds in the case of guest illness, inclement weather affecting travel, major storms, red tide or other issues beyond our control. TravelInsurance.com is a great resource where you can compare plans.
Rental license #VRC20-000330
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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We are extremely well set for infants and toddlers
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Events
No events allowed
Family gatherings OK, no large parties
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Pets
Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Smoking OK on patio, no smoking inside
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Gather used towels
Remove personal items
Toss used towels into the bathroom tub
No need to strip beds or run the dishwasher
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Quiet Hours are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. per Holmes Beach legal ordinances. Any violation is subject to fines and immediate termination of your stay
Damage must be reported as it happens or is discovered, regardless of how minor. Don't worry, we know accidents happen and expect wear and tear
Absolutely no glass, diving or cannonballs in pool area. Children must be supervised at all times. No tampering with equipment or lights. Thanks.
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number VRC20-000330
Property # 1539686
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Family gatherings OK, no large parties
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Holmes Beach
Located in Holmes Beach, this holiday home is near theme parks and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Bradenton Beach and Bean Point Beach. Consider Tarpon Bay Grill and Tiki Bar for a night out or Fish Hole Adventure Golf if you're travelling with kids. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and cycling nearby.
Anna Maria Island Museum and Historical Park - 4 min drive - 2.8 km
Holmes Beach Beaches - 7 min drive - 2.8 km
Getting around
Sarasota, FL (SRQ-Sarasota-Bradenton Intl.) - 31 min drive
Restaurants
Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe - 5 min drive
The Ugly Grouper - 14 min walk
Wicked Cantina - 9 min drive
Ginny's & Jane E's - 3 min drive
The Waterfront Restaurant - 5 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Twin Palms: Big House Close to Beach, Heated Lagoon Pool, Infant/Pet friendly have a pool?
Yes, this property has an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.
How much does it cost to stay at Twin Palms: Big House Close to Beach, Heated Lagoon Pool, Infant/Pet friendly?
As of 20 Aug 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Twin Palms: Big House Close to Beach, Heated Lagoon Pool, Infant/Pet friendly on 15 May 2027 start from £4,156, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Twin Palms: Big House Close to Beach, Heated Lagoon Pool, Infant/Pet friendly pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Twin Palms: Big House Close to Beach, Heated Lagoon Pool, Infant/Pet friendly?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Twin Palms: Big House Close to Beach, Heated Lagoon Pool, Infant/Pet friendly?
Check-in begins at 4:30 PM.
What time is check-out at Twin Palms: Big House Close to Beach, Heated Lagoon Pool, Infant/Pet friendly?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Twin Palms: Big House Close to Beach, Heated Lagoon Pool, Infant/Pet friendly located?
This family-friendly Holmes Beach holiday home is located by the sea, within 1 mi (2 km) of Bradenton Beach, Palmetto Avenue Beach and Island Players. Bean Point Beach and Holmes Beach Beaches are also within 2 miles (3 km).
About the host
Hosted by Mike and Kathleen
Mike and Kathleen have made this their second home for nearly two decades while they lived in London and Paris. They now split our time between the island and their home in Seattle so they can spend plenty of time with Kathleen's mom who lives nearby. We love the island sharing it's special magic.
There is a small cottage attached to the house and it's where we stay when we come to the island when the main house is occupied; it is reserved for our use and not a rental. It has a separate HVAC system and no access to the pool.
Why they chose this property
This is our home, not a typical rental. We don't have any other properties on the island, so this is our only priority. You'll deal directly with one of us and not a rental agency. We want you to enjoy your stay so much that you'll come back again year after year and become a part of our extended family.
What makes this property unique
An evening swim is often the cap of a great day, and sometimes after returning from walking the beach at sunset, there is nothing more perfect. Try floating up just under the waterfall of the new pool, beverage in hand, and lean back looking up at the night sky. The moon drifting over tall palms while warm water cascades over your shoulders from the rock waterfall will float you away from it all.
I'm a lifelong reader and lover of cookbooks. You'll find all kinds of interesting things on our shelves. Please feel to read whatever you want, just leave them with the house.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests