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Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops

Family-friendly holiday home with water park and outdoor pool

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Pool
Exterior
Exterior
Living area
Interior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
6 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 123700 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View in a map
Holmes Beach, FL
  • Place, Bradenton Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Holmes Beach Beaches
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Manatee Public Beach
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Sarasota, FL (SRQ-Sarasota-Bradenton Intl.)
    ‪29 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

King Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

King Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

King Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

King Bedroom 4

1 King Bed

Twin Bedroom 1

2 Single Beds

Twin Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops

Welcome to the Blue Grotto — Your 3,700 sq ft Island Playground!

Recently renovated with all-new kitchens and more!
Kick back, spread out, and settle into our spacious 3700 sq ft beach house featuring:
• 6 bedrooms
• 4 bathrooms
• 2 full kitchens
• 2 living rooms
• 2 bar areas
• Tons of space for both Team Early Riser and Team Sleep-In to vacation in harmony

Only 6 houses from the beach and steps from your large private pool*—you’ll be planning next year’s trip before this one ends.

The House
• Two full living areas — perfect for big families or groups needing extra hangout zones
• Two fully equipped kitchens
• Outdoor TV for poolside game days
• Shuffleboard table for bragging rights
• 4 king bedrooms + 2 twin bedrooms, each with its own TV
• Large private pool (heating optional*)

Beach & Essentials Provided
We supply:
• Beach towels, chairs, wagon, cooler
• Bath towels, sheets & blankets
• A starter set of basics: soaps, trash bags, etc.
• Kitchens stocked with dishes, utensils, gadgets & more

The Famous “Golden Triangle” — AKA Everything-Is-Right-Here Zone
You're surrounded by all the island favorites. Walk, bike, or hop on a golf cart to reach:
• 5-minute walk → AMI Beach Café (Dad’s all-you-can-eat pancakes!)
• 2-minute golf cart ride → Freckled Fin Irish Pub for a cold beer
• 5 minutes → Two Scoops Ice Cream (dangerously delicious)
• 2 minutes → The Doctor’s Office for next-level cocktails
• 2 minutes → The Ugly Grouper… and safely back home again
• 4 minutes → Fresh seafood at Captain Anthony’s + groceries at Publix
• End of the block → Free Island Trolley to Coquina Beach & AMI City Pier
• Ginny’s & Jane E’s → Cinnamon rolls the size of your head
• The Sand Bar → Sunset + piña colada w/ dark rum floater (mandatory)
• Historic Bridge Street → Souvenirs, live music & island shopping
• Tide Tables → Legendary fried grouper
• Starfish → Fried shrimp some call “life-changing”

Island Days Done Right
• Watch the game on the outdoor TV while the kids splash in the pool
• Wander to the sugar-white sand beach in seconds
• Swap ocean sightings: Manatee? Sea turtle? Mermaid?
• Challenge the crew to a shuffleboard showdown
• Wind down with a 1-minute stroll to a jaw-dropping sunset
• Sleep soundly in plush king and twin bedrooms

Experience Vintage AMI
Anna Maria Island is a 7-mile stretch of pure old-Florida charm—flip-flops required, speed limit max 35 mph, relaxation guaranteed.
See y’all soon at the Blue Grotto!

*Pool heat available for an additional charge

Ask about off-season stays shorter than a week
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
This policy is strictly enforced
No parking on the shell yard
Please provide a photo ID within 48 hour of booking.
Please provide a list of all guests and their ages within 48 hours of booking.

Important information

You need to know

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
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
Property # 1974897vb

About the area

Holmes Beach

Located in Holmes Beach, this holiday home is near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Bean Point Beach and Anna Maria Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Fish Hole Adventure Golf, or check out an event or a game at LECOM Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in Holmes BeachOpens in a new window
Map
Holmes Beach, FL

What's nearby

  • Bradenton Beach - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Holmes Beach Beaches - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Island Gallery West - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Manatee Public Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • West Coast Surf Shop - 9 min walk - 0.8 km

Getting around

  • Sarasota, FL (SRQ-Sarasota-Bradenton Intl.) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Ugly Grouper - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Skinny's Place - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Hurricane Hanks - ‬5 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops located?

This family-friendly Holmes Beach holiday home is located by the sea, within a 5-minute walk of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach Beaches. Manatee Public Beach and Island Gallery West are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 86 out of 96 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 96 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 96 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 96 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 96 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was exactly as described and yet seemed to exceed expectations! The pool was amazing, the beach within easy walking distance and so many restaurants, shops, etc to explore. We could not have asked for a better vacation spot!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

ivana v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house, excellent location. We enjoyed our stay @Blue grotto
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ruth C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family trip

Blue Grotto was perfect for our family, young and old. So much room for all 10 of us.The location was great, middle of island, close to all, north or south. Short walk to beach also.The pool was awesome. We enjoyed it everyday and night.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marsha H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Updated kitchen and bathrooms made a nice difference from two years ago . Short walk to the beach with 7 children. Third time staying in the house and we will return !
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay at Anna Maria Island

Overall awesome time
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cathy T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We love Blue Grotto!

Would be hard to top this gorgeous home. Plenty of room for multiple families, beautifully decorated and stocked with everything you need. Location is perfect- A short easy walk to a peaceful area of the beach and restaurants in walking distance too. The pool area is private, with lots of seating and outdoor tv. Domenico and Kelly were wonderful and a pleasure to work with.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Clayton B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

If We Could Give It 6 Stars We Would!

Awesome location. Perfect distance from the beach, Publix, and restaurants. The house was stocked! Beach chairs, towels, cleaning supplies, and the welcome bottle of wine was a nice touch. Blue Grotto was super clean and spacious. We would stay there again next year but it’s not available for the dates we need…..
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael D., Illinois

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Location

2nd time visiting this VRBO- love, love, love the location! Owners very responsive!
Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Darla G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Stay

We had a wonderful stay! The home was clean and comfortable. We have stayed on the island many times and this was one of our favorite stays. We will definitely be back. The owners were very easy to work with as well.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Valerie F., Carmel In

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family trip

This is our second tome staying at the Blue Grotto. We had a great time and it’s a wonderful house.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rhonda M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beach Ladies Love the Blue Grotto!

Two years in a row, our group has stayed here. Perfect for our group of family and friends. Hosts are very responsive if/when needed, which is rare since the place is pretty perfect! Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melinda A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our multigenerational group of nine absolutely loved our stay at the Blue Grotto! Located on a quiet residential street, the home was walking distance to shops, restaurants, and a beautiful stretch of beach. We enjoyed walking to Minnie’s for breakfast, the beach cafe for lunch, and Hurricane Hank’s and the Feast for dinner. The kids liked seeing the parrots at the nearby shopping center and riding the trolley to get ice cream. And every evening we walked down to the beach to watch the gorgeous sunset. The house’s spacious layout provided ample room for kids and adults to spread out, and the big table in the second dining area became the dedicated puzzle station. We paid for the pool to be heated during our April stay. It probably would have been fine without, but the kids and the grandparents loved it. The pool area furnishings were comfortable and offered a relaxing space for all to enjoy. Kelly was very responsive and a wonderful host. We would return in a heartbeat!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sherry R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ton of space for our crew!

We had two families stay in the house and it was perfect for our group. Kitchens were well stocked, the outdoor space was great and so close to the beach! 2 living areas and 2 kitchens were amazing. So clean! Will definitely be coming back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic location

Great location & set-up. Outdoor area is fantastic and had all the essentials you’d need to travel to the beach. I would definitely stay again. Only complaint is some of the beds & pillows were uncomfortable, so I’d travel with mine next time.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Laurie P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Spot

Great roomy house for family of 12. The combination of beach and pool options were great. Very clean and well stocked. Owner responsive.
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

cathy s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Christmas family vacation

Roomy house and pool area, close to the beach. Responsive owner. Highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Scott R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family experience

Loved the proximity to the beach and the quiet neighborhood. The house is very roomy and 2 kitchens and living areas are definitely a bonus. The pool was very nice and was used daily. Communications with owners was exceptional.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

mary ann f.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Fun

Our family stayed at the Blue Grotto for the third year in a row. It is a wonderful rental for our family of 11. The two living rooms and comfortable six bedrooms made it a great place for us to party together or have some alone time. The pool and location to the beach is truly the BEST!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Karen C., Rochester, New York

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect size perfect location

The blue grotto was a perfect for our size group. Having two kitchens gave us plenty of space to cook and gather. We enjoyed the pool fully and the outdoor TV for a movie night was a bonus! We had a great family reunion.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house

It was a family vacation. We had 10 people and the house was great. There was plenty of room for all of us. It had everything we needed. We all loved the pool - especially the kids! The hosts were very helpful. We would recommend this house.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

David P., Mt. Pleasant, SC

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love Blue Grotto

Second visit and we had a great time! Loved the location. We were there when it was crazy hot, but had a wonderful time and got to experience everything we wanted. Plenty of space for two families (total of 11 people) and had all the needs. Tons of towels, pool toys and beach stuff!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family trip

What a wonderful place for a large group! We are grandparents who traveled with our kids and grandkids. The two kitchens came in very handy and they were well stocked. We had plenty of beach chairs and the beach was just a short walk away. The owners communicated in a timely manner. We would recommend staying at this lovely place.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best place we have ever stayed on AMI

Looking at the outside you may wonder is Blue Grotto a good place to stay? Our group of 8 could not have been happier. The house was fully equipped with all that we needed. The kitchens had all items and the house clean and immaculate. The pool is gorgeous. You will love staying here. The owners were the best!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ann P., Columbus, Ohio

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Blue Grotto was Amazing!

Loved everything about The Blue Grotto! Easy to rent and working with the Owners was easy. Loved the location, walk to the beach, shopping, restaurants, church, everywhere! The beach access was 1 block away, and the beach was BEAUTIFUL! The pool was cleaned and well maintained while we were there and the house was immaculate when we arrived. The house is very well equipped and VERY comfortable! Loved our stay and hope to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jack A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

50th Anniversary

Great location, wonderfully furnished with everything you would need for the house, the pool, and the beach. The stay was above and beyond our expectations. Prompt, easy, helpful communication with the property owners. I have nothing but praise for this house!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

About the host

Hosted by Kelly Piccininni

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Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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