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
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5 Minute Short Walk To Beach, Shops and Restaurants - Single Level Home
Holmes Beach
5 Minute Short Walk To Beach, Shops and Restaurants - Single Level Home
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
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
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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 Registration Number VRC20-000330
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 7 Apr, 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 25 Apr, 2026 start from S$590, 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 a 15-minute walk of Bradenton Beach and Palmetto Avenue Beach. Bean Point Beach and Holmes Beach Beaches are also within 2 miles (3 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We love love loved this stay!
The house was perfect for our extended family and location was ideal to get to all the attractions and the beach.
The hosts were super responsive and very helpful. Would absolutely come back to this location!
We had a wonderful week at this property. Exceptionally well stocked, comfortable, and in a great location. The owners were easy to communicate with. Everything was as described. Will definitely stay here again. Thanks Mike and Kathleen for a great week!!
Elina P.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Jan, 2023
Thank you, Elina, for being an exceptional guests and taking such great care of our home. You are always welcome back. :)
Verified
8/10 Good
Laurie B.
25 Mar, 2019
The property was nice. It adequately accomodated our group of 9. We enjoyed the pool very much.
Loved the well appointed kitchen! The dinningroom was cramped for our party of 9. Wish the pool deck had a bit more room.
Laurie B.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Apr, 2020
Hi Laurie,
Thanks to you and your adult children for being such nice guests. When we remodeled the kitchen in 2018, we added a large second island which made the dining room a bit smaller but added a lot more "hang out" area, which fits the way many people use the house. I'm considering taking out the hutch to make a bit more elbow room around the table.
The deck area was designed with three seating areas to let people spread out, but we'll look at adding another table and chairs on the deck so large groups can sit side by side.
This was a fantastic find! We can't say enough about the hosts Kathleen, Mike and Irene. Everything is absolutely as advertised and then some. We are a family of 4 and stayed with another family of 4 with kids ranging in age from 3 to 9. The hosts provided everything we could have needed. The bedrooms are perfect, the proximity to the beach is great and they have all the amenities to take to the beach. The pool was gorgeous and the kids loved it!! The outdoor space is perfect. We spent all of our time at the beach or around the pool. It was fantastic having a grill we could cook out on also!! It made me sick to my stomach to have to leave this wonderful place. We made so many great memories and can not wait to go back. THANK YOU KATHLEEN, MIKE & IRENE!
Chris R.
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Apr, 2020
Thank you so much for the lovely review! We are so glad that you had a wonderful time and we are looking forward to having you come back now that you're part of the Twin Palms family!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Kaitlin F.
3 Feb, 2016
A real gem in great location!
Can't recommend this house enough. As another reviewer said, it has a great "feel" about it. The location is terrific as it is very close to the beach and on the trolley line yet still in a quiet neighborhood. The pool was amazing and warm! The layout of the house is such that you can have a large group of people but you're not on top of each other, even around the pool. We were sharing the house with my sister and her family and we each had one side of the house so it felt private. We appreciated the well stocked kitchen, the linen closet packed with dozens of towels and the comfortable beds. The amenties for children was so very helpful, including the full-size high chair, the toddler cot and the box of toys! Kathleen and Mike have created a beautiful yet relaxed home, and she was very quick to respond to any request. Irene even brought over some fresh herbs from her yard. We have rented other homes on Anna Maria Island and this was by far our best experience and we will definitely be back!
Kaitlin F.
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Apr, 2020
Thank you so much for the lovely review, and we look forward to your return visit this summer -- with th new baby!
We loved our stay in this fantastic home, which was perfect for our family of 6 (three adult couples) and also big enough to have some local friends come for the day as well. The lovely and super responsive owners Mike & Kat have thought of everything you could need in the kitchen, for the beach and by the pool. They also provide so much helpful info about the house and the area that it was easy to figure out how things worked and what to do in town. There were also so many helpful features in the house that we loved such as keyless entry, automated lights and pool heating, several streaming channels on the TV, comfy couches with cool reclining features and also many homey touches such as books, games and a well stocked entertainment center. The three main bedrooms with king beds were all large and comfortable so that no one felt they got the short stick in choosing a room. And you can really tell that Kat is a food writer when you step in the kitchen, they really have everything you could need - good pots and pans, sharp knives, instant pot and air fryer, lots of serving ware for a nice dinner in. I could go on, but it was such a breeze feeding our crew when we didn't feel like going out. We loved our stay and hope we can make a return visit soon, can't say enough good things about the house and hosts.
This home is ideal for two families to share. The layout provides for separation of kids & adults or for a family on either side. There are so many good things to say about this property… the owners have thought of literally everything! There are plenty of items like beach towels, sand chairs, books, etc! The house has a decidedly old Florida vibe, which we loved. You can absolutely feel the family history and love from all of the photos and keepsakes throughout the home. If you want to prepare food at home, this property is ideal. Unlike most of even the nicest vacation rentals, this home had all of the small appliances, utensils, pots, and pans you could possibly need! There are also air purifiers throughout. We were a party of 7 and never once ran out of hot water. When we arrived, there was a welcome bowl full of snacks, a bottle of wine and fresh flowers. Most importantly, we had a minor issue to which Kathleen & Mike responded very quickly! We have stayed in many homes on the island and have never had hosts so thoughtful!
Our extended family loved this cute little cottage! The secluded pool was wonderful. The kitchen had everything we could ever need for making meals. The guys especially loved the seating in the living room--perfect for watching movies when it was raining outside. The walk to the beach was a couple blocks, but an easy one.
The owners have equipped this house with everything we needed for an infant and toddler and also the adults. The house was very clean and had so many extras (some from the owners and some from prior visitors). The kitchen alone is set up to make a full family dinner, including making a birthday cake for my grandson who turned 1 while on our trip. The house is extremely organized with labels on everything. We appreciated this so we could find things much easier and put things away in the right spot. The pool is small but perfect for us. We had sun in the pool in the morning and shaded in the afternoon which we appreciated for various reasons. Communication with the owner was superior. They responded very quickly to questions and requests. We would absolutely stay here again.
Seven ladies shared this large home in a quiet residential area of Anna Maria Island. We had plenty of room to spread out and not get in each other's way.
Photos and property descriptions, provided by the owner, are accurate. In addition, the owner is very responsive, answering questions quickly and in detail.
We especially enjoyed the lovely private pool and a 5-10 minute walk to the beach.
We are already planning our next trip to AMI and wouldn't hesitate to book “Twin Palms” again.
The WI Winettes
The house was great and cir our group of 8 perfectly, but the host is the real reason to stay here. She thought of everything, including all the essentials you don’t want to have to bring along. I love to cook, so took full advantage of her stocked kitchen. We would stay again and recommend this house wholeheartedly.
Alex R.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 May, 2022
Thank you so much, Alex. We so appreciate the care you took of our home and would welcome you anytime
I will definitely be a repeat customer. The property had everything we needed and then some. They thought of everything to make their house your home for your stay. It was all beautiful, clean, tropical, convenient and comfortable. Not only was the house perfect for our family but the location was perfect for our family. We rented a golf cart for our vacation and I believe that was a game changer but with or without that, you will enjoy your vacation at their home.
We had a great week at the beach with two infants and a 2yr old. There was enough space for our two families to spread out and have our own areas. Kathleen had everything you could need for kids which was wonderful. The pool was kept warm for when the breeze was a little cool to be swimming. Easy walk to the beach and plenty of beach toys/chairs to take along. We cooked several meals and had plenty of dishes and cookware. Both Kathleen and Mike were great at responding to our questions and made our stay very enjoyable.
Natalie M.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 18 May, 2022
Natalie,
Thank you so much for your lovely review. Your group was an absolute pleasure to host. We know how much work it is to travel with little ones, so we try to supply whatever we can to make the trip that much easier. We are so glad you appreciated these details. We would love to host you again anytime.
This experience was excellent. The house is well situated by the beach.
This house is very comfortable for a large family and/or friends vacation. The house is just like the pictures. The house has everything you need for comfort and relaxation. I totally recommend this location. In fact, I would like to go back maybe next year. We had a great time!!
Victor L.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 23 May, 2022
Victor,
Let me again say what a pleasure it was to host you and your family. We so appreciate the care you took of our home. We would be delighted to host you again!
We had an amazing time at this house. They have lots of amenities and extras just waiting for you! We were thrilled to be able to bring our dog with us as well! They had an amazing packet of information for us, tons of ideas for what to do, where to eat, shop, and extra special ideas for our dog! Very nice. We really enjoyed ourselves.
Leana P.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Håvard M.
6 Aug, 2018
Super vacation for 2 families
Hi, We were to families, 4 adults and 5 kids, living in the house for one week. The house was perfect. We loved the pool and the short trip to the beach. We had a fantastic stay there, and would recommend it to our friends, and family.
Håvard M.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Apr, 2020
Thank you for the lovely review, Håvard. We are so glad that you enjoyed our home. You were the perfect guests, and we hope that you will visit again soon!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
GINGER F.
7 Jul, 2018
Perfect getaway!
We had a wonderful time at Twin Palms..perfect size for our family trip. Loved how quiet and private it was. The owners were very available to troubleshoot our internet/cable problems, which was fixed quickly and then unfixed by our 7 year old unplugging the modem! Kathleen & Mike stayed on it till it was all figured out. The house was clean, beautiful kitchen, cozy bedrooms and was very well stocked with all necessities to get started. We enjoyed the pool and the walk to the beach was not bad. The area is so beautiful!! Just wish we could have stayed longer! Loved all the area information supplied by the owners, we used a lot of their tips.
GINGER F.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Matthew U.
7 Jul, 2018
Will recommend to friends and family, would definitely stay here again.
Walk to beach was a little farther than anticipated but not horrible, pool was private and cozy, house was very clean, up to date and very spacious. Owners are very informative about all amenities and the island. Would definitely stay here again and will be referring to friends and family. Overall we had an amazing trip.
Matthew U.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
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