Welcome to The Sandbox, a charming Anna Maria Island cottage with a unique backyard that features a saltwater pool and your own private tiki bar. This beachy retreat offers comfortable seating in the living room, complete with cable TV and WiFi. Take advantage of the fully-equipped kitchen with granite countertops or enjoy the sunset on the viewing deck just steps from Gulf Drive.
Reviews
9.89.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6970 sq ft
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air-conditioning
Add dates for prices
About this property
GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining...
**ASK ABOUT LAST-MINUTE DEALS!
This Anna Maria Island cottage offers relaxation in this charming two-bedroom, one-and-a-half baths, classic-style cottage located on a peaceful street just one house off Gulf Drive. You don't even have to cross a road to walk to the beach. What could be nicer?
*****Since the two major hurricanes that hit us last year our poor tiki hut has been through so much! Due to permitting issues, the tiki hut is no longer available at this time. We will update once the tiki hut is rebuilt and ready for use.
This property was once a concert venue called "The Sandbox" and comes complete with a unique backyard, pool, and your own private tiki, as well as a sunset viewing deck! Just steps to the beach.
The Primary bedroom has a king bed, its own TV, and a private half bath attached. The second bedroom features two twin beds and mounted TV. The full bath offers an updated walk-in tiled shower, with a washer and dryer in a separate space.
Enjoy your time in the beachy decorated living room with comfortable seating and a large, flat-screen with Cable as well as WiFi. The kitchen includes a refrigerator (with ice maker, of course), dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, new stove, and granite countertops.
Step into the backyard for a tropical oasis that includes a saltwater pool, tiki bar, and a small stage which is now the hammock landing pad! The fridge in the tiki bar keeps your beverages cold as you cool off in the pool or sit on the bar stools and listen to music through outdoor Bose speakers. Catch glimpses of the Gulf and hear the waves at night. You're just a short walk to the beach! There is a cart to carry your stuff to the beach because, after all, you're on vacation.
The Sandbox is within walking distance of a shopping center that includes a Walgreens drug store, Island Creperie, a beach shop, a dollar store, a breakfast restaurant, a German restaurant, a Subway, cupcakes and charcuterie, a hardware store, an ice cream shop, a Dunkin Doughnuts, and a Chinese carryout!
Want more variety? Take the free trolley that runs up and down the Island every 20 minutes.
Come enjoy a relaxed and wonderful vacation at "The Sandbox."
*PET OWNERS: This property is dog friendly for one dog with a maximum weight of 35 pounds and a non-refundable pet fee for the first week. There is an additional fee per week for any additional weeks booked. Also, certain breeds are excluded. It is necessary that you check with our office prior to your trip for details on weight and breed limitations.
A NOTE ABOUT POOL HEAT: If you book online, your reservation will automatically populate with a pool heat charge for one week. If your reservation is for a longer period, someone on our staff will adjust the pool heat rate to reflect the longer stay. We recommend pool heat at this property, regardless of the time of year, as pools near shady trees stay cooler, even in the summer.
Our Cancellation Policy: In order to protect our owners from loss of income, ALL MONIES PAID TOWARDS YOUR RESERVATION MAY BE NON-REFUNDABLE AFTER A CERTAIN DATE! FULL AND PARTIAL REFUNDS MAY BE GIVEN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. Ask our office for details, or check your rental agreement.
SPECIAL NOTICE TO VISITORS OF HOLMES BEACH:
1. Per City of Holmes Beach ordinances: "You are vacationing in a residential area. Please be a good neighbor by keeping the noise to a respectful level during the day and night Excessive and unreasonable noise can deprive neighbors of the peaceful enjoyment of their private property."
2. Per City of Holmes Beach ordinances, this unit cannot exceed 6 occupants. This amount includes adults and children of all ages.
3. Per City of Holmes Beach ordinances, we are required to tell you the minimum stay requirement for this property is one week. VRC#18-000044
Property amenities
Beach
Beach towels
Pool/Spa
Heated pool
Outdoor pool
Private pool
Internet
Available in the cottage: WiFi
Parking and transport
Car not required
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Day bed
Bathroom
1.5 bathrooms
Shower
Towels provided
Living spaces
Living room
Entertainment
DVD player
Flat-screen TV with cable/satellite channels
Stereo
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washer/dryer
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Note from host: Smoking is not allowed.
Services and conveniences
Concierge services
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Location highlights
In a village
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a hospital
Near an outlet shopping centre
Near the bay
Near the marina
Near the sea
Things to do
Bicycles
Boat
Golf
Heated pool
Kayak
Tennis
Water sports equipment
Basketball nearby
Birdwatching nearby
Cycling nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Parasailing nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Water tubing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Windsurfing nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: Children Allowed
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is not allowed.
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
We should mention
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located by the sea, this cottage is in Ilexhurst, a neighbourhood in Holmes Beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Bradenton Beach and Coquina Beach. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at LECOM Park or IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and ecotours nearby. Visit our Holmes Beach travel guide
Does GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining... have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.
Is GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining... pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much is parking at GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining...?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining...?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining...?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining... located?
Located in Ilexhurst, this beach cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Sound. AMI Paddleboard Adventures and West Coast Surf Shop are also within 15 minutes.
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GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining... Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Enjoyed the stay and we would certainly return! The host was very responsive and the house was nicely updated. My only recommendation would be for the pool to be heated prior to guests arriving. 5 stars overall though!
We had the best time at time. The pool was clean and warm, the location was great, easy walk to a very clean and private beach. The house is really cute, with all the amenities you could need.
Cannot say enough good about this place. Everything that you’d need for a beach vacation. Yard is amazing and was the perfect place to unwind after a long day on the beach.
Dan F.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified
8/10 Good
Marvin S.
17 Apr 2018
Florida Cute best describes the place! Things are older but the pool and tiki hut are awesome!
The cottage has everything needed for you to enjoy yourself. It’s conveniently located for dining out, very close to beach access and very walkable to most anywhere might want go. Local choices for dining abound. We would definitely rent again
Every year we do a girls trip to FL, this year did not disappoint, the location was amazing (monkey bus a huge bonus) close to shopping, very close to the beach, and on our cooler day, we lounged by the heated pool. Would absolutely recommend.
We had the best experience ever renting this property. It had everything we needed for the week. It was very close to the beach. All the food we could ever want. The house came with everything we needed. I got food to cook for a few meals at the house. Perfect perfect perfect location. I don’t want to tell too many people about it because I don’t want to lose an opportunity to get in.
We had a great time! Loved having the pool! The beach was a 3 minute walk. The landscaping gave you the feeling of lots of privacy! Inside was a very comfortable feeling! I would like to have some kind of window covering in the front entry room/ 3rd bedroom. Overall I would recommend it to my friends and definitely come back again!
kathy t.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Ann B.
15 May 2018
Wonderful!!!
The place is spotless! The house is very comfortable and the kitchen is equipped with everything you need to cook including a nice grill in the backyard. However, we never did because there are so many great restaurants on the island. The beach is a very quick walk and beautiful. The pool is perfect. The tiki bar is fabulous. We hooked our music to the speakers and felt like we were at a private resort. Jo Jo is great!! Already planning our return trip.
The Sandbox was perfect for us. Tastefully decorated and rich in character. The tiki bar around the pool included a sound system and a refrigerator. The grounds were exceptionally well maintained. It’s located in the heart of the island and the beach is just a half block away when leave by the back gate. There is a raised deck cleverly built into the rear corner that allows a limited ocean view. We would gladly rent this property again!
We loved “The Sandbox”! The house was perfect for our family of 5. The backyard is your own oasis with the greenery, pool, bbq and bar area. The extra fridge outside is a bonus so the kids weren’t going inside with wet suits for drinks. The sunset view from the upper deck was a great way to end every night. Can’t beat this location! This place is a short walk to the beach, stores and short drive to either end of the island. We look forward to another family trip to “The Sandbox”
Rachel A.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Scott L.
1 Jan 2018
Everything we were looking for. Stay here, you will enjoy it
We stayed at this rental for 10 days over the Christmas Holiday. The rental is decorated very nicely, the home is clean and comfortable. We stayed here with our three kids and small dog and it had everything we needed. The outdoor area around the pool was very nice and landscaped and was very private and tropical. The kids loved the heated pool and the adults enjoyed lounging around in the comfortable chairs and cozy hammock. When you have had your fill of the home and pool area. Take a real short walk to the beautiful beach. I highly recommend anyone to stay here you won't be disapponted. Best review I can say about the rental is we would definately stay here again!!
Scott L.
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2017
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jennifer D.
12 Jan 2019
Beachy Perfection!
This little gem was the perfect home away from home for our family of 6 with kids ages ranged from 23 to 10. Plenty of comfy beds, ample linens, beach towels etc so we were never without. The backyard is truly an oasis. We opted for the pool heat and were happy we did. We used every inch of the back yard, music played daily, walked to the beach to play bocce and football, and just relaxed in the sun. It’s in the perfect location too - easy access to the trolley and shops. You can’t go wrong with this house and we would absolutely rent it again on our next trip to AMI!
This was our 14th spring break on AMI. The Sandbox is by far our favorite rental of all! It is a great location; and while you are not right on the beach, you have a beautiful view from the quaint "crows nest"; as well as only a one minute walk to the gorgeous beach. You will LOVE the backyard! It is a paradise oasis; we spent a majority of our time out there. It was amazing. The interior is very tasteful and beachy. The furniture is comfortable and the kitchen is nicely equipped. The home was very clean and the rental management team was most helpful (especially since we were there just prior to the COVID19 shut downs). We already re-booked for next year!
This property is adorable! The kitchen is large, the decor is cute, the ac works well, short walk to a beach access without having to cross a main road, and the pool with tiki bar is a neat addition. The way the pool maintenance people have the pool vacuum constantly attached does render a good portion of the pool basically unusable so be aware if you have kids as this could be an issue. My main suggestions would be to have a deep clean done, the cookware definitely needs replacing, and the windows need upgrading as some don’t have locks or close without gaps. We did have a roach crawl across us in bed one morning but since we also live in a humid, subtropical beach town we know that can happen even with the best pest control. Overall, we were very happy with our stay and would definitely return.
Annmarie C.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Angie H.
22 Nov 2018
Private Little Oasis Steps From the Beach
We stayed here for 4 nights after 3 days at Universal. We needed some down time at the beach. We chose this cottage over a condo right on the ocean because we didn't want to share a pool with anyone else. It was nice heading out to the beach in the morning or evenings, then coming back, showering off right by the pool, then jumping in for a nice leisurely swim with our kiddos. There is a fence in the back that you can exit through to walk to the beach and it takes all of 60 seconds to get to the beautiful sandy shores. There's even a deck by the pool with a view of the ocean if you enjoy sipping coffee or reading with the ocean in sight. This area was quiet and quaint. We loved it. Very close to mom and pop beach restaurants and Publix for groceries. I would love to go back. No problems inside either. Kitchen was well appointed with supplies. Even several rooms for tv watching when you feel like heading in for the night. They left us enough detergent for 4 loads of laundry and plenty of toilet paper. A great time was had by all!!!!
Me and my family of six stayed at this place it was very nice clean way more than what we expected plenty of space clean the pool was nice short walk to the beach very enjoyable time at this place it will be an every year event for me and my family it’s a must to do at this place
This property is exactly as advertised and is very well maintained. It is a great location and the backyard is amazing! The pool area is a relaxing oasis. I can’t say enough about this property 😊 It has everything you need for a fantastic vacation!
This house was everything we could have possibly wanted in a true vintage Florida beach cottage. Everything on the interior was updated and decorated beautifully. The kitchen was very well equipped. What really makes this house special is the outdoor space which was our own tropical oasis for the week. Even with red tide, it was a lifesaver having the pool out back. Loved the tiki bar and stereo system but my favorite was the hammock. We felt secluded even though we had neighbors. The house is super convenient to the beach and walking distance to great stores and restaraunts. The only negative would be when the landscapers stopped by. We were enjoying the pool and the outdoor space and a young man began to spray pesticide all around us. We had to ask him to stop. Very disheartening to see so much spraying being done on the island which poisons the insects (which feed the beautiful birds) and the waterways. Not environmentally friendly but I digress. The Sandbox was perfection and would love to stay here again. Finding a better cottage would be hard to do!
We loved this place so much. The house was beautiful, comfortable and convenient with beach and amenities nearby. The backyard oasis is the best: beautifully landscaped and private. The kids loved it!