Anna Maria choices - help!
 

We have a timeshare in Longboat Key for a week but are coming in 3 days earlier and need a place on Anna Maria Island or nearby. We are 2 adults looking for quiet rest -no kids - on the beach or a few "real" steps to the beach - not blocks. We need a decent pool and would love a gulf view. We are considering these: Bungalow Beach (heard lots of good but we'd have to take one of the rear units and the area and pool looks small).

Queen's Gate......Sea Side Inn.....Casa Marina......AM Beach Cottages.......Cedar Cove....White Sands.

Any opinions on any of these placed would help narrow our decision. We are going in early November. Thanks!

Dorgal

I have a home on Longboat and wondered "isn't White sands on Longboat?"

This is only recollection as I am NOT on LBK at the present time but I think Queens Gate, Sea Side Inn, Casa Marina are across from the beach. The Cedar Cove and some of AM Beach Cottages are on the beach side. You might check this on their sites.

Opinion - if it's White Sands on the gulf side on Longboat - that would take my vote anytime - very nicely done and managed by michael Saunders Co. More high end.

Try doing a search on each name on Google you'll probably be able to see the beach and units.

Enjoy and it probably won't be your last time there!

I guess I should eat crow! There is a White Sands also on Anna Maria.

Queens Gate is on Bradenton Beach which is not quite as nice as the rest of AMI. On each site Cedar Cove looks very nice and newer. Anna Maria Beach Cottages is popular and looks good. Casa Maria and Sea Side look older. And to end with White Sands it does look quite nice.

What time share are you staying at on LBK?

Staying at Four Winds on LBK - never been before - we swapped it. Is it a big deal to stay right ON AMI or not? Some of the places on Braedenton seem pretty close on the map and couldn't we just drive into AMI to look around - shop- eat whatever? Or is it a traffic nightmare (like here on Cape Cod it can take 1/2 hour to go 2 miles!). Some places SAY the yare on AMI but actually in Braedenton.

Hi again

Actually the whole island is AMI and the southern part around Cortez Road is where Bradenton Beach is. In that lower section (below Cortez) there are a number of less expensive motels where more young people tend to rent. The northern portion of the island is Holmes beach and where the nicer condos are.

There are times, in season, that it's very much like Cape Cod. But, fortunately, in November there should not be any traffic jams. You could possibly get a bit more rain tho.

The beach at LBK and AMI will make you want to come back again and again. It is truly like white talcum powder and is not hot to walk on even in summer months.

Enjoy. If you have any other questions write back.

There's a big difference between Bradenton and Bradenton Beach. Don't stay in Bradenton - there's nothing charming about it. Stay on Anna Maria Island - remember, there are 3 cities on Anna Maria Island -- Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. If you have any question as to whether your lodging is on the island or not, just mapquest it and see.

The traffic to the island can be pretty ferocious, which is another reason why you want to be on the island.

There's a city of Bradenton that you'll drive through before you cross the bridge onto Anna Maria Island. This is separate and different than Bradenton Beach. You can get to AMI via Manatee Ave or Cortez Road.

Harrintton House on Anna Maria is a lovely place to stay..on the beach..they do have a web page. harringtonhouse.com

There are also hotels/motels/resorts on Longboat Key that would likely be available for 3 days in early November. Sea Horse Beach Resort 3453 Gulf of Mexico Dr., 941-383-2417 might be a choice -- I've never stayed there, but have driven by and always thought it would be a nice place to stay. When checking addresses -- Gulf of Mexico Drive is on Longboat Key - numbers are higher going north. Gulf Drive on Anna Maria Island is the same. Queen's Gate is a renovated older motel, across the street from the beach; Cedar Cove is on the beach - has older renovated building, plus new building; White Sands has been there many years, likely also renovated; I'll have to check the address for Sea Side Inn -- I can't remember where it is. Mapquest can give you a really good idea where they're all located.

Just checked -- if Seaside Inn is Tropic Isle, it is located on a curve, across the street from the beach.

I would only recommend Bungalow Beach if you can get a beachfront unit. You are right, the pool is very small and the rear units get too much road noise. We had one and got upgraded when a beachfront unit became available. Otherwise our stay there was very enjoyable.

Dorgal -- so where did you end up staying and how was it?