Hello --

We want to visit Siesta Key and its wonderful beaches. Despite tons of research -- I still don't have a "feel" for the place. Specifically: what is the best part of the beachfront to be on -- Midnight Road, or South of Stickney Point bridge? I don't really like the Turtle Beach area -- we want that powdery sugar white sand, and lots of it! We would prefer to have gulf front accomodations with direct beach access, too - no crossing roads, if possible.

Finally -- what's a good vacation rental company in the area? I'm sort of surprised at how few there seem to be on the internet .
thanks!

Beach Rd from Ocean Blvd to Midnight Pass Rd accomodations would fit the bill the best, but Midnight Pass Rd from the Beach Rd. junction to Stickney Point Rd is also fine. Anything that's south of that (except the first couple of blocks) is mostly private residences till you get to Turtle Beach. The closer you are to Ocean Blvd on Beach Rd, the better IMHO. You would not have to drive to get to the village (shops, restaurants, nightclubs, etc.).

To find different accomodations try this: www.siestakeychamber.com

Once you find a place(s) that interest you, and you want to know little more, post here. I live on the island, so I will try to help you with any information I can..

Welcome to our little paradise!

AAFrequent Flyer -- I was hoping you would respond!

I've been to the Siesta Chamber Web site, and found a rental agency-- 4siesta.com -- but would you believe all of their rentals were booked through June and most of July?? We're running into that alot on the places we've found online -- even on vrbbo! Frustrating!

Appreciate your suggestions about the best parts of the beach. Some places state they are "beach front" when they are really canal front --

Would it be possible for me to email you if I had some more questions about specific locations?

thanks -- keep the suggestions coming!

Let's get some more info. Are you a family? or just a couple? What kind of accomodations are you looking for? Luxury? Moderate? Beach Shack ?
Condo? Hotel? House? Does it have to have a pool?
What's your daily budget for accomodations?
And finally some dates, at least a range of what's acceptable.
Post here and I will try to narrow it down for you.

And if you still need some more help after, just post your e-mail and I will reply.

You will LOVE Siesta Key! I have stayed many places there, and especially like the apartments owned by Paige Hartmann--believe her website is SiestaKeySuites.com. You will find them at the north end of the island, across the street from the beach. Beautiful sand and water, and her places have access to private pools. They are simply furnished, but immaculate and colorful (pink and turquoise). Her ex also does rentals--avoid them. Take a trip to Longboat Key for shopping, and eat at Shells on the mainland for pasta and seafood--affordably priced. Enjoy--I'm jealous!

Thanks for all of the responses --

AA -- we are a family -- we wanted to go during during either of the last 2 weeks in June (made an abrupt change in plans due to some unforeseen circumstances). Or the second week in July (after the 4th). We need a 2brm that will sleep at least 4 -- possibly 6 (still deciding that!).
Would prefer something updated and clean -- and a view would be great, too! Want to be on or near the "good" part of the beach.

Wouldn't mind walking a block or so to the beach if the accomodations were "nice." Prefer to stay in the $1000.00 per week range (could go up a *little* -- )

thanks for any suggestions!

This is just for starters, see if any of these fit your needs. I will also try to write down some phone numbers this weekend as I drive down Beach Road. There are many beach houses for short term rental which don't advertise, but are definitely available. Anyway all 3 of these condos are on Crescent Beach, which is located around Midnight Pass Rd and Stickney Point Rd., at the South Bridge. Another thing to remember is that all our beaches are public, so you could walk as far as you want up and down the beach. This location is about a mile and a 1/2 from the village, but it does have it's own commercial strip on the bay side. There is a supermarket, few restaurants, a nighclub, few "local" bars and few gift shops. It's a nice location, although a visit to the village will require a car unless you like to take long walks on the beach.

The first one is "little" more, but it's a beauty:

http://www.floridavacations.com/fv/16134.html

the next 2 are also spacious, but not as "grand", and somewhat more affordable:

http://www.floridavacations.com/fv/3806.html

and

http://www.floridavacations.com/fv/13500.html

You could also look for youself here at other properties, just remember the catch phrases:

Gulf front is not exactly beach front, it could be across a street, as Beach/Midnight Pass Rds run right along the beach with properties on both sides.
Water front could also mean Canal front, meaning a house/condo alongside the many canals we have running through the island.
Basically, read the descriptions very carefully

http://www.floridavacations.com/fv/Siesta-Key-Florida.html

I will come back in couple of days with some phone numbers and descriptions of other properties.

Try Sarasota Surf and Raquet Club - we've stayed there many times over the years - not sure of availability at this late date, though. It's in the area you prefer.

I apologize, but I was little busy over the weekend, so I didn't really have a chance to look around. I found this property just down the street from where I live and it seems like it may be a good option. It is across the street from the beach, but it's also within walking distance to the village.

Here is their website, which also has a short movie, so you could see what the inside of the property looks like.

http://www.siestasunset.com/index.html

I will try to find few more places. Let me know if any of this is helpful, or are you looking for something different.

No apologies necessary, AA! You've been MOST helpful!

And this place looks terrific! Keeping fingers crossed that they have availablity!!!

thanks!

eltrain,

Just curious, but did they have any availibility?

AA, Do you know anything about the Palm Bay Club? We have a reservation there in 2 weeks. Can't find anybody who has stayed there.

I never stayed/visited the plac, but I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Are you staying on the bayside or the beachside? The island is only about 1/2 mile wide at that point, so it's no big deal. The plavce does look very nice, although the highrise on the beach side might not have the Florida feel t it. A visit to the village will require a car, but it's a little over a mile away. If you are driving in, take the Clark Rd. exit off I-75, go east, over the bridge, turn right at the next light and the property is up about 1 mile.

Enjoy your stay!

See you at the Speakeasy

I'm sorry, I meant GO WEST ON CLARK RD>

We are staying in a Gulf front condo in the Grande Tower on the beach. We will have 2 teenage girls with us. I hope it is close enough to things for the girls to go off on their own. Do you know if it is on a nice part of the beach. You said is wasn't very wide at that point, so I was just wondering. Thanks!

I did say that the island is not very wide at that point. It's about 1/2 mile wide at best, but the beach is wonderful, and as I said before, all our beaches are public, so you could walk for miles up and down. The public beach area (it's public because of the huge parking, a pavillion, toilets, etc..) is located about 1/2 mile north. So, the girls could stay on the beach in front of PBC or walk up there. There are volleyball courts, tennis courts, and boys galore (not sure how old the girls are). The village is another 3/4 miles north of the public beach. The usual tourist shops, restaurants, great ice cream shops, nightclubs, supermarket, drugstore, etc. The village stretches for about 3-4 city blocks.

Going south from PBC, you are about 3/4 mile away from another little commercial area. Not as varied or as nice as the village, but again, it does have a little bit of evrything. There is also a marina where it's possible to rent boats, jetskis and arrange parasailing, fishing expeditions or just nice captained cruises.

I don't know if the PBC provides bicycles, but if they don't there are 2 rental places, one in the village and one at the other commercial strip. They also rent scooters. Depending on the age of the girls, this could be a good option to set them free. The island has great bicycle lanes, so it's very safe.

Depending on how much you want to cook for yourselves, it may be worth a drive over the bridge to the mainland and visit Publix. There are stores on the other side of both bridges. The island supermarkets are ok, but they tend to be on the expensive side. I'm not trying to scare you, because it's not that bad, but if you plan on doing some major cooking it may be worth your while to do Publix once for all the major purchases and use the island supermarkets as a last minute emergency.

Have a wonderful stay!

AA, Thanks so much for all of your great information! The girls are 15 & 16 so boys are definately of an interest to them. We will need to stop at a grocery store to stock up on things so thanks for the info on the Publix. It sounds like there will be plenty of things to keep them busy. We are going to go to Busch Gardens one day also. Again, thanks for all of your great information! Can't wait to see your lovely beach!!

AA --

He did NOT have availability ---

We had to move our dates up because I *may* be startng another job the first week of July. And it seems every facility that meets our requirements is booked up for June.

Rats!

thanks for your help, though! Know of any other olaces (and if you don't, that's OK -- you've been terrific)

We have just come back from siesta Key, our 3rd visit & this time we stayed at the Gulf & Bay club, we went through a private rental company & were in a lovely condo on the bay side. But the ones on the bay side would be better if you want to be on the beach & you can email the club direct from their website. Previuosly we have stayed at Midnight cove 1 & really enjoyed those condos, but always on the bay side , as it is cheaper & only a five minute stroll to the beach . Midnight cove is on the right just over Stickneys bridge & gulf & Bay about a half mile or so further on. you will love sieta key.

We have a group of 20 coming to Florida at Christmas and are having trouble deciding where to stay. We are looking at The Palm Bay Club, Sarasota Surf and Racquet Club, Siesta Dunes, Siesta Sands (on Point of Rocks Road), Midnight Cove I, and Crescent Royale. Does anyone have any experience with any of these resorts? We would like a nice beach and a nice pool and would like to keep the cost under $1500/week for a 2 bedroom unit. Thanks for any information.