Anna Maria Island FAQs

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Restaurants & Shopping
About the Properties
About My Reservation & Payments
About My Reservation & Payments
Pets

Q. What is the beach like?
A. There is a 7 mile stretch of white sands to explore running the whole length of the Island.

Q. Is there a supermarket on the island?
A. There is a fully stocked Publix grocery store on the island where you can buy from a great selection of fresh fruits, salads, fish & steaks.

Q. We have a large family with a number of children and beach toys can we park at the beach?
A. Yes, there is parking available at several of the public beach locations.

Q. Is there a bus service on the island?
A. Yes, there is a free trolley service with stops close to all of our properties. Running almost the entire length of the island, there is also a MCAT bus service that runs to the nearby mainland town of Bradenton.

Q. How do we get onto the island?
A. There are two bridges that connect the island to the mainland of Bradenton – Cortez Bridge and Manatee Bridge. There is also a bridge to the next island south of Anna Maria Island.

Q. Are Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island?
A. The island (although small) is split into 3 different cities. The south end of the island is a nature reserve known as Bradenton Beach, the center to the northern end of the island is Holmes Beach and the north end of the island is called the City of Anna Maria. The whole island is Anna Maria Island.

Q. Where is the nearest airport?
A. Sarasota is just 40 minutes, Tampa is 75 minutes drive & Orlando is just over 2hrs.

Q. How far is Disney World ?
A. Disney is approximately a 2 hour drive.

Q. Where is the nearest large shopping mall?
A. Ellenton Premium Outlets

Q. Is Anna Maria Island part of the Keys?
A. Anna Maria Island is not part of the keys that lie south of Miami. It is part of the West Coast Keys that run down the coast of central western Florida. It lies just south of Tampa Bay.

Q. Would you suggest renting a car?
A. Yes if you want to go sightseeing but if you just want to stay on the island you can get around by taxi, bus, the local island trolley service, or the Monkey Bus.

Q. Where is the nearest medical facility?
A. Blake Hospital in Bradenton – approx 10 minute drive. There is a nearby walk-in clinic for less serious ailments and an island dentist.

RESTAURANTS AND SHOPPING

Q. Are there shops and restaurants on the island?
A. Yes there is an excellent range of shops, restaurants, cafes and bistros. Individual small shops including beach and island wear for all ages, silversmiths, galleries and gifts. Restaurants range from coffee shops and ice cream parlors, to restaurants for all the family and superb dining establishments.

Q. Are children welcome in all the restaurants?
A. We have many great restaurants where all the family gets a friendly welcome. Anna Maria Island has a relaxed lifestyle and friendly atmosphere.

Q. Occasionally we want to eat out without the kids or celebrate a special occasion.
A. The area is known for its great mix of elegant yet casual fine dining establishments. Try the internationally famous Beach Bistro, The Waterfront on Anna Maria or Euphemia Haye on Longboat for fine dining. For great pizza try The Feast and for a wonderful sunset try The Beachhouse.

ABOUT THE PROPERTIES

Q. How far are the homes from the beach?
A. Almost all of our homes are within a five minute stroll from the beach. Find direct beachfront vacation rentals here.

Q. Are there chairs/umbrellas for us to take to the beach?
A. We provide furniture for the homes only. We have a great rental company that we work with who will deliver all beach items to your home and have them waiting for you upon your arrival. You can contact them at www.funandmorerentals.com

Q. What time is arrival and departure?

A. Check in is anytime after 4pm check out is on or before 10am.

Q. Can we check out late?
A. Late checkouts are not permitted, as we need to get the properties ready for the next guests.

Q. Can we arrive early?
A. Early check ins are not permitted as we need to get the properties thoroughly ready for new arrivals.

Q. We are arriving late, is it a problem?
A. No you will have your unique electronic door code, or keys will be waiting for you in the secure lockbox at the house so you can just let yourselves in.

Q. Do you provide linens for the beds and towels?
A. Yes, the beds are made up with fresh linens and there is a pile of newly laundered towels in each of the bathrooms.

Q. Do you provide beach towels?
A. Beach towels are guaranteed at a property if the home participates in the Pro Linen program.

Q. Do we have to clean the house before we leave?
A. We ask that you leave the house in a good state when you leave.

Q. Where can we rent a high chair or baby equipment?
A. You can contact our Preferred Partners, AMI Concierge to secure these for your stay.

Q. How big is the swimming pool?
A. Our individual pools are medium sized (they average 30 feet).

Q. If the house has a dock can you fish/swim off it?
A. Yes

Q. Do you have Internet access at the properties?
A. Yes, all of our properties offer WiFi as a courtesy to our guests.

Q. Are the kitchens fully equipped?
A. Yes the kitchens have all of the modern equipment – microwave, refrigerator, small electrical appliances plus a full range of pots, pans, dishes etc. Most properties have a dishwasher, please call the reservations team to confirm if a property provides a dishwasher. If you have any specialist cooking equipment that you require, then bring it with you.

Q. What is stocked in the kitchen and throughout the home?
A. All of our homes have fully equipped kitchens including cooking pans, dishes, and small appliances. AMV provides a basic “starter package” for each property consisting of one (1) roll of paper towels, two (2) rolls of toilet paper per bathroom, trash bag/liner in all trash cans, one (1) small soap in each bathroom, one (1) small bottle of dish soap, and two (2) dishwasher pods if dishwasher is provided. Due to comments from past guests regarding the possibility of tampering, we err on the side of caution and do not provide any consumables (spices, salt and pepper, etc.), personal care items, food storage products (foil, plastic wrap), or cleaning supplies. If you wish to purchase other items during your stay, there is a Publix, two drug stores and a dollar store on the island.

Q. Do you have laundry facilities?
A. Most properties have their own washer and dryers.

Q. Do you have a barbecue grill at the property?
A. Most properties have a grill provided, please call the reservations team to confirm if a property provides a grill.

Q. Can I bring a pet?
A. We have found in the past our pet owners to be very responsible, so occasionally some of our properties do allow pets for an additional non-refundable pet fee. While there is a strict weight limit—some select homes will allow larger dogs, no cats allowed. If you are interested in bringing a dog, please call or email our reservations team directly to discuss the details and additional fees. For more information please view our Pet Policy online.

There is also a local pet resort that will host your cat or dog, for more information on the Bayside Pet Resort, please call 941-351-0730.

Q. When are the pools heated?
A. While the pattern of the weather plays a major role, the pool heat is turned on for the winter months-November through April.

Q. What is the difference between a hot tub and a spa?
A. Besides the exception of the wood construction, the only other true difference between a hot tub and a spa is the location where the water enters the tub from. While in a spa, the hot water comes from jets that are located in the floor and seats of the tub, in a hot tub the water enters the tub from jets located under and around the seats.

Q. Can I have my mail forwarded to the property that I am staying at?
A. To get your mail forwarded to you, we suggest renting a P.O. Box for the duration of your stay as not all homes provide mail boxes.

Q. Can I ship a package to the property I am staying at?
A. We ask that do not ship to the property directly. Anna Maria Vacations is not responsible for holding or receiving any packages delivered directly to the address.

ABOUT MY RESERVATION AND PAYMENTS

Q. After the initial payment is deducted from my credit card, can I pay the remainder of my bill by check?
A. Yes you can. You can mail your check to our office at PO Box 1726, Bradenton, FL 34206. There is an additional charge of $45 for every returned check.

Q. What is the Return Guests Discount and how do I get it?

A. If you have booked with our company in the past and would like to make another reservation you may be eligible for our Return Guest Discount. Please call our reservations agents to inquire!
This may not be combined with any other discounts or promotions and has to be applied by making your reservation over the phone.

*Non-discount properties do not apply
*Has to be requested at time of booking, can not be added to a past reservation.

Q. What is your cancellation policy?
A. See Vacation Rental Cancellation Policy

BOATING

Q. Can we bring our boat?
A. Yes, if the property has a boat dock to tie up to. If not then you can bring it on your boat trailer and launch it off either of the two public boat ramps. There is an abundance of places to rent water craft either by the hour, day or week. Pack a picnic and take a boat trip to Egmont Key, an uninhabited Island just north from Anna Maria Island.

Q. Are there any restaurants we can get to by water?
A. Yes there are quite a few, some to mention would be Mar Vista,  Starfish, and Tide Tables.

ACTIVITIES, ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO

Q. What is there to do there?
A. For the active play free a game of tennis, snorkeling, scuba, swimming, parasailing, sailing, golf, gym/keep fit. Have a cook out by the pool. For the children, visit mainland Disney, Busch Gardens, Sarasota Jungle Gardens and see alligators in the wild at the Myakka State Park.

Q. What are the Sarasota area golf courses like?
A. Just across the bridge on mainland Bradenton or Sarasota there is a tremendous choice of courses. Here are our top 5 golf courses in the area.

PETS

Q. Do you allow Pets?
A. Under certain circumstances we allow pets. This must be discussed with the management before arrival. In the event that the renter brings a pet without obtaining authorization a 25% surcharge on the total cost of the reservation will be charged and the management also reserves the right to terminate the rental agreement immediately without refund. Some of our properties do not allow pets under any circumstances.

However, the following strict rules apply:

1. Pets are strictly not allowed on the beds or the sofas. Please bring pet’s own basket/blanket for it to use

2. It is mandatory for any pet accepted to be on a flea program.

3. Without exception, you must “pick up” after your pet in the yard. City rules state that you must also pick up if you walk your dog on public property.

4. If an unattended pet scratches a door or damages any other item in the house, that item will be replaced and the guest responsible will be charged in full for that item without exception.

5. Pets are not allowed in the pool.

Failure to adhere to our rules will result in your credit card being charged to correct the problem.

Security Deposit Renter agrees that the credit card number provided at the time of reservation can be charged up to the sum of $1,500 in the event of damage or misuse occurring. Renter further agrees to be responsible for all damages in excess of this sum which will be determined if necessary by arbitration. Renter agrees that in the event of failure to agree either by arbitration, proceedings will be held in the Manatee County Court, or in the case of United Kingdom residents at the Courts in the borough of Carmarthen. After your departure Housekeeping checks the accommodation. Provided the accommodation is left in a reasonable condition and no items are missing or damaged, then your credit card will not be charged i.e. a broken dish or glass is acceptable and is part of the normal every day usage. The accommodation must be left in reasonable and clean condition or extra cleaning charges may be imposed. In the event it is found the accommodation incurred careless damage, requires excessive cleaning, or has missing items, the guest acknowledges and agrees their credit card will be debited to replace said items at the fair market price. Customer agrees to pay reasonable attorney fees and all court costs and expenses to enforce this agreement including appellate proceeds with or without legal proceedings. NB If the renter brings a pet, then Renter agrees that the credit card number provided at the time of reservation can be charged up to the sum of $1,500 in the event of damage or misuse occurring.

Dogs are not allowed on the island’s beaches. However they are allowed on the sands of the causeway between the island and the mainland on the public beach area and there are miles of small roads around the island where you can happily walk your pet on a leash in the cool of our Florida evenings. Here are the best places to take your pet.