General Information

Living Area

If there is one thing Villa Serena has in abundance, it's space. You will notice it from the moment you climb the few steps up from the cloak area by the front door. With a high ceiling, large windows to let in as much sunlight as possible and a light burnished Canadian wood floor, the living area has an unmistakably relaxing, airy feel.

At one end of the living area is a large, oval oak dining table, with room enough for eight to sit comfortably. It makes the perfect setting for an elegant evening meal or informal family gathering. A solid oak china cabinet stands next to the table and, as with the rest of the rooms in Villa Serena, the adjustable lighting will make for just the right atmosphere for your meal.

In the centre of the room are two large, luxury sofas where you can really get down to the serious business of relaxing. You can watch cable on the large screen TV, catch up with the latest movie releases on DVD, or simply listen to your favorite music on the stereo system. Or, you could always just slide open the glass doors leading out to the balcony and enjoy the calming sound of a gentle island breeze and the odd sea bird calling in the distance.

There is also a large fireplace if you happen to be here when the temperature drops, but that rarely happens so it's just really used for decoration. Most likely the air will be a little on the warm side, but fear not, ambient temperature on all floors is controlled by a dual air conditioning system, allowing you to adjust the temperature in the upper and middle sections of the house to your own comfort level.

Four doorways lead off from the main living area. One takes you out on to the large, shady balcony, which overlooks your private heated pool and tropical gardens. Here is the perfect spot to pour yourself a morning cup of coffee, catch few moments shuteye in the afternoon, or enjoy the peace and quiet of a cool evening on Anna Maria. Steps lead down to the pool and gardens, with child safety gates at the top and bottom for added peace of mind.

Back in the main room, another doorway takes you down to the separate kitchen and dining area, while the third opens into the separate laundry room, which has a high capacity washer and dryer, iron and ironing board.

At the foot of the staircase, which was hand-crafted and custom made for Villa Serena from American oak by local craftsmen, is the fourth doorway, which opens into Bedroom 4. Inside are two twin beds, antique style solid oak furniture and sumptuous linens to make your sleep time as restful and comfortable as possible.

Bedroom 4 also benefits from a private en-suite bathroom with luxury fixtures and fittings, large wash basin, toilet and walk-in shower. All linens and soft white towels are provided.

Kitchen

Like most things in Villa Serena, the kitchen has been designed with you in mind. Simple yet elegant, spacious but small enough to make cooking a pleasure rather than a chore.

Located down a few steps in the villa's imposing tower, the kitchen floor is tiled in creamy white with solid maple wood cabinets and smooth granite worktops. There is plenty of storage in the hand-made cabinets and a large sink and drainer sits next to a cooker, with broiler and hob. The rest of the appliances in the kitchen, including dishwasher, microwave and big fridge/freezer, are all of top quality – just to make your task that much more enjoyable.

Inside the cupboards are plenty of dishes, pots, pans, silverware and small appliances so you can prepare anything from a light meal to a lavish dinner party, although whether you want the stress of organizing one while you're on vacation is up to you.

For simple family meals in an intimate setting, the round dining table in the kitchen is plenty big enough and so conveniently placed. But be warned: light snacks might turn into long lunches as you enjoy the view from the large curve of windows looking out of your tower to the gardens outside.

Bedrooms

Villa Serena benefits from four large bedrooms, two of which are master suites, all of which have private en-suite showers. We don't want you arguing over who gets the best bedroom, so we made sure all of them are special in their own way.

Having collected your luggage from the elevator on the first-floor landing you can take one of three doors leading off into the bedroom suites. Master 1 offers you a glorious amount of space and comfort. As you enter you pass mirrored wardrobe doors with plenty of storage space behind them and a large, solid oak chest of drawers.

There is a king-sized bed, oak cabinets and a spacious balcony overlooking the rear of the villa with gardens and pool below. You can also see the palm-fringed roads behind the public beach of Holmes Beach, reminding you that the sea and those wonderful sunsets are just a short stroll away.

The en-suite bathroom continues the spacious vibe, and features his 'n' hers basins, huge walk-in shower and Victorian style, cast iron roll-top bath. Yet another of those perfect places in Villa Serena in which to relax with a good book.

The door to Master 2 leads you into a mirrored vestibule with the bathroom door on your left and mirrored wardrobes on your right. The bathroom includes a luxurious oval spa bath and separate shower, with double basins and toilet. All fixtures and fittings are of the highest quality and you will be supplied with freshly-laundered towels upon your arrival.

Leading down some steps in the tower is the large four-poster, king-sized bed enjoying more of those relaxing views from large windows. With plenty more solid oak furniture, you have lots of room in which to store all your clothes and belongings.

Bedroom 3 has a queen-size bed, the same high-quality solid oak furniture and a private bathroom with large corner shower. It also has large mirrored wardrobes, television and telephone, but has one extra trick up its sleeve. In one corner of the room a door leads out to a small, private balcony – the perfect place to sit with a drink, watch the world go by, or enjoy a cool spot out of the afternoon sun.

Bedroom 4 is downstairs and features two twin beds, antique style, solid oak furniture and luxury linens as standard. It has a private en-suite bathroom with luxury fixtures and fittings, large wash basin, toilet and walk-in shower.

Back on the landing and the stairs which lead upwards head to a very special spot indeed. Through the door at the top you will find a large rooftop terrace where you can enjoy 360-degree views around the island and watch the gentle gulf surf breaking on the perfect white sand of Anna Maria. With comfortable loungers and a large table, the rooftop terrace is the ideal area to really get away from it all and just enjoy the peace and quiet of this wonderful place.

Bathrooms

Master Bathroom 1 has a Victorian style cast iron roll top tub and separate walk-in shower. It also features his 'n' hers basins and large vanity mirror.

Master Bathroom 2 has a large oval Jacuzzi style spa tub and separate walk-in shower, as well as luxurious heritage style fixtures and fittings.

Bathroom 3 has a walk-in corner shower, large basin and cabinet space, while Bathroom 4 has a large walk-in shower and the same luxury fixtures and fittings provided as standard throughout.

Bathrooms are all supplied with freshly laundered towels upon your arrival.

Outside

You will feel special from the moment you arrive at Villa Serena. Entering through wrought iron gates into your private driveway, with antique style lights on stone pillars guiding your way, you leave behind the worries of the world and touch down in a little oasis of calm. You are surrounded by lush plants and trees, including mature including bougainvillea, hibiscus and oleanders, shading you from the Florida sunshine.

Steps lead up to the front door of the villa, which a pathway leads round the back past more greenery. Out back is your private, electrically heated pool with a relaxing cascading waterfall feature. The island's pool company visits twice a week to ensure that the pool is kept in the best possible condition for guests.

Surrounding the pool area are wheeled sun loungers to help you find the perfect position in or out of the sunlight, and furniture on which to rest a drink, or place your sunglasses while you take a dip to cool off. Underneath the shade is a barbecue area for those cookouts and warm evenings when you just don't want to call it a night.

Villa Serena is perfectly placed in Holmes Beach, just a two-minute walk from one of the island's best and most family-friendly stretches of sand at the Manatee public beach. There is also a great little restaurant on the edge of the beach where they serve breakfast that you can eat with your feet in the sands. Outside you can catch the free island trolley to your chosen destination for the day. Yes, it really is free.

Two minutes in the other direction leads you to Publix, the best general grocery store on the island with a great delicatessen, in-store bakery and good selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. The small precinct is also home to some interesting souvenir shops, a 24-hour pharmacy, bank, liquor store and cafes and restaurants.

In fact everything is so close and convenient to Villa Serena, you might be able to store your car in the large double garage and forget all about it until the day you have to leave.

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