Choosing the PERFECT Anna Maria Island Vacation Home Rental
As winter approaches much of the country and snow is starting to fly, do you and your family need a warm up? A beach vacation on Anna Maria Island is a popular option for families looking to enjoy a relaxing holiday and soak up some much needed sunshine.
But if squeezing your family into a tight hotel room at a traditional beach resort with shared common areas and other vacationers sounds far from appealing, there is another way. Renting a vacation home allows you and your family to stretch out in a spacious environment with necessary amenities like an outdoor kitchen, patio or deck, pool and more.
Anna Maria Island is a popular beach vacation destination in Florida, with many miles of beautiful white-sand beaches, offering splendid gulf and/or Tampa bay views. There are hundreds of rental homes, condos and other accommodations available to choose from, depending upon your family’s needs and budget. Here are some tips and considerations to help you choose the right Anna Maria Island vacation home rental.
Consider Location
When choosing a vacation home rental on Anna Maria Island, it’s useful to consider distance to the nearest beach access. Renting a vacation home near the beach is a great way to get close to the blue gulf water views and unwind fully.
You have probably heard the old saying “location is everything”. This is especially true if you are looking to rent a beach house. Property location will greatly influence both the experience and the price tag of your vacation. True beachfront houses are incredibly convenient but will cost far more than alternative rental properties just a few blocks, or even a short walk from the beach.
The location of the vacation home rental is one of the most important factors to consider when deciding if you want to book it. If you want to be as close to water as possible, consider renting a property on or within a block or two of the beach. If the beach is not necessarily your thing, you may want to choose a rental property near the city center, closer to shopping, restaurants or other attractions.
An Anna Maria Island vacation home rental is an ideal choice for large families or groups that want to spend a fun time together. Choosing a vacation rental home as opposed to a hotel means more space for everyone in the family. Depending on your budget and the number of people in your party, you may choose to rent a standalone home, condo, or other accommodation type. Anna Maria Island has hundreds of rental properties to choose from, catering to all budgets. Here are some things to consider when choosing the perfect AMI beach house rental.
Determine Your Must-Haves
When considering an Anna Maria Island vacation home rental, it’s important to know what you and your family are expecting from it. Depending upon the age of children in your group, you may desire kid-friendly features in a rental such as a swimming pool, or entertainment room with board games, ping pong table, pool table etc. These will come in handy to keep kids busy on rare rainy days or when couples want to enjoy private time and space when on a holiday.
Having a private pool is a great alternative activity during the day, and it also opens up options to enjoy the after-dark hours, too. A nighttime swim or evening hot tub dip is a five-star addition to your beach house rental. Ocean waves and sand are amazing, but it's really also great to have a way to enjoy the warm temps and cool water without having to lug everyone and everything down to the beach every day.
Consider a Golf Cart Rental
Anna Maria Island permits golf carts or other low speed vehicles for licensed adult drivers. Renting a golf cart is a popular option for vacationers on the island, and is an easy way to stay a bit farther away from the beach, while not sacrificing convenience. Budgeting for a golf cart rental is often considerably cheaper than paying a premium to stay in a true “beachfront” vacation rental home.
The Larger your Family or Group, the Sooner You’ll Want to Book your Anna Maria Island vacation home rental
While planning ahead and booking an Anna Maria Island vacation home rental as far in advance as possible is a general rule of thumb, it’s especially important if you are looking for a rental property for a large family or travel group. Larger vacation homes tend to book the quickest, whereas smaller homes that are well suited for last-minute family getaways will more often be available closer to your anticipated travel date.
Do Your Research
Going on the internet to research Anna Maria Island rental homes is the best way to see past guest reviews and find the best deals. It is always good to find rental listings that include good photos of the inside of the home as well as outdoor entertainment space, so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive with your family.
Customer reviews are also a great way of determining if a particular Anna Maria Island vacation home rental is worth your time and money. You can also learn more about a particular rental property by talking to the property manager. Be sure to ask them for details about the amenities of the home, availability of parking, distance to grocery stores and restaurants, and more.