Sarasota holiday house: Sarasota

We have arrived home today (02.08.09) after 2 weeks in a Florida home that was just as described by the owner and more. This house is in a fantastic location and is a true 10 min drive to the wonderful beach at Siesta Key. It is located in a quiet location which is safe and makes you feel comfortable. It has all the items to make it a home from home. The pool is fantastic and gets the sun from sunrise to near sun set. They have everything you need in the house for use at the beach.
It is also within easy access of the following.
Shopping: Publix, Walgreens, Walmart, Best Buys and the Sarasota mall

Restaurants: Sharkeys on the Pier Venice 25 mins Crows Nest Venice 25 Mins Carrabbas 10 mins, Sam Seltzers 10 mins, Pelican Alley Nokomis 20 mins Bone Fish Grill 15 mins, plenty of places for breakfast all in the area Dennys was good as was Perkins, Siesta Key Village with a host of places to eat. You will not go wrong for fod

You can reach Sanibel and Captiva Islands in about 1 hr and Tampa Airport 1 hr 10 mins.

There is also good Jet ski and parasailing and boat hire use the place just by the bridge at Stickney Point Siesta Key with the office in the lighthouse. Really good value and great service.You can also hire a boat there.
This house is a great place to be based for enjoying the area. We have been coming to this area for over 10 years and if you stay here you will not be disappointed. Its good for people with young families and those who just want to relax and enjoy the Florida sun
Thanks for a lovely holiday.
Barry Kelly and Toby
PS One idea it would be good to have a comments book in the house so guests can leave details of good places to eat, visit etc. We have found this useful at other houses we have rented over the years.

We're just back from an absolutey fabulous 2 week stay in Sarasota.

The villa is beautiful, superbly equipped, well kept and extremely clean. The pool is a great size and and very clean. The outside seating area is excellent and we spent a few hours there every night. We felt at home !

Added to all this the close proximity of Sarasota downtown, Siesta keys means everything you could want is on the doorstep.

All in all excellent and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Many thanks to the owners who looked afters us throughout from the moment of our enquiry

The photograghs of the property don't do it justice, it's very spacious and well equipped. Beds are very comfortable and air-con works very well, so no problem sleeping. It's well maintained with pool man and gardener coming every week. Kitchen is well equipped so no problem with self catering. The area is very clean and quiet and is located within easy reach of Siesta key, although traffic can be heavy which makes the stated 6 mins. to beach unrealistic at certain times of the day. However Siesta Key beach is the best and proved very popular with our teenagers; would'nt go anywhere else. Venice, St. Armand's, Sarasota Shopping Plaza are all within easy reach but car is essential. With our 18 year old's who wanted to be out in the evening, they were able to get a taxi back from Siesta Key Village without one of us having to drive. And that is the only problem: someone does have to drive if you want to eat out at night or you can do what the kids do and grab a taxi. Supermarkets are close by but foodstuffs are surprisingly expensive but good range of meat,fish and veg. If you haven't been to this part of Florida you will be pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of the people and their courtesy.
From the house it's not difficult to get to the Myakka River and lake but distances are relative. You need at least 3 weeks to explore and enjoy the area north, south and east of Sarasota or you can just stay in one place and enjoy the sun. We certainly didn't want to leave after 2 weeks. From this location be prepared to to get out and explore other areas, beaches, the real Florida, Busch Gardens (with one of the scariest rides imaginable), the beach at Venice. Eating out can be expensive and not always the best quality so do some homework, Italian Restaurant in St Armand's, the Venezia, 373 St Armands Circle is good, modern, friendly service, pasta, pizza etc.(nothing battered or breadcrumbed!)
The owners gave us a lot of help with the planning of our stay with recommendations for car hire and overnight accommodation in Tampa to break the journey. Yes. Would go again,pity it's not a bit closer.