COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

ABOUT THE ISLAND
Q. What is the beach like?
A. There are 7 miles of beautiful white sands running the entire length of the island.

Q. Is there a supermarket on the island?
A. There is a Publix grocery store within walking distance of the condo where you can buy from a full selection of grocery items.

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 in different areas under the shade of the trees.

Q. Is there a bus service on the island?
A. Yes there is a free trolley that travels on the island's main north-south road. The trolley stops at the shelter just north of the condo community entrance about every 20 minutes.
There is also a SCAT 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 Bradenton on the mainland - Cortez Bridge (Route 684) and Manatee Bridge (Route 64). There is also a bridge to the next island (Longboat Key) to the 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 within the area of Bradenton Beach & 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 30 minutes away, Tampa is a 1 hour drive & Orlando is just over 2 hours.

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

Q. Where is the nearest large indoor shopping mall?
A. Desoto Square Mall in Bradenton is about a 15 minute drive.

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 limo, taxi, bus and the local island trolley service.

Q. Where is the nearest medical facility?
A. Blake Hospital in Bradenton is approximately 10 minutes away. 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 abound 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. You will find menus from some of our favorites in the condo.

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.

ABOUT THE PROPERTY
Q. Tell me more about the property.
A. You will be staying at a newly furnished, 2 bedroom/2 bath unit that overlooks the complex's heated pool. The kitchen was just refurbished at the end of 2006 as well.

Q. How far is the condo from the beach?
A. It is a very easy five minute stroll to the beach.

Q. What is the address?
A. The condo is located at 3601 East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

Q. Are there chairs/umbrellas for us to take to the beach?
A. We provide a few items. You may want to pick up some things yourself though.

Q. Does the condo have a telephone?
A. Yes, there is a phone. Local calls are free, and a credit/calling card can be used for long distance. An answering machine is available also.

Q. What time is arrival and departure?
A. Check in is anytime after 3 PM and check out is at or before 11 AM.

Q. Can we check out late or arrive early?
A. We will do our best to meet your needs. Please make this request when you make your reservation if this is a need you have.

Q. We are arriving late - will this be a problem?
A. No, we will do our best to meet your needs.

Q. Do you provide linens 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 as well as beach towels in the hall closet.

Q. Do we have to clean the condo before we leave?
A. We ask that you leave the condo in a good state when you leave, but a cleaning crew will prepare the condo for the next guests. A cleaning fee will be required of all guests.

Q. Where can we rent baby equipment?
A. Just go to www.aababyrentals.com who will deliver and pick up whatever you order. You can book these items on their web site.

Q. Is the swimming pool heated?
A. Yes, our pool is heated.

Q. Do you have Internet access at the property?
A. If you have a local dial-up access number, you can use the phone line. Public Internet access is available at the Anna Maria library among other places.

Q. Is the kitchen fully equipped?
A. Yes the kitchen has all of the modern equipment - dishwasher, microwave, range, refrigerator, small electrical appliances plus a full range of pots, pans, dishes etc.

Q. Do you provide hairdryers?
A. Yes

Q. Do you have laundry facilities?
A. Yes, we have our own washer and dryer in the condo.

ABOUT MY RESERVATION AND PAYMENTS
Q. Can I pay by credit card?
A. Yes you can. We also accept personal checks and PayPal.

Q. What is your cancellation policy?
A. We offer a full refund for any reservation cancelled 90 days or more before the scheduled check-in. Customers cancelling between 60 and 90 days prior to scheduled check-in will receive a 75% refund. Cancellations between 30 and 60 days before check-in will result in a 50% refund, and those made less than 30 days ahead of time will receive no refund.

Q. What about the security deposit?
A. The required security deposit is $400, and it will be returned in full within 2 weeks of your departure provided that there is no damage to the property for which you are liable.

BOATING
Q. Can we bring our boat?
A. Yes, 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 by either the hour, day or week. Pack a picnic and take a boat trip to Egmont Key, an uninhabited island just north of Anna Maria Island.

Q. Are there any restaurants we can get to by water?
A. Yes there are quite a few.

ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO
Q. What is there to do in the area?
A. You can do as much or as little as you like in Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton, and Sarasota. There are many local opportunities in the area, such as tennis, snorkeling, scuba, swimming, parasailing, sailing, golf, gyms, and shopping. For family fun, some of your options are: Disney, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Silver Springs or try the Myakka River State Park to see alligators in the wild.