Anna Maria Beach House

{Thanks Ami Locals for inviting us out!}anna maria beach house

ami localsami locals reviewami locals reviewami locals review

 

Good Morning!  Happy Tuesday!  I hope you all had a great long weekend.  JB and I had been chatting for what we wanted to do for our TEN year anniversary. I had grand plans back in November of surprising him with a fun trip to Columbia but the holidays happened, and I couldn’t get my act together.  But after just getting back from Switzerland, we thought a staycation would be perfect.  And it was!  One night we had our friends and all of their babies over to bbq, take in the sunset at the beach, and swim.  It was so much fun!  The next night we had my parents over for some Poppo’s Taquerias, ice cream, and pool.  Both nights and practically all day we hung out in the backyard area.  All of AMI Locals pools are heated, and most have hot tubs, so we were comfortable in there all weekend even when the weather turned cooler.  We picked up a golfcart at Beach Bums and loved driving that all around – I also really enjoyed that we had seatbelts on it!

Thinking of visiting our slice of paradise?  I always recommend it as such a family friendly place!  Here are some recs:

Stay:  We loved the ease of staying at one of  AMI Locals properties.  They sent an email with a code (that changed with each new guest), to get in, and we were all set to check in.  Easiest check in process!  I ordered some groceries from instacart (shipt doesn’t deliver out there) and we were all set to host friends and fam.  I mentioned it on stories last night, but it was the cleanest rental I’ve ever stayed in.  And if you have questions about anything, there’s a binder with answers or you can get in touch with one of their staff members really easily.  The whole process was seamless.  Not to mention, their properties are gorgeous.  The one we stayed in, Anna Maria Beach House, had 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a sun deck on the roof, pool, spa, grill, bar area, a putting green… seriously everything to make a memorable family vacation.  They have different properties to suit different needs, and I just can’t recommend them enough.

If you’re looking for right on the beach, and resort style.  Bali Hai just went through a HUGE renovation.  It’s such a great space!

Eat:

Skinny’s:  best burger ever.  sort of a shack, but don’t be turned off by this (; I think it just adds to the charm.
Sign of the Mermaid:  Best saturday/sunday brunch there is.  Also great for dinner too!
The Sandbar:  Love this whole atmosphere for dining with kids!
The Doctors Office:  get a babysitter and grab a fun drink!
Beach Bistro:  Fine dining!  But they also have a more casual happy hour out on the beach and you can watch the sun go down.
Rod and Reel Pier: Best grouper sandwich on the island!  And the view is spectacular!
The Waterfront:  for a nicer dinner out – love their menu.
Ocean star:  best sushi!
slim’s place: a great place for a cheesesteak.  also family friendly!
Gulf Drive Cafe:  not gourmet food but an amazing view for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  Perfect place to grab a cocktail at anytime.
The Feast:  Not a ton of ambiance here but the food is delicious.  especially their salads!
 Poppo’s: great casual place for tacos, a beer, and some guac.
The Donut Experiment:  do you want fresh donuts?  who doesn’t!  hop in here and create your own.
Publix:  if you’ve never had a publix sub before, pick one up for a picnic on the beach.  you are welcome!
Shop:
Pink and Navy:  cute shop with lots of gift items
Sand dollar:  Fun home decor store
Island Cabana: probably my favorite store on the island!  home decor, fun jewelry, clothes.
There’s lots more down Pine Avenue or Bridge Street!  just stroll down either and you’ll find plenty of fun shops.
Do:
the beach!  my favorite is on the north end.  But not ideal if it’s windy at all.  Other favorites are right off Oak street.
Beach Bums:  for bike, golf cart, and kayak rentals.  Easily the best way to get around.
get pampered at Acqua Aveda – from massages to pedicures to wanting to get your hair done!
charter a sailboat
charter a fishing excursion – Jason Stock or Moore Fishing
go on one of Captain Kathe’s boat cruises
go parasailing  
My friend Kelly does Painting with a Fish classes which are so fun, and you can create a special work of art from your trip!
walk down pine avenue
Shiny Fish emporium has a make and take craft for kids you can do

 

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