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GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed | Prime Beach Location | Dog-Friendly | Sleeps 6 | Steps to Beach, Dining...

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Beach towels
Exterior
Interior
Outdoor pool, a heated pool
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6970 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Holmes Beach, FL
  • Place, Bradenton Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Anna Maria Sound
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Manatee Public Beach
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Airport, Sarasota, FL (SRQ-Sarasota-Bradenton Intl.)
    ‪37 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Holmes Beach

Located in Ilexhurst, this cottage is adjacent to Bradenton Beach and within a 10-minute stroll of Anna Maria Sound. The cottage includes a private pool, a kitchen, and a balcony.
View more Cottages in Holmes BeachOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Bradenton Beach - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Anna Maria Sound - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • West Coast Surf Shop - 12 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Manatee Public Beach - 19 min walk - 1.0 mile
  • Holmes Beach Beaches - 7 min drive - 1.5 miles

Getting around

  • Sarasota-Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) - 26 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪The Ugly Grouper - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Beach House Waterfront Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Wicked Cantina - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Kokonut Hut - ‬3 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed | Prime Beach Location | Dog-Friendly | Sleeps 6 | Steps to Beach, Dining...

**ASK ABOUT LAST-MINUTE DEALS!

Welcome to “The Sandbox”, a charming 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath coastal cottage just one house off Gulf Drive. Enjoy direct beach access with no road crossing required—you’re only steps from the sand, surf, and sunsets.

*The Space

This relaxed beach cottage is designed for easy coastal living.

Primary Bedroom: King bed, TV, private half bath

Second Bedroom: Two twin beds

Additional Sleeping: Living room accommodates 2 guests

Full Bathroom: Updated with modern tiled step-in shower

Comforts: WiFi throughout, cable TV, spacious living room with large flat-screen TV

* Kitchen & Laundry

Fully equipped kitchen includes:

Refrigerator with ice maker

Dishwasher

Microwave & new stove

Garbage disposal

Granite countertops

Washer and dryer available for guest use.

*Outdoor Oasis

Your private tropical escape features:

Saltwater pool

Tiki bar with beverage fridge

Outdoor Bose sound system

Hammock lounge area (former “Sandbox” concert space)

Partial Gulf views + ocean breeze ambience

Perfect for relaxing days and sunset evenings.

* Location Highlights

Walk to nearby conveniences including:

Pharmacy (Walgreens)

Beach shop

Dollar store

Subway

Seafood restaurant

Hardware store

Ice cream shop

And more

Free island trolley runs every 20 minutes for easy access to dining, shops, and attractions.

*Parking

Space for up to 3 vehicles

* Pet Policy

Dog-friendly (1 dog up to 35 lbs)

Breed restrictions and fees may apply

Confirm with management before booking

* Why Guests Love It

Steps to the beach (no road crossing)

Private saltwater pool + tiki bar

Walkable location + trolley access

Relaxed, classic beach cottage feel

*PET OWNERS: This property is dog friendly for one dog with a maximum weight of 35 pounds and a non-refundable pet fee for the first week. There is an additional fee per week for any additional weeks booked. Also, certain breeds are excluded. It is necessary that you check with our office prior to your trip for details on weight and breed limitations.

A NOTE ABOUT POOL HEAT: If you book online, your reservation will automatically populate with a pool heat charge for one week. If your reservation is for a longer period, someone on our staff will adjust the pool heat rate to reflect the longer stay. We recommend pool heat at this property, regardless of the time of year, as pools near shady trees stay cooler, even in the summer.

Our Cancellation Policy: In order to protect our owners from loss of income, ALL MONIES PAID TOWARDS YOUR RESERVATION MAY BE NON-REFUNDABLE AFTER A CERTAIN DATE! FULL AND PARTIAL REFUNDS MAY BE GIVEN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. Ask our office for details, or check your rental agreement.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO VISITORS OF HOLMES BEACH:

1. Per City of Holmes Beach ordinances: You are vacationing in a residential area. Please be a good neighbor by keeping the noise to a respectful level during the day and night Excessive and unreasonable noise can deprive neighbors of the peaceful enjoyment of their private property.

2. Per City of Holmes Beach ordinances, this unit cannot exceed 6 occupants. This amount includes adults and children of all ages.

3. Per City of Holmes Beach ordinances, we are required to tell you the minimum stay requirement for this property is one week.

VRC#18-000044
The cottage is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 1.5 bathrooms, and a balcony or patio, and there's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms. Guests can expect to find a flat-screen TV with a DVD player. Other standard amenities include a private pool, a washer/dryer, and a coffee maker.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Heated pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car not required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Day bed

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Flat-screen TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washer/dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: Smoking is not allowed.

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near an outlet shopping mall
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Bicycles
  • Boat
  • Golf
  • Heated pool
  • Kayak
  • Tennis
  • Water sports equipment
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Bicycles
  • Unit size: 970 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • This property welcomes pets
  • Service animals exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Note from host: Children Allowed

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is not allowed.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 25

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
  • Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a deadbolt lock.

Property is also known as

Cottage
The Sandbox........
Heated Pool Dog Allowed Free Wifi/trolley Steps to Beach
Heated Pool Dog Allowed Free Wifi/trolley Steps to Beach ..
14702

Frequently asked questions

What can I see within easy reach of this cottage?

This cottage is situated in Ilexhurst within a 10-minute walk of Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Sound. You'll also find Coquina Beach and Bean Point Beach within a short drive.

Is there parking available at GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining...?

No, this cottage doesn't offer parking.

Is this cottage adjacent to a casino?

No, this cottage is not connected to a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at this cottage?

No, this cottage doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is an outdoor pool.

What amenities will couples enjoy at GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining...?

This historic cottage offers many amenities for couples such as a private pool, a private pool in some cottage, as well as an outdoor pool.

Does GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining... have a hot tub?

No, but this cottage does have a heated pool.

Does this cottage offer breakfast?

No, this cottage doesn't offer breakfast.

Will this cottage allow pets to stay free of charge?

Although pets can't stay for free, they are welcome at this cottage.

Does GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining... have connecting rooms available?

No, this cottage doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

Where is the closest airport to this cottage?

The closest major airport to this cottage is Sarasota-Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ), which is 15.6 mi away (26 minutes by car). Another top airport is St. Petersburg, FL (SPG-Albert Whitted), which is around 19.5 mi away.

Are there rooms with balconies at GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining...?

Yes, every cottage at GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining... comes with a patio and some offer water views.

GREAT COTTAGE w/Heated Pool, Dog- See Note - Allowed, FREE WiFi/Trolley, Steps to Beach, Dining... Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 34 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jason S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyed the stay and we would certainly return! The host was very responsive and the house was nicely updated. My only recommendation would be for the pool to be heated prior to guests arriving. 5 stars overall though!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shauna M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice location

Pool was great, quick walk to beach. Great location. Nice place to hang out.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay

Great little cottage to stay. Perfect for our family of four. Location was great, backyard awesome. Just perfect. Will stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nhu-Mai F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great overall!

Great time!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicole H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Home!

We had the best time at time. The pool was clean and warm, the location was great, easy walk to a very clean and private beach. The house is really cute, with all the amenities you could need.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dan F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic house!!!

Cannot say enough good about this place. Everything that you’d need for a beach vacation. Yard is amazing and was the perfect place to unwind after a long day on the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Marvin S.

Florida Cute best describes the place! Things are older but the pool and tiki hut are awesome!

The cottage has everything needed for you to enjoy yourself. It’s conveniently located for dining out, very close to beach access and very walkable to most anywhere might want go. Local choices for dining abound. We would definitely rent again
Stayed 27 nights in Mar 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Misty B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A slice of paradise

Every year we do a girls trip to FL, this year did not disappoint, the location was amazing (monkey bus a huge bonus) close to shopping, very close to the beach, and on our cooler day, we lounged by the heated pool. Would absolutely recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jaime S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

We had the best experience ever renting this property. It had everything we needed for the week. It was very close to the beach. All the food we could ever want. The house came with everything we needed. I got food to cook for a few meals at the house. Perfect perfect perfect location. I don’t want to tell too many people about it because I don’t want to lose an opportunity to get in.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

kathy t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls retreat!

We had a great time! Loved having the pool! The beach was a 3 minute walk. The landscaping gave you the feeling of lots of privacy! Inside was a very comfortable feeling! I would like to have some kind of window covering in the front entry room/ 3rd bedroom. Overall I would recommend it to my friends and definitely come back again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ann B.

Wonderful!!!

The place is spotless! The house is very comfortable and the kitchen is equipped with everything you need to cook including a nice grill in the backyard. However, we never did because there are so many great restaurants on the island. The beach is a very quick walk and beautiful. The pool is perfect. The tiki bar is fabulous. We hooked our music to the speakers and felt like we were at a private resort. Jo Jo is great!! Already planning our return trip.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Craig W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Coolest

The Sandbox was perfect for us. Tastefully decorated and rich in character. The tiki bar around the pool included a sound system and a refrigerator. The grounds were exceptionally well maintained. It’s located in the heart of the island and the beach is just a half block away when leave by the back gate. There is a raised deck cleverly built into the rear corner that allows a limited ocean view. We would gladly rent this property again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rachel A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation

We loved “The Sandbox”! The house was perfect for our family of 5. The backyard is your own oasis with the greenery, pool, bbq and bar area. The extra fridge outside is a bonus so the kids weren’t going inside with wet suits for drinks. The sunset view from the upper deck was a great way to end every night. Can’t beat this location! This place is a short walk to the beach, stores and short drive to either end of the island. We look forward to another family trip to “The Sandbox”
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scott L.

Everything we were looking for. Stay here, you will enjoy it

We stayed at this rental for 10 days over the Christmas Holiday. The rental is decorated very nicely, the home is clean and comfortable. We stayed here with our three kids and small dog and it had everything we needed. The outdoor area around the pool was very nice and landscaped and was very private and tropical. The kids loved the heated pool and the adults enjoyed lounging around in the comfortable chairs and cozy hammock. When you have had your fill of the home and pool area. Take a real short walk to the beautiful beach. I highly recommend anyone to stay here you won't be disapponted. Best review I can say about the rental is we would definately stay here again!!
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer D.

Beachy Perfection!

This little gem was the perfect home away from home for our family of 6 with kids ages ranged from 23 to 10. Plenty of comfy beds, ample linens, beach towels etc so we were never without. The backyard is truly an oasis. We opted for the pool heat and were happy we did. We used every inch of the back yard, music played daily, walked to the beach to play bocce and football, and just relaxed in the sun. It’s in the perfect location too - easy access to the trolley and shops. You can’t go wrong with this house and we would absolutely rent it again on our next trip to AMI!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracy R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Sandbox is a backyard paradise!

This was our 14th spring break on AMI. The Sandbox is by far our favorite rental of all! It is a great location; and while you are not right on the beach, you have a beautiful view from the quaint "crows nest"; as well as only a one minute walk to the gorgeous beach. You will LOVE the backyard! It is a paradise oasis; we spent a majority of our time out there. It was amazing. The interior is very tasteful and beachy. The furniture is comfortable and the kitchen is nicely equipped. The home was very clean and the rental management team was most helpful (especially since we were there just prior to the COVID19 shut downs). We already re-booked for next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2020
Verified

8/10 Good

Annmarie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect little beach getaway!

This property is adorable! The kitchen is large, the decor is cute, the ac works well, short walk to a beach access without having to cross a main road, and the pool with tiki bar is a neat addition. The way the pool maintenance people have the pool vacuum constantly attached does render a good portion of the pool basically unusable so be aware if you have kids as this could be an issue. My main suggestions would be to have a deep clean done, the cookware definitely needs replacing, and the windows need upgrading as some don’t have locks or close without gaps. We did have a roach crawl across us in bed one morning but since we also live in a humid, subtropical beach town we know that can happen even with the best pest control. Overall, we were very happy with our stay and would definitely return.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angie H.

Private Little Oasis Steps From the Beach

We stayed here for 4 nights after 3 days at Universal. We needed some down time at the beach. We chose this cottage over a condo right on the ocean because we didn't want to share a pool with anyone else. It was nice heading out to the beach in the morning or evenings, then coming back, showering off right by the pool, then jumping in for a nice leisurely swim with our kiddos. There is a fence in the back that you can exit through to walk to the beach and it takes all of 60 seconds to get to the beautiful sandy shores. There's even a deck by the pool with a view of the ocean if you enjoy sipping coffee or reading with the ocean in sight. This area was quiet and quaint. We loved it. Very close to mom and pop beach restaurants and Publix for groceries. I would love to go back. No problems inside either. Kitchen was well appointed with supplies. Even several rooms for tv watching when you feel like heading in for the night. They left us enough detergent for 4 loads of laundry and plenty of toilet paper. A great time was had by all!!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Richard H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect spot

Me and my family of six stayed at this place it was very nice clean way more than what we expected plenty of space clean the pool was nice short walk to the beach very enjoyable time at this place it will be an every year event for me and my family it’s a must to do at this place
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation

This property is exactly as advertised and is very well maintained. It is a great location and the backyard is amazing! The pool area is a relaxing oasis. I can’t say enough about this property 😊 It has everything you need for a fantastic vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

lori a.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved this house

This house was everything we could have possibly wanted in a true vintage Florida beach cottage. Everything on the interior was updated and decorated beautifully. The kitchen was very well equipped. What really makes this house special is the outdoor space which was our own tropical oasis for the week. Even with red tide, it was a lifesaver having the pool out back. Loved the tiki bar and stereo system but my favorite was the hammock. We felt secluded even though we had neighbors. The house is super convenient to the beach and walking distance to great stores and restaraunts. The only negative would be when the landscapers stopped by. We were enjoying the pool and the outdoor space and a young man began to spray pesticide all around us. We had to ask him to stop. Very disheartening to see so much spraying being done on the island which poisons the insects (which feed the beautiful birds) and the waterways. Not environmentally friendly but I digress. The Sandbox was perfection and would love to stay here again. Finding a better cottage would be hard to do!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Corey F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Enjoyed

Great experience from check in to check out. The pool was great and the location perfect.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tina S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfortable oasis

We loved this place so much. The house was beautiful, comfortable and convenient with beach and amenities nearby. The backyard oasis is the best: beautifully landscaped and private. The kids loved it!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cassie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay!

The Sandbox was wonderful! An excellent location.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Sarah B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pool

Pool was clean and warm. Nice.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2021

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