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Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops

Family-friendly stay near Bradenton Beach

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An aerial view of a coastal residential area with houses, a beach, and the ocean.
An aerial view of a coastal residential area with houses, a beach, and a clear blue sky.
A spacious kitchen with a large island, a dining area with white chairs, and a living room with a sofa and TV.
A spacious kitchen with modern appliances, a dining area with a large table and chairs, and a view of a pool through the glass door.
A modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wooden cabinets, and a large island with bar stools.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

6 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 123700 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Holmes Beach, FL
  • Place, Bradenton Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Holmes Beach Beaches
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Manatee Public Beach
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Sarasota, FL (SRQ-Sarasota-Bradenton Intl.)
    ‪35 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Holmes Beach

Seaside stay .Within a 5-minute walk of this Holmes Beach vacation home, you'll find Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach Beaches. Manatee Public Beach and AMI Paddleboard Adventures are also within half a mile (1 km).
View more Vacation Homes in Holmes BeachOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Bradenton Beach - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Holmes Beach Beaches - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Manatee Public Beach - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • West Coast Surf Shop - 11 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Anna Maria Sound - 15 min walk - 0.8 miles

Getting around

  • Sarasota-Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪7-Eleven - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Wicked Cantina - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Ginny's & Jane E's - ‬6 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.

Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops

Welcome to the Blue Grotto — Your 3,700 sq ft Island Playground!

Recently renovated with all-new kitchens and more!
Kick back, spread out, and settle into our spacious 3700 sq ft beach house featuring:
• 6 bedrooms
• 4 bathrooms
• 2 full kitchens
• 2 living rooms
• 2 bar areas
• Tons of space for both Team Early Riser and Team Sleep-In to vacation in harmony

Only 6 houses from the beach and steps from your large private pool*—you’ll be planning next year’s trip before this one ends.

The House
• Two full living areas — perfect for big families or groups needing extra hangout zones
• Two fully equipped kitchens
• Outdoor TV for poolside game days
• Shuffleboard table for bragging rights
• 4 king bedrooms + 2 twin bedrooms, each with its own TV
• Large private pool (heating optional*)

Beach & Essentials Provided
We supply:
• Beach towels, chairs, wagon, cooler
• Bath towels, sheets & blankets
• A starter set of basics: soaps, trash bags, etc.
• Kitchens stocked with dishes, utensils, gadgets & more

The Famous “Golden Triangle” — AKA Everything-Is-Right-Here Zone
You're surrounded by all the island favorites. Walk, bike, or hop on a golf cart to reach:
• 5-minute walk → AMI Beach Café (Dad’s all-you-can-eat pancakes!)
• 2-minute golf cart ride → Freckled Fin Irish Pub for a cold beer
• 5 minutes → Two Scoops Ice Cream (dangerously delicious)
• 2 minutes → The Doctor’s Office for next-level cocktails
• 2 minutes → The Ugly Grouper… and safely back home again
• 4 minutes → Fresh seafood at Captain Anthony’s + groceries at Publix
• End of the block → Free Island Trolley to Coquina Beach & AMI City Pier
• Ginny’s & Jane E’s → Cinnamon rolls the size of your head
• The Sand Bar → Sunset + piña colada w/ dark rum floater (mandatory)
• Historic Bridge Street → Souvenirs, live music & island shopping
• Tide Tables → Legendary fried grouper
• Starfish → Fried shrimp some call “life-changing”

Island Days Done Right
• Watch the game on the outdoor TV while the kids splash in the pool
• Wander to the sugar-white sand beach in seconds
• Swap ocean sightings: Manatee? Sea turtle? Mermaid?
• Challenge the crew to a shuffleboard showdown
• Wind down with a 1-minute stroll to a jaw-dropping sunset
• Sleep soundly in plush king and twin bedrooms

Experience Vintage AMI
Anna Maria Island is a 7-mile stretch of pure old-Florida charm—flip-flops required, speed limit max 35 mph, relaxation guaranteed.
See y’all soon at the Blue Grotto!

*Pool heat available for an additional charge

Ask about off-season stays shorter than a week

VRC21-000058
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.

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  • Washer
  • Dryer
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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Heated pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Kitchenette
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 6 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 4 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Video games

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: This policy is strictly enforced

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Heated pool
  • Birdwatching 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
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 3,700 square feet

Policies

Check-in

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

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

Rules

No parking on the shell yard
Please provide a photo ID within 48 hour of booking.
Please provide a list of all guests and their ages within 48 hours of booking.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
This policy is strictly enforced

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 indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Updated Large Beach House Only 1 Minute Walk To The Beach
Updated 6 Bedroom Beach House Only 1 Minute Walk To The Beach

Frequently asked questions

How close is Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops to the airport?

This vacation home is 17.5 mi (28-min drive) away from the Sarasota-Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

How close is Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops to the beach?

This vacation home is a short 3-minute walk from Bradenton Beach and 4-minute walk from Holmes Beach Beaches. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home.

What time is check-in at Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops have a pool?

This vacation home features an outdoor pool.

Does Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops to downtown Holmes Beach?

This vacation home is 0.6 mi away from Holmes Beach.

Large Single Level-1 Minute Walk To The Beach-5 minute walk to Restaurant/Shops Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 93 out of 103 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 103 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 103 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 103 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 103 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Carrie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We absolutely loved the Blur Grotto for our group of seven friends turning 60. Very well stocked kitchens and pool area and plenty of beach towels and beach chairs. Being only a short two block walk to the beach was ideal. The beach was uncrowded and wonderful for floating and beach walks. Our hosts communicated well. Definitely a place we would love to come back to!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nancy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great for families!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was exactly as described and yet seemed to exceed expectations! The pool was amazing, the beach within easy walking distance and so many restaurants, shops, etc to explore. We could not have asked for a better vacation spot!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

ivana v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house, excellent location. We enjoyed our stay @Blue grotto
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lisa B.

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

Blue Grotto was amazing

Clean beautiful property with a very attentive host. When returning to AMI we will stay at Blue Grotto.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Melissa P.

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

Great stay at Anna Maria Island

Overall awesome time
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ruth C.

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

Family trip

Blue Grotto was perfect for our family, young and old. So much room for all 10 of us.The location was great, middle of island, close to all, north or south. Short walk to beach also.The pool was awesome. We enjoyed it everyday and night.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michael D.

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

Beautiful Location

2nd time visiting this VRBO- love, love, love the location! Owners very responsive!
Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Darla G.

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

Wonderful Stay

We had a wonderful stay! The home was clean and comfortable. We have stayed on the island many times and this was one of our favorite stays. We will definitely be back. The owners were very easy to work with as well.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Valerie F.

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

Family trip

This is our second tome staying at the Blue Grotto. We had a great time and it’s a wonderful house.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rhonda M.

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

Beach Ladies Love the Blue Grotto!

Two years in a row, our group has stayed here. Perfect for our group of family and friends. Hosts are very responsive if/when needed, which is rare since the place is pretty perfect! Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dani J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Blue Grotto was the perfect beach vacation home for our family of 8 adults and 2 toddlers. I cannot emphasize enough how good the house layout was in our situation. There were enough doors and safeguards to keep the toddlers safe. There were no stairs that we had to navigate. Parking was easy. The rooms were laid out so that some adults could work quietly, toddlers could take naps as needed, all while the rest of the group had plenty of space (inside and out) to have fun. As for general needs, you could not ask for anything better. Quiet neighborhood, clean both inside and out, 6 houses to a quiet public beach, beautiful private pool and outdoor area. Close to restaurants and grocery. Walking to the "downtown" AMI would have been nice, but then it would have been busier and streets more congested. There were still restaurants in walking distance, and the Trolley was available as needed. Everyone in our group is ready to return again next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Melissa C.

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

Fantastic location

Great location & set-up. Outdoor area is fantastic and had all the essentials you’d need to travel to the beach. I would definitely stay again. Only complaint is some of the beds & pillows were uncomfortable, so I’d travel with mine next time.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marsha H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Updated kitchen and bathrooms made a nice difference from two years ago . Short walk to the beach with 7 children. Third time staying in the house and we will return !
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

cathy s.

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

Christmas family vacation

Roomy house and pool area, close to the beach. Responsive owner. Highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Laurie P.

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

Beautiful Spot

Great roomy house for family of 12. The combination of beach and pool options were great. Very clean and well stocked. Owner responsive.
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Scott R.

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

Great family experience

Loved the proximity to the beach and the quiet neighborhood. The house is very roomy and 2 kitchens and living areas are definitely a bonus. The pool was very nice and was used daily. Communications with owners was exceptional.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Cathy T.

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

We love Blue Grotto!

Would be hard to top this gorgeous home. Plenty of room for multiple families, beautifully decorated and stocked with everything you need. Location is perfect- A short easy walk to a peaceful area of the beach and restaurants in walking distance too. The pool area is private, with lots of seating and outdoor tv. Domenico and Kelly were wonderful and a pleasure to work with.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

mary ann f.

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

Family Fun

Our family stayed at the Blue Grotto for the third year in a row. It is a wonderful rental for our family of 11. The two living rooms and comfortable six bedrooms made it a great place for us to party together or have some alone time. The pool and location to the beach is truly the BEST!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Karen C.

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

Perfect size perfect location

The blue grotto was a perfect for our size group. Having two kitchens gave us plenty of space to cook and gather. We enjoyed the pool fully and the outdoor TV for a movie night was a bonus! We had a great family reunion.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sherry R.

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

Ton of space for our crew!

We had two families stay in the house and it was perfect for our group. Kitchens were well stocked, the outdoor space was great and so close to the beach! 2 living areas and 2 kitchens were amazing. So clean! Will definitely be coming back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Clayton B.

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

If We Could Give It 6 Stars We Would!

Awesome location. Perfect distance from the beach, Publix, and restaurants. The house was stocked! Beach chairs, towels, cleaning supplies, and the welcome bottle of wine was a nice touch. Blue Grotto was super clean and spacious. We would stay there again next year but it’s not available for the dates we need…..
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David P.

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

Love Blue Grotto

Second visit and we had a great time! Loved the location. We were there when it was crazy hot, but had a wonderful time and got to experience everything we wanted. Plenty of space for two families (total of 11 people) and had all the needs. Tons of towels, pool toys and beach stuff!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Great family trip

What a wonderful place for a large group! We are grandparents who traveled with our kids and grandkids. The two kitchens came in very handy and they were well stocked. We had plenty of beach chairs and the beach was just a short walk away. The owners communicated in a timely manner. We would recommend staying at this lovely place.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Linda S.

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

Great house

It was a family vacation. We had 10 people and the house was great. There was plenty of room for all of us. It had everything we needed. We all loved the pool - especially the kids! The hosts were very helpful. We would recommend this house.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

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