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Review submitted by Eric from Epsom (Submitted: 12 Sep 2012)
Four of us stayed here for 11 nights in summer 2012 and we were all very happy with the villa. I dont think the photos really do it justice - its much bigger in real life! Its also clean and well-appointed, a genuinely nice place that we didnt want to leave behind at the end of our holidays.
The area is totally residential theres nothing but sleepy streets of big villas, so very little traffic noise or disturbance of any kind.
The villa isnt especially close to the sea, but because the roads are easy and quiet it doesnt take very long to get there by car. The best local beach we found was Siesta Key, which is about 30 minutes drive.
A car is absolutely essential. Theres a 7/11 shop about 15 minutes walk from the villa, but you wouldnt want to walk to the nearest supermarket or any of the restaurants.
As long as you dont mind driving, there are literally hundreds of restaurants and fast-food places within 30 minutes of the villa. There are also two big WalMarts and easy access to the I75 motorway.
All in all, a fantastic holiday home and one I can highly recommend.
Review submitted by Sandra from Glasgow (Submitted: 13 Aug 2012)
Everything about this villa was excellent. The location was ideal, it was spacious, very well equipped with use of a computer and had a lovely heated pool which we used every day. We were well looked after as when the washing machine flooded all over the utility room and kitchen, the agent looking after the property arrived prompty with a "man" to fix the problem, even though it was a Saturday. The owners were happy for you to use all pool toys etc as long as you took care of them, which we did with great hilarity. Mock Olympics by 4 50-something women was a sight to behold! We were convenient for outlet malls, the more upmarket St Armonds Circle in Sarasota, Anna Maria Island and 2 hours from Orlando, if you wished to venture that far. A lovely residential location for those who are happy to drive, which we would recommend.
Review submitted by Petra from Bolton (Submitted: 20 Nov 2010)
The directions from the airport and to pick the keys up and to the villa where spot on. The villa itself was very spacious plenty room for a little one. Our daughter loved the fact that she could keep in touch with her friends back home via facebook on the villa computor. She even made friends with 2 girls across the road. The villa has everything for your holidays, towels, beach towels and hairdryers (so dont pack them - use the space for taking goodies home). The only addition we would make to villa is a tv in the other bedrooms - just to settle the kids at night.
It was nice to see a BBQ had been added and the best place to get your meat is at sweetbay supermarket near mcdonalds. Overall we could very easily live there forever. The beaches are fab great for collecting unusual shells. manatee beach was best for kids it has a cafe, park and toilets. Siesta key is stunning. A trip to miami took just under 4hrs and it takes you through the everglades. Shopping is best at premium outlets in orlando about 90mins away take the I4 east and come off at lake buena vista. Would definately reccomend the villa, all the locals are really friendly.
Review submitted by Julio from Abingdon (Submitted: 9 Aug 2010)
We thought that this was a well laid out, well maintained property. It was ideal for the 9 of us (two families). We have stayed in a number of other 4 bedroom properties with pools in Florida and have always found them to be spacious, but we all agreed that your property has the most generous sized rooms so far. We thought the location was excellent - there were superb beaches nearby on Anna Maria Island yet it was only an hour away from Tampa and two hours from Orlando so we managed to cram a lot into our visit. Our children were delighted with the huge TV and internet access. It was also nice to have beach chairs, fishing rods, cools bags, a good supply of pool towels etc available to use. The directions to collect and dro p of the keys were straightforward and we didnt have any reason to contact the agents during our stay. If anyone asked us where we stayed, we would definitely recommend this property.
Review submitted by Colin from Geneva, Switzerland (Submitted: 29 Jul 2010)
Nice villa, lovely and spacious. Peaceful area, no problem with noise apart from frogs and ducks..
Beaches are about 30 minutes away by car, a little far for some but not a problem for us as you can do shopping on way or way back. Sarasota for the aquarium and siesta key beach is a must!
Limited takeaway deliveries in this area compared to Orlando villa resorts. Dominos Pizza didnt deliver but we found Pizza hut did deliver.
The villa was nice it was unfortunate that we had a bad experience with the owners management company. They were not helpful and to an extent rude. This seems to be a problem with other guests as well when we read the guest comments book by at least two others mentioning it in the past.
We stayed at the villa from 18 July 2010 and we were the first person in 2010 according to the guestbook.
The communication between management company and pool cleaner was missing so they added stain remover to the pool so we couldnt use it for 24 hours :-(
The first night we had to buy a cot as none was in the property (Owner did reimburse and apologise for the error on the site) one night it rained heavy so didnt get to use the pool as much as we would have hoped for!
However, if you have no problems and dont contact the owners management company then you will have a good time.
I wouldnt return as I have stayed in 3 other villas and it may be I have high expectations after other villas facilities and management companies that care. Our other villa we could arrange a late checkout free of charge as no one was entering after us as the management company was flexible.
The management company rules said this was strictly not possible at this villa and you had to arrive after 16.00 and leave at 10.00 even though it was empty before and after us according to the booking calendar (No flexibility). This meant we got to Orlando airport 8 hours before the flight and waited for over 4 hours for the airline check-in to open in Orlando.
My advice is for the owner to change management company and find a solution to be more flexible with guests requirements.
Advice to prospective guests here is to find a solution for the return flight back to Europe as they leave in the evening it can be a problem with young children to be at airport so well in advance then take a long haul flight.
Wishing you a happy holiday.
Owner reply:
This review is way over the top. I will happily admit my error in listing 2 cots available - no idea why I put that but we sorted that out straight away, and the pool man made a genuine mistake putting stain remover in the pool which meant the pool was unusable for 24 hours - everyone was apologetic but you can only apologise so many times to someone that isnt interested in your apology! Our property mangers have been looking after the villa for 8 years and, yes at times they can run things their own way - however they are efficient, trustworthy and they actually care about the property. I cant control the rain, or the level of takeaway deliveries - as he rightly says, its not Orlando - thats why we like it!! Also for many people our management company can be flexible and have been on timings, however on this occasion another family were arriving the next day and perhaps their attitude had been tainted?
Review submitted by Robert from Sheffield (Submitted: 24 Apr 2010)
Excellent accommodation, extremely spacious, added bonus of online computer access.
Review submitted by Janice from Bletchingley Surrey. UK (Submitted: 31 Dec 2009)
We were a family of 7. Ages ranging from 60s to 18 months. We found the house excellent and large enough for some privacy if needed. The only problem we had was with the noisy beds (single beds) for the adults, children were fine as they weighed less. The double and master bed was fine. My poor husband had to sleep in the den, as it was so noisy and woke him and me everytime he moved. Apart from that, everything was excellent. We had a lovely Christmas day swimming in the lovely heated pool and eating our dinner in the lovely lounge with the candles lit. The beaches which were 30 minutes away by car were lovely and also the restaurants around about. We will certainly be returning.
Review submitted by trevor from ipswich (Submitted: 26 Nov 2009)
We spent two weeks in this property and found it to be the best we have ever stayed in, it is the first to have all the things it says it has and they were all up and running by that i mean TV/cable/computer/internet all working fine even the pool heating was perfect, just as the advert says.The price was well worth it too i would recommend this villa to all my family and friends and know they would not be disappointed.
T Baker
Review submitted by Marie from Reading (Submitted: 1 Jul 2009)
This is our second visit to the villa, we enjoyed this stay just as much as the first.
The villa is extremely spacious and well equipped with beach toys, beach chairs, a collection of books, games and dvd/videos, fishing rods. It also has a computer with internet access which was very useful. It allowed my daughter to keep in touch with the office - ugh, and us to pay some bills on line.
The pool is nice, with a child fence and comfortable furniture, the lanai also has a ceiling fan - in the temperatures during the time we stayed 13/06/09 for two weeks - it was very welcome. The first week was unusually hot - too hot to stay long on the beach.
There is a large communal pool and childrens playground you can use too.
It is close to supermarkets - Publix, Sweetbay and Walmart all within 5 minute drive. Ellenton outlet mall is about 10 mins away. It is ideally placed for the I75.
We used Anna Maria Island beaches and the trip took about 20+ mins depending on the traffic.
We would highly recommend the villa to anyone.
If there is one thing I would add it would be a barbecue - we go to Florida often and dont eat out as much as we did when we first started going. So a barbecue would have been nice.
But another very enjoyable stay.
Review submitted by Michael from Oban (Submitted: 20 Nov 2008)
The best way to describe this property is as outstanding!
It is huge, extremely well equipped, spotlessly clean and scrupulously tidy. The Master bedroom has a dressing room, wet area, enormous dresing table and the biggest, most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. There is a tv, hairdryer, and a double bath. Really is luxury!
The three other bedrooms are spacious, comfortable, and nicely separate from one another allowing plenty privacy.
The kitchen is better equipped than what I have at home! Everything is there from BBQ untensils to waste disposal to filters for the coffee maker. More than enough crockery, cutlery, mugs and glasses too.
Lounges (3 of!) fantastic, with a selec tion of books and DVDs, soft toys, cable TV and a reclining leather chair - bliss!
The pool area is fabulous with a warm, clean and safe pool, outside dining area and sun loungers. There is also a selec tion of pool toys in the garage, a BBQ, cool box and just about everything you could want for a day on the beach.
The area that the villa is in is very quiet, safe, and friendly, however, you will need a car to go ANYWHERE as you are at least 3 miles from a supermarket and the beaches are a good half hour drive. They are well worth the effort though. Siesta Key is stunning, and for a fabulous dinner, highly recommend Sand Bar on Anna Maria Island.
Villa is 45 minutes from Tampa (Busch GArdens) and 2 hours from the Disney parks. Easily manageable in a day. There is so much to do in the Sarasota/Bradenton area as well though.
All in all, this is the best holiday we have had with the nicest accommodation, in probably the ideal location.
We will return!
Review submitted by Anne from Haywards Heath (Submitted: 25 Aug 2008)
The family had a lovely time in Florida and the villa was very comfortable and well equiped. There were plenty of food shops nearby and a small mall for other shopping.
The beaches were about a 30 minute drive away but well worth it and they had some great restuarants. There was also a multi-screen cinema close by for those showery days. Sabal harbour is a beautifully kept estate and very quiet also good for viewing local wildlife watching the herons close up was lovely. If you like fishing there are some really good facilities close by and the local Wal Mart does rods, accessories and bait.
Review not verified by RentalSystems* (Submitted: 17 Jul 2008)
The villa was absolutly fantastic, i couldnt of asked for a nicer location, the development surrounding this area is lovely All the rooms were spacious and of very high quality. The swimming pool was great, the chance to go for a swim when ever you want is a huge bonus. The access to wallmart within driving distance was really good to have, and the shopping at Ellenton is a must. Outback steakhouse was brilliant, a definate must, Applebees and Arbys also, aswell as Golden Coral. All of the beaches are beautiful, Florida in general is and i look forward to returning to this villa.
Review not verified by RentalSystems* (Submitted: 16 Jul 2008)
The villa was everything I expected and more. It was a beautiful house with everything you could ever need. The pool was lovely and just what you needed if you didnt want a day on the beach and is perfect for a swim after a long day shopping. The development the villa was on is lovely and quite just want you want for a relaxing holiday. The beaches were amazing, soft white sand and warm sea. Shopping was good around the area and Ellenton is a must! There were lots of different restaurants around, all good, so there were lots of choice a few of our favourties were Applebees, Outback Steakhouse and Perkins for breakfast. Will definatly be returning to the villa again soon!!
Review submitted by Ted from Kettering (Submitted: 24 Nov 2007)
Nice neighbourhood close to all shopping, Everything we needed at property. Clean and very comfortable good value for money. Would stay again.
Review submitted by marie from reading (Submitted: 15 Oct 2007)
We have just returned from 10 days in this accommodation which more than met our expectations, it is large and airy with a good sized pool, complete with pool fence which is ideal for famiiies with young children.
The furnishings are good quality and everything you need is there from fishing rods to pool toys to internet access. We travelled with our daughter and 6 year old grandson who loved the pool and every soft toy in the house ended up in the room he was sleeping in !! ( and there are a few). The numerous reading books were a bonus as were the board games.
The villa was spotlessly clean and well located with a Publix just a few minutes away and a Super Walmart a few minutes the other way and plenty of decent eateries on Cortez Road and the beaches are about a 20 minute drive.
Wouldn't hesitate to recommend this villa to anyone.
Review submitted by Lorraine from Edinburgh (Submitted: 10 Oct 2007)
This is a beautiful, spacious villa in a lovely, peaceful area. It contained everything we needed to make our stay even more comfortable and enjoyable. It is a very clean and well kept villa. We were all very sad to leave and would love to stay again in the future if possible.