My family has been vacationing on Anna Maria Island for the past 16 years. We've only stayed in houses on the gulf side and right on the beach so we have lots of experience with spotting the best locations. We've stayed in houses from Bean Point down to Holmes Beach and just south of where Manatee Ave comes into the island. By far, this beach cottage is in a section of beach that is the most private. You will always find places to sit on the beach without people right on you. When standing on the beach and looking to the right or left, you see the masses of people all jammed together on the beach. There is a very large sand bar off the island in this location that makes the water very shallow about 50 yards out from the beach. At low tide, the water only comes up to your knees out that far. Now for the beach house. It is good size for up to 6 people and overall in okay condition. There is really nasty carpeting in the bedrooms that makes you want to wear shoes to walk on. Paint is peeling in several rooms. The kitchen cabinets are getting pretty beat up and knobs are falling off the drawers. And the master bath is in desperate need of a refresh. The design of the master bath shower is such that when you open the door to turn on the shower, water shoots out of the door opening and onto the floor of the bathroom. The shower head can't be positioned to avoid this. Having said this, the house is in about the same condition of any of the other 7 houses we've rented over the years. Every year, the prices go up for these rentals. I just wish that the cottages would be refreshed yearly which would make the trip that much more enjoyable. We would stay in this house again in the future if we make the trip again. The location simply cannot be beat. Walk to the beach house cafe for pancakes or a cocktail, or to the plaza behind the house for coffee, ice cream, or drug store needs. The deck on the house is the best part. The deck boards have been replaced with composite boards. No splinters here! There is nothing blocking your view of the gulf and you have 180 degrees view of paradise. The deck is plenty large enough for 8 or more people and the furniture is in decent shape. Just a little dirty but we cleaned it up on arrival. Could use a ceiling fan for those times when the breeze is coming from the east. Without a breeze, you'll get eaten alive by the "noseeums" at night. I love the refund policy that VRBO offers just in case you need it.