(Based on 51 reviews)
- 07/22/2020 -
What a great time!
"We have stayed at Joel's cottage, both B and A before and have always enjoyed ourselves immensely! The area is as quiet as he promises, the cottage as lovely and well appointed as advertised and it was the perfect vacation spot for me and my family. I was able to get in lots of walking, swimming, seafood eating and even brought my violin for practicing! Don't miss out!"
Host Reply
Thank you for the kind words! I am always happy when I get an email from you about a possible visit. Quiet is good when you want to relax and unwind.
Warm regards,
Joel and Marga
- 06/27/2020 -
A beautiful stay in paradise
"This was our 3rd time staying here and we plan to return again. It's clean, well priced, close to the beach and has everything we need. All of the restaurants on the island are yummy, but we enjoy the convenience of having a full kitchen with everything necessary to cook and eat at home. The bikes are a huge plus since parking is often an issue near the beach. We even found books and games for a rainy afternoon. The owner checked in with us a few times during our stay and we appreciated it. We hope to return soon!"
Host Reply
So glad you keep having a good time! Thank you for the kind words.
Warm regards,
Joel and Marga
- 12/03/2017 -
Great place
"Spent the first week of December in unit A. The house was perfect for us (clean, close to the beach, and came with many extras- bikes, beach toys etc). The kids loved the big driveway full of shells.
The owner (Joel) gave us a call the first day we arrived to welcome us and make sure we were happy with everything. Throughout the week he would email us with suggestions on what to do...we really got the sense that he generally cares about his guests having a great experience (Which we did).
Although not right next to the beach (about a 5minute walk), we found it to be perfect for us (two young kids, so being on a quieter street allowed them to walk around a bit without us feeling like they had to be next to us the whole time).
Would recommend to anyone that travels to the island."
Host Reply
So glad you had a good time! Finding the island with young kids can mean a fun place to visit for years to come. I enjoy welcoming the guests to hear their voice sounding happy to be on the island in a comfortable house.
You were wonderful guests and I hope you return.
Thank you for your kind words.
Joel
Side A is same size as B.
- 04/01/2017 -
Great place to stay!
"Everything was nice and clean. The kitchen had everything we could ask for. There were beachumbrellas, chairs and toys. Our kids loved to play outside in the garden. Joel and edina were very helpful and really interrested in Our stay. Gave us lots of ideas of things to Do on the Island. We can warmly recommend this place."
- 11/12/2016 -
A great place to stay on beautiful Anna Maria
"The house is clean and comfortable and very well equipped, every thing you could possibly need seems to be available here from buckets and spades to picnic baskets, torches and food processors! It is also very well placed to get to the beach, local shops and restaurants and the free Anna Maria trolley.
There may well be some smarter homes for rental on the island but not at this sort of price and Joel is great to deal with, he makes sure that his guests are well informed and happy with all aspects of the rental."
- 10/08/2016 -
Absolutely love !!!
"Our family of five absolutely loved staying at the songbird cottage! A short walk to the beach with beach toys, chairs and a wagon. We ate breakfast outside in the lovely back yard every day as our three kids searched for lizards ! The house has everything you need for a wonderful vacation. Loved the location on a quiet street with easy access. I can't express enough how much we loved the house and location. You can't beat the rate either ! Joel is very helpful and stayed in contact with us while we visited the island for 8 days. We are already planning our visit for next year !!!"
- 09/10/2016 -
Back again to this beautiful cottage
"This is the second time we have been here and it will definitely won't be the last. Once again we had a wonderful time staying at Songbird. We rode on the bikes that are provided there.No need to drive.Joel was very helpful again.Went to the beach every day.The beach cottage has everything for your needs on vacation. Thanks again Joel for such a great time at your vacation home."
- 07/16/2016 -
Awesome Vacation!
"Joel was amazing! He is very personable and made sure from day one that all was ok. The location of the property is perfect! Place was well kept and very comfortable. I highly recommend that if you're looking for a place to stay, give Joel a call! You won't be sorry. Thanks Joel for everything! See you again soon!"
- 06/11/2016 -
Great family vacation home
"This was our first trip to the Island and our family loved it! I can't say enough about the owners of the home, they were very helpful and accommodating. The home was very clean and plenty of room for our family of 4. Home was exactly as stated. We will definitely stay here again in the future."
- 05/21/2016 -
Perfect for our family of 4!
"Was as spacious and light-filled as the photos show. A quiet, relaxing and homey space, well appointed with everything needed for a stay. The amenities were all excellent. The property is obviously well taken care of, very neat and clean. We appreciated Joel's attention to detail. Made use of the beach items, bikes, charcoal grill, and outdoor space. A low traffic, quiet street with an easy walk to the beach and trolley stops. A thoroughly enjoyable stay. We will look to stay here again in the future!"
- 04/30/2016 -
Nice vacation on AMI
"A really nice house, clean and with a welcome package of the small things You tend to forget ! We used the bikes a lot, both for rides to other beaches and for visiting a little more distant restaurants. The neigborhood is nice and calm.
It matched description perfect so no surprices !
On top of that, excellent weather, sunny, warm and light winds !"
- 04/23/2016 -
Songbird
"The home was very nice. There were extras in the kitchen. It was great for cooking meals. The rooms were bright and inviting. It was a great home for a week!"
- 03/05/2016 -
Most relaxing vacation ever!
"A very nice and clean house in a quiet neighborhood. The property and it's amenities are exactly as described by Joel. There was a welcome basket with items that you would need to get you started on vacation. Grocery store and several dining options are located within a 5 minute drive. The location of the property is close to the beach! We started and ended each day on the beach. There are numerous sites to go to during the day within an hour drive.
We chose AMI to get away from the crazy schedule of a theme park. We got exactly what we were looking for! My husband and I have stated that this was the most relaxing vacation we have ever had. We have two young children and there is enough to do that they never got bored!
Joel was very easy to work with through out the whole process. He was actually out of the country on vacation during our stay and reached out to us to make sure everything was going ok and if we needed anything. He was available for questions as needed.
I would highly recommend this property. We have already booked here for our next vacation!"
- 02/06/2016 -
Very well and constantly maintained and clean
"My wife and I have just completed another stay at the Songbird Cottage.
It seems like every year we stay here, we enjoy it even more.
We had an opportunity to meet the owner Joel and his wife along with his
sister and brother in law and later on his other sister and brother in law.
We enjoyed their company very much.
This is our sixth or seventh stay here and why wouldn't one keep coming
back and enjoying the location, the cottage amenities and one of the
finest beaches you'll see anywhere and nice restaurants.
Joel was constantly working around the cottage just fixing little things
and not hesitating to replace items that were wore or damaged. The
availability and the choice of one or more of the ten bikes was a plus.
We would not hesitate to recommend the Songbird to anyone who wishes
a nice place to stay, excellent location and of course, most important,
the cleanliness of the cottage."
- 11/14/2015 -
Super Aufenthalt
"Wir waren bereits zum 2. Mal hier, weil wir es schon beim ersten Mal echt super fanden. Es ist alles da, was man braucht, sauber und ordentlich. Inzwischen ist die überdachte Terrasse neu gemacht. Das nutzten der Fahrräder vor Ort ist einfach Gold wert. Das Haus ist nur ein paar Gehminuten vom Strand entfernt. Für unsere Kinder war es schon am 2 Tag ihr neues Zuhause und waren wirklich traurig, als der Urlaub vorbei war. Joel ist ein sehr fürsorglicher Vermieter. Er ruft regelmäßig an, um sich zu vergewissern, ob alles in Ordnung ist. Wenn mal ein Problem auftauchen sollte, kümmert er sich sofort um Abhilfe. Von ihm bekommt man auch super Ausgeh- und Freitzeitaktivitäten-Tipps. Meine Eltern haben im Appartment B gewohnt. Auch hier war alles super. Unsere Kinder fragen ständig, wann wir endlich wieder in Anna Maria Urlaub machen. Auch wir würden uns freuen, wenn wir nochmal wiederkommen können. Und dann wird es auf jeden Fall wieder dieses Haus sein!"
- 10/17/2015 -
Pat M.
"We found it just as described, nice quiet location, short walk to beach, lots of extras provided, Joel checked in with us a few times which we appreciated, we have rented at different places but never had the service Joel gives, he is really concerned you enjoy your stay and needs are met which they certainly were. Would definitely recommend this cute place to stay."
- 08/08/2015 -
Fantastic!
"This is the first time my family and I have tried a rental property vacation and I must say, I had some consternation. I did my research, discovered a dozen possible properties, and finally narrowed it down to this one. The most important factors weighing into my decision were size, cleanliness, reviews, location, and price - this house seemed to fit the bill...
Squaring up the rental fees and paperwork with Joel was effortless - we even chatted on the phone quite a bit about non-related topics - great guy!
On arrival we were so very pleasantly surprised. The house was great! We entered to a spotless kitchen - with a hand-written note from Joel's cleaning staff - very nice! The kitchen was fully equipped with every type of flatware, utensil, or plate you would ever need. The living room was fully stocked with magazines, books, movies, and brochures. The bedrooms were nicely arranged and very clean as well - including extra blankets.
In the laundry room there was of course a fully functional washer and dryer, but also every sort of beach chair, umbrella, toy, boogie board, etc for us to use - which was very surprising (and we did take advantage of it!)
The entire experience was fantastic and we plan on making it an annual event. Between the house, the location, and Joel himself I couldn't have been happier!"
- 07/04/2015 -
Great place!
"My family and I stayed at Joel's place over the 4th of July week and we had an amazing time. We loved the area and the location of this rental is really good, it's very close to the beach, and its a great value. The place is very clean and comfortable and there's lots of space. There are a lot of extras included that most places make you pay extra for. Check it out, you won't be disappointed!"
- 05/09/2015 -
Home away from Home
"This was our first visit to Joel's home. After one conversation with Joel on the phone I knew this was the rental we wanted. The place is just as described. Joel goes above and beyond to make sure you are comfortable and have a happy stay. I own a cleaning business and I was impressed with how clean the house is. The Island is just beautiful. The Sunsets are post card worthy. What I loved most about AMI is it is laid back, easy living. They know exactly what it means to live on island time. We enjoyed all of the mom n pop shops. Joel will share a great deal of information with you on where to go eat/shop etc. Staying at Joel's home I felt like I had really had a vacation when I returned home. Usually we are stressed trying to wash a weeks worth of clothes and recover from running non stop trying to get our monies worth. Joel provides a washer and dryer...so nice to return home with clean clothes! We stayed in many nights and grilled out in the back yard. This is a true old style Florida home in a very nice neighborhood. Holmes beach is just beautiful. We even took a day trip to Lego Land. My five year old loved it...I was really happy to see the house that night. My entire family slept well every night and just thoroughly enjoyed all that AMI has to offer. If you are looking for party city...AMI is not it. If you are looking for a great couples/family vacation then this is your place. We are well traveled all throughout Florida. AMI is at the top of our list of places to return to. Joel even called our first day to make sure everything was good with the house. We didn't have any issues our entire stay, but I'm sure if we had they would have been immediately addressed. Joel has a team of people hired on locally to keep the home in tip top shape. Thank you Joel for sharing your home with us. We will gladly drive 12 hours again to come stay in your place. I felt like the only thing missing was our name on the mailbox!"
- 04/25/2015 -
Wonderful Beach House
"What a great place! My husband and I stayed here for 8 days. It was phenomenal. The house is a duplex. We stayed in side A. There's a lovely kitchen that was stocked with all the equipment you may need. The living room is comfortable with a couch, loveseat, and recliner. The recliner is so comfortable! There is cable and a blue ray player. There are two bedrooms: one with the two twins and one with a queen bed. It's perfect for a couple or two couples or a family. The backyard has plenty of chairs and a grill, for lovely nights in. There's also a clothes line to dry your belongings. The bikes were nice too, but we didn't use them much.
The rental property is ideally situated. It's less than a quarter of a mile from the beautiful beach. We walked there almost daily and enjoyed either the afternoon sun or a beautiful sunset. Plus, Anna Maria Island is close to several great sites too. We ventured to Clearwater for a dolphin tour (we went on Little Toot and totally saw dolphins), visited Fort de Soto State Park (which is phenomenal), and we rented jet skis. It was a perfect location.
We recommend Rod and Reel Pier for lunch or dinner as well as Sign of the Mermaid for breakfast. Yum yum!
We will definitely be back. This place felt like it was ours. It made us dream of someday owning our own place just like this!"
- 11/15/2014 -
Quel bel endroit - Such a nice place !
"Une maison tout à fait idéale pour passer de belles vacances. Très propre, bien éclairée et assez grande, on y retrouve absolument tout ce dont on peut avoir besoin, autant à l'intérieur qu'à l'extérieur, pour passer un merveilleux séjour. On peut facilement se rendre à la plage à pied ou à bicyclette et tous les accessoires nécessaires (bicyclettes, serviettes de plage, chaises, parasol, jouets, etc ) sont en bon état et disponibles.
L'accès internet et les interurbains en Amérique du Nord sont
aussi fort appréciés.
Joel, le propriétaire, est d'une efficacité sans pareil. On peut le rejoindre facilement, il est très avenant pour ses locataires. Nous n'avons manqué de rien ... sauf de la présence du soleil. Nous y reviendrons donc ... et c'est chez Joel que nous passerons notre prochain séjour sur cette île magnifique.
The house is a great place for holidays. Really clean, well illuminated and big enough to feel great. We can find everything we need, inside or outside, to make our stay absolutely fantastik.
We can easily walk ou ride to the beach. The house provides us bicycles, beach towels, umbrellas and toys for kids.
Internet access and free calls all over North America were really appreciated.
Joel is a great Landlord who wants us to be satisfied. We can easily reach him, he is really friendly.
We missed nothing .... except the sun ! So, we will have to come back in A.M.I. and we will, at Joel's place for sure!"
- 11/01/2014 -
Two weeks have gone just one day !
"Our trip to Bradenton on Nov., 21 - Dec., 4th was related specifically to the Eddie Herr international tennis tournament in IMG academy. I've been travelling with my two teenage daughters - 11 yrs and 14 yrs old - From Vancouver, BC, Canada. Both girls played on this tournament.
Joel's place has fit perfectly fine for us - reasonable price for separate dwelling, not a condo, near the beach, which was the main reason for us, close to the tennis tournament site - just 12 - 15 min drive. Also the tennis courts in walking distance helped my girls a lot. They had practice every day and were warmed up for their official matches at IMG.
Walking distance to the Manatee Beach was the main advantage for this location. Every afternoon, after a hard morning practices with Team Canada and tough matches on the tournament after that we had a lot of fun on the beach ! My girls loved it ! I loved it myself, probably, even more then they are !
Joel was a great host, even we never saw him ;-))) He called us on regular basis in case if we had any questions or concerns. It was very nice of him.
My children didn't want to leave this house and Anna Maria Island !
We had the greatest vacation during the last several years !
Everything good is over pretty fast and our 2 weeks have gone like a one day !
We will definitely will be back and stay at Joel's place again !
Thank you, Joel !"
- 10/18/2014 -
4th time returning. Staying 2 weeks is the answer!
"This is our 4th time staying in Songbird. My in-laws have come with us each year and the last 2 years my wive's brothers have stayed in the other unit. We keep coming back because it is such a great place to stay. It has all the amenities including laundry and is always clean when we arrive. It is so close to the beach that you can walk there in 4 minutes or ride a bike in 2. The listing description and pictures are exactly what you get. Some p;laces to try for sure. Skinny's Burgers, The Beach Cafe (for all you can eat pancakes), St. Armand Circle for great shopping and Lobstah's restaurant, Big Cat Habitat and Red Barn farmers market to name a few traditional things we do or visit.,All are within 20 minutes of the property. There is tons more to do but out favorite part is the beach... By day, sun and waves and by night the most beautiful sky and sunsets you will ever see and the stars are amazing with no city lights. This was our first year staying for 2 weeks and it was 4x more relaxing and fun!"
- 08/02/2014 -
"old florida" style cottage
"The owner provided an accurate description of this "old Florida" style cottage. It was exceptionally clean; and was light and airy with an open floor plan The comfy, sturdy furniture was welcome after a wonderful day at the beach. The well-equipped kitchen did not lack a utensil. The wi-fi was strong and fast. My restaurant of choice, Sandbar, was gulf-side where you could have your feet in the white sand or sit inside with the AC and watch the sun set. There were many photo opportunities of shorebirds, sunrises and sunsets. The lack of high rises is one great asset of this fine island of Anna Maria.
The owner was very attentive and accommodating ensuring I was happy, relaxed and everything was in order. I have already recommended this fine property to friends. While away from home I felt as though I was at home!"
- 06/28/2014 -
Wow what a great place to stay.
"Hi Joel
You are a star****Thank you for our wonderful stay at your home.We had a great time there.The cottage was very clean and you have everything there for our needs.It is close to the beach where we went every day.Great idea you have a trolley there to carry all the chairs,towels and beach umbrella to the beach. We were very relaxed there as we spent some time in Orlando before we arrived,so thanks again.
We will return again but next time will stay much longer.
See you soon
John & Catherine from UK"
- 05/10/2014 -
A Great Island Cottage
"The unit is a perfect vacation cottage for couples or small families. The beds are very comfortable, and the unit is well equipped and cozy. The owner, Joel, is helpful and follows up to ensure that no problems have been encountered. His instructions on how to run the units mechanicals were perfect. The place was clean, bright and cheerful. It is very close to the beach (less than 10 minute walk), shopping and the some great restaurants (Tortilla Bay, Mr. Bones, Sandbar, etc.). We did not get a chance to use the bikes, but there are quite a few to choose from. And, plenty of beach equipment stored in the shed in the back. We have stayed in other locations on the Bay side of the island and I was happy to find that Joel's location did not come with cockroaches! We look forward to renting this unit from Joel again. Sandy & Ron"
- 04/05/2014 -
Perfect vacation home
"Excellent value. Home was extremely clean and well-maintained - Side A. Before renting,I had an issue with possible noise from Side B, but we heard nothing at all through the walls, that being with a 9 mos old child on that side. Very happy. Greg loved sitting under the banyon tree in the back yard. Joel is very precise and available with information and help if needed. We were near everything.. could walk to beach or to resteraunts. Lots of activities going on, yet street is very, very quiet. Excellent value for the money!!"
- 07/13/2013 -
Wonderful Vacation
"We had such a great vacation. The house was so neat, clean and well decorated. We, actually, enjoyed our short walks to the beach while the kids rode bikes. Mr. Songstad provides you with so much at this house that you really only need to bring food and clothes. He, also, was so friendly and you can tell he really wants you to have a wonderful stay. We hated to leave but definately look forward to returning next year!! You will not be disappointed with your stay!!"
- 06/08/2013 -
Wonderful 10 days!!
"We spend 10 wonderful days with friends from Germany in "Tropical Song B", the other side of Songbird. The unit was very clean and had everything you would need for a tropical trip. All we needed to bring was our swim suits and food, that`s it. The Beaches are so beautiful and only a 10 minute walk away. It was easy booking the unit with Joel, and he made us feel right at home. The unit has a beautiful back yard with a Grill, Bikes and everything you need for the Beach. Thank you so much Joel for making us feel right at home. The only bad thing, 10 days went by way to fast. But we will be back very soon. This was our third trip to Anna Maria and the best one yet. Thanks Joel from all of us, Melanie, Jim, Petra & Dieter."
- 05/31/2013 -
Great Vacation!
"What a great week! The cottage was very cozy and clean with all the comforts of home.Being a 5 minute walk from a beautiful beach was certainly a plus. We made well use of the bikes,they were extremely handy.
Two coconuts fell of the tree and we had a tough but a fun time cracking them open,once we did they were delicious.With a full kitchen we were able to cook lots of great meals,we also Barbequed a lot!
Joel,thank you so much for the great service you provided us.The directions and instructions you gave were easy to follow and your fun suggestions were very useful.
A perfect place to stay on a very beautiful Island, definitely will return and tell friends and family about a perfect Vacation.
Thank you,Joel!!"
- 05/26/2013 -
Lovely getaway on AMI
"I have stayed at this lovely unit mutliple times and have recommended this property to my friends back home as well. The owner is most accommodating and at your service. The place is always clean, bright and cheerful and you have everything you need. Very close to beach, shopping and the best restaurants. Everything just "works" and it is very comfortable. A good find for sure."
- 02/02/2013 -
Review of stay a Songbird cottage
"We have stayed at the Songbird property for three years now and have already
sent in a deposit for next year. We were most excited about the location
to the beach, stores restaurants and the short drive to Bradenton. The unit
has always been clean, furnished with fresh linens and towels, more than enough
dishes, pots pans and silverware. The owner has always been up front with
any problems that have existed which were a small number and has relayed to us
in detail what measures he has taken to correct things. This past year the
WIFI was failing and as soon as we called Joel, Brighthouse the internet carrier
responded the next day and installed a new modem and router. The cost of the
unit has been reasonable and it lacks no amenities. I would not hesitate to
recommend a stay her to anyone. I also like the idea that no smoking or pets
are allowed. Did I mention the fresh tomatoes in front we ate in February?
I might add free transportation is available on the island via bus and
cottage also has ten bikes available to tenants."
- 06/30/2012 -
Family from Minneapolis MN
"Our stay at Songbird was delightful. The owner had thought of everything we might need beforehand and it made our stay all the better. There were plenty of towels and sheets. It was also splendid having laundry on site. We went home with our suitcases full of clean clothes!
The two bedrooms supplied ample space for my wife, myself, and our three daughters. The digital TV was also nice for those downtimes between beach visits. The bikes provided a great way to get around the island without a car. Also, the lime and mango tree in the back yard were bearing fruit during our stay and provided a nice, fresh treat.
The house is a short walk from a nice, quiet beach. This made all the difference. We will certainly be returning soon."
- 06/23/2012 -
Amazing Vacation
"This wonderful cottage has all the comforts of home and a few extra! Joel is absolutely wonderful to work with! We stayed through tropical storm Debby, and still had a terrific time. The cottage was well stocked with books and movies to carry us through the rainy days. The bikes were so much fun, we enjoyed exploring the island with them. There was always something to do, we loved the free trolley, I think we only actually drove once all week. Captain Kathe's Pup Pup tour was amazing, she was very fun and laid back. We have two children ages 10 and 17 and there was something for everyone. They are still talking about the trip and we can not wait to return!"
- 05/12/2012 -
Perfect Vacation
"This is not a luxury condominium. What it is is a great place to spend your vacation. It is clean and has everything you need, including bicycles. It is a very quiet and convenient central location on the island. It is a short, easy walk to the beach. Joel is very good about checking with you to make sure everything is ok. We were completly satisfied with our selection of Songbird A and would love to go back again. We would recommend it to anyone. Anna Maria Island is a wonderful place."
Host Reply
Clean is a big deal with us and never goes out of style.
Thank you for visiting Songbird.
Marga and Joel
- 09/10/2011 -
A Slice of Paradise Found at Songbird
"Arrived at Songbird A on a Monday morning. Although the entire street was being dug up for new water/sewer lines, we found the place clean, pleasant and inviting. Once inside we could not hear or smell the work being done. The decor is light and airy, which echos the Anna Maria Island atmosphere. Almost everything we needed was available. Beach chairs, umbrella, coolers, and a handy garden wagon to haul it all to the beach. Easy access to everything on the island, either by car or by free trolley (air conditioned). We never got lost!! The owner greeted us with a phone call to make sure we found everything to our liking. Songbird is a great place. We were calling it "home" by the 3rd day there. The island is spectacular. This visit was our honeymoon and only one week long (short); the next will be longer and soon. I would rather keep it a secret, but we just have to tell. If you are looking for a relaxing, beautiful, warm, breezy, and natural place to vacation....... this is it !!! Inside Songbird AND out on the island. Paridise Found !!"
Host Reply
So glad you had a good time!
Thank you for visiting Songbird.
Marga and Joel
- 08/13/2011 -
A Stay as Lovely as a Song Bird
"Recently my wonderful lady and I had a chance to stay at one of the properties called SongbirdA. Awaiting us was an amazing experience. Arrival and check in was easy without confusion or hassle. The unit was clean and fully stocked we were left wanting nothing. The unit had recently been fitted with air-conditioning which made the stay that much more enjoyable. Had it not been there are ceiling fans in all the major rooms as well. The two bedrooms are spacious with plenty of closet space. The kitchen was well equipped with all the appliances and utensils necessary. All linens and household items were provided and easily accessible. Not to mention the use of the bikes were a great way to see the island and enjoy the day. For those couch potatoes or evening snugglers the tv and entertainment center was great with enough sitting room for a large group of people. Songbird is a great place to stay and the owners are helpful and available to answer any questions or deal with any problems though we had none. This is definitely a place we plan on coming back to."
Host Reply
The bikes are a fun way to see the island!
Thank you for visiting Songbird.
Marga and Joel
- 07/16/2011 -
Paradise
"Sorry to be tardy in writing,songbird was very clean,neat and comfortable,all we had to buy was the food everything was there from the dishes to the pots and even dish washing detergent did I mention there is a washer and dryer and a ice maker which we loved. The neighborhood was very quiet there were times I thought we were the only ones there,Mr Joel provided us with all the information needed everything was accurate and he even send a list of places and things to do which were very helpful.The beach was a crystal clear jade color and the sand was white we saw dolphins right off the shore while we were swimming almost every time we went to the beach now how awesome is that,the sunset is breathtaking did I mention that the water was always warm. We were here for a month so we went everywhere my favorites were Siesta key beach on sundays there is a sunset drum show it starts at 6PM its very nice, Caspersen beach if you like looking for shark teeth,jungle gardens,smugglers cove,ringling museum in sarasota on thursday after 5PM its half price to get in,rod n reel great food and beautiful sunset,coquinta beach has beautiful seashells we even found a seadollar,my sons favorite was the mote aquarium and tour,there's to many to mention but we had tons of fun everyone was so friendly and helpful,my favorite places to eat was eat here the food and service was unbelievable and danny's pizzeria had the best pizza I had in a long time it brought me back to my homeland NYC.Well all I could say is that I will return and recommend this home away from home to my friends and family it truly is a Paradise thank you Mr Joel."
Host Reply
Glad you had a good time.
Marga and Joel
- 07/10/2010 -
Songbird stay was relaxing and comfortable
"This location is a very quite residential area with a short 4 block walk to the beach. The beach here is real nice with fine white sand. We only saw one jellyfish the whole time and the water was a beautiful shade of green and clear and very calm the whole week. All the information provided was accurate and it was very clean and well maintained. The owner called us on the day of our arrival to make sure everything was fine and it was. I have already recommened this property to someone looking for a beach vacation. We tried many restarants and liked the Waterfront for a special dinner, Rod and Pier's had a great crab cake sandwich and it was very casual. Beachfront has a don't miss key lime pie. Mr Bones has great barbeque (we're Texans and we loved it)and Mr. Bones also had good indian biryani (who would guess). Regarding the beach, we also liked to drive just down the road about 5 minutes to Bean Beach. It was the least crowded beach on the island and it is a nesting site for birds. We also went to check out Siesta Key Beach after all I had heard about the quality of the sand and it is as soft as they say, but I was glad we stayed on Anna Maria Island because it was not as crowded as the Siesta Key area. I went to the Shelby botanical gardens in Sarasota and it was spectacular, went to see the Ybor area in Tampa (funky shops and resturants and clubs)."
Host Reply
Glad you had a good time!
Joel and Marga
- 06/12/2010 -
Heaven On Earth
"This was our second stay in Songbird and would like to return next year. The house was neat and clean and decorated for the Island. The neighborhood was quiet and the walk to the beach just close enough. The owner called to make sure everything was in working order. Had the use of a washer and dryer just out back. Fishing poles, beach toys, wagon and coolers to use. Transportation by trolly was easy and fun. Eating at the Rod and Reel pier was our favorite dining destination. Ginny and Janies coffee and pasties were fatastic!We loved walking on the beach and swimming in the ocean; which was crystal clear !! We saw dolphins right off shore on the beach every evening."
- 05/22/2010 -
Charming and cozy
"Feel the stress melt away as you leave the city behind. Feel the calmness and serenity as you approach Anna Maria Island. Just feel. Smell the sea, which is a 5 minute walk from Songbird. Get sandy, wet and salty when you're at the beautiful beach. Watch the birds, hunt for shells, lay in the sun and listen to the waves. Or, go do something rowdy. What more could you ask for. Ahhhhhh........."
Host Reply
It is a relaxing place.
Thank you for visiting!
Joel and Marga
Great home, location, and owner
"I’m always looking for a nice place to stay on the island. We found this duplex and really like it. Side B, which is the one we are on, has a covered patio. Between that and the lounge chair under the tree, that’s where I have spent a good portion of my time. The house is very clean and comfortable It is a great location. We have talked with the owner several times and he is very personable. I would highly recommend this property and I am looking forward to staying here next year when I come back"
Quiet place near beach
"Quiet and save place near the beach. Everything we needed was there. Cool bikes, that we used for rides to the beaches, shops etc. Publix near by, but a little bit pricy. But Wal Mart is also only a few miles away. The owner has everything perfectly descriped. So it was no problem to find the house and start the vacations. The owner was also very helpful in all our questions about AMI. Thanks therefore! The house was clean and good equipped, but a dishwasher would make it a little bit more comfortable ;-). We used the bikes, the beach gear and the BBQ. Thanks Joel for a perfect stay. Try out Fratello's in Bradenton. Live music and more."
Nice comfortable place
"Had a great week at AMI. This place is located a couple blocks from the beach access and strip center ( of activity), but doable by walking or riding a bike. The owner provides bikes but we didn’t use because we like to walk. The unit was neat, clean and comfortable. The owner also provides most of the things one would need for the stay. I would consider renting this place in the future."
Great location and loved the bikes.
"We stayed at the Songbird, side B, the last week of February and wish it could have been longer. The unit was clean and had everything we needed for 2. It is in a great loction. Joel called a few times while we were there to see if we needed anything. He is a wealth of information for resturants, activities, etc. One day we went to Brandenton for a spring training baseball game which was so much fun. We rode the bikes to resturants and to the beach every day. The island is so beautiful. We hope to return again during the winter months."
Joel and Marga are great hosts and very helpful with information about Anna Maria Island!
"We had a great time at Songbird Cottage! Joel has it fully equipped with everything you need to be just like home! The location is quiet and peaceful and very close to Holmes Beach which is beautiful! Joel has everything you need for the beach too which gave more room in the car for other things! The bikes were great to ride to the beach or to many close restaurants, stores, etc. First Christmas we traveled to Florida and enjoyed the warm temperatures and were able to eat dinner outdoors! AMI is a nice place to visit and we will definitely return!"
The property was very clean and well organized
"We had a really great time, other than the red tide, but Joel was very helpful in finding us other things to do and what beaches to go to."
Beautiful cottage
"It had everything we needed for a great week with the kids on a beautiful island!"
Very comfortable stay.
"Stayed in this property for 10 days & had the pleasure in meeting Joel & his wife who were staying next door for a few days. Had a wonderful stay, enhanced by using several of Joel's 9 bikes. The property was clean & well maintained. By Joel's honest description, the property is not luxurious, but is homely & welcoming. It is a 10 minute walk from Hurricane Hank's & the free island trolley stop is just at the end of the road. When I return to Anna Maria island I will not hesitate in renting this property again. Thank you Joel."
Great home from home
"A great place to stay with all your home comforts and in a wonderful location.
You can walk to the beach and the nearest bar restaurant is a short stroll away. Quiet place and truly relaxing"
Fun time at the Beach
"We thoroughly enjoyed the week at the beach. Your cottage was a perfect fit for us. The cottage was well furnished and very comfortable. It was very handy having the washer and dryer on the property. My wife was impressed with the kitchen. We also made use of the bikes and beach items that were available. Hope to be back next year."
