About this rental
Florida Gulf Coast beachfront rentals at Grandma’s island beach house from the summer of 1925. Enjoy old Florida. Gulf of Mexico and private white sand beach is right out your door. Wade out to the shallow sand bar to explore for shells and sand dollars. Or walk across the street to watch the yachts go by and fish in the bay. Old Timers call this part of the island "The Narrows" where the sand is just wide enough for a single row of homes.
Historically, the most beautiful spot on the tropical barrier islands of Tampa Bay between Clearwater and St Pete. The large home and carriage house are now converted into 6 Gulf front suites featuring full kitchens, pillow top beds, and fantastic views. Awarded one of the highest scores on the beach by Superior Small Lodging. Kids love an old place surrounded by water. We are small and personable.
Apt #6 is roomy 2 bdrm + sleeping porch, 2 bath and sleeps 8. Apt #4 is romantic 1 bdrm upstairs with French doors and 9 windows overlooking the Gulf.
Family reunions welcome up to 22.
On property staff.
Complementary WiFi all the way to the beach!
This is the owners suite. Very nice. With 2 bedrooms and trundle beds on the sleeping porch it can accommodate up to 8. Sometimes we get two families with the kids sharing the porch. Walk out on the private deck and you are right on the beach with the Bar-BQ and large gazebo and teakwood rocking chairs. Cook in the large kitchen outfitted with the finest pots and pans, blender for daiquiris and margaritas, and extra large refrigerator and pantry for extended stays. Large master bedroom with king size bed overlooking the Gulf, rattan furniture for that Florida look, big TV and large oak pedestal dining table seats 6 with extra kids eating on the porch. The sleeping porch overlooking the beach doubles as breakfast area for those who get up early to go beach combing for shells. My Grandparents took good care of the place. Guests compliment us on the warm glow of antique 100 year old red heart pine floors that have weathered many a hurricane in 79 years. The brick fireplace in the living room adds a touch of nostalgia.
Unique Benefits
Its a simple place, care worn with the patina from 98 years of sun and surf. And hosting many happy beach goers.
In the 1960’s my grandparents fell in love with The Narrows, where the sand is only wide enough for a single row of homes. Its the most coveted spot on the 12 mile long barrier island known as Sand Key. The Gulf and of the Bay surround you, like no where else.
Why Kids Love It
Walk out you door, down our boardwalk and feel the sand between your toes.Staying in a nearly 100 year old beach house you can't get any closer to the water. The warm emerald green waters of the Gulf and sugar white sand is right out your front door, perfect for building sand castles. And across the street they can fish from the seawall and wave to the boaters going by. If they like to collect shells and sponges, this island has a sand bar . A low tide you can wade out there and find sand dollars by dragging your feet to feel for their round shape.
We have plenty of beach toys left by other guests. And 3 sea kayaks. Kids love exploring. We are small and personable.
Area Information
Its very peaceful. The most mentioned word in our reviews is "RELAXING". That it feels like staying at their grandparent's beach house, Much different than staying at the typical big box condo with dozens of people sharing the beach. On our semi-private beach the sand pipers and sea gulls outnumber the tourists.
Attractions Within Walking Distance
Down the beach is the small town of Indian Rocks, a former fishing village that was mentioned in several magazine articles as being what people dream about when they remember Florida in simpler times.
Splash Harbor Water Park is in town, lazy river, tube slides, family fun
Tommy Iguana live music and dock side food
Favorite Places To Eat
Crabby Bills with fresh catch of the day.
101 flavors of Ice Cream.
Guppy's for fine dining.
A short walk to "Caddys Pub" the nearby restaurant on the bay where you can sit out and have a drink and watch the boats go by.
Inside Scoop
The Suncoast Sea Bird hospital is worth a trip a mile away to learn how pelicans and sea gulls are mended and released back into the wild.
Take a short drive 15 miles up the beach to Clearwater marina to watch the charter fishing boats come in at the end of the day. They gather their catch and let it slide down a ramp to the dock where dozens watch and wonder if they are ready to land as big a fish as the ones that they catch 70 miles out past the Continental Shelf.
Amenities
Other Vacation Rental Amenities
Owner's personal suite in a rare beach house from summer of 1925
2 pull out trundle beds
Beach toys
Beach towels
Sea Kayaks
Weber Bar-B-Q
gazebo
fully equipped kitchen with professional grade pots and pans
breakfast area overlooking the Gulf
Why FloridaRentals.com?
Connect directly with owners
Cut out the middleman
No booking or service fees
Save up to 20% over other websites
Florida's #1 vacation rental site
We're the experts
Rates
Rate Period | Nightly | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Min Stay |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oct 01 - Nov 20 2024 | $249 | $289 | 3 nights | ||
Nov 21 - Nov 25 2024 | $345 | $375 | 4 nights | ||
Nov 26 - Dec 19 2024 | $279 | $299 | 7 nights | ||
Dec 20 2024 - Jan 01 2025 | $395 | $410 | 7 nights | ||
Jan 01 - Jan 31 2025 | $1,750 | $6,800 | 7 nights |
Fees:
Resort fee: $195
Tax Rate: 13%
Notes:
Call Wes the owner at to arrange reservation. special rates teachers, military, first responders
Tax ID:
Transient Apartment TAP6214408 D & W Sun N Fun Motel Apartments 20116 Gulf Blvd,
Availability
Last updated on July 05, 2024
Map
Hosted by Curtis Westphal
Member since 2022
Year Purchased: 1996
About the owner: My grandparents bought the 1925 beach house and carriage house. They converted it into 6 seaside apartments. And lived on the main floor in unit #6.
With its 2 bedrooms plus sleeping porch that sleeps 6. My father was a fighter pilot. We moved every 4 years as he learned to fly combat missionsand train other pilots . Late in his 30 year career he went to Viet Nam where he saved the lives of msny marines. My mom and the three of us csme to live with her parents. I was blessed to live with kind grandparents and to spend my impressional high school and college years living in such a beautiful spot on the island. When it came to sell , i couldn't ket it go. Kathy and i bought it to keep the tradition alive. Every summer we bring our sons and now grandsons down from Denver. Thank you for staying with us and helping to save the best of Old Florida. Enjoy the beach.
Why this property? This is the mist coveted spot on the 12 mike island. Old timers call this The Narrows where the sand is only wide enough for a single row of homes. We are surrounded by the emerald green Gulf on one side and the yachts going back and firth in the boat channel across the street.
The pictures say it all.
Speaks: English
Links to more information:
CLICK HERE - Sun n Fun 100 year old beach house now 6 unique seaside villas. Studio,1,2,3 bd
View all my listings
Photos
Reviews
What a great place!
We were excited to see this house but a little nervous after reading some of the past reviews. Don't be deterred! This place is great! The location is second to none - and the beach here is beautiful and quiet. The owner is very helpful and really made us feel welcome - as an added bonus we got to learn some cool history about the house and the local area. If you are looking for marble countertops and super-modern updates, this is not the place for you. But if you are looking for a charming house with all of the amenities for a perfect beach get-a-way, then this is the spot. Thank you to the family for letting us stay and for all the great communication before-during-and after our stay. Would DEFINITELY stay here again.
Stayed: August 2024 Submitted: August 14, 2024
Wonderful beach vacation!
We really enjoyed being able to walk out the door and be right out on the beach. The house had kayaks and other water items, as well as many beach chairs. The house had picnic tables and more chairs for enjoying the outdoors. We had a wonderful time!
Stayed: March 2024 Submitted: April 10, 2024
Awesome stay
We LOVE staying here. My husband and I have tried several other places along Gulf Blvd over the years and this is by far the best place! The access to the beach is amazing, the owners always have a good line of communication when needed AND it's CLEAN! We come several times a year and now our friends and family plan on doing the same.
Stayed: May 2023 Submitted: May 28, 2023
Owner response
Thanks Payton, Kathy and I recently took over running the place have made many much needed updates. And we bought our cleaning staff back. They had earned the White Glove Award from Superior Small Lodging. This a remarkable, considering the property is almost 100 years old.We are glad you noticed the changes and commented in your review. It helps us get the word out that the owners are putting new life into this wonderful piece of Old Florida Wes and Kathy , 3rd generation owners
Florida Vacation
Old beach home that has not been updated, but we vacation in Florida for beach time. Great backyard, private beach, and beach amenities. Nice area close to bars and restaurants and short drive to grocery stores and shopping. We had beautiful weather and enjoyed our annual family vacation at Sun n Fun.
Stayed: March 2023 Submitted: April 04, 2023
Relaxation Bliss by the Beach
This location is perfect for a FUN in the SUN relaxing vacation. It has two bedrooms (queen and king) with attached bathrooms. There are two twin trundle beds in the front sun room - great for kids and friends! The living and dining rooms are open offering a great opportunity for family time and conversation. There are 3 TVs in this unit and the wifi worked great. The kitchen is fully equipped with a propane grill to use outside. The beach and ocean are just steps away, no need to even wear shoes!! Just grab one of the many beach towels, beach chairs, an umbrella along with sand toys for your use to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. If you need a break from the ocean, but still want to be outside in the beautiful FL sunshine - take a seat at one of the many comfy chairs, loungers or rockers on the front patio area (a lot of umbrellas too).
Stayed: February 2023 Submitted: February 26, 2023
Contact Host