CASA ENCANTADA, THE ESTATE ON THE MANATEE RIVER! Spend your vacation at a private, secluded estate on 200' of open water with tropical landscaping and a beautiful lagoon pool! You will likely never see a neighbor during your stay!

There is so much to do at Casa Encantada that some guests choose to never leave. Fishing, kayaking, biking, swimming, sunbathing...do all of it or simply relax. Choose the Boater's Package option for exclusive, unlimited daytime use of Spanish Dancer, Casa Encantada's 22 ft Hurricane deck boat with 250 HP motor. Spanish Dancer is great for trips to local waterfront restaurants, nearby beaches, islands, fishing spots and uninhabited coves. In the town of Palmetto, a virtually undiscovered "old Florida" historic town, the locals are warm and friendly. Casa Encantada is gated and fenced, with the exception of the waterfront, for your privacy. There is a totally fenced and tropically landscaped area just for your dogs, complete with a warm water shower...also with a waterfront view.The tropical lagoon pool has a beach entry, waterfall, baja ledge and swim up cocktail table. Hang out with friends and family under the fan in the shade of your own private tiki hut. The tiki hut's bar is cleverly designed from an old ship's rudder.

Facing due West on secluded Hooker Bay, just 5 minutes by boat to Tampa Bay, the sunsets are unsurpassed and are a daily main event. The waterfront deck under the huge banyan tree is perfect for watching the sunset, dolphins and manatees. Every evening, thousands of birds fly by at the first hint of dusk, heading home to Emerson Point, a bird sanctuary just 2 miles north. Great blue herons, spoonbill rosettes, sea gulls, cormorants, night herons, skimmers, ospreys, egrets, pelicans often stop by for a snack of bait fish right on your beach, just feet away. Hookers Bay is known as the best fishing spot between the Manatee River and Tampa Bay. Snook, redfish, trout, flounder, mangrove snapper, even tarpon are plentiful. Your 'front yard' is a legally protected manatee feeding area. You can wade or kayak out and watch from as close as a few feet away. Or you can see them from shore as they come up for air. And don't forget to keep the tradition of ringing the bell at the last glimpse of the setting sun.

The home is large with an amazing cook's kitchen with two refrigerators, granite counter tops and three sinks. The family room, kitchen and wet bar are all in one open room with expansive views of the water, wildlife and sunsets. The dining room seats 12 overlooking Hooker Bay. Open the doors for true waterfront dining. The adjacent living room has a working wood burning fireplace and water view. There are three large, comfortable bedrooms, all with water views and flat screen TV's. The first master is large with a king size bed and a view of Hooker Bay.. The bath has a walk in shower. All linens are top quality. It has a large dresser, dressing table and walk in closet. The second bedroom also has a king bed, walk in closet and view of Hooker Bay and the lagoon pool. It shares a bath with a tub and shower with the third bedroom, which has over sized twin beds, large closet and a view of the lagoon pool. This entire end of the house can be closed off with a pocket door creating a private suite. This feature makes Casa Encantada the perfect home for 2 or 3 couples. There are no stairs - one story only.

Near Casa Encantada are numerous state parks, golf courses, beaches and fine or casual dining, many on the water. Disney World, Epcot and Universal Studios are only a 50 minute drive away. Anna Maria beaches are just 10 miles away but Casa Encantada does not have the tourists that all beaches have. So you have your own private home to enjoy away from the crowds where you can enjoy being secluded with your family. Don't want to even venture to the grocery store? Publix Grocery offers Instacart deliveriesof groceries and alcoholic drinks for your convenience,

This home is easy to reach with reasonably priced flights from just about anywhere to Sarasota or Tampa. As cliché as it sounds, this is truly paradise in your own private waterfront home! Discover the 'real' Florida!

Unique Benefits

We fell in love with this home the minute we walked in and saw the dining room that seats 12 with open water view and the large gourmet kitchen. We are excited to share Casa Encantada with our guests who can experience the same things we experience when we are there. Then of course there is the Banyon tree, large deck, water views and sunsets. Tiki bar, tropical pool, and tons of privacy. This home is unlike anything you will see in Florida on the water. You will also enjoy the quaint, small town feel of Palmetto where you are away from crowds or tourists throughout your stay. We have over a 70% repeat guest return rate and we attribute that to our customer service, the privacy of the home itself, and the many features that Casa Encantada offers you and your family.

Why Kids Love It

Kids love the pool, the kayaks with easy access to water, the bikes, the pool table and ping pong, the tvs in the bedrooms. Some kids learn to fish while they are there and even how to throw a caste net. There's plenty of sand for the little ones who like to dig and build sand castles. The first sighting of a dolphin or manatee is an awesome experience for kids!

Area Information

The Palmetto and Bradenton areas are filled with things to do, see and enjoy. Take the boat over to Anna Maria, dock her, then ride around the island on the free trolley, Stop anywhere and enjoy food and drink on the beach. Exployre by boat Egmont Key, Emerson Point, or Passage Key. The Ringling Circus Museum is in nearby Sarasota and is definitely worth a visit. The Ellenton Outlet Mall is often a place guests like to visit. But shopping not your thing? Go to Orlando for Disney adventures, Tampa for Busch Gardens or local restaurants and bars for outdoor dining. (Pier 22 is our favorite where your dog is welcome on the patio). Take a quick ride to the historic fishing village called Cortez and buy fish right off the boat. Grill them on the Weber grill that night on the outside terrace where you can also sit on the outdoor furniture or at the bar table to watch the sunset. And then there are those guests who just never want to leave Casa Encantada. Who can blame them?!

Attractions Within Walking Distance

You can easily walk to the downtown and water areas of Palmetto. This is a quaint Florida town so walking particularly along 4th St. is recommended. Once you reach the water, there are two restaurants -- Riverhouse Reef and Grill and Riverside Cafe-- a marina, and other shops. You can also walk or ride a bike across the Green Bridge to enjoy Bradenton's Riverwalk. There you will find a wide pathway along the Manatee River, tropical plantings, volley ball, a world class skate park and a unique playground for the little ones. Venture to downtown Bradenton just next door and enjoy restaurants along Main Street. There is also a quaint ice cream shop right at the marina office. So much to do you will want to extend your vacation!

Favorite Places To Eat

Pier 22, Riverhouse Reef and Grill, Riverside Greekside, Demi's Noodle House, Hydako, O'Bricks Bar and Grill, Sage Biscuit, and Robins for a simple but delicious breakfast. Pier22 welcomes your pets at the outside dining area and O'Bricks at their dining area outside of the restaurant. We also recommend Beachhouse Reef and Grill and Waterfront on Anna Maria Island. For your convenience, you will find a book with our restaurant favorites and other important information when you arrive at Casa Encantada.