Songbird Cottage

A guest had this to say: "Songbird is a cute little purple house on a quiet side street on Anna Maria Island. I referred to the house as little, it is really quite spacious & comfortable. This is our 6th stay at Songbird & we are looking forward to our next stay. This trip we were on side B but have also stayed on Side A, both are equally as nice.
The kitchen is well stocked with all the cooking essentials. Pots, pans, coffee maker, toaster, blender etc. There is also a charcoal BBQ in the backyard.
The living room is open and airy with a recliner, love-seat, smaller comfortable couch & a large TV. The master bedroom has a king bed with a comfortable and supportive mattress. Nightstands, a dresser and closet gives plenty of room to unpack so you won`t feel like you are living out of your suitcase while staying here. The 2nd bedroom is quite large & has twin beds. According to my daughter and travel companion the beds and room are very comfortable.
The linen closet is stocked with extra bedding, towels, face clothes and lots of beach towels.
The backyard is huge with lots of places to take advantage of the warm Florida sunshine, read a good book or enjoying some quiet time on your own. There are several table & chair sets as well as a couple reclining chairs. Fruit & palm trees gives the backyard a tropical feel and offer a bit of privacy.
Washer & dryer are located in a porch outback and shared with people renting the other side of the house. We have never had a problem with this, as knowing it is shared anyone keeps their eye on the laundry and removes it as soon as it is finished.
A few "extras" Joel has in place for quests at Songbird are bikes to use for leisure or to get around the island, the wi-fi reaches the backyard and there is free US/Canada wide long distance on the house phone.
I hope this helps with your decision to stay here. We highly recommend it."

Maximum 3 adults.

1. The Gulf beach access is 4 blocks but 3 are short blocks and it ends up being 3 blocks in length and having done it a number of times you cut the corners at 64th street and Holmes Blvd and when you arrive at Gulf Drive and 65th you are at the beach access and a few parking places too. The real good thing is that you don't cross Marina Drive [busy street]. Some guests have driven over and parked or dropped off people and headed back to Songbird and grabbed a bike and pedaled back.

1 [a] Maximum 3 people and minimum age is 25 for adults.

2. Located in the middle of the block on a quiet street with very little traffic.

3. Free fast wifi and Washer and Dryer at no charge. Ironing board and iron. Hair dryer also.

4. Provided bikes are a ladies step through style because they are easier to pedal and easier on and off. All [7] seven have baskets.

5. There is central air and installed in 2019. In January 2023 new ducts.

6. Refrigerator with automatic ice maker in the freezer.

7. The Weber BBQ is a charcoal type.

8. The kitchen has been updated with white cabinets in early 2000's and is fully stocked with cooking utensils.

9. A beach wagon to haul your stuff is provided. Umbrellas and beach chairs.

10. House landline phone provided for local calls and free long distance to North America and Territories. Canadians like this idea a lot.

11. King mattress is new 2022 [Sealy Black Opal]. The twin mattresses are a hybrid medium firm new October 2023.

12. The closest restaurant is Ugly Grouper at a 4 block walk. Popular place.

13. 7 blocks to Island Shopping Center [think 1960] with restaurants, clothing stores, hardware store, art gallery and more. The popular restaurant Ugly Grouper is 5 blocks.

14. Holmes Beach public library is 5 blocks away. Sweet library!

15. I email you a list of things to do.

16. No stairs here as an easy living ground level place.

17. TV is new in February 2022 - 50" flat thin screen connected to you tube tv and roku tv. Many many channels.

18. 2 bedrooms and 1 Bath with tub with shower with 2 grab bars.

19. No pets and no smoking. A number of people verify no pets as they have allergies and, yes, no pets.

20. The cleaning service has been cleaning for about 3 years and they do nice work.

21.The patio is covered and has a table with chairs.

22. Outdoor shower when home from the beach.

23. I supply the soaps, toilet paper, one paper towel roll, dish sponge and garbage bags.

24. A free trolley has a stop 1 block away to go north and a stop to go south is 3 blocks at the beach access. 6am-10pm and runs at 20 minute intervals.

25. Parking space for two cars.

26. Backyard is a nice size.

We take a personal interest in the day-to-day care of the place and am available by phone/text/email to ensure that everything is as it should be for the guests, and I deal with local contractors who are aware of my standards and with whom I have a longstanding relationship. The home has all the comforts of home due to the fact my wife and I stay here frequently. Our goal has been repeat guests coming back again and again.. we really want you to have a pleasant stay so you want to come back. Is it perfect? No way! But it is clean, tidy, well groomed and it just works. This year the winter guest is coming back for the 13th year in a row in 2023. My goal has been to never advertise again because all guests are repeats. Making progress but not there yet. So, please, ask me questions as you decide on a place to vacation.
I have found that people arrive and unload luggage and head to the beach. The busiest street on the island in this spot is Marina Drive and you do NOT cross it on the way to the beach. The access is a three block stroll or easy bike ride (I held the video camera as I rode a bike to the beach and it is a 2 minute 14 second ride to the beach) - part sidewalk and street as in a neighborhood of homes and you will be as amazed as my wife and I are at how few people live here. Take a walk at night and it is perfectly quiet! And the property is located in the middle of the street not on a busy corner or street.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Joel and Marga

Unique Benefits

62nd street does not go through directly to the beach and I have come to value that big time as it cuts down on the car traffic and foot traffic making for a quieter street!

Why Kids Love It

I think the kids love being on vacation with family. They love riding in the wagon on the way to the beach or if old enough riding a bike to the beach. Then floating in the warm water getting a little sun and working up an appetite for lunch. A boat ride to look for Dolphins and Manatees is a fun way to spend an afternoon. At the public beach you can play on the swings while watching the sunset. Breakfast at the public beach is good and fun. My grandkids liked riding a tandem bike with me as we rode to Publix for morning pastry to bring back to Songbird. Fly a kite at the beach.

Attractions Within Walking Distance

Walk or bike to the Island Shopping Center 7 blocks south. Think 1960's one level place with a hardware store, a couple of restaurants, Irenes Resort Wear, Sand Dollar, Sun and Surf Beach Shop, The Feast Restaurant, Ice Cream Shop and a number of others not thought of.