Questions guests actually ask

Where are your Anna Maria Island rentals located?

Happy Island Cottage is in Holmes Beach, about 0.3 miles from the Gulf. Happy Turtle A and B are the two sides of a beach duplex on Avenue C in Bradenton Beach, about 60 steps from the sand. All three are on Anna Maria Island, Florida.

What are check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is 3:00 PM and check-out is 10:00 AM at all three homes. Early check-in and late check-out are often possible around the cleaning schedule: just ask, and we will give you a straight answer.

Is there a minimum stay?

Happy Island Cottage has a 7-night minimum, which is a City of Holmes Beach rule for vacation rentals. The Happy Turtle units start at 3 nights when you book direct. Longer stays are always welcome, and get our best rates.

Are the homes pet friendly?

Yes. Dogs are welcome at all three homes with a pet fee, and returning guests booking direct pay no pet fee at all. Tell us about your dog when you request dates.

How do I book direct, and why would I?

Email your dates, home, and guest count to info@happyislandcottage.com. Direct bookings carry no platform or service fees, so the same dates typically cost 10 to 15% less than on Airbnb or Vrbo. Same homes, same calendar, better math.

Is booking direct safe?

We are a licensed Florida vacation rental operator (DBPR #123613) with a 15-quarter Airbnb Superhost record. Direct guests get a written rental agreement and an itemized invoice, and lodging taxes are collected and remitted properly.

What does a direct booking cost up front?

New direct guests pay 20% at booking, with the balance due 45 days before arrival; stays starting within 45 days are paid in full. No security deposit. Returning guests skip the reservation deposit entirely. Every invoice itemizes the nightly rate, cleaning fee, and 13% Florida and Manatee County lodging taxes.

What is the cancellation policy?

Full refund for cancellations made 30 or more days before arrival, on every direct booking. Returning direct guests can cancel anytime. If an official hurricane threatens your dates, everyone gets a full refund whenever they cancel. Airbnb and Vrbo bookings follow the policy shown at checkout.

What taxes apply to a stay?

Florida sales tax with the Manatee surtax (7%) plus the Manatee County tourist development tax (6%), 13% in total. Both are itemized on every direct invoice, never buried in the nightly rate.

Do we need a car on Anna Maria Island?

Not really, once you are here. The free island trolley runs 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM daily along the whole island, about every 20 minutes. Uber and Lyft both work. A car helps for grocery runs and day trips.

Where do we get beach chairs and umbrellas?

Beach Bums, AMI Beach Fun, and Just 4 Fun all rent chairs, umbrellas, and beach carts and deliver them right to the house. Book ahead for spring break, summer, and holiday weeks; they do sell out.

Where is the nearest grocery store?

Publix in Holmes Beach is the island grocery store, a few minutes by car from any of our homes. Stocking up on the way onto the island is a smart move in peak season, when traffic gets slow.

What about hurricane season?

June through November is hurricane season on the Gulf coast. If a hurricane warning or mandatory evacuation order covers your stay dates, every direct booking gets a full refund, whenever you cancel. If a storm threatens mid-stay, we contact you immediately, follow Manatee County guidance, and refund unused nights. Safety first, always.

What is the beach renourishment happening in 2026 and 2027?

Manatee County is rebuilding the beaches from 79th Street in Holmes Beach to 5th Street South in Bradenton Beach between November 2026 and spring 2027. Short rolling sections of beach close for a few days as the work passes, and both our neighborhoods are in the zone. The payoff is a wider beach from summer 2027 on. If work is scheduled near your dates, we will tell you what we know before you book.

Can the pool at Happy Island Cottage be heated?

Yes. Pool heating is available roughly October through April for an additional fee, quoted with your booking. In summer, the Florida sun handles it free of charge.

Do you arrange boat trips?

Yes. Dolphin and sandbar trips around Anna Maria Island are the extra we get asked about most. See the boat rides page, or just mention it when you book and we will set it up.

Which airport should we fly into?

Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) is closest, about 45 minutes away. Tampa (TPA) and St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE) are both roughly 90 minutes. Rental cars and rideshares cover the trip; once you are on the island, the free trolley does the rest.

More island detail: our local guides cover where to eat and how to do a proper beach day. Extras like pool heating and boat rides are on the extras page.