Anna Maria Island - area to stay/accommodation - confused!

[LillieT]

Hi

So, after reading lots of positive threads about Anna Maria Island, we're going to book three nights there during our trip next year. But, having never visited before and having no bearings of the island, we're a bit unsure as to the best area/beach and accommodation to suit our needs.

We are travelling with our two children (who will be 8 and 5) and we'd like to be somewhere where there is a choice of a few places for breakfast/dinner within walking distance.

I gather that the whole island is relatively quiet, and we're happy to be in either a quiet or "livelier" area – wherever has the best choice of shops/restaurants/amenities!

Or, am I completely off the scale and is the whole island so small that it doesn’t really matter where you stay, as long as the accommodation ticks all the boxes? Is it just as easy to use the trolly service to get from one place to another for food/amenities etc (does this run all day/evening?). I think after planning for Orlando, the pace and size of AMI may be a lot less than what I’ve been used to planning for and I might be over-thinking things!

Anyway, sorry for rambling and for all the questions, but if anyone can recommend a specific area over another or even somewhere to stay with the family, it will start to whittle down my confusion!

Thanks

[Guest]

To be honest, there is no best/worst spot to be in on AMI. It's just a little island and if the trolley bus stopped at every stop, it wouldn't take you 20 mins to get from one end to the other!
North end, close to Bean point is the quietest area and probably has the least places to eat. the are the 2 piers. Rod and Reel and City pier, both of them have restaurants on them and then you have 2 scoops. The water between the 2 piers is peaceful and safe with a nice little beach, although narrow . Don't go swimming off Bean point because of the riptides but you have to go watch the sunsets from here.
Holmes Beac/ Manatee beach, More places to eat and shop and a nice long , fairly wide beach, Again, as peaceful as you want it.
Bradenton Beach. You have another pier here and the beach is good and a bit more traffic but not crazy mad dangerous kind. Lots of places to eat, ice cream parlour ,(YumYum) and shops, leading on to Coquina beach, never ventured that far along so don't know much about that beach but I'm sure it's lush.
I have stayed at North end in a cottage for a couple of weeks, nice but we really needed a pool
Also stayed at Haleys' motel on gulf Drive for 2 nights. We liked it there although that is one small bathroom in the room, but fine for a few nights.
I'm sure more seasoned AMI lodgers will be along soon to give you a few tips on where to stay.

[christybell]

Just giving this thread a little bump as I am keen to stay at AMI next year and would love recommendations on where to stay please.. My needs are similar to that of OP..

[jdybnsn]

I'd recommend the South or middle of the island if you want to walk to a choice of places to eat & shop... the North if you prefer more residential and don't mind hopping on the (free) trolley or hire car for a short drive.
If you are self catering I'd recommend you try and buy provisions off the island, as the Publix on the island is so expensive that you are almost better off eating out at their prices ! .

[christybell]

Thank you we want to park the car up for a few days so walking to food places ect is ideal.

[DIBBadmin]

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