Anna Maria Island FAQs

We definitely recommend you purchase a comprehensive trip cancellation insurance to cover any unexpected occurrences that could result in your need to cancel or modify a reservation.

AMI Locals is proud to partner with Generali to offer Travel Protect Insurance.  If you would like to purchase this optional add-on travel protection, please call our Reservations team at 941-757-8226  option #1, or email  reservations@amilocals.com   

If you are interested in knowing more information and details about this guest protect travel insurance policy, don't hesitate to reach out to us  with any questions. 

Should you elect to decline this coverage with your booking, you do so fully understanding and agreeing to our AMI Locals Terms & Conditions and cancellation policy.

25% is due at the time of reservation.  An additional 25% is due ninety days prior to the arrival date.  The final 50% is due sixty days prior to the arrival date.  We will automatically charge subsequent payments to the card provided at the time of reservation.  If you want to use a different method for subsequent payments, please contact the Anna Maria Vacations Reservations team.

The first $1,000 of any reservation must be made via credit or debit card. The remaining balance, if any, may be paid by credit card, debit card, or wire transfer. Wire transfer payments must be received in our account by each due date or the reservation may be canceled.

If paying by credit or debit card for a reservation more than ninety (90) days in advance of arrival, a 25% deposit will be charged at the time of booking. Ninety (90) days prior to arrival, an additional 25% will be automatically charged to the card provided at the time of booking. The remaining fifty% (50) balance will be automatically charged to the card on file sixty (60) days prior to arrival. If you want us to use a different card for the second or final payment, you must let the Anna Maria Vacations Reservations team know prior to this date. Wire transfer final payments must be received no later than sixty (60) days prior to arrival. Failure to pay the balance by this date may result in the cancellation of your reservation without a refund.

You may cancel your reservation up to 60 days prior to check-in for a full refund 1) less a $295 processing fee and 2) less 3^rd party travel insurance fees, if applicable.  After that time, or for reservations made on or less than 60 days in advance of check-in, your reservation is non-refundable. 

To cancel a reservation, notify AMI Locals Reservations as soon as possible.  Initial notice by phone is acceptable, but follow-up in writing is required; email from the address associated with the reservation is acceptable as written notice.

For canceled reservations with a check-in date more than 60 days away: We will refund all amounts paid 1) less a $295 processing fee and 2) less third-party travel insurance, if applicable.  The refund will be made to the original payment method.  If we cannot issue the refund to the original payment method for a reason outside of our control (e.g., the credit card has been canceled), we will issue a check less an additional 3% fee to cover our credit card costs.  The refund will be processed within ten business days of your notification to us.

For canceled reservations with a check-in date equal to or less than 60 days away: We will place the property back on the market and attempt to re-rent it.  If we can re-rent the property, we will refund all amounts paid 1) less a $295 processing fee and 2) less third-party travel insurance, if applicable, and 3) less any re-rent price deficiency.  A price deficiency can result if, for example, we are unable to re-rent for the full time period or if the daily rental rate had to be discounted to fill the property.  We do not make any representation or guarantee that we will be able to re-rent the property.  The refund, if applicable, will be sent no more than 20 business days after the departure date of the originally planned stay.

If Guest needs to shorten their stay or change to a different property, the normal cancellation policy applies.  No changes are permitted during the stay.

AMI Locals strongly recommends Guest purchase travel insurance prior to the stay to avoid costs from covered events, including some cancellations.  Please contact AMI Locals Reservations if you are interested in adding travel insurance, offered by a third party, to your reservation. You may also secure your own independent travel insurance to cover your trip and stay.  AMI Locals Reservations can share more information about travel insurance from our partner and the advantages of using them vs. one you find elsewhere.

AMI Locals reserves the right to cancel any reservation subject to issuing a full refund.

Check-in time is 4PM. Check-out is 10AM. Typically we are unable to accommodate early or late check-ins, as we need to get the home thoroughly cleaned and ready for your arrival, and our next guests.

No problem, all our guests receive a prearrival message with reservation details and a unique code to enter our rentals with electronic door locks or a secure lockbox code to access rentals with physical house keys. If you have any questions please contact our Guest Services team at 941-757-8226, option 2.

No, we do not recommend this under any circumstance.   AMI Locals is not responsible for receiving or delivering any items you send to your rental property, and we cannot hold items at our office before your arrival.  
We suggest calling Island Mail and Print  for details about their secure Package Receiving Service at 941-778-1991

No, in order to ensure our homes are cleaned to the same standard for every guest, we cannot permit this. Our team of professional cleaners conduct a detailed and thorough clean of the home, as well as commercially launder all linens and towels from the home at a commercial laundry facility after each guest departs. This is for all of our guests safety and to ensure a quality experience in our homes for every single guest.

Yes, all of our rentals have wireless internet access. The Wifi network and passwords are provided upon check-in.

A 'starter kit' of supplies is provided by AMI Locals. This includes a laundry pod, dish soap, a dishwasher pod, dish sponge, kitchen wipes, one (1) roll of paper towels, two (2) trash bags per trash can, and bathroom items included are lotion, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and two (2) rolls of toilet paper. After these items are used, the guests will be responsible for purchasing these items to cover their needs as they determine necessary.

*We dispose of all pantry items such as salt and pepper or cooking oils, food, or drink items left after a guest departs, even if these items are unopened. We do this for all future guests' safety.

Yes. Please feel free to use them at the pool and the beach but ensure they are returned to the house. Any missing beach towels will be charged to the guest.

Yes. Beds are made with fresh linens, beach towels, bath towels, and kitchen towels for every arriving guest. All linens and towels are professionally laundered at an off-site commercial laundry facility to ensure our strict quality standards.

The majority of our rentals are within a five-minute stroll from the beach. Each property listing page has an integrated Google Map showing the precise property location, so our guests may review it before booking. We also now offer rentals on the mainland in Bradenton, which are further from the beach.

AMI Locals does provide beach towels and beach chairs (*the number of chairs will vary by property), but we do not guarantee any other beach equipment will be in the home. Our Preferred Partners can assist you in renting from local rental companies that we recommend and who will deliver all rented items to your vacation rental property.

Yes. Nearly all our properties have a Washer and Dryer for guest use. Some of our multi-unit buildings also have shared laundry facilities available for our guests to use. Please check the amenities section of your chosen rental before booking, or speak with one of our AMI Locals Reservation Agents if you have any questions.

We have created a few "how-to" videos to help you with some of the technology you may find in and around your vacation rental home.  If we still don't answer your question in one of these videos, please get in touch with our fabulous Guest Services team - they will be able to assist you!

No need to clean the house before departing! We only ask that you leave the house in good condition when you leave, follow our check-out procedures, and inform our Guest Services team of any issues or feedback relating to your stay.

Our individual rental property pools are typical residential pools, but most will vary in size and shape. They average around 14'x28', or around 400+ square feet. Please see the individual property pages for photos or contact the AMI Locals Reservations team with any questions you may have.

Yes. We heat our pools December-April as a courtesy to our guests.
While we heat our pools during the winter months, we occasionally get cold spells that can send the temperatures down into the 30s. This will cause the pool water temperature to drop, and the pool pump will no longer be able to heat the pool, and it will automatically shut down temporarily as a safety feature. Your In-Home Rental Binder will have more information, and our AMI Locals Guest Services team will also be available for further assistance.

The effects of Red Tide can vary significantly within short distances, and it can move and change rapidly. For the most current updates, please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:  https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/

Yes. The kitchens in our rental properties will have the equipment you will need to cook most meals. If you have any specialty cooking equipment that you require, please bring it with you.

To ensure our guest’s health and safety, we do not include pantry items such as cooking oil or salt and pepper. Anything that could have been contaminated by a previous guest is discarded by our professional cleaners before the next arrival.

Nearly all of our rental properties have a propane gas grill available for guests to use. Please see the specific property page and check the amenities section, or contact our AMI Locals Reservations team to confirm this amenity is available.

We do allow events to take place at our homes under certain circumstances, but it must be cleared with AMI Locals ahead of time and approved by the home owner in advance. The proposed event must comply with all City/County/State Laws and Ordinances at all times.

To host an event at one of our properties, we do require the following:
- prior approval by AMI Locals and the Home Owner
- at minimum: a $1000 event fee 
- a double cleaning fee will be applied to rental total
- event insurance is required to be purchased by the guest (host of the event)
- we must have a signed copy of our AMI Locals terms and conditions
- we must have a signed document from the guest (host of the event) with all the details describing the event
- If a local permit is required, this will be a requirement for the guest (host of the event) to acquire as well.

Please call AMI Locals with any questions. 

Two draw bridges connect the island to the Bradenton mainland, the Cortez Bridge and the Manatee Bridge. Enjoy a spectacular view as you cross to our beautiful 7-mile island paradise. There is also a bridge to the next island south of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key.

The island (although small) is split into three different cities. The island's south end is Bradenton Beach, the center to the northern end of the island is Holmes Beach, and the north end is called the City of Anna Maria. The whole island is Anna Maria Island.

Our favorite mode of transportation is by golf cart. You can rent them from ZoomAround. There is also a free public trolley provided by MCAT with stops close to all of our properties and a route running the length of the island. The Monkey Bus is also a great option, this company operates a bus that will come and pick you up and bring you anywhere on the island. The Monkey Bus is offered for free, and they just ask that you tip your driver, so remember to bring some cash along for the ride.
You can also rent bikes through our preferred partners to get around in true Island style, or there's always Uber or Lyft and taxis for convenience.

It is the most convenient way to get around if you want to go sightseeing or visit nearby Bradenton, Sarasota, Tampa, etc.  If you plan to stay on the island, we suggest you rent a golf cart or use the free MCAT trolley.

There is a fully stocked Publix supermarket conveniently located at 3900 E Bay Drive in Holmes Beach.

Yes, an excellent range of shops, restaurants, bars, and fine dining is available for visitors and locals to enjoy. Many locally owned shops feature beach and island wear for all ages, local art galleries, and gifts or souvenirs. Restaurants range from coffee shops and ice cream parlors to casual restaurants for all ages to enjoy. Anna Maria Island has a relaxed lifestyle and friendly atmosphere.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) – 20 minutes

Tampa International Airport (TPA) – 60 minutes

St. Pete/Clearwater Airport (PIE) – 60 minutes

Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 2 hours

We recommend Coastal Elite Limousine.

Blake Hospital in Bradenton – approximately a 10 minute drive. Bradenton Urgent Care - walk in clinic is located in Bradenton - approximately a 15 minute drive. For emergencies, call 911. Anna Maria Island emergency services will respond quickly.