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.

If a reservation is made more than sixty days in advance of arrival, a deposit of 50% is immediately required, and the remaining 50% must be paid sixty days prior to arrival. If a reservation is made less than sixty days in advance of arrival, full payment is due at the time of reservation.

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. Electronic payments must be paid with the reservation.

If paying by credit or debit card for a reservation more than sixty days in advance of arrival, the remaining balance will be automatically charged to the card on file sixty days prior to arrival. If you would like us to use a different card for the final payment, you must let the AMI Locals Reservations team know prior to this date. Wire transfer final payments must be received no later than sixty days prior to arrival. Failure to pay balance by this date may result in cancellation of your reservation without refund.

You may cancel your reservation up to 60 days prior to check-in for a full refund 1) less a 6% 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 6% 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 6% 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 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 the 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, we have electronic door locks on our homes and each guest will be provided with a unique code to be able to enter the home on your own schedule.

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 are not able to hold items at our office ahead of 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 homes have wireless internet access. The WiFi codes are provided upon check-in.

AMI Locals provides preliminary supplies of the following:
- 1 small bottle of Palmolive dish soap
- 2 dishwasher tablets
- 1 roll of paper towels
- 2 rolls of toilet paper per bathroom
- 1 small bar of hand soap per bathroom
- 1 trash bag per trash bin
- and a sanitary strip on each toilet.

After these items are used, the guest will be responsible for purchasing these items to cover their needs as they determine necessary. We dispose of all pantry items, food, or drink items that are 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 at the beach and ensure that they make it back to the house. Any missing beach towels will be charged to the guest.

Yes, the beds are made up 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.

Almost all of our homes are within a five-minute stroll from the beach.

Yes, we do provide beach towels, 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 do recommend - and who will deliver all desired beach items to your vacation rental property.

Yes, nearly all of our properties have at least one set of Washer and Dryers.
Some of our multi-unit buildings have shared laundry facilities, as well.

Please check the amenities section of your chosen home before booking, or speak with one of our AMI Locals Reservation Agents to make sure.

We have created some "how-to" videos to help assist 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 contact our fabulous Guest Services team - they will be able to assist you!

No, you do not need to clean the house: however we ask that you leave the house in a good condition when you check-out, follow our check out procedures, and inform our Guest Services team of any pertinent information relating to your stay.

Our individual pools are typical residential pools, but most vary in size and shape slightly. They are on average around 14'x28', or around 400+ square feet. Please see our individual property pages for photos or contact an AMI Locals Reservations Agent with any questions.

Yes. We heat our pools December-April as a courtesy to our guests.
While we do heat our pools during the winter months, we do occasionally get cold spells that can send the temperatures down into the 30’s. This will cause the pool water temperature to drop and the pool pump will no longer be able to heat the pool, and it 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 be available for further assistance as well.

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 have all of the modern 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. Anything that could have been contaminated by a previous guest is discarded prior to the next arrival.

Almost all of our properties have a Propane Gas Grill and the use of it is included with your reservation. Please see our individual property pages for photos or contact an AMI Locals Reservations Agent with any questions.

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 the spectacular views 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 3 different cities. The south end of the island is Bradenton Beach, the center to the northern end of the island is Holmes Beach, and the north end of the island is called the City of Anna Maria. The whole island is Anna Maria Island.

There is a great free public trolley provided by MCAT with stops close to all of our properties that runs the length of the island.
There is also the Monkey Bus, a company that has a bus that will come and pick you up and bring you anywhere on the island. The Monkey Bus is offered for free, they just ask that you tip your driver so remember to bring some cash along for the ride.
You can also rent bikes or golf carts from several local companies to get around in true Island style, or there's always Uber or Lyft and taxis for convenience.

Yes, it is the most convenient way to get around if you want to go sightseeing or visit nearby Bradenton, Sarasota, Tampa, etc. - but if you just want to stay on the island you can make use of the free MCAT trolley!

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

Yes, there is an excellent range of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bistros. Check them all out on our Things to Do page. There are Individual small shops including beach and island wear for all ages, galleries and gifts. Restaurants range from coffee shops and ice cream parlors, to restaurants for all the family and superb dining establishments. 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.