Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages

This homey, beach-inspired hotel is a combination of different pastel-colored buildings with white trim. Between the buildings are tropical plants and gardens, stone walkways, and plastic tables with chairs in umbrella-shaded patio areas. The beach area has a hammock, a spot with barbecue grills, rows of turquoise vinyl lounge chairs, and a bamboo tiki hut with tongue-in-cheek signage. The small lobby is shared with the gift shop and has decorative sea pieces, like a seahorse on the blue-and-white-striped front desk, and a blue bench with white seashells. Cedar Cove gives off a private, relaxing atmosphere due to its location in a residential area. It’s a couples and family crowd here utilizing the quiet, beachfront location and the large apartment-style units.

Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages is a beachfront hotel in a residential area that’s located between Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. A free trolley -- at a station one minute away on foot -- takes guests across Anna Maria Island. The closest restaurant is a three-minute walk from the hotel, though guests will have to go farther for a variety of options. Shopping, nightlife, and restaurants can be found around Holmes Boulevard and Marina Drive, a seven-minute drive away, or near the Bridge Street Pier, a five-minute drive from the hotel or a 12-minute trolley ride. Guests who want to stock their kitchens with groceries can head to Publix Super Market at Holmes Beach, a 14-minute walk or a two-minute drive. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is a 27-minute drive away.

Rooms at the Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages have a homey vibe and a decor that differs across all room types but is best described as beach-themed. Think: Spacious rooms with separate living rooms and kitchens, beach-inspired bedspreads, pastel-colored walls, and tiled floors. The pullout couches and plush chairs provided in Penthouses or Cottages have all been updated. Each room includes a full-size kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator, stovetop, oven, coffeemaker, and sink, though some include a dishwasher, too. Some units have furnished patios, and guests have the option of booking rooms with ocean views or pullout couches. Note that daily housekeeping is available upon request but not initially provided, though there's a daily towel and linen exchange. Bathrooms vary in style but are mostly spacious across all units, with showers and hairdryers. Some rooms also have additional whirlpools in bathrooms.

The features at the hotel encourage relaxation at the beach. Beach accessories like chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and towels are available to borrow, as are books from the hotel’s small library. There’s a bamboo tiki hut bar with seating and picnic tables on the beach, now with a full bar. A grill area with multiple gas and charcoal grills is a nice touch. Though there’s no on-site dining option, there’s a small gift shop in the lobby that sells drinks, snacks, and T-shirts. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and one parking spot per room is available at no cost.