Haleys Motel and Resort

Open since the 1950s, this hotel has maintained a quaint, intimate atmosphere. The property is surrounded by a small white picket fence and made up of yellow buildings complemented by a diverse set of tropical plants and palm trees. A lovely shaded wooden deck fronts a small office building and has a few green and white tables and chairs where guests can relax. Between the buildings is an attractive garden where wooden walkways framed by tropical plants lead to a couple of covered brick patios filled with chairs and couches. Guests should note that the hotel's Gumbo Limbo House unit sits across the street from the hotel. Couples are the most common guests, though families stay here, too, and can be seen congregating in the garden or taking a dip in the pool. 

Haley's Motel and Resort is located in the residential area of Holmes Beach. It’s a three-minute walk to the beach. A free trolley station at Gulf Drive and 85th Street takes two minutes on foot to reach. Anna Maria City Pier is a 12-minute trolley ride or a four-minute drive. There are a few restaurants to be found within 15 minutes' walk, though more shopping, nightlife, and restaurants can be found near the intersection of Gulf Drive, Holmes Boulevard, and Marina Drive, a four-minute drive or nine-minute trolley ride from the hotel. Guests can drive seven minutes to Publix Super Market at Holmes Beach. Sarasota-Bradenton is the nearest airport, a 30- to 40-minute drive away. 

Rooms differ in decor, but maintain a homey, beach-influenced style with seashell or tropical-themed bedding, coastal scene paintings, and tiled floors. Each room has a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, coffeemaker, and toaster; many also have DVD players, cookware and serving ware, and stoves or burners. Some rooms have small, furnished patios, though these aren’t closed off from the interior walkways. Kitchenettes are in separate rooms from the bedrooms, and some also have futons. The Luxury Family House provides even more space with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a dining room table. The biggest drawback is the lack of daily housekeeping, however, the service is provided intermittently during longer stays. Guests have complained of a lack of elbow room in the black-and-white tiled bathrooms, which have showers, hairdryers, and sinks, but lack counter space. 

Haley's Motel and Resort offers a nice set of family-friendly amenities. The heated outdoor pool is the best feature of the hotel. It has a tidy brick deck with vinyl lounge chairs, wooden tables and chairs shaded by striped umbrellas, and an outdoor bathroom. There are also pool toys like noodles and beach balls. Guests can use the gas grills located in the attractive garden. Beach accessories like umbrellas, chairs, body boards, and towels are available to borrow from the hotel, as well as wheeled carts for hauling items to and from the beach. There’s free on-site parking, and Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.