This three-pearl, relaxing beach hideaway is a casual, laid-back place to get away from it all. The 15 apartment-style rooms offer a comfortable, homey place to stay, with full kitchens or kitchenettes for guests who want to eat in. Within a two-minute walk to the beach and nearby shops and restaurants, the resort is ideally located, and it is easy to get around to the rest of the island from here. Though the name resort is a touch misleading, considering this property doesn't have a restaurant, bar, or fitness center.

The 1930s Bungalow Beach Resort was once an Army barracks, but its hedged, gated, and elegantly manicured grounds filled with exotic foliage give little evidence of its earlier life. The clean, overpowering white decor, the swaying coconut palms, private beach area, and heated pools -- with a cabana area for private entertaining -- make this homey, family-run resort a good choice for a romantic getaway, family reunion, or wedding. High ceilings and slow-moving fans add to the island vibe, while free Wi-Fi keeps guests in touch with the rest of the world. Bungalows range from one-room Studios to those with three bedrooms. There is no fitness center or spa. The sights of Sarasota and Bradenton are within a 30-minute drive.