Venice Beach Villas

Tucked into quaint tropical gardens along a road that leads to the beach, this 1950s style block of apartments reads vintage from the outset, with it's utterly retro sign emerging from all of the palm trees and greenery. The atmosphere throughout this hotel is ready-made for laid-back vacations within proximity to the beach, and while there isn't really a scene in terms of socializing, the vibe here is tropical-relaxed. There are two small outdoor pool areas with red stone tiles and lounge chairs, along with covered and open patio areas with plastic chairs and tables -- the pools and barbecue areas are popular gathering spots. A small office serves as the lobby, but for the most part guests are here in search of an independent getaway. With that in mind, most guests are families and couples. 

Venice Beach itself is less than a 10-minute walk from this property, which is split into two parts. Half of the hotel is on busy Venice Avenue, and half is on the more secluded and residential Menendez Street. There are a couple of restaurants within a five-minute walk of the hotel, and Centennial Park and Venetian Waterway Park are within a 15-minute walk. Venice Theater and Venice train depot are about a 20-minute walk. It’s about a 35-minute drive to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, and about a 70-minute drive to the Southwest Florida International Airport. 

There are 23 apartments on this property and each offers everything a traveler would need for an independent stay. The look is definitively homey, with simple light wood-veneer and oak furniture plus lots of tropical prints fabrics on the soft furnishings. Decor does vary a bit from unit to unit, but most have some combination of carpeted and tiled floors -- done in olive green and white shades, respectively -- and each includes a modern kitchen or kitchenette. The latter -- available in efficiency units -- include mini-fridges, sinks, microwaves, toasters, and coffeemaker. Studios, one-, and two-bedroom units have full kitchens, with full-size refrigerators, stoves, ovens, and dining tables. While perfectly pleasant, the aesthetic is slightly dated in the apartments, and we did spot a bit of wear like cracked floor tiles. All units include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with cable. Bathrooms can be small but include shower/tub combos -- some which are a '70s-era yellow veneer -- plus small vanity sinks. Toiletries and towels are provided.

As a small property that caters to guests looking to entertain themselves on their own, features here are limited -- breakfast is not served and there is no restaurant. There are two, small heated outdoor pools, one of which has a deck with lounge chairs. The hotel's gardens are a nice place to kick back, and there are patios with seating as well as barbecue areas with outdoor patio tables. Guests can also rent bikes for free, and there's a coin-operated laundry room. There is a small business corner with computer, printer, and fax machine. Self-parking is free, as is Wi-Fi.