Volleyball until the string lights come on, everyone back at the fire pit after dark. Sandhaus Retreat is a renovated West Bradenton bungalow 15 minutes from Anna Maria Island, sleeping 8 across 3 bedrooms plus a bonus media room, so a group of friends or two families can each have a real bed. Fenced yard with a sand volleyball court, lawn games and covered dining. Beach gear included. Longer winter stays welcome. Superhost, and every review so far is 5 stars.

The space
Mornings start slow. Coffee from the Keurig or the moka pot, carried out to the sunroom while the yard fills with light. Then it is a 15-minute drive to Anna Maria Island, or five minutes to the Gulf Islands Ferry, which skips the bridge traffic on busy weekends. The beach gear is already here: four chairs, two umbrellas, a cooler, a wagon and towels. Nothing to rent, nothing to pack.

THE BACKYARD

Guests mention the backyard more than anything else about this home. Fully fenced, private and not overlooked, with a sand volleyball court and two balls, jumbo Connect Four, a pergola over the dining table, a propane grill and string lighting overhead. When the sun drops the fire pit comes on and everyone ends up back outside.

WHERE EVERYONE SLEEPS

Primary suite: king bed, Smart TV, private ensuite with a walk-in rainfall shower
Bedrooms 2 and 3: queen bed each, Smart TV, closets with built-in shelving
Bonus media room: full-size sleeper sofa for two more

Four separate sleeping spaces and two full bathrooms, so eight people travel together without anyone drawing the short straw. Six friends can take a bedroom each and still leave the media room free, two couples can split the queens, one family can spread out, or two families can share. Both bathrooms are stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bath and makeup towels, hair dryers and starter essentials.

THE BONUS MEDIA ROOM

Large Smart TV and a full-size sleeper sofa for movie nights and overflow guests, a mini fridge for drinks, a real desk with an ergonomic chair, and its own mini-split so the temperature in here is yours alone. One guest wrote that they "felt like we were at a 5 star resort" - the popcorn waiting in the media room was part of it.

KITCHEN AND DINING

Stocked for beach-day breakfasts, group dinners and late nights: full-size appliances, complete cookware, bakeware, dishes and utensils, Keurig and drip coffee with complimentary pods, a moka pot and milk frother, a tea station, and a cocktail shaker with bar tools. The table seats 8, which is also where game night happens.

TRAVELLING WITH KIDS

Children's dishes and utensils, toys, books and board games are always here, along with a Pack 'n Play with fitted sheets and a high chair. No fee, no request needed. Ask ahead about the Baby Gear Package and we will set up a video and sound baby monitor, bottle warmer and brown noise machine before you arrive.

LONGER STAYS AND WINTER ESCAPES

We take monthly and multi-week bookings, and winter is when this house earns its keep for anyone coming down out of the cold. Washer and dryer with detergent, a full kitchen, the desk and ergonomic chair for whoever is still working, wifi, free driveway parking and a quiet street.

THE SUNROOM

Bright and airy at the back of the home, with a clear view of the yard. The "Meet Me at Sandhaus" neon sign is in here, and most groups take a photo under it before they go.

WHAT IS CLOSE

- Bishop Museum of Science and Nature - 4 minutes
- LECOM Park, Pirates Spring Training - 4 minutes
- Gulf Islands Ferry - 5 minutes
- Downtown Bradenton and the Riverwalk - 5 minutes
- Village of the Arts - 7 minutes
- IMG Academy - 9 minutes
- Manatee River Marina - 10 minutes
- Robinson Preserve - 11 minutes
- The Ringling Museum - 20 minutes
- St. Armands Circle - 22 minutes

BEACHES

- Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach - 15 minutes
- Manatee Public Beach - 16 minutes
- Coquina Beach - 20 minutes

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is about 19 minutes away, Tampa International about 46.

Guest access
The home is yours privately: backyard, kitchen, living areas, sunroom, all three bedrooms, both bathrooms, the bonus media room, and the washer and dryer with laundry detergent provided.

Keypad self check-in makes late flights, long drives and a group arriving in shifts easy - nobody waits on anybody. The private driveway parks multiple vehicles, with room for a boat or an RV.

The only off-limits space is the locked cleaner's supply closet in the hallway.

Other things to note
We take your safety and security seriously, and this property has local compliance requirements including a signed rental agreement and ID verification. We use Happy Guest, a secure and simple platform, which also gives you a guest portal with everything about the home plus our favourite local spots.

- Monthly and multi-week stays are welcome. Message us before booking for long-stay pricing.
- One small dog up to 20 lbs is welcome for an additional pet fee to cover extra cleaning.
- The home is on a quiet residential street. No parties or events, and quiet hours run from 10pm.
- Weekly landscaping service may occur during your stay.
- Starter supplies are provided, including coffee, tea, cooking basics, toiletries, paper products and laundry detergent. Longer stays may need to top up.
- The fenced backyard, fire pit, volleyball court, grill and outdoor games should be used responsibly and at the guest's own risk.
- Travel times are estimates and vary with traffic and season.