Welcome to The Golden Gator, our family’s waterfront retreat in Rotonda West. This is our second home—not simply a rental—and a place our family visits frequently, so we’ve furnished and equipped it with comfort, relaxation and easy Florida living in mind.

Relax, swim and explore from your own private Gulf Coast getaway. Start the morning with coffee overlooking the canal, spend the afternoon in the heated saltwater pool, challenge the family to pool volleyball, or unwind in the evening around the fire table and grill.

OUTDOOR LIVING
The outdoor space is one of our favorite parts of The Golden Gator. The home features a large 14' x 27' heated saltwater pool surrounded by an oversized screened paver deck. Multicolor pool lighting makes nighttime swims especially fun. A 260-square-foot covered lanai with two ceiling fans provides plenty of shaded space for outdoor dining and relaxing.

Large stacking glass doors connect the great room to the lanai, creating the indoor-outdoor Florida lifestyle we love about this home. Beyond the pool cage, enjoy canal views, an additional paver patio and a dedicated grilling and food-prep area.

CANAL FISHING
Want to try your luck in the backyard canal? We provide three fishing rods—two easy-to-use push-button spincast setups and one spinning rod—along with a tackle box containing assorted fishing gear. Beginners can give it a try, while experienced anglers are welcome to bring their favorite gear.

The canal is freshwater and is great for backyard fishing, but it does not provide boating access to the Gulf.

INSIDE THE HOME
The open-concept great room connects the living area, dining space and fully equipped kitchen. The kitchen features granite countertops, stainless appliances, plenty of cabinet space and a large center island that's perfect for breakfast, drinks or gathering together after a day at the beach.

The home offers 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms plus a bonus den/office, providing plenty of room for families and groups. The split-bedroom floor plan gives the primary suite added privacy, along with direct pool access, a walk-in closet, dual sinks and a spacious Roman shower. A second bedroom also offers direct access to the pool area.

The home has two Roku TVs—one in the main living area and one in the primary bedroom. Bedrooms 2, 3 and 4 do not have televisions.

Need to get some work done while you're here? The dedicated office/workspace makes it easy to stay connected without taking over the dining table. Guests also have a full-size washer and dryer and convenient driveway parking.

EXPLORE BY BIKE
Two adult bicycles are available for guests—a Trek multi-speed hybrid/comfort bike and a step-through beach cruiser. They're perfect for couples who want to cruise through Rotonda West, explore the neighborhood or enjoy the area's walking and biking routes at a relaxed Florida pace.

BEACH READY
We make beach days easy. Guests have access to four beach chairs, four additional folding chairs and a beach wagon to help carry everything to the sand. Pack the cooler, load the wagon and head to Manasota Key or Englewood Beach, about 15 minutes away.

BEACHES & ADVENTURES
When you're ready to explore, some of Southwest Florida's best outdoor experiences are close by. Manasota Key and Englewood Beach are about 15 minutes away, where you can swim, watch Gulf sunsets and search the sand for the fossilized shark teeth the area is famous for.
Spend a day exploring Boca Grande, fish or kayak the waters around Lemon Bay and Stump Pass, visit nearby marinas, rent a boat, or simply find a waterfront restaurant and enjoy the Florida sunshine.
Golfers have plenty to choose from, with five Rotonda golf courses offering 99 holes nearby. Rotonda also features a 165-acre community park with lakes, tropical scenery, wildlife, and miles of walking and biking trails. With two adult bikes provided at The Golden Gator, it's easy to get outside and explore the community at your own pace.

Whether your perfect vacation means beach days, boating and fishing, golfing, exploring Southwest Florida, or doing absolutely nothing beyond floating in the pool, The Golden Gator is a comfortable home base for enjoying it all.

GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK
The Golden Gator is located in a quiet residential golf community, and we ask guests to be considerate of our neighbors. The backyard borders a freshwater canal, so children should always be supervised around the pool, backyard and water.

As with any Florida home, native wildlife may occasionally be seen around the canal and neighborhood. Please enjoy wildlife from a safe distance and never feed or approach it.

Our pool is professionally serviced weekly to keep it clean and properly maintained. Because it is an outdoor Florida pool, occasional leaves, small debris or insects may find their way into the water between scheduled service visits. Lawn service may also occur during your stay, and service providers may need brief access to the exterior pool, lanai or yard areas to complete their work.

The home borders a privately owned vacant lot that is not part of The Golden Gator. Maintenance of that property is outside our control, and the grass may occasionally be taller than surrounding lawns. Please enjoy outdoor games and activities on our property and do not enter or use the neighboring lot.

Like many homes, ours has a couple of little quirks. The pocket doors for Bedroom 4 and the primary bathroom can sometimes be particular when closing and locking. They work properly, but may require gently pulling the door completely into position before engaging the lock.
A locked owner’s closet is reserved for our family’s personal belongings and is the only interior area unavailable to guests.

MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT
The primary guest making the reservation must be at least 25 years old and must be present for the duration of the stay.

EXTENDED STAYS
Reservations of 14 nights or longer require host approval. Promotional and last-minute discounts are intended for short-term stays and may not apply to extended reservations.