We (3 people) recently spent 15 days at Manasota Beach Club in the Ibis cottage.
A bit pricey; just over $5000.00 for the time there.
The Ibis cottage is a large 2 bedroom, 2 bath cottage with living room, dining room, kitchen (with a dishwasher and disposal), laundry room (what a luxury on vacation), screened in porch that leads directly to your own private pool.
You are only steps away from the Gulf of Mexico.
Lounge chairs, beach chairs and a charcoal grill are provided.
It is isolated; in all our time there, I saw 10 other people on the beach. So if you are a party person, this is probably not for you.
There is no cable or direct TV; no CNN or ESPN.
When we arrived, the a/c was not working. And while a protable a/c unit was brought in very quickly, this really needs to be remedied.
Cottage has been updated, but the bathrooms were skipped. They could use some updating.
Also the doors need better seals to keep "outside guests" out at night.
I have been going to Florida in the summer for over 50 years and this is really an unbelievable cottage.
Fix the a/c and the door issue and this is a 5 star all the way!!

Cottages for family style living with planned activities for all ages.
Activities such as tennis, swimming, games, cards are planned right for the day.
Shell paths through the palms, orchids, hybiscus, ferns and grasses. Manasota's oyster shell paths lead the guests through the dunes and onto the long and clean beaches.
Swimming and boating and shelling and sunning are top activities along with tennis, kayaking, sailing, ping pong, pool games and picnicking. There is a cottage library full of great books to enjoy and wide screened DVDs in the lounges and rooms. MBC brings families and friend together for relaxation and fun.

The arrival of our first baby lead us to change our well established winter holiday routine of going to Mauritius and staying in 5 star hotel resorts, instead visiting the Manasota Beach Club (MBC) in early 2010.
The place is made up of a cluster of older style houses, around a central club house, where meals are served and other recreational activities are focused. Coming from the UK it’s not a format of establishment we’d come across; its neither hotel, nor guest house, nor rental property; kind of a mix of the three with a unique identity and lots of history thrown in.
Essentially you rent a house ( they have all sizes) where you could cater for yourself and / or enjoy a half board meal arrangement, eating in the Clubhouse, as we did. Most of the properties are right on the beach, and if not, only 20 yards or so.
The MBC is located on a narrow strip of coast, amongst upmarket residential houses. The place nestles under the canopies of old trees and fronts onto a superb secluded beach and the Gulf of Mexico. You couldn’t ask for a better location, rich in wildlife, but I’m told, nothing that wanted to dine on me!!
It’s family run and you’ll see the owners regularly at meal times, and the weekly cocktail party that they host at their home, which is on the site. I couldn’t fault the service, which was genuine and better than you’d get in any big name hotel. They did whatever they could to make our stay enjoyable.
Our house 2 bedroom house ‘Lovebird’, was literally right on the beach, with fantastic views out to sea. The house was older style with a traditional interior, feeling much as it would have done, when built 50 or so years ago. Linen was clean and house-keeping kept the place spotless, despite some aging fixtures and fittings ( was that really a 1960’s dishwasher?). There were beach chairs, umbrella and everything you’d need to make an excellent sand castle. For accomodation, think; comfortable, clean and functional; rather than elegant, new or modern.
We visited during the cold-snap but the 1 day we did get on the beach was wonderful; you'd have a great beach holiday here, plus with your house a few steps away, it's easy to escape. I watched some great sunsets from my seat on the house's terrace, accompanied by a Miller or two.
We thought the food was very good; from the American breakfasts, thru sandwiches and salads at lunch, and best of all the multi course dinners, which offered a range of choices each night. Food not fancy, but well cooked and well presented. BYO on the booze front!
The Clubhouse had a nice buzz at meal times and was popular with locals as an eating place, which is always a good sign.
In terms of facilities there seemed to be several good tennis courts (we don’t play), a useful small swimming pool, a great children’s play area, a library and an aging gym. Some other stuff too. I had some really great jogs along the beach.
We went early in the New Year and there weren’t always many guests, but there was an interesting mix amongst those staying. Some families, but mostly well travelled middle aged and older american clientele; everyone was friendly and great company.
This is not some immaculate, manicured and polished resort and if you must have that, then I don’t think you’d like MBC.
If, however, you value great service, good eating, an unsurpassed location, and a really special experience then this is for you.
I’d say everybody should go to the MBC a least once and it’s like nowhere else we’ve ever been; it’s wonderful and unique

This is the fourth year in a row staying at Manasota. If you are looking for a place to relax with your family, hang out at the beach, fish, snorkel and watch beautiful sunsets without a crowd, then this is your place. The staff is accomodating and the houses are charming. We have stayed in the lovebird, the Sanderling, the Royal Turn and the IBIS (the best). All are great but the Ibis is the best for the money as it is a 2/2 with a screen porch and a private swimming pool overlooking the ocean. You can get a place for 12 or a place for two. We have never had seen more than ten people on the property in four years during summer. It has oak canopy trails, swimming pool, basketball court, tennis court and great fishing all with no crowds. It's a throw back to old Florida. I would highly recommend it for couple or families with any age children. Some cottages/ houses have cable but most don't. The snook fishing on the beach can be great depending on when you go. There are plenty of restaurants within driving distance. It can be a bit pricey after you add the resort taxes, etc.. but that is how they all are. You get what you pay for on this one!!