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!!

This is my third time spending my spring vacation at the Manasota Beach Club, and I can't get enough of it. The food, service, hospitality and overall welcoming "homey" feel of the Club is unmatched by any other hotel or inn I have visited (which says a lot).
Whether you are on a vacation with your spouse, alone, or with rowdy children, Manasota Beach Club can accommodate you and make your stay relaxing.
Really can't beat it.

The Manasota Beach Club is not a "spa retreat" or luxury resort but it exudes class, environmental awareness and it is fancy in its own way.

We stayed for two nights. We were in the Upper Owl Cottage and it was during the Modified American Plan time period meaning that breakfast and dinner were included. We had a full kitchen in our cottage and we prepared lunch there.

This is not an ordinary getaway. You will see Florida as it was decades ago. There is no manicured landscaping just enormous oaks with limbs reaching in every direction, climbing banyans, hibiscus with the biggest and most colorful blooms, sea grapes and an assortment of bromeliads and orchids in the most unexpected places. The owners are serious about keeping the landscaping indigenous.

The cottages range in style from a wood two story structure to typical 1950s beach-front ranches. We were in the upstairs Owl and we kept the sliding glass doors open all night and we were lulled to sleep by the soft waves.

The sunsets were amazing and the moon lit up the beach and water at night. We saw dolphins right off shore, all kinds of birds, turtles, fish and very few humans.

The dining room is appointed in an old Florida fashion. The food and service were excellent. We had a five course meal for dinner for both nights and while there was a breakfast menu, we just ordered what we were in the mood for.

We had our two and a half year old with us and he enjoyed the kids program (although he was the only one there at the time). He had dinner at the kids table which was right off the kitchen and I think he enjoyed watching all the cooks and waiters running around. Afterward, he went to the kids room in the library and/or watched movies. We dropped him off right before dinner and then we picked him up right after dinner. Dinner took about an hour to an hour and a half. He enjoyed the kids program which cost about $8/hour and we enjoyed a quiet and romantic dinner.

During the day, we went between the playground, the beach and our cottage. Being from Florida, we thought the water was a little too cold to swim. We didn't leave for the two days we were there. I couldn't believe how my high energy family just sat on the beach and watched the birds and other wildlife, looked for shells and just enjoyed each other's company. It was such a nice way to relax.

Speaking of shells, sharks' teeth were everywhere - we must have found over a hundred. We also found many other beautiful shells.

If I had to say something negative, I would say that the old Florida cottages could be considered run-down as opposed to charming. You really have to appreciate and understand where you are going and what you're getting into. It's not cheap and certainly you could go to the spa luxury resort for not much more. I don't think it would be as memorable or relaxing, however.