When we travel over 1,000 miles from our home in Kansas City to enjoy a beach vacation we're not interested in being steps from the beach, across from the beach, or having what is often euphemistically advertised as, “a view of the beach.” In our opinion, it simply makes no sense to stop 1,000 or even 500 feet short of our destination. This is why, after over 40-years of traveling all around Florida, and an intense three-year search for what we consider to be the perfect location, we chose the one and only spot on Siesta Key where we can watch manatees cruise and dolphins jump in the crystal waters of the Gulf of Mexico that are only a stone's throw from our lanai. This is beachfront at its best! Fisherman's Cove is built on a very narrow strip of sand. The Gulf of Mexico is approximately 200 feet from our lanai, and the bay inlet is only about 100 feet from our front balcony. This gives us the best of both worlds - the beach and magnificent sunsets on one side, and boat docks framed by beautiful sunrises on the other side. We are so close to the water that some of our guests have said that sitting on the lanai is like being on the lido deck of a cruise ship, and that "the pictures simply don't do it justice." After buying our dream beach retreat, our first priority was perfecting the 120 square foot lanai. At the risk of sounding gauche, we spared no expense when we decided to rip out the old and start fresh with 13 feet of floor to ceiling sliding glass panels across the western view of the gulf, and a large picture window facing south. To perfect the view we replaced the "picket fence" railing you'll see on other Fisherman's Cove condos with a custom tempered glass rail. The picket fence we replaced made us feel like a prisoner peering at the beach from behind bars. With this design you get a totally unobstructed view of the Gulf of Mexico, and you can slide the glass panels open to enjoy the gentle gulf breeze with your morning coffee. The screens slide too, which allows you to take great sunset pictures without having to leave the comfort of your front row seat. With the wide-open floor plan, you will also enjoy direct gulf views from the kitchen, dining room and living room. The master suite has a direct beachfront view of the Gulf of Mexico too, and with its 4' by 6’ sliding window, you will be lulled to sleep at night by the sound of the waves; the perfect prescription for relieving stress! To insure you fully enjoy this unique ambiance, we equipped the master suite with a king-size Jamison pillow-top bed. Jamison is well-known as the supplier for the highly rated beds used in Marriott hotels, and the bed we selected is two notches up from the one Marriott uses. Several of our guests have told me they were so spoiled by the bed, they bought one when they returned home. For us, vacations have always been about creating memories, and taking time to unwind from the demands we face in the crazy world. At the south end of Siesta Key you escape the maddening crowds that are common on the northern end of the island. At the south end traffic moves smoothly along tree-lined streets. There are three good restaurants and two bars within a short walk, and a dozen more within two miles, so you may decide there is no reason to venture beyond our little slice of paradise. Also within a short walk is a full-service marina, a playground for kids, and secluded picnic area with a grill that is perfect for a sunset cookout. Kayak rental and tours are also within easy walking distance; as are boat rentals, Jet Ski rentals, fishing guides and other activities. The fishing is great from both our beach and the bay, and I can help improve your luck by pointing out some of my favorite spots. Snook, Sheephead, various members of the Jack family, Flounder and Cobia are common, and if you stay with us midyear, don’t be surprised if you hook into a large Tarpon. If you bring your own boat, or rent one during your stay, you are welcome to use any of the boat docks at Fisherman's Cove free of charge. We also provide complimentary kayak storage, and have a dock that is specially designed for easy kayak launching. If you decide to try kayaking, I’ll help you plan a route where you are likely to pull next to manatees, and see some of the wonderful birds that inhabit the mangrove islands close by. Beyond the short walk to these activities, you'll find several golf courses within five miles and a total of 92 courses in the Sarasota area. There are also numerous tennis courts available, sand volley ball courts and, of course, great shopping, dining and nightlife. Be sure to allocate time and budget for some of the best restaurants in the country - you'll get a list and commentary covering all our favorite restaurants in our extensive get acquainted package. Popular attractions that are within a short drive include The Ringling Brothers Museum, The Sailor Circus, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, The Sarasota Opera House, Marie Selby Botanical Garden and The Sarasota Classic Car Museum. In my opinion, the best GM muscle car museum in the country is only a 45 minute drive to the south. While Sarasota doesn’t have any professional sports teams, during the winter and early spring, you can see the Baltimore Orioles during spring training at the renovated Ed Smith stadium that is close to downtown Sarasota. Tampa, which is a bit more than an hour’s drive to the north, offers professional football with the Buccaneers and baseball with the Rays. Our get acquainted package also includes a listing of fun things to do that are not covered in the tourist brochures. For example, did you know there is a nearby beach where you can readily find fossilized shark teeth that are five to fifteen million years old? Well, there is, but it's not the one you will read about in the travel books. While we enjoy the sporting activities, sightseeing and night life, our favorite ritual is decidedly more laid back. For us, it's all about the view, the sound of the waves and the open and un-crowded beaches that stretch for miles to both the north and south of the condo. The beach in front of our condo was "re-nourished" with fresh sand from the gulf during the spring of 2016, and is perfect for walking. In total, they widened the beach by about 150 feet for over a two mile stretch. To our north you can walk for approximately a mile and a half before you come to the famed Point of Rocks. While it’s impossible to predict exactly where the next treasure of a shell will wash up, unless you are a very early riser, the shelling on the northern leg is usually better as you near Point of Rocks. When you walk the beach to the south you'll pass by one small condo, about six private residences, and following that, you'll enjoy more than a mile of totally undeveloped beachfront. This is one of the few undeveloped areas you'll find on any of any of Florida's Gulf barrier islands - it's just you, the birds and fresh seashells that washed up during the night. The shelling to the south is usually better than it is to the north, but again, it’s impossible to predict from day to day. As you walk further south you'll come across the very exclusive North Casey's Key community. The first house you'll come to is owned by world-famous author Stephen King. If you are up to it, you can continue south for a total of 13 miles before reaching the southern tip of Casey's Key. Back at the condo you'll love the third floor direct view of the gulf, and your front row seat for spectacular sunsets. The condo floor plan is spacious with large bedrooms that easily accommodate the king-size beds you will find in the master suite and guest bedroom. Both bedrooms have plenty of closest space, and there are two freshly updated full bathrooms - one with a large tiled shower in the master suite, and the other with a tub and shower. Your guests will enjoy a beautiful sunrise view with their large bay-front window, and high-end pillow-top mattress that will assure a comfortable night’s sleep. Your guests can also close off the guest wing of the condo so they have private access to their full bathroom. For your convenience, your reserved parking space is straight across from the entrance where you will find an elevator and carts you can use to move things between your vehicle and your room. Whether you are planning a romantic getaway or a family vacation, Fisherman's Cove is a great destination. If you are our guest for even just one week, you'll understand why they say, "If you're lucky enough to live on Siesta Key, you're lucky enough!" Please email or call us with any questions. It would be our pleasure to help you plan the ideal Siesta Key vacation. Prices vary by season. For current price information, please see our dedicated website: https://beachfrontsiestakey.com/calendar-rates/ Please note: There are NO hidden charges! We cover all charges for maid service, cleaning and fresh linens. We also provide free wireless Internet access (WiFi), free cable TV and a condo phone for local and toll-free calls. If there should ever be a problem, we have full-time office and maintenance workers onsite, and phone numbers you can call for 24/7 support! This is your time to relax, and we do everything we can to insure the only surprises are good surprises.