Coconut palms, orchids, frangipani surround you. This is not a canal home or a condo. Mangroves and an intimate, private sandy beach on the Manatee River are rare if not impossible to find and make a perfect retreat that your friends, family and water loving dogs will fall in love with. This spacious, beautiful home on the Manatee River has never been offered as a vacation home before. In the town of Palmetto, a virtually undiscovered 'old Florida' historic town just across the 'Green' bridge from Bradenton, you will drive down 6th Street under huge oak trees with hanging Spanish moss. Enter the private gate and begin your one of a kind vacation. Relax at your private tropical lagoon pool with a beach entry, waterfall, baja ledge and swim up cocktail table with relaxing jets. You'll enjoy sunbathing on the spacious pool deck, relaxing in a hammock or sitting under the fan in the shade of your own private tiki hut. The tiki's bar is made from an old ships rudder.
Facing due West on secluded Hookers Bay, just 5 minutes by boat to Tampa Bay, the sunsets are unsurpassed and are a daily main event. As you sit on the deck under the huge banyan tree, enjoy a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail as the show begins. Every evening, thousands of birds fly by at the first hint of dusk, heading home to Emerson Point, a bird sanctuary just 2 miles north. Great blue herons, spoonbill rosettes, sea gulls, cormorants, night herons, skimmers, ospreys, egrets, pelicans often stop by for a snack of baitfish right on your beach, just feet away from you. The thought of all of this wearing you out? Just lay in the hammock where even in a good rain, the banyan will keep the rain drops away.
Right about now is the beginning of the perfect fishing time, usually signaled by a pair of dolphins, Mary Kay and Lola, who routinely cruise through, running fish out of the water, a true spectacle to watch. Hookers Bay is known as the best fishing spot between the Manatee River and Tampa Bay. Snook, redfish, trout, flounder mangrove snapper, even tarpon are plentiful.. The Manatee River is named that for a reason. Your 'front yard' is a legally protected manatee feeding area. Want a closer look? Wade out in water as shallow as waist deep and watch from as close as a foot away. Or you can see them from shore as they come up for air. And don't forget to keep the tradition of ringing the bell at the last glimpse of the setting sun.
Fish, kayak, swim, bike to the marina for lunch. Take a 20 minute ride to Anna Maria Island. Visit the historic fishing village of Cortez. But first you will have to drag yourself away from Hookers Bay, a tough thing to do!
The home itself is large with an amazing cook's kitchen. Two refrigerators, granite countertops, two sinks -- even someone who doesn't cook will want to! The family room, kitchen and wet bar are all in one open room with views of the water and sunsets. The dining room seats 12 overlooking Hooker Bay outside the oversized sliding glass doors. Open the doors for true waterfront dining. The screened porch offers shelter if an afternoon shower happens or casual dining with family and friends. Lounge in the living room beside the fireplace or entertain friends in the open kitchen/living area. In the den you will find the 52' flat screen tv that is easily viewed by everyone in the kitchen and bar that seats 6.
There are three large, comfortable bedrooms, all with water views. The first master is large with a king size bed to die for. The view of Hooker Bay is hypnotic. The bath has a walk in shower. All linens are luxurious. It has a large dresser, dressing table and a flat screen tv.
The second master also has a double bed and a view of Hooker Bay and the lagoon.It also has a flat screen tv. It shares a bath with the third bedroom with over sized twin beds and a view of the lagoon. The twin room has a tv and dvd player. Both of these room's guests fall asleep to the relaxing sound of the waterfall. The entire end of the house can be closed with a pocket door creating a suite. This feature makes Casa Encantada the perfect home for 2 couples. All bedrooms have walk in closets and tvs.
The sofa in the living room, also with a water view, opens into a queen size bed.
There are no stairs - one story only. This home is easy to reach with reasonably priced flights from just about anywhere to Sarasota or Tampa. As cliché as it sounds, this is truly paradise in your own private waterfront home! Discover the 'real' Florida!
Keywords: gulf coast, Florida ,pet friendly, pontoon, 21ft. boat,waterfront estate,beach, private boat,fishing,kayaking, heated pool
private home, single family rental
Disney World, Bush Gardens, Sea World, on the water, manatees, dolphins.private, fenced and gated, central gulf coast, Sarasota, Tampa international, Sarasota/ Bradenton Airport, Pittsburgh pirates,Mote aquarium, Bolleterri Academy,dogs
