Page 20 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Winter 2021-2022

BUNGALOW BEACH RESORT
Where Cool is Small
BY KARUNA EBERL
THE BIG AND SMALL
An easy drive from the quaint resort gets you to larger attractions nearby such as Mote Marine Aquarium and the Ringling Museum of Art. If you drive a couple of hours you’ll be at Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens and the rest of the theme parks.
While the bungalows are pretty paradise-y, their rustic “Old Florida” charm is not for
The family-run Bungalow Beach Resort on Anna Maria Island is a sleepy tucked away hideaway on a compact island that is big on the small things. If you want a laid-back, off-beat beachfront then get ready for your next Florida vacation here.
This is Old Florida. Author Ernest Hem- ingway reeled in marlin off the coast. Circus magnate John Ringling, who had the “Greatest Show on Earth” with the Ringling Brothers, cruised past these very bungalows in his yacht full of celebrities and politicians.
everyone. The Wi-Fi can be frustratingly spotty, and instead of cable TV there are streaming services like Amazon Prime. The pool is small, only about six metres by three metres. Then again, there’s a whole ocean right there in which to play.
For those who prefer casual and close encounters with nature over high-rise glamour and hotel bars, the Bungalow Beach Resort is a rare find. There’s enough here. Enough good food and drink nearby. Enough palm trees and tropical breezes. Enough white sand and warm waves.
There is especially enough solitude and openness, as you look out over the endless blue skies and water, into the forever. DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
For more resort information
bungalowbeach.com
PHOTO: The seaside cottages each have their own distinct charm. Guests can reserve a bungalow with a private terrace at this classic gem on Anna Maria Island. Bungalow Beach Resort
At Bungalow Beach Resort, the modest
CHARMING COTTAGES BY THE SEA
gazebo entrance is kind of like a time
While each bungalow has its own person- machine. Pass through it and you feel like
ality, they’re all decorated with a clean, you’ve entered a tropical world. The
natural feel. Five of them have full Gulf- restored 1930s-era wooden cottages sit
front views and none of them have stairs. directly atop the sand (something that’s
That means the silky white sand sinks rare, since it’s impossible to replicate with
between your toes as soon as you step out today’s building regulations). Gentle blue-
the door. The ocean is right there to say green waves from the Gulf of Mexico
“Hello,” morning, afternoon and night. literally drop seashells within arm’s reach of
your doorstep.
GO LOCAL
FUN SUN NOTE
This is the Florida where humans and nature can meld, especially every evening as the sun gently drifts below the horizon of the Gulf.
If the seaside entertainment ever gets boring, there are free trolleys to take you around the island and to Bridge Street, a cute small-town strip with restaurants and shops. The island is also a good launch pad for the Gulf’s well- known water sports, like fishing charters, kayaking, parasailing and scuba diving.
20 DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2021/2022