Sand between our toes, wet noses and wagging tails… oh and lobster tails… these are a few of our favorite things. So there was no doubt in our minds that we would celebrate our wedding anniversary at the beach with our kids. Since they happen to be of the four-legged variety, we headed back to our home away from home… Rolling Waves Beach Cottages on Longboat Key in Southwest Florida.
Besides the laid-back ambiance and uber-clean cottages, we continue to return because of their very pet-friendly policy. Our girls, Angelle, an English springer spaniel, and Giselle, a long-haired Chihuahua, immediately took to our cottage. What a relief. We didn’t know if these girls, both relatively new rescues… would embrace their new surroundings. Hallelujah, they clearly felt right at home.
This was significant in that it allowed my husband and I the guilt-free freedom to venture out to the beach while our dogs napped comfortably in our cottage. We returned to sleepy girls who greeted us with tails wagging… they were clearly stress-free, and therefore, so were we. They did enjoy romping about the huge stretch of sand on property, where there is plenty of room to run, play and meet other equally polite pets. Rolling Waves does not discriminate against size, number, or even type of pets, as long as they are well-behaved.
With only eight cottages comprising the resort and a virtually private strip of sparkling sandy white beach, it is quiet, intimate and carefree. Each unit is cheerfully decorated and stocked with kitchen essentials – utensils, pots, pans, dishes – even cleaning products and trash bags. Although some of our favorite restaurants are right down the street: the casual Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub; romantic Euphemia Haye, The Lazy Lobster and others, we usually bring groceries and cook at out cottage. My hubby indulged me with my faves, filet mignon and lobster tails – Rolling Waves also provides charcoal grills. Even more convenient is that fact that Publix grocery store is minutes away, making it simple to pick up that butter or cooking spray you might have forgotten.
So we spent a weekend at the beach. What’s the story? Well, it’s about a whole lotta nothin’ going on. We sunned, swam, collected seashells, napped, relished lazy mornings, champagne sunsets, walking on the moonlit beach beneath the stars, and spending quality family time together.
Though Rolling Waves draws guests from all over the state and the country, we relaxed on the 45-minute drive home to Sarasota, bringing with us the memories of sweet anniversary “tails”.
Tip: Though Rolling Waves Beach Cottages normally requires a 4-night minimum stay, which you must book online, risk-takers can call at the last minute to inquire about gaps… one, two or three night stays that just might be available. Seasonal rates apply.
For more information and reservations, visit www.rollingwaves.com.
Feature by Lisa Codianne Fowler; photographs by Patrick Fowler and courtesy Rolling Waves Cottages.