What happened to this place? New owners bought Arbors by the Sea in 2017, and it has since gone to he**. We rented a cottage there every single year for 15 years before it was sold. My kids grew up there! It used to be so quaint and charming. Now every cottage is run down, peeling paint, bent screens falling out of windows, terrible landscaping, so many trees and pretty foliage removed, no flowers...the list goes on and on. It used to be a little community where every cottage was rented. I think now they only rent one out, and it's by the road. I'm so sad every year I drive by! Thankfully we have fond memories of years past, spent with good friends and family there.

We’ve chosen Arbors by the Sea as our respite from the chaos of our world. The cottages were built in 1949 and reflect the charm of that era. Comfy, cozy, with everything one needs. It’s a very short walk to the beach on its private path and even it’s chilly in January (by Florida standards) it’s toasty compared to our home in the Midwest. We can walk to one of the nicest restaurants on Longboat Key! We’ve returned 4 times since discovering this gem. We’re booking our week for next year.

I am so glad I found this place on TripAdvisor. The cottages are adorable, the property is nicely landscaped and well-kept, and it's in a great location -- we could drive to either Sarasota or Anna Maria Island with ease. There was a problem with our rental when we first arrived, and not only was it solved within 10 minutes, but two property managers called me to make sure I was all right with the solution. (I should add, this problem seemed like something rare that wouldn't happen again, so I would not hesitate to rent here in the future) There is a Publix market and a CVS just minutes away, so anything you need, you can get quickly. We loved the proximity to the beach, and we certainly took advantage of the hammocks and the beach chairs! We walked on the beach at all hours and appreciated the outdoor shower for rinsing off. Rose Cottage was perfect for us -- each child got their own room, the bathrooms were a good size, and the showers worked well, and we loved having the fully stocked kitchen at our disposal. The place was clean as a whistle and very comfortable. Having both cable TV and wi-fi were nice so we could keep up with the weather and use our devices to make plans on what to do and where to go.

We keep on coming here because it is just what we are looking for - so peaceful and quiet and well appointed. No need to go anywhere or do anything but sit on the beach and watch the wildlife. Perfect for watching the sunset and having a barbecue!

We booked a week at Arbors by the Sea based on online reviews. We hadn't been to this part of Florida in 20 years and really wanted a break from the sub-zero Midwest weather. We wanted something different than a beach condo rental. We weren't disappointed. We stayed in the Iris Cottage. A lovely one bed room bungalow with large living room area with Sleeper sofa, 2 recliners, Wi-Fi, flat screen Hi-Def TV. (Not that we needed the TV really) The dining area has a full sized table and 6 chairs. All is very nicely decorated in a beach theme. We're literary steps from the path to the ocean. The bed room is comfy and the bath cozy. The kitchen is well appointed with EVERYTHING we needed. No need to buy salt & pepper, coffee filters etc. We have a nice patio area with gas grill and beach umbrella. On the way to the beach front there are hammocks, tables, chairs and a gas fire pit for gathering with fiends. The management has been on the property several times and checked in to see if we needed anything. What else could we need?