Has anyone stayed at Smugglers Cove Resort Bradenton Beach recently?

[Troll181]

Staying at Smugglers Cove Resort week of November's 22. Looking for pros and cons. Staying in a studio. TIA

 

[PeakSeason]

I just had two amazing stays at Smuggler’s Cove Beach Resort on Anna Maria Island, which is made up of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, so I can share some pros and cons for your upcoming trip.

This place perfectly captures the quintessential Florida roadside beach motel vibe, beautifully updated as a timeshare with fantastic management and customer service. Here’s the breakdown based on my experience:

Pros:

1. Exceptional Customer Service: The staff at Smuggler’s Cove is phenomenal. I accidentally broke a glass top piece on a side table during my stay, and they were incredibly kind about it and replaced it immediately and didn’t charge me despite my insistence to pay. I also forgot an item in my room, and a week later, they found it and mailed it to me at no cost. They truly go above and beyond to make you feel valued.

2. Charming, Well-Maintained Studio Units: The 1 bedroom units are cozy (sleeping two with a comfy king size bed) and come with a fully-equipped kitchen including a refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and standard oven, perfect for a week-long stay. Everything felt clean and recently updated, though the exterior keeps that classic Florida motel charm. Expect air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and all the essentials like cookware and appliances.

3. Stunning Bay-Side Patio: The back patio area by the bay is hands-down the best feature. It’s super peaceful with beautiful gardens, lounge chairs, dining tables, and grills for BBQing. It’s an ideal spot to relax or enjoy a sunrise over the Intracoastal Waterway. If you can, request room 107 (first floor) or 207 (second floor) for a bay view

4. Private Beach Access & Amenities: The resort’s private beach is just across the street, with warm Gulf waters and plenty of free beach chairs and towels provided. You also get complimentary Wi-Fi, games, and a book exchange, which add to the fun. The heated pool and hot tub are great for November’s cooler evenings, and the resort hosts activities like welcome breakfasts or trivia by the pool.

5. Great Location: Smuggler’s Cove is perfectly situated on Anna Maria Island, steps from Bradenton Beach and close to restaurants like Smoqehouse, Wicked Cantina, and Anna Maria Oyster Bar. The free island trolley is nearby, making it easy to explore Bridge Street or other local spots. November weather should be pleasant, with highs around 75–80°F, ideal for beach time or biking.

Cons:

1. Small Studio Size for some: The studio units are supposedly on the smaller side, with the living and sleeping areas combined in one room. This might feel snug if you’re used to larger accommodations, but the kitchenette and amenities make it functional for a couple. I say supposedly bc I exchanged into my week through RCI in a studio unit, but I found myself in a 1 bedroom unit with no notice or mention of an upgrade of any kind so I can’t speak to an actual studio unit.

2. No Elevators: The resort has two floors and no elevators, so if you’re in a second-floor unit (like 207), be prepared to climb stairs, especially with luggage. This could be a hassle if mobility is an issue, so consider requesting a first-floor unit like 107.

3. Across-the-Street Beach Access: The private beach is across Gulf Drive, which can get busy. It’s a short walk, but you’ll need to be cautious crossing the road. Once you’re there, the Gulf’s calm, warm waters are incredibly peaceful and the sunsets are unmatched

4. Slightly Dated Exterior: While the interiors are newly updated and clean, the resort’s exterior looks like a 1950s motel, which might not appeal to everyone. However, I found this added to its retro charm, and the gardens and bay area more than make up for it

If you have any other questions, I go to AMI every year and I’d be happy to give you tips on the area!

 

[TUGBrian]

I just had two amazing stays at Smuggler’s Cove Beach Resort on Anna Maria Island, which is made up of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, so I can share some pros and cons for your upcoming trip.

This place perfectly captures the quintessential Florida roadside beach motel vibe, beautifully updated as a timeshare with fantastic management and customer service. Here’s the breakdown based on my experience:

Pros:

1. Exceptional Customer Service: The staff at Smuggler’s Cove is phenomenal. I accidentally broke a glass top piece on a side table during my stay, and they were incredibly kind about it and replaced it immediately and didn’t charge me despite my insistence to pay. I also forgot an item in my room, and a week later, they found it and mailed it to me at no cost. They truly go above and beyond to make you feel valued.

2. Charming, Well-Maintained Studio Units: The 1 bedroom units are cozy (sleeping two with a comfy king size bed) and come with a fully-equipped kitchen including a refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and standard oven, perfect for a week-long stay. Everything felt clean and recently updated, though the exterior keeps that classic Florida motel charm. Expect air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and all the essentials like cookware and appliances.

3. Stunning Bay-Side Patio: The back patio area by the bay is hands-down the best feature. It’s super peaceful with beautiful gardens, lounge chairs, dining tables, and grills for BBQing. It’s an ideal spot to relax or enjoy a sunrise over the Intracoastal Waterway. If you can, request room 107 (first floor) or 207 (second floor) for a bay view

4. Private Beach Access & Amenities: The resort’s private beach is just across the street, with warm Gulf waters and plenty of free beach chairs and towels provided. You also get complimentary Wi-Fi, games, and a book exchange, which add to the fun. The heated pool and hot tub are great for November’s cooler evenings, and the resort hosts activities like welcome breakfasts or trivia by the pool.

5. Great Location: Smuggler’s Cove is perfectly situated on Anna Maria Island, steps from Bradenton Beach and close to restaurants like Smoqehouse, Wicked Cantina, and Anna Maria Oyster Bar. The free island trolley is nearby, making it easy to explore Bridge Street or other local spots. November weather should be pleasant, with highs around 75–80°F, ideal for beach time or biking.

Cons:

1. Small Studio Size for some: The studio units are supposedly on the smaller side, with the living and sleeping areas combined in one room. This might feel snug if you’re used to larger accommodations, but the kitchenette and amenities make it functional for a couple. I say supposedly bc I exchanged into my week through RCI in a studio unit, but I found myself in a 1 bedroom unit with no notice or mention of an upgrade of any kind so I can’t speak to an actual studio unit.

2. No Elevators: The resort has two floors and no elevators, so if you’re in a second-floor unit (like 207), be prepared to climb stairs, especially with luggage. This could be a hassle if mobility is an issue, so consider requesting a first-floor unit like 107.

3. Across-the-Street Beach Access: The private beach is across Gulf Drive, which can get busy. It’s a short walk, but you’ll need to be cautious crossing the road. Once you’re there, the Gulf’s calm, warm waters are incredibly peaceful and the sunsets are unmatched

4. Slightly Dated Exterior: While the interiors are newly updated and clean, the resort’s exterior looks like a 1950s motel, which might not appeal to everyone. However, I found this added to its retro charm, and the gardens and bay area more than make up for it

If you have any other questions, I go to AMI every year and I’d be happy to give you tips on the area!

submitting a review for this resort would earn you a 1 year membership extension!

 

[Jan M.]

Basically it's one resort with 3 sections but each section is a different resort name and number. Smuggler's Cove is the farthest back on the bay side by the lovely gardens. We had a one bedroom unit when we stayed there. In the middle is Gulf Stream Beach Resort with parking underneath the units. This section has very nice two bedroom units. We stayed in this section for two weeks the next year. Closest to the road is the Penthouses at Gulfstream section. We were supposed to stay in this section last year but our December reservation was cancelled due to the hurricane in October. Fortunately everything was back up within a couple of weeks but by then we'd made other plans.

Even though we had a larger, nicer unit at Gulfstream Beach Resort and parking underneath, DH brings up going back to Smuggler's Cove. He really enjoyed walking out the door with his morning coffee to sit in the gardens and watch the sunrise over the bay.

 

[theo]

Great information within the above posts -- Thanks! We've always wanted to spend a week 11 on Anna Maria Island, following the weeks 9 & 10 that we own and use further down the SW FL coast. However, since we no longer exchange (and no longer even belong to any exchange companies), we keep our eyes peeled for a eek 11 rental at one of the above mentioned properties, but with week 11 being a prime Snowbird week, we are well aware that our chances are pretty slim.

 

[rapmarks]

Thank you for the reviews. We almost stayed there more than once, and now I wish I had kept the exchange

 

[PeakSeason]

I would recommend staying anywhere on Anna Maria for the gorgeous evening sunsets alone!

Then there’s the best cinnamon roll I’ve ever had from Ginny’s and Jane E’s which is a must try. They open at 7am and are usually sold out by 7:45-8ish.

Waterfront Restaurant is a wonderful meal to have near the pier in Holmes Beach (followed by ice cream at Two Scoops), but if you’re looking for a better experience with similar food, I’d recommend the Dry Dock Waterfront Grill on Longboat Key. It’s a little tucked away on the bay but the food was amazing, the decor is well themed, and the service was standout on our visits.

Bridge St is a fun area for evening happy hour as you have a bunch of restaurants, like Anna Maria Oyster Bar and Bamboo Island Bar, plus you’ve got gift shops and boutiques to walk around and grab a souvenir or some homemade fudge.

St Armand’s Circle isn’t too far away from Dry Dock that I mentioned above ,and if you’re looking for a place to spend the day exploring this would be my pick. Lots of shops, restaurants, and people walking around to and from Lido Key beach. This is where the famous 1905 salad is made table side at the Columbia Restaurant and it’s so good.

All in all, I can’t recommend Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach for a chill, old-world Florida beach vacation more highly!