Anna Maria Island's BEST Kept Secret: Pelican Post Inn Paradise!
Pelican Post Inn Paradise: My Chaotic, Hilarious, and Surprisingly Wonderful Dive into Anna Maria Island's "Best Kept Secret"
Okay, folks, let's get real. Finding "Paradise" isn't easy. Especially when you're balancing a toddler, a mountain of work, and the ever-present fear of running out of coffee. But here I am, fresh off a stay at the Pelican Post Inn Paradise on Anna Maria Island, ready to spill the beans (and maybe a little bit of the complimentary coffee) on whether this place actually lives up to the hype. They call it the "Best Kept Secret"… well, the secret's out now. Buckle up, it's going to be a ride.
(SEO & Metadata Alert!)
- Keywords: Anna Maria Island, Pelican Post Inn Paradise, Hotel Review, Florida Vacation, Beach Hotel, Accessible Hotel, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Family Friendly, Free Wi-Fi, Luxury, Reviews, Best Kept Secret, Anna Maria Island Accommodations, Accessible Accommodations Florida, [Include other relevant keywords based on services, e.g., "Couple's Retreat", "Family Vacation", "Pet-Friendly (check availability)", etc.,].
- Metadata: Title: Pelican Post Inn Paradise Review: The Secret's Out! | Meta Description: A brutally honest and hilarious review of the Pelican Post Inn Paradise on Anna Maria Island, FL. Includes accessibility, amenities, dining, and more. Find out if it lives up to the hype!
- Important Note: I've tried to hit all the requested aspects, but this is a review, not a phone book. Details are woven in where they naturally fit, not just a checklist (though, I did aim for the checklist).
First Impressions (and a near-meltdown):
Pulling up to the Pelican Post Inn, the vibe is immediately charming. Think classic Florida: pastel colors, lush landscaping, and a friendly-looking flamingo statue that almost felt like a personal greeting. My first reaction? "Okay, okay. This could work." I'd booked a room with a view (because, priorities) and was secretly hoping for a little bit of tranquility. (Fat chance with a toddler, right?)
Accessibility & Getting Around (Because, Let's Face It, it Matters):
Full disclosure: I don't have mobility issues. BUT, I was genuinely impressed with the effort the Pelican Post Inn has made for accessibility. They have elevators to all floors (thank goodness!), facilities for disabled guests, and I remember seeing several rooms specifically designed for guests with mobility challenges. The exterior corridors were wide enough for wheelchairs, and the staff seemed super willing to help with anything. (Accessibility) They’re not just talking the talk; they're walking the walk. Access to the beach… Well, it's Anna Maria Island, so the beach is the access! Plenty of pathways to the sand.
Check-in/out [express, private, and also a touch chaotic]:
The check-in was smooth, thankfully. They had a contactless check-in/out option, which I appreciated in these times, but I opted for the human touch and I regret nothing. The staff was genuinely friendly and helpful; a breath of fresh air after a long drive. The check-in/out was not express and nor private (it was busy!), but it was efficient.
Rooms: Sanctuary or…Semi-Sanctuary?
Let's talk rooms. I snagged a "Deluxe Ocean View" room, and OH BOY. The view! Absolutely breathtaking. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for getting the little terror to sleep (or at least attempting to get him to sleep). My room had air conditioning (essential!), complimentary tea and coffee, a mini-bar which I could never fully conquer before the kiddo got into it, and a comfortable seating area to pretend I could actually sit and read without being interrupted. Free Wi-Fi? Hell yeah! (And it worked flawlessly, which is a minor miracle in itself). Internet access – wireless? Absolutely. Internet access - LAN? Probably? Never looked at it tbh. The extra-long bed was a welcome change.
Now, about the "imperfections." My room wasn't spotless. I found a rogue Cheerio under the sofa (a toddler-detection fail on my part, and possibly the cleaning crew's), but overall, it was clean. The daily housekeeping helped, and I especially appreciated the daily disinfection in common areas. The rooms sanitized between stays are much-appreciated! They also have great Safety/security features and I felt very safe!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Fun (and the Toddler Tantrums)
Listen, travel with a toddler is a contact sport, and you need fuel. The Pelican Post Inn did not disappoint on that front.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Ok, so breakfast was a winner. A good, solid Western breakfast with everything from fluffy pancakes to crispy bacon to fresh fruit. I'm not usually a buffet person (too much temptation!), but this one was well-organized and the food quality was surprisingly good.
- Restaurants: Multiple! The main restaurant served international cuisine with some delicious Western cuisine and a good selection of desserts (essential!). There was a poolside bar that quickly became my daily ritual for a cocktail or three while watching happy hour.
- Room Service: 24-hour room service! Now that's what I'm talking about. Especially useful when the kiddo finally crashes at 9 pm, and you're starving.
- Other options: The coffee shop kept me sane with my daily caffeine fix, and the snack bar was a lifesaver for those emergency toddler-meltdown moments.
The buffet, A la carte and other alternative meal arrangements were well prepared and managed. The restaurants always had water and bottles for us, it was great.
Things to Do (Beyond the Beach!):
Anna Maria Island IS the thing to do, and the Pelican Post Inn gets that. They're right on the water, so beach time is a given. But beyond that…
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Gorgeous! The pool with a view was everything you want. Clean, heated, and kid-friendly.
- Massage & Spa: I didn’t get a chance to experience the Spa/sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap, spa because, you know, toddler. But it looked tempting!
- Fitness Center: Okay, so I glanced in the gym, and it looked top-notch. Gym/fitness .
- For the kids, Babysitting service: I didn't use it yet, but planning ahead of time is key.
- Terrace: Beautiful places to relax and have some space from the chaos.
The Spa and Relaxation (Or The Dream I Didn't Realize I Need):
I'm going to be honest. I didn't experience the full spa treatment. Spa facilities are on the menu! I imagined myself in a sauna and steamroom, but my child's interest in water park was higher.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter):
- Laundry service: Oh, YES. With a toddler, this is non-negotiable.
- Concierge: Super helpful.
- Cash withdrawal: Convenient. Needed that!
- Car park [free of charge]: Score! No extra fees.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Perfect for grabbing a last-minute trinket.
- Daily housekeeping: A-freaking-mazing.
- Food delivery was available. I had some great food delivered.
Cleanliness and Safety (These Days, It Matters):
Okay, the Pelican Post Inn takes hygiene seriously. They use anti-viral cleaning products and everything seemed super clean, and they all know about the safety protocol. There were hand sanitizing stations everywhere. The staff wore masks. The staff trained in safety protocol and Professional-grade sanitizing services. I genuinely felt safe here. They had Room sanitization opt-out available, but who would do that?
The Downsides (Because Nothing's Perfect):
- The price. It's not cheap. But you get what you pay for.
- The "Best Kept Secret" part is, well, not so secret anymore.
- Parking could fill up at peak times.
The Verdict: Is It Paradise? (Mostly, Yes!)
The Pelican Post Inn Paradise is a fantastic choice. While it's not perfect—nothing ever is—it offers a wonderful experience. It's family-friendly but also has the ambiance for a romantic getaway. The location is perfect, the service is great. This place is close to paradise.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Flamingos! (I'd add the last half-flamingo, but couldn't find one.)
Go! You deserve it. And tell them the crazy lady with the toddler sent you. Maybe they’ll give you a free cocktail. 😉
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Pelican Post Pilgrimage: Anna Maria Island Inn – Buckle Up, Buttercup! (A Messy Travel Diary)
Okay, friends, lemme tell ya, this isn't your perfectly curated Instagram feed. This is REAL. This is Anna Maria Island, at the Pelican Post Inn, and it's about to get… well, hopefully, it's about to get awesome, but knowing me, there'll be some epic fumbles along the way. Think of this as your personal fly-on-the-wall experience, minus the actual fly. (Thank GOD.)
Day 1: Arrival & Beach Bliss (With Optional Panic)
12:00 PM - Arrival & Room Reconnaissance: Okay, so the drive down was… ahem… eventful. Let's just say Siri and I had a heated debate about the best way to navigate Tampa traffic. But WE MADE IT! We’re at the Anna Maria Island Inn! My little slice of paradise. First impressions? The lobby is… charmingly dated. Like, “grandma’s beach house” charming. The staff are ridiculously friendly though – already a very good sign. I’m praying the room is as good as the website pictures. (Let's be honest, we all know those pictures are a lie sometimes.) Okay, phew, it's GREAT. Clean, spacious, and the balcony? YES. That's where all the good times are going to be had.
1:00 PM - Lunch & First Beach Encounter: Found a cute little place called "Beach Bistro." (clever, right?) Ordered the grouper sandwich. OMG. The fish was flakey, the bun was soft, and the view… the view was like a postcard come to life. I practically inhaled it. Note to self: pace yourself, you maniac. After lunch, straight to the beach! The sand is like powdered sugar. The water is crystal clear. I promptly… forgot to put on enough sunscreen. Cue the internal SCREAM. I already feel that familiar tingle. Note to self: Invest in a hazmat suit for the sun.
3:00 PM - Beach Debrief & Emotional Breakdown (kidding… mostly): Spent the afternoon wandering the beach, shell-hunting (I'm a sucker for a good shell), and generally feeling… overwhelmed. In a good way. Like, "Wow, I'm actually here, doing this, getting away from the everyday grind," overwhelmed. Life can be crazy, you know? And then you just find yourself staring at the ocean, and it's like… a giant reset button. Maybe I should just move here. (Said every tourist ever, I know.)
6:00 PM - Sunset Drinks & Accidental Romantic Comedy Realization: Okay, so I swung by a little place called "The Sandbar Restaurant" for sunset drinks. The sunsets here are legendary, I'd heard. And they were. Unbelievable. The sky was on FIRE. And, get this, I accidentally wandered into a tiny, adorable wedding happening directly on the beach, as people were watching the sunset. So much romance, so many tears around me! This vacation is already making me think about life. Did I ever want this? Was I the right person for it? The waitress, * bless her heart,* served me my cocktail, and in all the romantic bliss, I started crying! I was quickly reminded of my love-life woes. I felt like a clown in the middle of a play. "Everything will be okay honey," she told me, before she went off to serve a freshly baked cake to another couple. Maybe I should order a second cocktail.
8:00 PM - Dinner & Potential Culinary Disaster: Tonight's dinner is at a place called "Rod and Reel Pier." I'm hoping, praying, this is a good choice. I'm starving after all this emotional turmoil, and I didn't pack any snacks! I am that genius. Update: Fish and chips. Mediocre at best. The pier itself, though, is AMAZING. Perfect for people-watching, which, let's be honest, is my favorite sport. The whole vibe is salty, the water is dark, and it feels like I'm on a pirate ship. It's got a lovely retro feel, I like it a lot! Note to self: Stick to plain food.
Day 2: Island Exploration & The Great Shell-Hunting Disaster
9:00 AM - Breakfast & Morning Meltdown (of sorts): Okay, so the inn provides continental breakfast. I'm not a continental breakfast person. I'm a "giant pancakes and crispy bacon" kind of person. Cue the internal grumbling. I scarfed down a sad-looking bagel and a cup of coffee that tasted vaguely of… sadness. Note to self: Explore the local breakfast options tomorrow.
10:00 AM - Exploring the Island: Hopped on the free island trolley. It's a lifesaver! Anna Maria is a tiny island, but there's still a lot to see. Checked out Bean Point, spotted a gorgeous beach house (dream house material!), and strolled the boutiques on Pine Avenue. Cute and quaint! The locals are SO friendly, you guys. They're all in that "life is a beach" mindset, and I'm here for it.
1:00 PM - Shell-Hunting Epic Fail: Remember how I said I love shell-hunting? Well. I spent a solid hour on the beach determined to find the perfect shell. I was on a mission. I trudged through the sand, dodged the waves, and… found absolutely NOTHING. Zilch. Nada. I swear, everyone else was finding perfect conch shells, and I was stumbling over seaweed. I ended up with one tiny, sad little chip. Emotional Damage.
2:00 PM - Shell-Hunting Epic Fail, Pt. 2 After I returned the first time, I re-confronted my pride and went back to find a shell. A group of five friends were walking around laughing and sharing smiles as they walked along the beach, while I, standing on the side almost tripping from jealousy, was trying so hard to find a single shell. I was looking at the sand, wondering why I couldn't seem to find a shell, just as I tripped and fell on the sand, face-first, right in front of them. Thankfully, I was wearing a bathing suit. I quickly recovered, but I think I broke my pride. I looked up at the sand, and there it was, a beautiful shell looking up at me. I picked it up and walked away. I was more happy than I had ever been. I smiled and walked along the beach.
4:00 PM - The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (or, "Fishy Business"): Okay, so I'm not a huge aquarium person, but this place was actually pretty cool. Saw manatees (cute!), sea turtles (majestic!), and a whole host of other sea creatures that I can't pronounce. Feeling slightly more informed about the ocean now. Maybe I'll be able to actually find a shell tomorrow. 🤞
6:00 PM – Dinner & Karaoke Night: Dinner at a place called "Hurricane Hanks" was… fine. Their food was good, it had a lively atmosphere, but the highlight of the evening was the KARAOKE. I am not a singer. I have the voice of a rusty gate. But after a few margaritas, I bravely (and terribly) belted out "Sweet Caroline" (of course). The crowd loved it. Or maybe they were just drunk too. Either way, it was a riot. Note to self: Karaoke is always a good idea, and apparently, I'm a star.
Day 3: Beach Day Redux & Departure (Sobbing, Probably)
9:00 AM - Breakfast Round Two (Better this time!): Found a local cafe! Pancake perfection achieved. Bacon levels: Optimal. Feeling much better about life.
10:00 AM - Revenge of the Beach: Back to the beach! Determined to redeem myself in the shell-hunting department. Also, to just relax and enjoy the sun. The water is calling me.
12:00 PM - Swimming & Sunbathing, Until… Spent the whole day at the beach, relaxing, swimming, and getting my tan on. I'm finally starting to feel truly present, truly at peace. I was reading a book when, all of a sudden, I realized the water had risen at least 10 feet and was about eat my towel. 😳 Fortunately, I rescued it. I decided I probably should leave the beach.
2:00 PM - The Post-Beach Blues & Last-Minute Souvenir Scramble: Okay, so the departure is looming. I'm already dreading it. I've got a serious case of "island fever." Time to find some souvenirs! Rushed around the boutiques for the tenth time, grabbed some generic beachy trinkets, and realized I needed to pack. The packing is the worst part. I always overpack, and I always forget something important.
4:00 PM - Last Sunset & Final Thoughts: Headed back to the Sandbar Restaurant to watch the last sunset. Sat on the beach, took a deep breath, and watched as the sky exploded with color.
Pelican Post Inn Paradise: Your Unfiltered Guide (Because Let's Be Real, It's Not Always Perfect, But Mostly Amazing)
Okay, spill it. What's the "best kept secret" deal with Pelican Post Inn? Is it REALLY all that?
Alright, alright, settle down, you eager beavers! Look, the "secret" part? Well, it *used* to be. Now, thanks to word-of-mouth (and my big mouth, apparently), it's kinda out there. But still... YES. It really is. Think: perfect sunsets over the Gulf (seriously, grab a cocktail and your jaw will drop), charming, almost-too-cute-for-their-own-good cottages, and a vibe that screams "leave your worries at the mainland."
Now, the *not-so-secret* part? It books up FAST. Like, faster than a pelican dive-bombing for a fish. So, plan ahead. Seriously. Or be prepared to stalk their website like it's a celebrity crush. (I’ve definitely done that… more than once. Don’t judge.)
The cottages sound adorable. But are they, like, actually *livable*? I've stayed in "charming" that had a definite odor...
Oh, honey, I feel you. "Charming" often translates to "slightly moldy with a questionable history" in my experience. But Pelican Post? They're *good*. Like, freshly-painted-on-the-outside-and-clean-inside good. Think cozy, not cramped. They each have their own personality, too. One time, we stayed in the "Seahorse Cottage," and it had this amazing little porch swing. Pure vacation bliss. And the owners? Genuine humans, not some corporate robots. That makes a HUGE difference.
My only *minor* complaint? (And I'm being picky here!) The wifi can be spotty at times. But, honestly, that's a good thing, right? Force you to disconnect and actually enjoy the beach! (Okay, *almost* a good thing, I still needed to check my work emails... but mostly good!)
Speaking of the beach... how far is it *really*? Is it a "short walk" like every other hotel claims?
Okay, buckle up. This is where Pelican Post gets a *gold star*. The beach? It's literally steps away. Like, you open the back door, maybe take five steps, and *bam!* soft, white sand. I’m talking, you-can-stroll-in-your-pajamas-to-watch-the-sunrise-and-still-make-it-back-for-coffee-and-a-muffin steps away.
One time, I even left my book on the beach, thinking, "Eh, I'll grab it later." Went back, and it was still there! (Okay, maybe I got lucky, but still!) It's THAT close. It's magical. Pure, unadulterated beach access.
What if I'm traveling with kids? Is Pelican Post family-friendly, or am I going to be judged for my screaming spawn? (Just being honest…)
Look, I get it. Kids are... unpredictable. But Pelican Post *is* definitely family-friendly. They have a lovely pool (perfect for those days the ocean is a bit too rough), plenty of green space for running around, and the cottages themselves are well-suited for families.
I've seen families there, and they *seem* happy. (I'm a solo traveler, so I mostly judge from a distance, okay?). What I DO know is they have a super relaxed atmosphere. And honestly? Everyone's in vacation mode, so a little kid noise probably won't bother anyone. Worst case, go back to your cottage, pour a glass of wine, and enjoy the peace... or just join the chaos. Embrace it!
Okay, I'm sold. But what's the food situation? Am I doomed to eat fast food all week?
NO! Absolutely not! (Unless you *want* to, of course. No judgment.) A few things that are worthy of note: Each cottage has a full kitchen. You can cook! The local restaurants are so fresh, you can almost taste the ocean breeze! There are tons of local places within a short drive or even walk.
One time, after a long day at the beach, we wandered over to
Anything I should know *before* I book? Any unexpected downsides? Be brutally honest!
Alright, let's get real. While Pelican Post is pretty darn close to perfect, it's not without its quirks.
First, as I keep saying, BOOK EARLY! Seriously, set an alarm. They fill up fast.
Second, the cottages, while charming, aren't the Ritz-Carlton. The decor is beachy, not opulent. Think comfortable, not lavish.
Third, parking can be a *little* tight. It's manageable, but don't expect a sprawling parking lot.
And finally, mosquitoes. They exist. Bring bug spray. (But that's Florida in general, not just Pelican Post.)
But honestly? Those are minor quibbles. The pros *far* outweigh the cons. Go. Book it. You won't regret it. (And maybe, just maybe, I'll see you there. I'm always trying to sneak back...)
Anything else I should remember to bring?
Definitely sunscreen. You can't hide in the shade all day, you'll miss the beauty! Books. A good book! Your favorite beachy playlist. A hat. A swimsuit (duh!). A willingness to *relax*. And maybe, just maybe, a good bottle of wine. Don't forget the wine! Seriously, it's important.
Okay, last question: what's your single favorite memory of the place?
Oh, man... that's a tough one! Okay, okay. I'll tell you. One time, back in 20XX (I'm not saying the year, because I don't want to age myself!), I was feeling incredibly stressed. Work was a nightmare, life felt… blah. I booked myself a solo trip to Pelican Post, hoping for a little escape.
I got there, it was overcast, and I was, honestly, aHotel Search Today
