Club Bamboo South - Bradenton Beach

The studio had a balcony where I spent plenty of time watching the water, and the ocean was only a short walk away, about three minutes or perhaps a minute if running. It came with a microwave, stove, oven, fridge with freezer, plus pots, pans, dishes, and silverware. For AMI, it was also budget friendly, and I had a reserved parking space despite parking being limited on the island. I noticed some weather damage on the outside in September 2021, though nothing too bad. My room at Club Bamboo South was right on Bradenton Beach, and I plan to return soon.

The Gulf of Mexico view from the big balcony over the pool is lovely, and I was very pleased with the location. The unit was adorable for a reasonable oceanfront price, with a full-size fridge, sink, microwave, and two-burner stove. There was a king bed, a pull-out couch, and a pull-out ottoman. The bathrooms felt a bit small for more than two people. It could have been cleaner, especially since cleaning is part of the price, and the ice machine was broken, so we had to go down the street for ice. Still, you can't find less on the island with these views, and we'd come back anytime.

The tub faucet has been a nightmare during our two nights so far in room 125: showers are either cold or scalding, and I suspect the plumbing was installed incorrectly. The pool was a main reason I chose this rental because it was advertised as heated, but it isn't, and it's been dirty for two days. I haven't seen anyone use it, though a duck did. A screen door would have been nice so we could hear the waves at night. The location is convenient, the view is beautiful, and the room was clean. For this price, I'll stick with my trusty Holiday Inn Resorts, with their restaurant, bar, heated pool, and housekeeping.

Our VRBO studio was very nice, with beach views and great sunsets. The little pool was fine, and I liked that they provide loungers to take down to the beach. We had no trouble finding a parking space, though I'm not sure there's enough parking overall. I think the experience depends a lot on which unit you get.