Best Things Nearby:
Busch Gardens is an hour drive to the north. Orlando takes two hours. Local attractions include the Mote Aquarium and pelican sanctuary, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, and the Ringling Museum. The beaches are wonderful for shelling and walking (usually very calm waves and warm temperatures). The island offers a free trolley throughout the day.
Via Roma is situated within easy driving distance to several excellent restaurants: The Beach House (watch the sunset on the gulf while dining outside on the patio sipping a Passion Fruit Colada), the Rod and Reel Pier (Enjoy the grilled Amberjack from their birds-eye view of the gulf), the Chart House (in Long Boat- don’t miss the macadamia crusted mahi mahi), Columbias (in St. Armands--tableside sangria and 1905 salad), and Mama Lo’s for ice cream (Anna Maria). These are just a few of the best!
Best Things About the Resort:
I liked Via Roma’s open design, beautiful view, cleanliness, and bright rooms. I was also impressed by the friendly and helpful staff.
Resort Experience:
I bought a unit at Via Roma last year after visiting all of the timeshares in the Anna Maria Island area. It is one of only two that are located directly on the beach.
I recently visited the resort again for an afternoon while in the area. The units are arranged by number, 20 units on the beach side with eight more, larger one-bedroom garden view units across the street. All of the units on the beach side have a pool and gulf view, with eight of them (one-bedrooms) directly on the sand, gulf front. The units across the street on the second floor also have a gulf view (from further back). I looked at a two-bedroom unit (#16) on the beach side that was closest to the street and could still see a nice view of the gulf from the bedrooms. I would think that the worst "view" units would be the garden view units across the street on the first floor. There is no elevator on the premises.
The layout of the two bedroom units is open: you walk into a living room/dining area/kitchen. The two bedrooms are next to each other in the back, with windows in each. They are attractively furnished, very bright and airy. The gulf front one-bedrooms each have a balcony, with direct access from the first floor units to the beach. None of the units would be considered huge; this is a small resort and the units are average in size. There is a daily towel exchange, and laundry facilities on the premises.
The pool is set in an open garden area, with views of the beach and gulf. There is also a hot tub. There are pool/beach toys kept under one set of stairs for guest use (the other staircase is a holding area for guests’ beach and pool stuff). Even though the resort was sold out, we found the pool to be uncrowded and found lounge chairs available. Everything was very clean.
The staff at Via Roma are worth noting. They are friendly and seem to genuinely enjoy talking with guests. They make you feel comfortable and "at home".
I would highly recommend Via Roma for a relaxing, carefree, beach vacation.
- Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
- Activities: Very Good
- Amenities: Very Good
- Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
- Family Friendliness: Excellent
- Service: Excellent