logo of Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals ×

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

About Us

HomeAbout Us

computer image of a hanging

Office Hours

Our office hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (EST) Our office is open on Sundays seasonally .

Location Icon

Location

We are located in the city of Anna Maria, in the old Post Office Plaza. Our office address is: 9908 Gulf Drive Suite A, Anna Maria FL, 34216

pink cube showing images of a phone, envelope and @ symbol
leafless tree on the beach decorated with shells like a Christmas tree with the gulf coast in the background
backyard oasis featuring a pool, tiki hut and bar, four loungers around the pool surrounded by tall foliage providing shade and privacy located on Anna Maria Island

About Us

Family-owned and operated, Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals is one of the top Anna Maria Island rental agencies and offers exceptional vacation homes and quality service with a personal touch. Whether it’s a family vacation or a romantic getaway, Anna Maria Life has something for everyone.

From beachfront to bayside, you can choose from a quaint one-bedroom cottage, a waterfront condo with stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico, or a multi-bedroom pool home. Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals offer authentic island living at an affordable price. Accommodations can be as upscale or as casual as you like and many are pet-friendly so you won’t have to leave your furry family member at home.

About Us

Located 40 miles south of Tampa and seven miles west of Bradenton, you’re going to love AMI. Once you cross the Anna Maria Bridge on Manatee Avenue (U.S. State Road 64) over the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and take in the stunning azure blue Gulf of Mexico waters and white sand beaches, you will understand vintage Florida ambiance and why people fall in love with this area. Just use our state-of-the-art online reservation system to preview and compare vacation rentals. Then when decided, reserve and pay for your rental with confidence, trust and security or, if you prefer, contact us directly at 941-567-6253. Our staff will go the extra mile to ensure you find the perfect vacation home.

We hope that by visiting our site and viewing our properties, it will be the beginning of a wonderful experience and you’ll look to us for your favorite annual destination along the beaches of southwest Florida.

Next
Team Photo
x

Meet The Team

#

Billi Gartman

Billi fell in love with Anna Maria Island during a visit for her best friend's wedding. She left just long enough to pack up her big city life and make the move to this small island town! She knew in her gut this was the place to grow roots. Since that time, she has built a career, a life, and a family here on Anna Maria Island. Over the past 10 years she has been honored to work with so many wonderful people, and build thriving businesses on the island through networking and personalized face-to-face relationship building. The island is her home and she has a constant finger on the pulse of the community, vacation rentals and the local market

#

Amy Smith

I moved to Florida in 1999 from Long Beach Island, NJ where I grew up. I had come here on vacation and loved it so much I drove home, packed my bags and I have been here ever since. My daughter, who is 20 and awesome, has lived on the island for many years. Like so many others, I love the beach and catching as many sunrises and sunsets I can. After working with the same vacation rental company for 12 years on the island, it was time for a change. I only sent my resume out to one opportunity I saw online and fortunately it was with Coastal Cottages, which is now Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals. Billi and I hit it off right away and we dug in and went to work. It’s been exciting to watch our hard work transpire into something so great.

#

Cheryl Shih

Reservations & Channel Manager

Cheryl@AnnaMariaLifeVacationRentals.com

Hello! It's me, Cheryl Shih. I am originally from Rochester, NY, but have called Florida home since 1996. I have a 17 year old son, Erik, and a sweet pup named Hank, my pit mix, who rescued me in March 2019. He's the first dog of my life and we are deeply in love. I have worked in the hospitality industry for nearly 30 years and love working with our guests to plan the perfect vacation. A few of my favorite things are; yoga, reading a good book, spending time with family and friends, and floating in the sea while working on AMI. I also love to ride my bike, Angel, and explore the island. Everyone should rent a bike while on the island, it's an amazing way to get around and see everything. My goals; finish the book I started writing in 2016, get into full pigeon pose during yoga, see a dolphin, and make vacay dreams come true!

#

Dana Fasciglione

Guest Services & Reservations Manager

dana@annamarialifevacationrentals.com

After 25 years of living in New York, I decided it was time to switch things up a bit! With many relatives living on Anna Maria, I've vacationed here since childhood. After my most recent visit, I packed my car and headed South. I have worked various jobs, but never quite knew where my career path would lead me. I am so grateful for the stepping-stones that led me to Anna Maria Life, and my wonderful group of colleagues. With the combination of my experience in customer service and my Bachelors in Psychology & Communications, guest services is where I belong!

#

Brian Shoemaker

I am Brian Shoemaker. Originally from Kentucky. My wife & I would vacation in Florida once or twice a year. We decided to move to Florida 7 years ago so she could be closer to her family. My mom & sister are still in KY, but we hope to get them moved down here, too. I worked a few jobs before finding my place with vacation rentals. Once I started working on Anna Maria Island, I knew this is where I belong. I was fortunate to be brought on with this amazing team at Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals, formerly known as Coastal Cottages. Working on an island & along with a dedicated team has truly been a blessing. When not at work, I'll be on the golf course with my dad. We were able to convince him & his wife to move down from IL a year ago. Getting out on the course with him like I used to growing up is so much better because we can practically play all year long. IF I'm not on the course, I'll be home taking care of our fur babies. 3 dogs & a cat. They are a handful.

#

Tommy Winkler

Tommy is originally from Indianapolis, and has lived in Florida for eight years. He’s spent 20 years in construction, maintenance, and damage restoration. His vast knowledge and wide ranging skill set allow him to perform tasks well above and beyond those of the average home maintenance professional. Tommy has been with the company since the beginning. He knows this island and our homes inside and out and is a huge asset to Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals. Tommy and his wife Dorothy have three boys, He loves country music, Colts football, and family time.

#

Kelsey Moore

Lead Maintenance

#

Emily Klodnicki

Emily is a true Florida Native who loves everything the beach has to offer, including the sand! She spends her free time playing with her two little boys, husband, and many pets. Her favorite pastime though is photography. She can literally spend all day at the beach with her loved ones taking pictures, swimming, sunbathing, and gathering shells. When she is not at the beach, you can find her at Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals working happily alongside her coworkers and friends. She is truly blessed to call Anna Maria her home and wouldn’t have it any other way.

#

Jena Greco

I relocated to Bradenton Florida in 1989 from the Northwest suburbs of the Chicago area with my parents and my older brother. I attended elementary school, middle and high school here. In 2010, I was blessed with my beautiful daughter who is now 13 years old. I love to go fishing whenever I get the chance but most of all, I love spending time with my daughter and my family going out on the boat any chance I get. I have 15+years in the customer service and the property management fields. I am very passionate about providing a seamless property management experience and I am very consistent and committed with all my customers.

#

Lindsey Lewis

Lindsey Lewis is the Head of Marketing, content creator, and resident computer nerd at Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals. Among other things, she manages our email marketing campaigns, social media, and most of our website content and upkeep. Lindsey thrives in dancing the line between technical and creative, and loves that her position offers her the opportunity to do just that. Lindsey worked in resort operations and taught customer service for a large vacation company for several years before leaving corporate America to concentrate on marketing full time. Lindsey left her beloved Anna Maria Island in 2017, to raise her two boys closer to extended family. She lives in Indiana but continues to work on the Island remotely. She comes ‘home’ to the Island several times per year to work from the Anna Maria Life office, reconnect with coworkers and friends, and float in the Gulf of Mexico. Lindsey considers herself the evangelist of the virtues of the meandering solo road trip. She loves traveling, outdoor adventures, creative writing, music, and the oxford comma.

#

Amber Miller

My name is Amber Miller, and I am the Bookkeeper for Anna Maria Life. I am an accomplished college graduate that holds a Bachelor of Science degree. Although numbers are my best friend, I have had the opportunity to explore a multitude of different opportunities, including working with financials at a bank, taking on the role of a tour guide for a brewery, teaching preschool and owning a general contracting construction company. After graduating in 2013 from Drury University in Missouri and vacationing often to the Bradenton/Sarasota area, I decided in 2015 to pack what I could in my car and leave my hometown and all I ever knew. What a great decision that was, as I’m still in this beautiful paradise today. I enjoy any outdoor activity, music and attending concerts, educational adventures, fishing and taunting my Chihuahua, Hot-Rod. My favorite part of being a bookkeeper is being able to work with homeowners and our team to define the details. – Everyone loves the “bean counter”.

#

Sarah O'Leske

Hello! My name is Sarah O'Leske. I was born and raised in North Dakota and knew very early on that I was meant to live in warmer weather. In college, I moved "south" to Colorado where I spent 17 years in the Fort Collins/Loveland area. My family and I finally decided it was time to find a true warm climate, so we visited Anna Maria Island...as a starting point. We spent only a few days here and knew this was home. Three months later, in 2015, we bought a house here and made this paradise our forever place! I look forward to many more years on Anna Maria Island, and I am excited to help others visit paradise through Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals!

#

Colette Fernandez

Reservations and Guest Services

colette@annamarialifevacationrentals.com

Born and raised in the sunshine state, Living the dream in paradise every day! I enjoy showing around this beautiful small island I call home, creating new memories with people from all over the world.

#

Daisy Bueno

Reservations and Guest Services

daisy@annamarialifevacationrentals.com

Hey There! My name is Daisy Bueno and I am a beach enthusiast who is all about planning the perfect vacation. I am originally from Medellin Colombia, but I call Anna Maria Island my home. Since High school, I've been diving into the world of vacation rentals helping people experience their dream getaways here on AMI. It is such a cool opportunity to welcome people from all over the world to where I grew up . When I'm not busy making vacation dreams come true, you'll find me at home whipping it up in the kitchen, traveling, or at a concert.

#

Hannah Ely

Reservations and Guest Services

hannah@annamarialifevacationrentals.com

Hi! I'm Hannah. I'm a beach lover who enjoys soaking up the sun and the sea breeze. When I'm not at the beach, you can find me binge-watching my favorite shows, like Friends and Grey's Anatomy. Family is everything to me! I have three wonderful kids who keep me busy and bring so much joy to my life. I also love spending time with my friends and family. Life is all about enjoying the little moments, and I cherish every one of them with the people I love most.

#

Amanda Wedel

Reservations and Guest Services

amanda@annamarialifevacationrentals.com

Hi! My name is Amanda Wedel and I am in the reservations and guest services department at Anna Maria Life. I am a born and raised native of Florida and a graduate of UCF with a bachelor’s degree in business management. I have been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years and have an extensive background in customer service and property management. I moved to Bradenton from the Orlando area in 2010 and love living so close to the beach! I always dreamed of having a beach wedding and in 2018 I married my husband at sunset on Coquina Beach, Anna Maria Island. In my spare time I love to craft, kayak, watch cooking videos, travel and spend time with my husband and cats.

#

Rachael Denzin

Reservations and Guest Services

rachael@annamarialifevacationrentals.com

My name is Rachael Denzin. I was born in raised in Florida, living across the Skyway Bridge over in St. Pete during my childhood/teen years. I discovered Anna Maria Island and was enamored with its' charm, so I never left! I was lucky enough to land a role in the Vacation Rental space and it changed my life. I met my husband and my very best friends here, and I get to wake up and work in paradise each and every day. I am fortunate to work alongside some of the very best people I know here at Anna Maria Life, getting to share our love of the island to people from all across the world. When I'm not working, you can catch me belting Taylor Swift or musical theatre jams, thrifting, or spoiling the #official Goodest Good Boy in the World, my 80lb lap dog, Cody.

#

Tommy Kilpatrick

Maintenance Technician

tommy.tiki1@gmail.com

My name is Tommy Kilpatrick but most people call me “Tiki”. I was born and raised in northern Michigan. In 2014 I moved to Anna Maria Island with only my tools and clothes and whatever else I could fit in my jeep. And after a year of living I met a beautiful woman who I would end up marrying. We got married in Las Vegas and yes Elvis walked her down the aisle and we now live in the Cortez fishing village just off the island. Most of my life I worked in almost every aspects of construction and when I arrived here in Florida I started working as a repair man/ maintenance man. And I guess you can say the rest is history…

#

Adam Williams

Maintenance Technician

#

Lee Cigna

Maintenance Technician

#

Brent Emerson

Maintenance Technician

#

JP Beaubien

Operations & Onboarding

jp@annamarialifevacationrentals.com

J.P. grew up on Anna Maria Island. He loves spending time with his wife and two boys. He also loves to play music, cook, and travel. “What I really love about my job is not only do I get to work on an island paradise, but I get to work with some of the greatest people that I know!"

#

Alyssa McKinnon

Operations

Property Management

Anna Maria LifeVacation Rentals

Give Us A Call At:

941-567-6253

Anna Maria LifeVacation Rentals

Give Us A Call At:

941-567-6253

Own A Vacation Home?
Let’s Talk!

Please complete the form below.

Once submitted, be assured someone from our office will follow up with you within 24-48 hours.


  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

100% Safe & Secure

Beach photo with Logo for Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals on a contact phone number

Our Story

Built upon a need for a smaller “boutique-style” rental company with more personalized services, Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals began in June of 2010 as Coastal Cottages AMI. Our company was founded by Sue Carlson, who moved to Anna Maria Island from chilly Michigan and began to invest in real estate. She soon discovered that she was renting her own properties more than the rental agency she had hired! The solution? Build a better vacation rental company! Sue would go on to build two thriving vacation rental companies, at different times, as well as a real estate firm, An Island Place Realty. In 2018, Sue decided it was time to spend more time up North and turn her vacation rental company, Coastal Cottages AMI, over to new and trusted hands. Her friend and colleague of 14 years, Billi Gartman was the perfect choice! Billi Gartman came to Anna Maria Island for her best friend's wedding in 2006, and fell so madly in love with the island that she returned home to Dallas just long enough to pack her things and talk her then Boyfriend (who would become her Husband,) into making the move to paradise! Since 2006 Billi and her husband have been busy starting a family and starting businesses, all revolving around tourism, vacation rentals, and real estate. Billi has been a real estate agent for nine years and has been under Sue Carlson’s An Island Place Realty for many of those years. Billi took the reins to Coastal Cottages in the summer of 2018. Since then, she has assembled a team of the finest professionals whose vast experience and passion yield exceptional service that goes far beyond the reservation process. In 2020 Billi felt that it was time for a fresh new look. She chose a new name and logo to better exemplify what we have to offer. After all, we have much more than cottages to boast, and we really do love sharing the Anna Maria Lifestyle with our guests! Thus in January of 2021 we became Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals, and introduced some exciting new technology to benefit both our owners and guests. Finally, we launched our brand new website! While our new banner exemplifies our passion for a bright future for our beloved family of homeowners and guests, we remain the same team of professionals, under the same leadership as we were when called Coastal Cottages AMI. We're still one of the best Anna Maria Island rental agencies, and we will continue to provide the same amazing experiences to our beloved guests.

contact us find your rental