Via Roma Beach Resort

We stayed here for Easter week in 2009. Had a great time. The units are clean and well-equipped, but not luxurious. But they fit the feel of Anna Maria Island, which is laid-back and a beach community - not a place of high-rise resorts and restaurant chains. We loved the island. The beach is awesome, and lots of cool little joints to check out for food, etc. Several fishing piers are on the island, and you can rent fishing poles - great for the kids. The staff here is very friendly, and the daily towel service and trash takeout, etc. is a nice touch. Nice pool and hot tub directly off the beach. Some units like ours were across the street (like many of the resorts on the island). Not a big deal. Just a few extra steps to the beach. Crossing the street is NOT the big deal that someone below made it to be. Also, the units across the street have a view of the ocean (at least ours and others on the second floor did - looking out across the pool to the ocean), whereas the oceanside units face the pool.

Sarasota is only a few minutes away, with lots of cute shops, the Mote Aquarium (which is great), and other points of interest. Tampa is less than an hour away. Supermarket on the island, and many more shops, stores, Super-Walmart, across the bridges in Bradenton if you need stuff.

Bottom line - thumbs up. We would definitely go here again. I'd give it 4.5 stars, but not an option, so 5 stars to balance the many 4 star reviews.

We spent Feb. 9-Feb 23,2008. We had exceptional weather and the service was wonderful...The only timeshare we have ever stayed in in the 20 odd years we have owned that changed towels everyday and came in once during the week to change the sheets...They emptied the trash for us everyday also...It is a nice quiet resort if you are looking to relax and enjoy the beach....lots of good places to eat nearby.....not the most palatial of resorts but certainly very clean and well kept..

We stay every year in a two-bedroom gulfside unit. The units are clean with ample closet and dresser space. The daily tidy service is a nice touch, emptying trash and providing clean towels. I also appreciate the free hi-speed internet access from the rooms. The pool is always clean and uncrowded with a view of the gulf. It isn't a mega-resort with opulent furnishings or lazy rivers, but a nice place to stay on a beautiful beach with access to a friendly, Caribbean-like island in Florida. Anna Maria doesn't have McDonalds or Applebees but cafes and taverns with homemade hamburgers or grouper sandwiches and fries. Tampa is an hour away; Orlando is two hours. There are many restaurants nearby where you can enjoy a good meal dining on the gulf watching the sunset. You can take the free trolley to anywhere on the island so driving isn't a must. If you are a beach person, you will love it.

nice comfortable resort - those units #20 and above are across the street - you are better off in units under 20 - all of these are ocean side and more convienent with less traffic - otherwise ocean side is great place to be.

We just returned home from Via roma. We loved this resort it is right on the beach.The resort is a little older but well kept and very clean. My kids had so much fun and we are already planning our return trip.