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Sand Dollar Cottage: Cozy"Old-Florida" beachfront cottage with private dock!

Photo gallery for Sand Dollar Cottage: Cozy"Old-Florida" beachfront cottage with private dock!

A wooden deck with lounge chairs overlooking a beach with a view of the ocean and distant trees.
A wooden cabin-style kitchen with a central island, stainless steel appliances, and a large refrigerator.
A wooden pathway leading through a landscaped area with dense greenery and a clear blue sky.
A coastal house with a balcony, surrounded by tall grasses and palm trees.
An aerial view of a coastal residential area with houses and a beach.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Private garden
    A rare find — relax in the peaceful, private garden space.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Little Gasparilla Island Beach

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Dog-friendly
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Washing machine

Explore the area

View map
Placida, FL
  • Place, Little Gasparilla Island Beach
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Boca Grande Beach
    ‪42 min drive‬
  • Place, Gasparilla Island State Park
    ‪43 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Garden

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Placida

Placida is home to this cottage. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Englewood Beach and Manasota Beach.
View more Cottages in PlacidaOpens in a new window
Map
Placida, FL

What's nearby

  • Little Gasparilla Island Beach - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Don Pedro Island State Park - 9 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Boca Grande Beach - 42 min drive - 15.2 km
  • Gasparilla Island State Park - 43 min drive - 16.2 km
  • Boca Grande Beaches - 45 min drive - 17.6 km

Getting around

  • Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cool Pickle In Paradise - ‬29 min drive
  • ‪The Pink Elephant - ‬38 min drive
  • ‪Miller's Dockside - ‬39 min drive
  • ‪The Outlet At The Inlett Restaurant - ‬36 min drive
  • ‪Smokin Jerry’s - ‬27 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Sand Dollar Cottage: Cozy"Old-Florida" beachfront cottage with private dock! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much does it cost to stay at Sand Dollar Cottage: Cozy"Old-Florida" beachfront cottage with private dock!?

As of 31 October 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sand Dollar Cottage: Cozy"Old-Florida" beachfront cottage with private dock! on 5 November 2026 start from NZ$3,573, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Sand Dollar Cottage: Cozy"Old-Florida" beachfront cottage with private dock!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Sand Dollar Cottage: Cozy"Old-Florida" beachfront cottage with private dock!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Sand Dollar Cottage: Cozy"Old-Florida" beachfront cottage with private dock! located?

Situated in Placida, this cottage is within 1 mile (2 km) of Little Gasparilla Island Beach, Uncle Henrys Marina and Tails and Scales Charters. Gasparilla Marina and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

8.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sand Dollar

Loved everything about it! Great Stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

awesome

first time to LGI and had a blast. house had everything we needed and right on the beach. spent hours on the porch enjoying the views.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A piece of paradise

Although the work of actually getting to the island was more than we anticipated, the cottage was exactly what we were looking for- a quiet, private vacation with a spectacular ocean view that is also pet friendly This place is a treasure.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 4 September 2022
So glad you enjoyed your stay! Next time you come it will be easier! It is all in knowing what to expect!
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gasparilla fun

We have been to Gasparilla many times and we rented this home to be close to our friends. It worked out well.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 4 September 2022
We are glad you enjoyed your stay!
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness
The location was perfect! The boat dock was perfect! If I were the owner I would want to know some details though. It was not clean, at all…there were hair balls, like they came off a vacuum cleaner. The rugs were bunched up and lumpy. There were ants, I’ve lived in Florida my whole life so I know there are bugs all the time but it still needs to be addressed. There are cabinets full of games and toys but there were bits and pieces and not complete sets of anything and no organization. Drawers and cabinets in the kitchen were also not organized or clean. One set of drawers were all “junk drawers”. In the kitchen there wasn’t one rag for washing dishes or wiping countertops. Some beds had pillows with shams but no pillows with pillowcases for sleeping. I did find some pillowcases in the closet and took the shams off and put the pillowcases on for sleeping. Outside, when we arrived there was a garbage can half full of water with trash inside that and the smell was horrible. I had my husband drag it away from the walking path and dump the water out. Would really love to come back because we loved the location but I also would love to spend a week there and clean and organize. LOL
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Cute Little Hideaway

What a great little “old Florida” getaway. Beautiful views and and beautiful water! Well appointed inside , beds and bedding comfy! First impression was not welcoming, but nothing a little TLC and picking up would take care off😉. A few new welcome mats and a few new beach chairs would have made it perfect. We felt like Goldilocks when they broke as we were sitting in them on the beach😂. Loved the folks at Eldreds and everyone we met, Thanks for a great week on your beautiful island !
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 22 March 2020
Sorry that the beach chairs broke on you.....the salt spray and salt water cause the metal beach chairs to deterioriate very quickly. But people seem to prefer the metal ones because they fold up and are easier to take down to the beach. They have been replaced with brand new ones. We have purchased new door mats also.....
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful View

We enjoyed our stay at Sand Dollar Cottage. The beach was beautiful and we had it pretty much to ourselves. The porch and view of the beach was perfect. Our only complaint was the mosquitoes...bring Off for sure! But otherwise a great vacay!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Loved the island!

LGI is gorgeous and definitely a place we want to return to for a future visit. The house is rustic and with a stellar location. Kitchen was well stocked and beds were comfy.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Old Florida wonderful

It was a cold week, but the beauty of the location made up for the lack of warmth. The birds, flora and fauna were a soothing balm from Minnesota winter for us. The house has two small twin beds, so if you're not a kid, it won't be comfortable. The shades were broken in the master bedroom, mouse traps everywhere, ants in the cupboards, it's truly a woodsy, wild cabin. Nothing fancy, but absolutely the most perfect location for quiet enjoyment of the Gulf and seashore.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise

If you want to get out and away from all of the Mask wearers and onto safety island book here! Don't listen to the lady's rant about the people at the marina being mean, or all the other crap she said! My girl friend and i had a fabulous time the house has everything they could think you may need fully stocked and perfectly clean. I will book again for sure! Don't have one bad thing to say about little Gasparilla island other than the dock didn't have power to charge my trolling motor batteries but the neighbor let me run my cord over to his dock so it all worked out. I highly recommend this unit especially during these times of covid. Great place place to be book now !
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location
Disliked: Check-in, listing accuracy

Important Info

So, this was a difficult review to write. I do want to start off by saying that the home was amazing, and the owners and property managers are very friendly and very responsive. Our issues stem from everyone else we had to come in contact with from arrival to departure. The home is on an island only accessible by a single water taxi from a single marina; Eldred's. The staff at Eldred's Marina were unreasonably rude and unprofessional and this includes the water taxi owner; Emmet. We don't think disrespect is folksy or kitschy, it's just unnecessary. We got the message loud and clear that we weren't welcome there the minute they saw us with masks on. We rented a wave runner from Allure Boats and unfortunately, had a bad experience with the jet ski breaking for reasons that were not our fault. This not only cost us money but also caused me to be 5mins late back to Eldred's after drifting in the ocean for 2 hours. My wife called Emmet (water taxi owner) and he agreed to wait the five minutes I was running late. I arrived at the water taxi at 6:04pm and charged 4x normal and told it was because "its after 6pm". I also suffered further verbal abuse from the boat driver because I was looking through my backpack for gum during the ride. Emmet has been nothing but rude every time we have spoken to him, even just to confirm our time for departure. Also, with each interaction at the marina and on the island, NO ONE, AT ALL, was wearing masks. As a 15yr ER RN I understand that mask use is critical to prevent the transmission of COVID. With each interaction, we were made to feel ridiculous for wearing masks and were repeatedly told it was "unnecessary". This listing goes into extensive detail about the new cleaning procedures in effect for the rental unit but fails to mention you will have to 1) ride a boat driven by people without masks on (only us and the other guests wore masks) 2) follow the golf cart driver into the rental unit without a mask 3) allow a grocery delivery man into the unit without a mask 4)allow a maintenance person to check the breaker without a mask - none of these people followed the 6 ft social distancing rule either. We understand from the owners that each of these experiences was with an "independent contractor" and they have no control over it. However, an independent contractor can ruin your business (and our stay) just as easily as a bad employee. We ultimately felt that this island was NOT a safe place to vacation.
Response from VrboOwner on 9 September 2020
We are glad that the house was amazing and the owners and property managers were friendly and responsive! It would seem that your negative review would have been better directed at either the marina or the water taxi, or the jet ski rental rather than your rental cottage. (If you stayed in a hotel, should the hotel receive a negative review because TSA at the airport was rude?) We really cannot control whether employees of a water taxi or a mainland marina choose to wear masks or not. And we certainly can't control whether your jet ski breaks causing you to run late and miss a 6 PM water taxi deadline. We are sorry, though, that these issues spoiled your vacation. For many people, the water taxi ride to the island is one of the best parts of the experience. And almost all our guests love the laid-back vibe of the island, and most people have told us that they indeed felt safer on the island than anywhere else they could have vacationed. We are sorry that was not your experience. Perhaps a hotel or resort experience would have been a better choice for your family than a rustic, isolated tropical island. We wish you would have commented on the fact that our beaches are clean and beautiful and you can social distance easily....the water is crystal clear, the fishing is great, we have spectacular sunsets, there are lots of shells and shark's teeth and island neighbors are helpful and friendly. Those are things over which we also have no control-- and yet you choose to focus more on mainland experiences. We are truly sorry that you had such an unpleasant vacation experience in such a beautiful place.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing beach getaway

We have been coming to LGI and Sand Dollar for many years and we love it! It’s a quaint, clean beach house with the most amazing view of the blue gulf water. You are away from all the hustle and bustle of the main land and feel like you are experiencing nature and Florida in its more natural form. There is no crowds or cars. A wonderful way to unplug and spend time with family and friends! The management is very responsive and provide you with the best ways to prepare for your vacation and can help with any questions you have. We bring our boat (rentals and charters also available) and the cottage has a nice dock on the intercoastal side that you can use and also fish off of. This island is a little piece of heaven.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful once again

We love Sand Dollar Cottage. Perfect for us and it has everything we need. We feel very at home there. Always clean. We are able to easily hit the kayaks in the intercoastal and park our rental boat at the private dock but also can enjoy sitting on the screen porch and watch the ocean since it's beachfront. We can't wait to get back. From dolphins to manatees to gopher tortoises to the amazing sunrises and sunsets, to the peace and quiet, this beautiful island never fails to take our breath away.
Stayed 21 nights in Apr 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Very special place, peaceful and beautiful.

Loved our stay for the second year in a row, and will return next year. Great rental company, well organized with staff to help your every need. Comfy furniture and bed, beautiful kitchen with great views too. This is our home away from home!
Stayed 35 nights in Jan 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Great time in Litte Gasparilla Island!!! Beautiful place and cozy Cottage. We enjoy every moment!!!!

We spent two great weeks in Little Gasparilla Island. The house was very cozy and ocean view. We meet owners.., very friendly and nice people. Every morning we eat breakfast on the screen porch. We enjoy walking on the beach few times a day and picking up beautiful shells. Our chocolate lab loved be on the beach, boating and playing with his new friends.., specially Parker and Luna. We were boating every day and saw a dolphins. It was great to take a ride on a golf cart thru the island. We will come back again because there is different word. Thank you Sand Dollar Cottage for having us!!!
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2018
Verified review

8/10 Good

Charming Old-Florida Beach Cottage

This cottage was exactly what we were hoping for. It was comfortable and cozy with a wonderful view of the gulf. The dock was only a short walk away which made access to our boat very convenient. We loved the outdoor shower and the peace and quiet all around us. We spent lots of time on the lovely screened in porch because the weather was a bit inconsistent, but watching a storm over the water is always a sight to behold. The kitchen had everything we needed and the living area was comfortable and spacious. The bedrooms are small, but we slept well. This cottage was exactly what we expected and we hope to visit again soon.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Perfect for us!

Beautiful view of ocean and a dock on the bay!! WE LOVE LITTLE GASPARILLA AND THIS PROPERTY. Unfortunately for us the red tide was not good the week were there. I would recommend checking before you go to make sure the water is good, The house was great except no dishwasher. We had no problem with that, but some may. I will rent again because for us it was great!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 22 March 2020
We are sorry that you were unable to enjoy the island at its best. Red tide is something over which nobody has any control and it is very frustrating for guests and property owners alike.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Perfect Getaway

We loved it. With all the trees around it felt like living in a tree house. Inside is so comfortable, with everything we could have needed, comfy bed and a sectional we sunk into to relax at the end of the day. Loved reading and napping in the afternoon on the screen porch. The extra downstairs bathroom was really nice. Our dog would come up from the beach and go right up the stairs to the outdoor shower to be sprayed off before going upstairs to dry off on the screen porch. The private dock is steps away bayside and worked great for our rental boat and kayaks. The dock at high tide was like an aquarium, with angel fish, mullets, enormous snook (that made my husband crazy by refusing to bite anything he tried), sheepshead, and the occasional dolphin and manatee cruising by. Got to see the osprey chicks in the nest by the dock take their first flights. So close to the flats out by the pass, which is our favorite kayaking spot. We used the golf cart the day we arrived to unload, and once for groceries, but with the dock so close we really didn't need it. Terry was great and three weeks went by way too quickly. Already reserved time in October and next May and can't wait to get back.
Stayed 21 nights in Apr 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Quiet and Beautiful!

Our hosts could not have been more solicitous. We arrived a little early, left a little late, and it was all fine to arrange. We love the quiet, the home is just lovely, everything one needs to have a restful, relaxing, sunny, break from the cold winter of the northeast! We could not have been more pleased!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Perfect for our needs.

We had a wonderful stay. Love the island and especially enjoyed being on the south end of the island this time, very quiet and peaceful. The cottage was just perfect for our needs. The screen porch was great for reading, naps, meals and toasting the sunset. The view is amazing. We hope to be back again next year. Thank you for sharing your little piece of paradise.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2018
Verified review

8/10 Good

Really cozy and beautiful view

We loved this property! The dock was really close to the house so great for loading and unloading luggage and supplies. We saw a turtle the very first day there in the yard. Every day was perfect weather. Well equipped the place had everything you could need. We brought beach chairs of our own. The golf cart was great too!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2018
Verified review

8/10 Good

Views of Paradise and the comfort of home.

We stayed at the Sand Dollar in March 2017 and had a fantastic week of relaxation. My wife and 2 young daughters all disconnected from their phones and reconnected with each other. We fished from the beach every day and watched the pods of dolphins play just off shore. The sunsets are unparalleled and can be watched right from the screened in porch. Sand Dollar had plenty of room for the four of us and all the amenities needed to feel at home. Don't bring a lot of clothes as you won't need them and they have a great washer dryer. The dock was great for fishing with an Osprey's nest near by to watch these magnificent birds. The beach has more shells than any other beach we have been on and we have at least 100 shark teeth... an addictive hobby. We hope to be back in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2018
Verified review

8/10 Good

Quaint, Charming beach house - a great memory maker.

Sand dollar cottage is a perfect ‘old Florida’ Beach home - pine walls and ceilings lend it a vintage charm lacking in newer homes. The screened porch was perfect for enjoying the gulf winds, and a great space for a candlelit dinner. The mattresses are all very firm, so be prepared for that! The coffee maker should be full sized for multiple adults in the morning. The location on the island is perfect - sometimes you feel like you have the island all to yourself!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 22 March 2020
Thank you for your positive comments! The mattresses are brand new, so that is why they might seem firmer than usual! That is a good point about the coffee maker...we usually put the smaller size (6 cup) coffee makers in the smaller homes that sleep 4 -- and get larger ones for the homes that sleep 6 or more. Our guest services manager always has spare coffee makers, so next time just give her a call if you want to brew up a full morning's worth of coffee!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

“Beautiful home, gorgeous natural surroundings

Sand Dollar Cottage on Little Gasparilla Island is a gem on the gulf coast of Florida. The cottage is warm and comfortable, all the comforts of home. The screened in front porch is divine with a comfortable seating and gulf views. We loved having access to the bay side with a dock. Very private and quiet on the south end of the island. We spent a lot of relaxing time on the charming screened in porch with comfortable furniture, so nice! Property managers Laurie and Bud, and the on site concierge Terry were kind and entirely helpful with every detail. It's truly a getaway, offering peace and relaxation. We are returning next year for a longer stay.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

great place very warm and felt at home. great memories.

wonderful time
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2017
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