With a large, oval-shaped pool near the hotel bar and rooms overlooking a marina or a nature preserve, the Compass is just a drawbridge away from Anna Maria Island. • Anna Maria Beach Resort.

Mello has a decades-old history on the island. It was built in 1973 and was first the Aquarius Beach Resort and later, Anna Maria Island Resort—a rather dated and nondescript, butter-yellow spot.

Situated directly on the island’s Manatee Beach, the retreat offers 11 one-, two- and three-bedroom vacation rental units, each decorated to reflect the colors of the sun, sea, and sunset.

Haley's at Anna Maria Island Inn has been part of the island's landscape since the 1950s. Updated rooms feature modern amenities and guests have a two-minute walk to the beach.

Residents and tourist share thoughts on a new 4-story hotel that could come to Anna Maria Island in Florida, including a rooftop pool. Poll on real estate business development ...

The 206,987-square-foot hotel would have parking for 126 vehicles, including four golf carts. While Anna Maria Island has many rental properties, hotels are a relative rarity there.

Aside from the island's beaches, a fun photo op is the remains of the Anna Maria Island Jail, which was built without windows in 1927 and stopped housing inmates in 1940 when it caught on fire.