Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only
Master
Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining area
About this property
Apollo Beach Retreat Pet-Friendly 3BR w/ Private Heated Pool, Preserve & Beaches
Apollo Beach Retreat – Pet-Friendly 3BR w/ Private Heated Pool
Relax and unwind at this pet-friendly 3-bedroom, 2-bath Apollo Beach home. With 1,600 sq. ft. of bright living space and a private screened-in heated pool, this family-friendly retreat comfortably sleeps 6 and offers the perfect mix of convenience, comfort, and Florida charm.
The Space
Master Bedroom: King bed with private bath Bedroom 2: Queen bed Bedroom 3: Queen futon with quality mattress + twin bed Open living area with reclining sofa, leather couch, and 75" flat-screen TV Fully equipped kitchen with stainless appliances + dining space for family meals Private office overlooking the pool – great for remote work or reading nook Sliding glass doors to the screened pool/patio with outdoor seating and pool views
Location Highlights
Apollo Beach Nature Preserve & Bahia Beach (5–10 min) – Small local beaches, nature trails, birdwatching, and Florida's Manatee Viewing Center (seasonal) Major Gulf Coast beaches (30 min) – Easy day trips to Clearwater, St. Pete, and Anna Maria Island Sun City Center Golf Courses (10–15 min) – Multiple public courses for golfers of all levels E.G. Simmons Park & Wolf Branch Preserve – Kayaking, fishing, boating, and family picnics nearby Dining close by – Circles Waterfront Dining (seafood & sunsets), Finn's Dockside (cocktails & live music), and Salty Shamrock (casual Irish fare & entertainment)
Why Guests Love It:
Private screened-in heated pool for year-round swimming Pet-friendly – bring your furry companions along Spacious 3BR, 2BA layout – perfect for families and small groups Close to local beaches, preserves, kayaking, fishing, and dining Golf nearby – Sun City Center courses within minutes Convenient access to Tampa attractions: Florida Aquarium, MOSI, Busch Gardens, Zoo Tampa, Glazer Children's Museum, Hard Rock Casino
A comfortable, well-loved home with everything you need for a relaxing Apollo Beach getaway. Perfect for families, pet owners, or golfers looking for a sunny Florida retreat.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
About the area
Apollo Beach
Apollo Beach is home to this holiday home. Port of Tampa and Cypress Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Channelside Bay Plaza and Westfield Brandon. Manatee Viewing Center and East Bay Raceway Park are also worth visiting. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and horse riding nearby.
Gannon University Ruskin Campus - 9 min drive - 9.9 km
Getting around
Tampa Union Station - 23 min drive
Tampa, FL (TPF-Peter O. Knight) - 40 min drive
Restaurants
Planet Smoothie - 19 min walk
Starbucks - 17 min walk
Finn’s Dockside Bar And Grill - 4 min drive
South Shore Cafe - 6 min drive
Circle K - 7 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Does Apollo Beach Retreat Pet-Friendly 3BR w/ Private Heated Pool, Preserve & Beaches have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.
How much does it cost to stay at Apollo Beach Retreat Pet-Friendly 3BR w/ Private Heated Pool, Preserve & Beaches?
As of 18 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Apollo Beach Retreat Pet-Friendly 3BR w/ Private Heated Pool, Preserve & Beaches on 6 June 2026 start from AU$222, 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.
Is Apollo Beach Retreat Pet-Friendly 3BR w/ Private Heated Pool, Preserve & Beaches pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Apollo Beach Retreat Pet-Friendly 3BR w/ Private Heated Pool, Preserve & Beaches?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Apollo Beach Retreat Pet-Friendly 3BR w/ Private Heated Pool, Preserve & Beaches?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Apollo Beach Retreat Pet-Friendly 3BR w/ Private Heated Pool, Preserve & Beaches?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Apollo Beach Retreat Pet-Friendly 3BR w/ Private Heated Pool, Preserve & Beaches located?
Situated in Apollo Beach, this holiday home is 1.7 mi (2.8 km) from Apollo Beach Dog Park and 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Tampa Bay. Manatee Viewing Center is 2 mi (3.2 km) away.
Reviews
8.6
Excellent
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Jim was an excellent host. He was responsive to questions and provided answers immediately. House was great. The pool was the best part...swimming in a heated pool in December was great for New Yorkers! Location was great! Would definitely stay here again next year.
House was perfect for what we needed it, everything worked accordingly. Owners are fantastic and super accommodating. Will definitely be staying here again.
We stayed here for a few days before closing on our new house in the same neighborhood. After several days of traveling from CO it was great to stay in a very home-like property with everything we needed. When last minute changes to our closing time became an issue for us, the owner was very accomodating and helpful!
Kristin C.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Thank you, glad everything worked out for you. Hope you're enjoying your new home and Apollo Beach as much as we do!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Tina W.
15 Apr 2019
Surgery stay
Enjoyed our stay. Nice place to recover from surgery. Hot tub was great. Roomy with great kitchen. Mortor and pestle was a great help! Great location near grocery store and restaurants. Would definitely return and reccomend.
Tina W.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Thanks for staying at our home... hope you return soon!
Verified
6/10 Okay
Curt M.
25 Mar 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Apollo Beach
House was comfortable. Needs a good cleaning Can walk to grocery stores but no other kind of stores. Host was readily available and very kind
Curt M.
Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Mar 2023
Thanks for staying with us. It wouldn't have been a problem to get the cleaning company back in to tend to your concerns. I wish you had mentioned something.
Verified
6/10 Okay
Steve W.
8 Apr 2026
Liked: Check-in, communication
Apollo Beach area very nice. Everything you need is readily available.House is comfortable and reasonably clean inside. Couches and Master bedroom bed both very comfortable. All appliances worked well.The pool and pool area were fantastic. 86-88 degrees everyday as advertised which we loved.Apollo Beach is also very central to other larger cities such as Ruskin,Tampa,Saint Petes etc which was convenient. Upon arrival the outside of this property is very run down.The house was obviously pink originally but has had a poor green paint job on the front and back but the sides of the house are still at least partially pink.There is no walkway to the front door. You walk on weeds and dirt to enter the house.The front door screen is all ripped and coming apart.There is no grass on this property to speak of, just weeds and dirt.The owner has a large amount of personal "stuff" piled up on either side of the house which is just unsightly.The VRBO listing states there is a Hot tub and workout equipment. There is neither. The house A/C did not work for the first 5 days of our stay. The owner Jim, was very responsive but it took him a couple days to get it working.Lots of minor maintenance issues inside the house.Burnt out light bulbs,kitchen tap falling apart,trim missing etc (place just needs some TLC).Neighbourhood is "Sketchy". I won't elaborate. Summary, would we return to the Apollo beach area, yes.Would we return to this house and neighbourhood, no.
Steve W.
Stayed 15 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Apr 2026
Thank you for your review — I'm really glad you enjoyed the pool, living room area, the comfortable beds, and the central location. That heated pool is definitely a favorite among our guests, and Apollo Beach really is a great home base for exploring the Tampa Bay area.
I'd like to address a few things for future guests:
AC: I completely understand how frustrating that must have been. You let me know on Sunday and I had it up and running by Tuesday. Fortunately, temps were in the mid-60s during those days, but I know it's not what you expect when you're on vacation and I appreciate your patience.
Hot tub and workout equipment: You're absolutely right — that should not have been in the listing. I take listing accuracy seriously and I've already corrected it. Thank you for flagging that.
Exterior paint: The house was painted green several years ago and the Florida sun has done what it does. It's cosmetic and doesn't affect your experience inside, but I appreciate the feedback.
Landscaping: We've been in a pretty serious drought , with strict water restrictions here in Florida. Honestly, every yard in the area is struggling right now. Once the rains return, things green up quickly.
Front screen door: Already in the process of being replaced. Fair point.
Light bulbs over the kitchen table: Those three are actually loosened on purpose — with all ten bulbs going at once it's like an operating room in there. Every other light in the house works perfectly, and I'm always just a text away if anything needs attention during your stay.
Kitchen faucet: It was working fine during your visit, but I've gone ahead and replaced it anyway.
Items on the side of the house: That's a small boat, trailer and other misc stuff stored along the side of the property. It's not really visible from the front entry or the backyard where guests spend their time, but I understand the concern.
Neighborhood: Island Walk is a quiet residential subdivision and many of our guests over the years have specifically commented on how peaceful and family-friendly it is.
I do want to say — we take a lot of pride in offering a full 3-bedroom home with a heated pool in the Tampa Bay area at a price point that's hard to match. You really can't find a comparable hotel room for what we offer here. I'm sorry the property didn't fully meet your expectations, and I genuinely wish you'd reached out about some of the smaller items during your stay. I'm always happy to help and most things are a quick fix. We hope you'll give us another chance if you're back in the area.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Emma Jean P.
16 Jan 2019
Very good.
We were very well satisfied. The property is apparently undergoing some upgrades, but everything we needed was available to us and we were pleased.
Emma Jean P.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Thank You for staying at our place. We hope you will come back soon.
Jim & Espie
Absolutely loved this place! Our family had an awesome vacation. Quiet neighborhood, great pool and hot tub, and treadmill made this house perfect for us. It also has an inversion table. I have one at home, so I had no back issues while we were away. Would definitely go back.
Terry M.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
We're happy you enjoyed yourselves! Hope you come back soon.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jason R.
1 Apr 2019
Jason Raike review
The home owner was very responsive before and during the trip. He answered any questions we had very promptly. Our family really enjoyed the house including the pool and the hot tub. I highly recommend contacting this owner for any future vacations.
Jason R.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Thanks for staying at our home...hopefully you'll be back soon!
Verified
6/10 Okay
Rose M.
25 Mar 2019
Older home in need of some updating but overall we enjoyed our stay 3.5/5 stars
Location was great. The property is a little "tired" and could use some updating. The TV was confusing to use but otherwise we enjoyed our stay. Pool and hot tub were very nice even though the weather was cool so did not use the pool as much as I had hoped to. Kitchen was great and BBQ was also easy to use. Side office with printer was very nice so we were able to print our boarding passes. Master bath and bedroom was nice but the other 2 bedrooms and bath needed updating. Would consider returning next year just for the office so I could work remote while hubby is out golfing. Those 2 computer screens were very tempting - when I work I use double screens - and it would be easy to set up a remote office. Near great restaurants and grocery store. Easy location to Tampa and baseball parks.
Rose M.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Glad you enjoyed your stay. The season does take it's toll and we have many updates planned for next season. Just so you know when you give such a low score it hurts us quite a bit with Homeaway and perspective guests. Hopefully they will read your review.
Not any lights in back area but these blue Christmas lights...theres a ledge about 2 inches in the middle on porch i fell on my back tripped...during the day ..couldn't swim at night it was too dangerous plus no lightning made it all bad ..i fell getting out of the pool n fell just walking back into house ..i did bleed on the sheets ..i did take pictures n if you need them i can submit them ...i felt this house was lived in by owners they had all there kids doll
houses and play stove ...my son sleep on a air mattress.
Thats the mattress on the host bed very uncomfortable...the facts they had so many cameras made us feel watched all the time ...they have lots of small damaged in this house ..holes in doors chipped paint tons of damages with there tiles ..the ac worked ok but not great in back bedroom ...We would have said something about this earlier but our purpose of returning to Florida ..is was our best friends 73 birthday.....
Rob M.
Stayed 10 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Oct 2023
We’re sorry you didn’t enjoy your stay. I can assure you assure you our guests’ comfort and safety are our top priorities. It seems most of your concerns could have been resolved through reading the welcome letter, we left on the counter, or with a simple phone call to the number either on this site or in the welcome letter.
As addressed in the welcome letter, the pool lights are controlled by the switches to the right of the sliding glass door, as you’re facing it. There are two lights on poles to each side, to the back of the pool, as well as the light on the house next to the slider. The blue “Christmas lights” were put up in response to a prior guest mentioning they would have liked some mood lighting in the area. The step up to the pool area is common, to allow proper drainage to both decks. We are considering lighting it in the future. Although it has never been an issue in the past, we will consider adding a handrail to the pool in the future as well.
The bed in the front bedroom isn’t an air mattress, it is a full sized 8” thick queen sized, mattress on a futon. We do this so visitor’s have a second sitting area/TV area, if they don’t need the bed, As you know it is made up as a bed when you arrive. We’re sorry you didn’t like the king-sized bed in the Master, but it is a fairly new 12” temerpedic mattress, we find it to be very comfortable. I guess this is why there are so many options available when buying a mattress. VBRO suggests providing some children’s toys, since most guests are families with children and they are limited to how much they can bring, especially when traveling by air. So, we decided to leave the play kitchen and doll house for visiting children. As our daughter has out grown them, this is the only reason they are still there. I don’t understand how this could have been an inconvenience to you, but if you had called, we would have happily had them removed out of your way.
There are a few hairline cracks in our tile. They don’t pose any inconvenience, but flooring is in our sites for future updates. There have been a couple of accidents by past guests, leaving one or two blemishes in the paint. Unfortunately, the house has a faux finish, that isn’t duplicated easily. Again, having the home painted is on our list, but overall, the walls are in decent condition. I am having trouble finding any holes in the walls or doors, if you could drop me a note with their location, I will have them fixed immediately.
In looking on the app I see the home was at about 70 degrees for your entire stay. We agree the master can fall a little behind. That is why we added a minnie split designated to the master/office area when we added the glass office overlooking the pool area. This makes the master the coldest room in the house. As mentioned in the welcome letter, the remote is on the desk.
Also, as mentioned in the welcome letter, the only active cameras are in the front and sides of the home.
Again, we’re sorry you didn’t enjoy your stay and we hope you had a better trip home.
Jim & Espie
We entered the property and were shocked that anyone would rent a property with mold in the master shower, holes in the walls, kitchen cabinet missing, filthy floors and a note on the counter apologizing for the leaky roof. We stayed about 15 minutes before we decided we could not sleep here. I called the owner and asked for a refund. He called the property clean and habitable.. but it was not. We are veteran private home renters. We have rented many homes in the USA and Canada over a span of 20+ years. We come to Tampa at least once per year. This is the worst prooerty and owner I have ever encountered. We were traveling ... my husband and I both in our 60's with my husbands parents both in their 80's. I have pictures of this horrible property which I will post if I can so you can take a close up look at the moldy shower. If you enlarge the photo you can see that the owner has tried to cover the mold up, but not successfully. We did not stay at this disgusting property.
Tia L.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Aug 2022
Update, We have remodeled the master shower(although there was never any mold), hung a new stainless hood over the stove, replaced the roof, updated the pavers in the pool area, added a pool heater and filled in the (smaller than a dime sized) hole in the wall. We're sorry our home wasn't up to your standards. We take our guests comfort seriously and would have been happy to get someone out there to clean the shower again. The irony is we received a 5 star review from the people that checked out the day you arrived as well as many others. We are planning many upgrades in the next couple months . We hope you enjoyed the remainder of your stay in our great community!
The house was nice. It needs some renovating here and there but nothing that needs immediate attention. The office space in the master bedroom has a pretty good leak almost directly above the printer, there is a hole beside the outlet on the other side of the master bedroom. The guest bathrooms bathtub has a couple of chips in it. I ended up sleeping in the princess room and I believe I am 5'10" and I had to sleep in the fetal position or my feet would touch the foot board. There is a cabinet missing over there stove which isn't a issue but the wall could be painted. The garage is not part of the deal so you will not be able to park your car inside. The grass could have been mowed before we arrived. The trees by the pool have grown through the screen and have serval dead leaves that need pruned off. The pool area needs brighter lights. The kids basketball goal is pointless because the goal can't stay up. The recliner is only good for having your legs kicked up but it will wear you out if you try to lay back in it. The leg rest for the couch doesn't work. It would be wise if you stay here to get some sort of mosquito repellent to put in the area on the outside of the front door, otherwise do not leave the door opened after coming in or going out as 5 to 10 mosquitos will always greet you.
We enjoyed our stay regardless.
Thank you Jim
Nathan F.
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
We're glad you enjoyed your stay. The house as been rented steady since October and is going to go through a lot of renovations in the next couple months. Including the roof on the porch/office off the master, the screened ares and the landscape. BTW there is a dimmer switch on the light for the pool area.
The house was as advertised. Clean, well stocked, convenient local. We will happily stay again.
ANGELA M.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
We're glad you enjoyed your stay... thank you for choosing our home.
Verified
8/10 Good
Craig C.
5 Mar 2019
This house has everything you need from linens, dishes. cleaning supplies, pots & pans
We spent 3 weeks at this home in Feb 2019. The pool & hot tub was wonderful. Jim (the owner) was very good & gave the guidance needed for the TV, came in the middle of our stay & put fresh chemicals in the pool. The barbecue was not a good one & when I told him about it, his comment was we will replace it immediately. He was totally unaware. Plenty of room, & off the master bedroom was like an office where we could set up our laptops. The beds were comfortable & we were able to sleep very well. We will enjoy the evenings we spent on the patio enjoying the quiet & stillness. Our animals (dog & cat) were very comfortable & it was a joy to have them with us this trip.
Craig C.
Stayed 21 nights in Feb 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Thanks for staying with us... we hope to see you again
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kim M.
4 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Kim M.
Stayed 12 nights in Dec 2024
About the host
Hosted by Jim Martin
What makes this property unique
*Pool policies: In addition, to the upgraded patio area, we have added a pool heater so our guests can enjoy the pool in the winter season. The pool is heated to 86 degrees year-round, The automatic vacuum will be left in the pool to provide better maintenance. It can be removed and returned at the guest’s discretion.
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests