Entire home
Private getaway on Pine Island. Full kitchen, lanai, deck. Beautiful yard.
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Reviews
9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom0+ bathroomsSleeps 233.8 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Bokeelia, FL
- North Captiva Island Beach257 min walk
- Useppa Island152 min walk
- Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens7 min drive
- Fort Myers, FL (FMY-Page Field)31 min drive
Rooms & beds
1 bedroom (sleeps 2)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
1 half bathroom
Bathroom 1
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Garden
Dining Area
About this property
Private getaway on Pine Island. Full kitchen, lanai, deck. Beautiful yard.
Explore Pine Island and the Florida Gulf Coast from this retro two-room cottage set in a pretty back yard. 45 min from Ft. Myers Beach/Sanibel. Wi-fi, A/C, kitchen, v small bathroom w/shower, 1 bedroom, cozy private deck, screened lanai. Perfect for 1 or 2. Avoid the motel feel and enjoy your privacy. Discounts for weekly/monthly bookings. No beaches on PIne Island, but enjoy kayaking, birding, biking, tennis, boating, and of course, fishing. May 2023: Pine Island is still recovering from Hurricane Ian.
It is a tradition in Florida to throw up a fisherman's shack in the back yard for guests and annoying relatives. That's how Susie's Cottage began, many years ago. And the funky construction quirks of the original can still be seen in today's renovated version. Don't expect the walls to be plumb or the layout to make sense! But paint and funky furnishings have done wonders. A/C, ceiling fans, full kitchen, and a cute (but very small!!!) bathroom (shower only). The cottage is the February retreat of Susie, my sister, a retired opera singer (she painted the heron bathroom door). Off season (April through January), it is available to vacationers who want privacy and some Old Florida charm.
My street is a short, unpaved road off Stringfellow Rd. ("the" road on Pine Island, which runs 18 miles from north to south. The Cottage is at the back of the property, behind the main house and separated from it by a trellis upon which Carolina jessamine grows. Guests have sole occupancy of the cottage, including the little lanai and the secret back deck, as well as a parking space. My goal is to make you feel that Susie's Old-Florida Cottage is your home during your stay.
Susie's Cottage is tucked in behind Seagrape Escape (the park-model trailer where I live in winter. It is invisible from the road. Gail, my manager, lives a few streets away and is there to help you should you have questions or run into problems. The garden comes every other Sunday.
It is a tradition in Florida to throw up a fisherman's shack in the back yard for guests and annoying relatives. That's how Susie's Cottage began, many years ago. And the funky construction quirks of the original can still be seen in today's renovated version. Don't expect the walls to be plumb or the layout to make sense! But paint and funky furnishings have done wonders. A/C, ceiling fans, full kitchen, and a cute (but very small!!!) bathroom (shower only). The cottage is the February retreat of Susie, my sister, a retired opera singer (she painted the heron bathroom door). Off season (April through January), it is available to vacationers who want privacy and some Old Florida charm.
My street is a short, unpaved road off Stringfellow Rd. ("the" road on Pine Island, which runs 18 miles from north to south. The Cottage is at the back of the property, behind the main house and separated from it by a trellis upon which Carolina jessamine grows. Guests have sole occupancy of the cottage, including the little lanai and the secret back deck, as well as a parking space. My goal is to make you feel that Susie's Old-Florida Cottage is your home during your stay.
Susie's Cottage is tucked in behind Seagrape Escape (the park-model trailer where I live in winter. It is invisible from the road. Gail, my manager, lives a few streets away and is there to help you should you have questions or run into problems. The garden comes every other Sunday.
Property manager
Ellen Larson
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
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- Kitchen
- Washer
- Dryer
- Free WiFi
9.0 out of 10, (8 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Adults only
I do have an air mattress if you really need it.
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Please, no smoking. Susie is allergic!
Important information
You need to know
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 first aid kit
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Bokeelia
Located in Bokeelia, this cottage is in a rural area and by the sea. Museum of the Islands and Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Tropical Breeze Fun Park and Bowland Coral Lanes. Mike Greenwell's Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park and Sun Splash Water Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Bokeelia, FL
What's nearby
- Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens - 7 min drive - 6.7 km
- Sun Splash Water Park - 19 min drive - 19.0 km
- Sanibel Island Southern Beach - 52 min drive - 52.3 km
- Bowman's Beach - 65 min drive - 63.4 km
- Captiva Beach - 82 min drive - 74.0 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- McDonald's - 12 min drive
- Starbucks - 15 min drive
- Miceli's Restaurant - 9 min drive
- Capt'n Con's Fish House - 13 min drive
- Lazy Flamingo 3 - 12 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.0/10
Cleanliness
9.8/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
9.4/10
Location
9.4/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
16 Apr 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jared S.
12 Apr 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect
Jared S.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Devon C.
8 Apr 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Devon C.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
6/10 Okay
John L.
22 Mar 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy Cottage
John L.
Stayed 15 nights in Mar 2025
8/10 Good
Basim S.
10 Mar 2025
Basim S.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jill A.
1 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quaint get away
Jill A.
Stayed 11 nights in Feb 2025
6/10 Okay
shelley C.
27 Feb 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness
Pine Island
shelley C.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Devon C.
6 Feb 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Island recharge
Devon C.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Cheryl D.
19 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My Bokeelia getaway at Suzie's Cottage
Cheryl D.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
8/10 Good
Charlotte R.
2 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Quiet get away
Charlotte R.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Doyle J I.
9 June 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
one wonderful evening
Doyle J I.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
8/10 Good
susan h.
16 May 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Convenient
susan h.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
10/10 Excellent
Ginny R.
6 Apr 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Old Florida Get-A-Way
Ginny R.
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
gwen d.
26 Feb 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful little cottage
gwen d.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
8/10 Good
Andy C.
14 Feb 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice little oasis’s on the island
Andy C.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
10/10 Excellent
april d.
12 Feb 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Old Florida charm!
april d.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024
8/10 Good
Gary B.
21 Jan 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Susie's Cottage
Gary B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024
10/10 Excellent
Susanne S., Boston
10 Jan 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfortable, well located, cute cottage!
Susanne S.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
10/10 Excellent
Kelli K.
22 Dec 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Short visiy
Kelli K.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
8/10 Good
Lee L.
12 Dec 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Old Florida Cottage
Lee L.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023
10/10 Excellent
Cheryl D.
20 Sept 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bokeelia She shed.
Cheryl D.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
10/10 Excellent
Nikki C.
17 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great vacation home
Nikki C.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Karen M., Ingleside, Ontario, Canada
17 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean, comfortable, private and charming
Karen M.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Thomas R.
14 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cut, clean cottage.
Thomas R.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Lea Z.
30 Mar 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sweet lil cottage
Lea Z.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
About the host
Hosted by Ellen Larson

I am a freelance writer and editor who understands the desire to travel. I have been around the world in my day, and lived for three years in England and for fifteen years in Egypt. In summer I live in an off-grid cabin in upstate New York. In winter, I live on Pine Island, in my nice trailer in Bokeelia, which I call Seagrape Escape, thanks to my love seagrapes. There is also a cottage on the property, which I call Susie's Old-Florida Cottage, in honor of my sister, Susie, who resides in the cottage each February. In the off season I rent out the cottage to responsible travelers to make ends meet.
Why they chose this property
I bought this property in the fall of 2014, but I had my eye on it for almost ten years, because I wanted to rent the cottage myself. I fell in love with the yard, from the magnificent trees to the fragrant gardenia bush. I love to garden, so I have planted citrus trees and a seagrape hedge, which will, over time, provide even more privacy. The dwellings are definitely old-timey--comfy and mellow with the best yard-sale furniture money can buy. The main dwelling, Seagrape Escape, is an ancient park-model trailer that has sprouted additions to become a retro two bedroom home with low ceilings. The cottage, Susie's Old Florida Cottage, is the ideal getaway: Sweet as can be, with all the essentials, and capital P Privacy.
What makes this property unique
There are plenty of vacation rentals in Greater Pine Island, including in the artists' hamlet of Matlacha (mat-la-CHAY). Susie's Old-Florida Cottage is noteworthy for its privacy and old-style charm. You won't have to watch what your neighbors are doing, and they won't see you. With a full kitchen and access to a washer, you can make yourself instantly at home. Beach towels and beach chairs are provided. Bikes available (ask about signing a release).
Pine Island is not a particularly active tourist spot (no beaches). Rather it is a place were average people of the snowbird variety can afford a winter residence, go fishing, play tennis, or indulge in the primary activity on the island: eating out. It is a low key spot. You definitely need a car--I have had two guests who thought they could get by with just a bike, and neither was happy in the end. Pine Island is very different from the posh snowbird areas of Sarasota to the north and Naples to the south. We are the blue-collar zone, and proud of it.
Pine Island is not a particularly active tourist spot (no beaches). Rather it is a place were average people of the snowbird variety can afford a winter residence, go fishing, play tennis, or indulge in the primary activity on the island: eating out. It is a low key spot. You definitely need a car--I have had two guests who thought they could get by with just a bike, and neither was happy in the end. Pine Island is very different from the posh snowbird areas of Sarasota to the north and Naples to the south. We are the blue-collar zone, and proud of it.
Languages:
English
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