Gulf-Front - 2 1/2 bedroom, 2 Baths

On LBK’s laid-back, beachy North End: A 26-foot lanai overlooks a pristine stretch of dune and the wide, under-populated Gulf beach beyond - as well as the large, inviting pool surrounded by palms (gently lighted in the evenings).

The renovation included an expanded, fully-equipped open-plan kitchen (glass-fronted cabinets, quartz countertops, GE Profile appliances), hurricane-rated sliding doors (with turtle-glass) and new windows (this is an end unit), a bonus second guest room (for the occasional child guest), Travertine bathrooms, five-foot shower stalls with rain-shower and hand-held heads with glass enclosures. A GE washer-dryer (in the guest room closet), and upgraded A/C. The Master bedroom opens onto the lanai with the same view as the living room.

The MAIN ROOM floors are Saltillo Mexican tiles topped by a large water-color area rug. Super comfortable sectional focuses on the view and a 55 Samsung Smart Flat-screen TV recessed into an entertainment center - and surrounds a large 70s Vintage George Jensen glass & Lucite cocktail table. A Sputnik chandelier illuminates the dining table with four Pottery Barn chairs (two more flank a side-board - a leaf is in the closet). A 52 overhead fan cools the room when A/C is too much.

The KITCHEN has all-wood, custom, modified-Shaker white soft-close cabinets with glass doors, and fitted pantries, quartz countertops, a teal, stainless and gray glass backsplash (mimicking the fleck in the countertops) and a peninsula looking out toward the Gulf. Three stools sit under the shallow breakfast bar. The GE Profile stainless steel appliances include a slide-in, 5-burner convection range, convection microwave, quiet dishwasher with third rack, and a counter-depth French-door refrigerator with in-door auto-fill water/ice. It is fully equipped for a comfortable long-stay – including a Blend-Tec power blender, a Cuisinart with small insert and spiralizer, mini-Cuisinart, a Keurig, a 12-cup coffee maker, instant hot water pot, Kitchen Aid stand mixer, Instant Pot, small George Forman grill, toaster, citrus juicer, hand blender, electric wok, bamboo steamer, scale, four-dozen spices, manual spiralizer, good knives and, we hope, all necessary cooking equipment and dining/drinking supplies.

The LARGE SCREENED LANAI is furnished with a wood table (configurable for 2, 4 or 6) with cushioned wood foldable chairs. A comfortable three-seat all-weather sofa and cocktail table sit at one end and a pair of all-weather easy-chairs and ottomans at the other (with a small table between). A white-washed, tongue-in-groove planked ceiling hosts a pair of exterior fans that cool the space. A dimmable light adds to the ambiance and three exterior plugs encourage working or browsing outside. The views - day and night - are spectacular.

The MASTER BEDROOM, with sliders out to the lanai and a large window (with Levolor shade), is furnished with a king bed (Simmons Beautyrest Silver 14 Hybrid) with contemporary antiqued-iron headboard, two dressers, two nightstands, and a 43 Samsung Smart TV. The all-Travertine and brushed nickel bathroom has a five-foot shower stall (rainshower and hand-held heads), and glass doors. The 36 tall, Travertine-topped dark cherry vanity features six drawers (hairdryer) a large framed mirror, a small lighted stand mirror, and scale. The large walk-in closet is custom fitted with multiple rods, a six-drawer chest, shoe shelves, and linen/towel shelves. Wall-to-wall semi-sheer pinch-pleated curtains provide a bit of privacy from the Lanai - backed by optional white black-out draperies. An overhead fan is handy when A/C is too much. Flooring is beige wall-to-wall Berber.

The GUEST BEDROOM, with two large windows (with Levolor shades), has a queen bed, two nightstands, a double dresser (classic Henry Link washed wicker) and 32 Samsung Smart TV. The Travertine and chrome bathroom (with entrances from the guest room and the hallway), has a five-foot shower with glass doors, a rain shower, and sliding hand-held. The walk-in closet includes double hanging rods, shelves for linens, two closed cabinets (one an owners') and a GE 27 inch Laundry Center (ironing board and iron). An overhead fan is above and beige wall-to-wall Berber below.

The SMALL KIDS’ ROOM is furnished with a bunk bed with trundle, a wave rug, and small chest. A large window looks out to the pines and an Obscura glass pocket door adds to the light.

Two-thirds of the main hall closet has been fitted to manage a plethora of sand toys: four Tommy Bahama back-pack sand chairs, umbrella, a beach cart, portable table, cooler, noodles, kickboards, fishing poles, and kids’ pails. The remaining third holds a vacuum cleaner, cleaning tools, and supplies.

There is boosted Frontier Internet (7 G) Wi-Fi, DirecTV streaming service which accesses a full-range of channels, on-demand, as well as your own Prime, Netflix, etc. accounts), a wi-fi color printer,. Cell service on LBK is getting better but still not great, so we just log our phones into Frontier.

Crown, baseboard, and deep door trim, as well as shaker-style doors with brushed nickel level hardware, add to the upgraded ambiance.

All towels (beach towels, tea towels, guest towels), blankets plus two sets of linens for the master king bed, and the guest queen bed (plus kids sheets for the bunks) are provided along with a minimum of two pillows for each person.

The apartment is on the second floor (walk-up) affording gorgeous views. There is no elevator, but there is a cart designed to “walk-up” stairs to manage heavier pieces of luggage. Uncovered dedicated parking is adjacent.

SEA PINES is an intimate (4 building, 28-unit, 2-story), well-managed Old Florida, gated complex at the laid-back, charming, northern end of Longboat Key. It’s within a three-minute walk (just across GMD) of three eateries (a full-menu of traditional Italian at Bayou Tavern, breakfast/lunch at Longbeach Café, and casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner salads & sandwiches at Whitney's). Also in that shopping center is: a beachy clothing shop, fitness center, LBK Liquor, kayak rentals and a large Pilates center.

Historic Long Beach Village starts at Longboat Drive & Broadway (across GMD from the Sea Pines entrance). A 0.3 mi. walk are two bay-front restaurants: famous Mar Vista with outside tables under the trees (as well as inside, upgraded dining) and truly spectacular, high-end The Shore with inside and outside dining. Both offer dockage.

ENVIRONS: Just north of Sea Pines is fun Beer Can Island (walk there along the beach) and the bridge to Anna Maria Island with Coquina Beach, Leffis Island preserve, Wednesday & Sunday markets, pizza, ice cream, boat rentals, playgrounds, the beach-front Beach House restaurant and several more eateries. The Cortez bridge to the mainland and funky Cortez fishing village (with several on-water seafood shacks - Star Fish by far the best) is under three miles, and several major shopping centers are a mile or so further east along Cortez Rd. Continuing north, past the bridge, on Anna Maria is a shopping center with a Publix and more (4.5 miles from the condo).

Heading south from the condo on LBK, Harry’s restaurant and deli, two new small casual eateries (including Lo-Key) and Joan Durante Preserve are two miles. Another shipping center with a UPS, shops, Lazy Lobster eatery, and a huge Publix (in a small shopping center) is 6 miles, St. Armands Circle, Mote Aquarium, and the Ringling Bridge to Downtown Sarasota are about 11 miles (bike paths the whole way).

We have posted PHOTOS of the complex taken from the beachside (ours is the right-end unit in the third building from the left), from the rear/road entrance side, the view from the lanai of the beach and pool, the pool itself, the beach and views from the beach. As well as of the interior. The complex was recently painted, wit new landscaping and an upgraded, saltwater pool.

RENTAL TERMS: Minimum time frame is 28 days - in keeping with Sea Pines’ requirement and LBK’s strictly enforced ordinance. Maximum four occupants. Sorry, no pets and absolutely no smoking or vaping (inside or out).