Entire home

Private getaway on Pine Island. Full kitchen, lanai, deck. Beautiful yard.

Photo gallery for Private getaway on Pine Island. Full kitchen, lanai, deck. Beautiful yard.

Property grounds
Dining
Exterior detail
View as you enter the cottage. A small space, but every inch has a purpose.
There are two rooms in the cottage: the front room and the bedroom.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom0+ bathroomsSleeps 233.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Bokeelia, FL
  • North Captiva Island Beach
    ‪257 min walk‬
  • Useppa Island
    ‪152 min walk‬
  • Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens
    ‪7 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.

Property manager

Ellen Larson

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
I do have an air mattress if you really need it.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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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.
Map
Bokeelia, FL

What's nearby

  • Koucky Gardens & Gallery - 3 min drive - 2.6 km
  • 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
  • Captiva Beach - 82 min drive - 74.0 km

Getting around

  • Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) - 41 min drive

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

Is Private getaway on Pine Island. Full kitchen, lanai, deck. Beautiful yard. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Private getaway on Pine Island. Full kitchen, lanai, deck. Beautiful yard.?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private getaway on Pine Island. Full kitchen, lanai, deck. Beautiful yard.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Private getaway on Pine Island. Full kitchen, lanai, deck. Beautiful yard. located?

Situated by the sea, this cottage is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Museum of the Islands and 1.6 mi (2.5 km) from Koucky Gardens & Gallery. Little Smokehouse Key and Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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 window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 38 out of 52 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 52 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 52 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 52 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 52 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Carylon L.

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

Convenient

Working on island just needed place to sleep and shower.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jared S.

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

Perfect

This little cottage suited me perfectly for my situation. The host was amazing. Very helpful and professional. She went out of her way to accommodate my needs.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Devon C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property and cottage were amazing like always! Its the perfect size for solo travel or if youre traveling with a friend or partner!!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

John L.

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

Cozy Cottage

Cozy FL cottage slowly recovering from the recent hurricanes.You should be aware that the Pine Island bridge repair affects ingress and egress.
Stayed 15 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Basim S.

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jill A.

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

Quaint get away

Awesome, great host, beautiful garden
Stayed 11 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

shelley C.

Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness

Pine Island

It was ok for what it was. It wasn’t the cleanest. The bed was hard but we dealt with it. But We love pine Island ..
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Devon C.

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

Island recharge

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl D.

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

My Bokeelia getaway at Suzie's Cottage

This was my 3rd or 4th stay at Suzie's Cottage. It is perfect for me and has everything I need to be comfortable and feel at home. The location is convenient to the grocery stores, shops at the center and the bike path. Quiet and secluded, the gardens are peaceful and relaxing. Inside the cottage, funky, colorful and artistic decor mimic the style of the Matlacha community.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Charlotte R.

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

Quiet get away

We just wanted a quiet place to escape life for a little bit. We were hoping for a more artsy eclectic area but the quiet fishing town was good enough for our needs. The town was pretty quiet and the area was still rebuilding from a hurricane a few years ago. The property was super comfy and quaint. Very homey feel. Owner was very accommodating and stayed in communication well.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Doyle J I.

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

one wonderful evening

quiet quaint and very enjoyable
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

8/10 Good

susan h.

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

Convenient

Comfy but needs new air conditioner in bedroom.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ginny R.

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

Old Florida Get-A-Way

We celebrated our 50th Anniversary in this quaint cottage. The gardens were in full bloom and so soothing to admire while sitting on the screened in porch. The Host also painted the fence on the back porch like a beach scene and we enjoyed sitting there as well. It was the perfect get-a-way. Thank you to the Host.
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

gwen d.

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

Beautiful little cottage

We needed a 2 night stay while we visited my parents...this is the 2nd time we stayed at Suzie's Cottage and it was just what we needed!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Andy C.

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

Nice little oasis’s on the island

Nice little hideout in the middle of Pine Island.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

april d.

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

Old Florida charm!

Highly recommend this gem for those who enjoy a creative, vintage vibe that is becoming harder to find. Lovely setting in tropical garden with screened lanai + deck that opens up off the bedroom for cooling breezes & morning coffee. Welcoming, helpful host! Perfect!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Gary B.

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

Susie's Cottage

Great location, virtually in the center of the island; easy access even though on "minor" street. Cottage was well stocked with expected items. Landscaping was impressive. Cottage tucked away in back or the property and provided privacy. Excessive unseasonal rain resulted in standing water in several areas and resulted in muddy walking. Host was accommodating, attentive, and available to solve any problems.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susanne S., Boston

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

Comfortable, well located, cute cottage!

This was our first time in this side of Florida and it was a great surprise to discover this beautiful area surrounded by history. A door to discover the old Florida. The cottage is well equipped, very quaint and comfortable. Great location to visit Pine Island, Sanibel Island, Fort Meyers and much more.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelli K.

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

Short visiy

Very quant and comfortable. Will use again if we return to Pine Island.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Lee L.

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

Old Florida Cottage

The description of the cottage is spot on…brought back memories of being in Florida in the 60’s. I enjoyed my stay, simple and relaxing. I will return!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl D.

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

Bokeelia She shed.

Quirky, quaint, colorful and comfortable. Private getaway on a unique island. It was perfect for me and the 2nd time I have stayed here. Lovely inside and out if you are looking for a quiet place to drink coffee and read books. Cozy little outdoor spaces to sit and visit with a friend. Convenient to places I wanted to visit. Close to grocery stores and restaurants yet secluded in tropical gardens.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nikki C.

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

Great vacation home

It was a pleasure to stay at this home it worked perfect for my vacation getaway
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen M., Ingleside, Ontario, Canada

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

Clean, comfortable, private and charming

We really enjoyed our overnight stay at this lovely spot. The host was great to communicate with and provided excellent, timely instructions for finding the cottage. Bed is extremely comfortable and everything was spotlessly clean. Garden is fabulous and having morning coffee in the lanai was a real treat. This place offers a different experience from the usual modern holiday condo. Very quiet, comfortable, private; lots of colour and art, and tons of charm. Would love to go back again.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas R.

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

Cut, clean cottage.

Cute, clean cottage with beautiful flowers and The hostess was very nice.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lea Z.

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

Sweet lil cottage

This place has very dear grandma cottage vibes. The bed is incredibly comfy. Make sure you’re comfortable with your travel partner because the sliding door to the bathroom does not reach the ceiling.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

About the host

Hosted by Ellen Larson

Host profile image
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.

Languages:

English