DREAM LOVER (boat and breakfast)

First time in the Bradenton Beach area and was pleasantly surprised. Kay and Jonathan were terrific hosts and the boat was in a great location in the marina just down the street from local bars and restaurants (and the beach). Dolphins routinely play under the bridge near the boat. Although a quick stay, it was a pleasure. Will definitely stay with them again next time I am in the area.

We enjoyed the warm and friendly atmosphere. The breakfast on deck were creative and delicious. The dingy ride before breakfast was very enjoyable and exciting,especially seeing the dolphins up close and the white pelicans. Had a great couple of days. If you like to play games this is the place to come to.Phase10 Mexican train, They love to play games. Charles & Pat DAvolio

If you are adventurous and looking for something a little different in an escape from hotels and resorts give the Boat and Breakfast a try. My husband and I spent two nights aboard with our two wonderful hosts, Kay and Jonathan. The breakfasts were great, the room spacious, and the setting was perfect; we even had a pod of dolphins swimming near us. Great for couples.

Kay and Jonathan were fantastic hosts. The boat itself was quaint and clean. The food was amazing. Kay was very kind to keep in mind our food allergies, and still managed to wow us with breakfast. We had just as much fun exploring Anna Maria Island as we did chatting with our hosts. I would definitely recommend the Dream Lover to any of my friends.

My wife & I love the water & water-related activities. This "mini-vacation" was a surprise birthday gift. She did not know where we were going, but knew it would be 2 nite stay. She knew to wear casual clothes & comfortable shoes. Using our GPS to get there, brought us to a marina. There was no bed & breakfast or lodging facility anywhere in sight. I told her I would ask for information at the marina about where we would be staying. I left her in the car, as I made a phone call to Kay to see if I could look over the "facilities". I was welcomed to come aboard & check it out. This I did & was very positively impressed! At the car I told my wife (Candance) that the place was near-by. Taking our suitcases, we began to walk to the end of the pier where the 54 ft. sailboat was tied up. "Where are we going?" my wife repeatedly said. Finally I told this was where we would be lodging for the next 2 nites. She could hardly believe it, but good sport that she was, she climbed aboard and was thrilled with the host, hostess, and the facilities. Kay & Jonathan were fun to be with. They greeted us with appetizers & wine. They were very knowledgable about near-by restaurants. We loved their recommended restaurants. The breakfasts they served on the boat were gourmet treats. We were also treated to a boat tour on their dinghy, "Bad Dog." Also, to make this trip more rewarding, I bought two lottery scratch-off tickets (one for Candance & one for me). My ticket produced the usual zilch ("nada"). Hers, however produced a $2,500. winner. This was a rewarding trip indeed! Candance told me later that this had been the best week-end of her life. Wow! -- Raymond & Candance

I'm always looking for unique ways to celebrate my husband's birthday whether it be a zip-lining adventure, an afternoon playing with tiger cubs or an all you can eat party in a chocolate store. This year I kept the streak alive with a charming overnight stay onboard the Dream Lover. Our hosts, Kay and Jonathan (Yes, that's Captain Cook) and their dog Skipper welcomed us aboard like long lost family. We enjoyed a beautiful breezy afternoon chatting topside over a nice glass of wine and some snacks. Kay and Jonathan gave us lots of suggestions for places to dine and we spent the evening exploring the area. Later that night after dinner we lounged on deck some more - enjoying the night air. Our accommodations in the captains quarters gave us a first hand taste of what living on a boat is like from the gentle rocking and splashing sounds against the hull to the unusual blender-like action when you flushed the head (that's boating lingo for toilet to you land lubbers). Just two blocks off the sand, we took a 3 mile walk on the beach the next morning and came back to a wonderful breakfast and generous amounts of coffee! Then Jonathan treated us to a little tour in and around the surrounding marinas on their dinghy Bad Dog. It was the perfect way to cap off the stay. If you are looking for a unique place, if the idea of life on a boat intrigues you, if you are willing to exchange the cookie cutter experience of a chain motel for a one of a kind, authentically nautical overnight experience (with all the quirks that entails) this is the place for you.

Staying aboard a large sailboat was just plain cool. Beautiful accommodations great location, very relaxing and truly nice, interesting hosts. We stayed 4 nights and it was as memorable a stay as my wife and I have ever had anywhere. Go, enjoy conversations with Kay and Jonathan and eat dinner at the French restaurant a two block walk away. You will be enthusiastically telling friends about your stay for the rest of your life. Cheers, Bruce and Judy

Kay and Jonathan and their perky litttle dog Skipper form a cheerful team on their lovely sailing boat moored at the Bradenton Beach Marina. They welcome you on board with wine, cheese and sparkling information about the local folks and the history of this island. After your island dinner (for which they have fine recommendations), you return to your holiday boat home as the sun sets over the gulf to watch the dolphins play in the harbor. Then you will be rocked to sleep in one of their sweet and comfy bunk beds or nestle together in their elegant state room with its own private bath and shower. Kay will be up early preparing you a luscious breakfast before sending you on your way to explore the island, its long white sands, its azure sea (perfect for a swim), its many gift shops. Or maybe you'll just curl up on the deck with a good book or watch the pelicans diving off the end of the pier for fish scraps the fisherman have cleaned off their catch. Or maybe you'll engage in conversation with Kay and Jonathan, your wonderful hosts, who will enthrall you with stories and make you laugh until your endorphins are swimming. This is how it was for me on my May visit this year. It all adds up to an enchanting vacation and a memory I will relish for the rest of my life.

We spent the night of 5/29/10 aboard Dream Lover. We enjoy doing unique things, and this fit the bill. We were greeted with wine and cheese while viewing dolphins frolicking nearby. The boat owners are very pleasant and it was enjoyable getting to know them and learning about the boat. We were served an awesome breakfast on deck. Skipper, the Bichon Frise on board, was a joy. Overall, a great experience.