Overall sentiment across the reviews is strongly positive with repeated, emphatic praise for the quality of care, the compassion and attentiveness of front-line staff, and the breadth of services and amenities offered at Village On The Isle. Many reviewers describe a family-like atmosphere where staff know residents by name, go above and beyond, and are personally credited with improvements in residents' health and well-being. Nursing and therapy services receive particular commendation — multiple reviewers name CNAs, nurses, and physical therapists and describe thorough, effective rehab and one-on-one care. The facility's cleanliness and maintenance are frequently highlighted; while the campus is large and some buildings show age, ongoing upgrades and remodeling have kept common areas and newer buildings in very good condition.
Dining and activities are strong selling points in the reviews. Numerous comments praise a gourmet or chef-driven dining program, professional wait staff, and a wide selection of appealing meals. At the same time a minority of reviews say food quality can vary and at least one person reported food that was "not as good." The community offers a robust calendar of activities — exercise classes, musical programs, bingo, dominoes, lectures, and regular outings — supported by activity buses for shopping, theater, and beach trips. The social environment is characterized as vibrant and engaging, reducing loneliness and offering substantial opportunities for resident interaction.
Facilities and services are comprehensive. The campus contains multiple buildings covering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and a rehab center, giving residents options to transition levels of care without leaving the community. Amenities noted by reviewers include a pool, gym/exercise rooms, library, meeting rooms, fountains and well-kept grounds, attendant-controlled entry for security, and private apartments with laundry and housekeeping. Accessibility features such as handicapped-accessible bathrooms, shower chairs, commodes, and wheelchairs are also repeatedly mentioned. Transportation support and assistance with benefits (VA/Medicaid) add practical value for residents and families.
Cost and operational concerns appear as consistent cautions. Many reviewers describe the community as expensive and note limitations for Medicaid placement, making it financially out of reach for some families. A few reviews mention shared rooms and insurance/payment complexities. Practical issues such as a confusing maze-like entrance, occasional flooding of parking/walkways, and the need to walk between buildings and common rooms were reported — important logistical considerations for prospective residents with mobility limitations.
A recurring and significant theme is a shift in perception tied to management changes. While many reviews praise previous leadership and describe the community as excellently run, some recent reviews report that a new CEO/management team has implemented policies perceived as dismissive of resident and staff concerns. Specific complaints include confusing dining hall reservation policies, removal of meal coupons, distress among residents, and a feeling that the facility "no longer feels like home" for some. There are reports that staff morale and treatment of staff have declined under new administration, and at least one review cites slow emergency call-button response times (greater than 15 minutes). These critiques are not universal but are frequent enough to represent a notable pattern that prospective families should investigate further during tours and discussions with current residents.
In summary, Village On The Isle presents as a large, well-appointed continuing care community with many strengths: excellent direct care and therapy, a caring and long-tenured staff, strong dining and activity programs, and a peaceful, convenient location near downtown Venice and the beach. The main trade-offs are cost and recent administrative concerns. Prospective residents should weigh the high quality of hands-on care, cleanliness, and programming against the reported higher fees, potential Medicaid limitations, and recent management-related policy changes. Visiting in person, asking about current management policies, observing mealtime and activity dynamics, and checking response times for call buttons would help families validate the overwhelmingly positive aspects while probing the management and operational concerns raised by several reviewers.
