Property Description

NEW UNIT! SPRING Specials! Rates Discounted.

A picturesque lane plus a charming 2 bedroom, 2 full bath conch cottage set the scene for your best vacation ever. Whether you spend most of your time sitting on the 2nd floor indoor/outdoor balcony room overlooking the yard and pool or in the pool itself, this cottage creates a priceless, away-from-it-all feeling. But in reality, Old Town Key West is all around you and most things only a short stroll away. Park your car in the driveway because you really shouldn’t need it!

The street view begins with a white picket fence and lush tropical foliage. Once inside the front door, you encounter the first bedroom, a cozy queen bed and hardwood floors. Above, set in the vaulted ceiling, are two skylights. And if that’s not already a lot of the desirable sunlight you came to Key West to enjoy, the room has three windows with blinds. There’s a closet with louvered door for hanging things, and shelving for folded things. For easy viewing from the bed, a flat screen TV is on the opposite wall. It’s the perfect place to relax for a football game or movie. And it’s perfect for a great night’s sleep after a night on the town or a quiet game of Key West Monopoly at home. A large full bath is adjacent.

The second bedroom, with a king bed, full ensuite bath, and delightful French doors opening to the patio and pool, is at the rear of the cottage. In between are the kitchen and a small living room. This clever layout creates the most privacy you could have if sharing this home with friends or family.

The kitchen makes great use of space and has all the amenities you’d want for warming leftovers from last night’s dinner out, for preparing a small or large meal, or for preparing food to BBQ alfresco by the pool.

The living room has a full-length couch and overstuffed chair. In the middle is a large, round ottoman to put your feet up or to use as a coffee table. There are two small closets, one of which is the linen closet stuffed full of towels, sheets, and what not. The other stands ready for guest paraphernalia. At the back of the living room is a charming little nook with table and chairs, the full bath for the front bedroom, and a washer/dryer behind louvered doors. Of course there’s central A/C, cable, high-speed internet, four flat-screen TVs, and ceiling fans throughout.

But the main focus of the living room is the view: the vaulted ceiling and the two French doors leading out onto to yard. Squarely framed in the French doors is a view of a magnificent Travelers palm which looks like a picture-perfect postcard of Key West. Out the French doors, the walkway leads two places: to stairs up to the balcony and to the back oasis, BBQ, and a full-sized pool. To create privacy and beauty, the whole back yard is fenced and bursting with foliage. The pool is delightful: large by Key West standards and very inviting with it's sparkling blue water. It’s the ideal place to float and watch clouds and birds drift over. (Please note the Pool is NOT Heated.) This homeowner has exterior surveillance equipment. Historic Hideaways is not in the care, custody or control of their placement, use or what they record.

All of this by itself makes this rental perfect. But there’s one more major feature. It’s a spacious indoor/outdoor, second floor balcony overlooking the yard and pool below. This isn’t a balcony as you might normally envision. Instead, it is an all-purpose room with couch and chair seating, a flat screen TV, a long dining table with chairs for six, two couches around a coffee table, an antique wine rack, and more. On two sides, semi-sheer curtain panels billowing softly in the breeze make this seem like a movie set that puts you in mind of Hemmingway or Bogart. You could almost spend your whole vacation up here in this elevated space.

When you’re ready to explore the island, the location makes it so easy. You can walk or bike or take a pedicab to all the important spots on the island. Within a block is the historic Key West City Cemetery established in 1847. Millionaires and paupers alike are buried here. Tombstone inscriptions like “I told you I was sick,” and “I’m just resting my eyes” keep this a must-see tourist site.

Around the corner is Mangia Mangia restaurant whose slogan is “Pasta to the People.” And they mean it. A little way across the street is the newly opened Bobs on Margaret, a good place for Almond Encrusted Black Grouper and other delicacies. There are many neighborhood restaurants in Key West. Also many along the Historic Seaport and Boardwalk that fronts the Gulf of Mexico. And of course, along the main drag, Duval Street. If you like to eat out, this island has it all and in varying degrees of formality (all lean casual) and financial output.

Duval is only 4 blocks away. Here you’ll find access to tours, beaches, museums, water sports, shopping, bars, and restaurants galore. The island offers plenty of cultural activities such as live music, art exhibitions, and plays. Perhaps catch a movie on one of the three screens at the Tropic Cinema. Or stop in at Books & Books to catch a glimpse of the author Judy Blume stocking the shelves.

If you like beaches, locals prefer Fort Zachery Taylor, where you can rent chairs, umbrellas, and snorkeling equipment. Bathrooms, showers, a snack bar, and picnic tables are also available. Or maybe you’ll decide to skip the beach to explore the adjacent Civil War era fort, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973.

Be sure to check your phone for sunset times so you don’t miss the world-famous celebration at Mallory Square. Be there as locals and visitors alike gather 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to witness the sun sinking into the horizon. Be sure to applaud as the last round edge of fiery orange disappears. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll see the elusive “green flash” and claim bragging rights for years to come. Then stick around as artists and street performers entertain the enthusiastic crowd with performing cats, fire eaters, musicians, fortune tellers, etc. Food and drink are available of course.

If this is your first trip to the Conch Republic, a guidebook from Books & Books on Eaton Street or a stop at the Chamber of Commerce Information Center on Greene Street will help make sure you don’t miss anything. To know what’s going on from day to day, you can check out Historic Hideaways’ informative Area Guide/Events. Other info on the current music scene, movies, plays, gallery openings, and charitable events can be found at milezerokeywest.com