Vacation Rentals by Owner

Our Wonderful Wedding Trip

Guest: Bruce n Lori (Belliville IL.)
Date of Stay: 11/09/11 Review Submitted: 12/05/11

The Sugar Shack is the most beautiful home. The views of the sunset were breathtaking but don’t put your camera down too soon. The colors during twilight are beyond description. We spent our honeymoon there 11-9-11 through 11-15-11. There were six adults in our group and there was plenty of room. We would recommend this gorgeous home to everyone. The reviews pictures are great but they really don’t do the justice to this wonderful home and the beautiful vistas. The owner was very nice. We had no problem with the directions, easy to find everything we needed. The kitchen is awesome. Very clean and has everything you need to feel right at home. I know we will be visiting again soon I hope. We loved every minute of it no one wanted to come home. We enjoy going to Captain Tony’s, and the Hog’s Breath in Key West. We were married 11-11-11 at 11:11 pm by Captain Albert of Key West Sailing Adventures on the sailboat Obsession. Fishing from the dock was fun. Be sure to get your poles and live bait from Sugarloaf Marina just across highway 1, the folks over there went out of their way for us. Thank you Bill for sharing your home for this very special occasion. Bruce and Lori, Belleville, IL

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful Home

Guest: Grammie and Pops (Kingston)
Date of Stay: 08/27/11 Review Submitted: 09/12/11

We had the most wonderful stay at this home. The beds were very comfortable and inviting after a day of running around Key West. The home was very clean and quiet. We were amazed on how quiet it was with neighbors on both sides. The kitchen was fully stocked with all your need to prepare meals and relax. We will stay in this home again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Secret secluded Hide-a-way

Guest: JFRIII (Tampa)
Date of Stay: 07/23/11 Review Submitted: 08/04/11

Spent the mini lobster season here after being vacant for so many years. Very hospitable place for a family up to 8. The beds were comfortable, neighbors you never noticed, nice dock and clean kitchen. Although the description is very accurate, it does not do justice to all the "additional" amenities the house has: downstairs fridge/freezer for bait, kitchen stocked full of appliances and amenities, noodles to lounge in the canal, bbq grill, etc. And, with the Sugarloaf lodge Tiki bar staying open, a great local bar. Lastly, the sugarloaf marina has some of the finest guides in the lower keys and their owners, jimmy and jeannie, are simply gracious beyond words. What is better than rolling out of bed and being on the water fishing, diving or snorkeling in under 20 minutes?

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Absolute Tropical Paradise!

Guest: bmoules (Anderson, SC)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 07/26/11

Our first visit to the Keys proved to be outstanding! This home is everything as explained in the description. I was first attracted to this home by the pictures...in reality it was even better. Very tropical and perfectly designed for the beautiful setting. We especially enjoyed the upstairs viranda each evening for perfect and breath taking sunsets. The evenings felt like the stars were right on top of us...so many more than we see at home and appeared so close and clear...stunning. The home was very clean, roomy, up to date, comfortable and nicely decorated. We visited Bahia Honda which was beautiful, and Key West a couple of times...both are about 15-20 minutes close. Two dinners at Fogarty's on Duval St were outstanding and very reasonably priced. Sunsets at Mallory Square were beautiful and fun. We optioned to rent a boat for the week and the dock was great. We spent the week fishing and snorkeling Looe Key which was fabulous. The owner was very professional, responsive and easy to work with...made renting a breeze! We will definitely be back to the Keys and hopefully the Sugar Shack if it's available. Thanks for a great vacation!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A wonderful place to stay while in the Keys.

Guest: sarhop (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 04/24/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/11

This property was a wonderful place to stay in the Keys. It was 20 min from Key West on a beautiful canal. It was comfortable and roomy, in a peaceful setting. It was well-stocked, clean, and described accurately in the photos. We enjoyed floating on the canal on some noodles. There was not a lot real close by, but for dinner we recommend highly The Wharf and Boondocks, both within about 10 minutes. We also loved the eco tour by Java Cat Charters as well as the Fury Charter Commotion on the Ocean sunset cruise, both out of Key West. We took a day trip to the Dry Tortugas, as recommended by the owner of the house and enjoyed that as well. In Key West, there is a great fine are museum, the Little White House frequented by Pres Truman, and don't miss the Hog's Breath Bar in town! There were only a couple of minor problems in the house I should mention, but I think they were flukes, as the house is so well-maintained. In the master bedroom a couple of the outlets were not working and there were come palmetto bugs in the downstairs bedrooms. I did inform the owner of this and I am sure he will respond to this as he seems very conscientious.

Owner response:Thanks for your comments! I have contacted my pest control service, and the palmetto bugs have been taken care of. I will fix the outlets in a couple of weeks when I next stay in my home. I am glad you enjoyed your stay, and hope you will return again to see what other upgrades I will make in my home. -Bill

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Absolute Paradise!!

Guest: Ann (Beckley, WV)
Date of Stay: 04/23/11 Review Submitted: 04/28/11

We stayed at the Sugar Shack from April 16-23, 2011 and everything was even better than described in the listing. We were two families of 3, each with a teenage daughter. The house was perfect with plenty of room for all of us, the girls absolutely loved their own space up on the top deck. We hardly saw any neighbors, so it was like having our own private ocean in the back yard. We spent a lot of lazy time paddling out with our inflatable kayaks and enjoying the water, snorkeling and sunning in the clear warm waters of the Keys. The house was extremely convenient to make quick easy trips to and from Key West when needed, but I have to admit we liked staying in and cooking our own marvelous mealls and enjoying them on the deck with the beautiful view. We also enjoyed the easy trip up to Bahia Honda where we also paddled way out into the ocean with our inflatable kayaks and just hung out most of the day with our coolers of food and beverages. We also enjoyed fishing off the dock, and watching the iguanas lazily pass through the yards and waters of the canal. I highly recommend the Sugar Shack for anyone traveling to the Keys for a relaxing vacation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Little Piece of Paradise

Guest: Marcus and Pat (Brookeland, Texas)
Date of Stay: 01/29/11 Review Submitted: 02/16/11

This was our first visit to the Florida Keys. We could not have asked for a better place to stay. The area was beautiful with all the palm trees, fruit trees, and other foliage. The canal was a beautiful blue-green color and unbelievably clean. The iguanas were neat to watch sunning on the deck. The bike path on Sugarloaf Blvd. made it easy to ride and enjoy the area. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable two weeks. The sunsets from the top porch were fantastic! We hated to leave. Hope to return in the future. Thanks, Bill, for sharing your Sugar Shack.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The Pohls'---Atlantic Beach, Florida November, 2010

Guest: Annie (Atlantic Beach, Fl.)
Date of Stay: 10/31/10 Review Submitted: 11/14/10

My husband and I spent a most relaxing vacation at this property. Bill was super to deal with--always prompt to respond. The photos are a true reflection of the appearance. Sugarloaf Shores is a quiet residential neighborhood and we enjoyed having our bikes to ride or taking nice runs and walks. The outside decks are perfect for grilling and the screened area was delightful for having morning coffee or dinner. I particularly enjoyed the hammock for reading and fishing was fun from the dock--also snorkeling in the canal. If you are looking for a little piece of Key Paradise--The Sugar Shack is a great spot. Thanks, Bill, for sharing your home!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

PERFECT WEEK IN THE KEYS !!!!!!

Guest: The Youmans' Crew (Omega, Ga.)
Date of Stay: 07/17/10 Review Submitted: 08/05/10

This was the first time we've been to the key's in a few years. The "Sugar Shack" was the PERFECT house for our family !!! The canal gave us a place to dock our boat for the entire week and a great swimming area for the kids. YES.....there are fish in the canal...........GREAT for snorkeling also !! The house was very clean, comfortable, and the views from the upper deck are unmatchable !!! Bill was more than a gracious host/owner..................... he made every attempt possible to make sure our week was the best it could possibly be. Sugarloaf key is our favorite.......... it's well positioned halfway between Key West and Big Pine (the key deer on Big Pine were more numerous than I ever remembered), but a very relaxing and low "key" area !!! Two of my kiddos are true "Croc Hunters".........the iguanas, lizards, and geckos kept them busy !!! Quite possibly the all around #1 PERFECT place to stay in the Keys !!! We're going back during Lobster season next !!! Thanks Bill !!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Loved It!

Guest: Dawn (High Springs, Florida)
Date of Stay: 06/12/10 Review Submitted: 07/06/10

We picked this house for our Keys vacation because it was recommended to us by a previous tenant and we are glad we did. The house was very well stocked, clean, comfortable and Bill was very easy to work with. Great accommodations for our boat and the sunset view from the upper deck was spectacular. This house is located in a very quiet neighborhood with friendly neighbors. The fishing was awesome, we fished everyday but one and the kids enjoyed fishing right off the dock. We definatley would recommend this house and we will stay here again when in the keys. Thank you Bill for sharing your home, what a wonderful vacation!!!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Karen192 (Big Rock, Il)
Date of Stay: 01/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/26/10

My family and I stayed at the Sugar Shack recently and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The house was comfortable and amply provided with all necessary amenities. It was close to Key West as well as other destinations. Bill was easy to deal with and very considerate in answering all questions. We will defintely consider staying here again.

Recommended for:

Guest: Paul73 (Maryland)
Date of Stay: 08/13/09 Review Submitted: 08/13/09

My family and I were very happy with our week at the Sugar Shack. The rates were very reasonable, the house was clean, and comfortable, and the owner was very easy to work with. We don't have a single complaint! It was a great week and we look forward to spending time in the Keys again.

Recommended for:

Guest: MIKE DAVIS1 (HIGH SPRINGS FL)
Date of Stay: 06/29/09 Review Submitted: 06/29/09

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!!!WE SPENT 2 WEEKS AT THE SUGAR SHACK AND ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT WITHOUT A DOUBT WE WILL BE BACK....PERFECT LOCATION-BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED,WELL STOCKED AND FURNISHED HOME-- CLEAN CLEAR CANAL- GREAT DOCK WITH CLEANING TABLE --- MINUTES TO THE MARINA/GULF/OCEAN ...CLOSE TO KEY WEST YET FAR ENOUGH AWAY!!!!!! WE LOVED IT--------THE DAVIS FAMILY

Recommended for:

Guest: Randie (NJ)
Date of Stay: 05/04/09 Review Submitted: 05/04/09

The Sugar Shack is definitely a place to visit! We had such a great week at this quiet, well stocked house. We snorkeled right off the dock - seeing barricuda, lobsters and crabs. It's in easy distance to the bustle of Key West and the beach at Bahia State Park. Bill was very easy to work with. If you go, definitely have Larry take you out on his boat to your own private beach! We'll be back!

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/06/09 Review Submitted: 04/06/09

We spent a wonderful week in the Sugar Shack. It is very well located, being near to Key West and Big Pine Key. We enjoyed the neighborhood and walked several miles each morning and evening. The sunsets from the top deck were glorious. The area is very quiet which is important to us and the house is well-equipped.

Recommended for:

Guest: David and Joyce2 (York, Pa.)
Date of Stay: 03/13/09 Review Submitted: 03/13/09

We have been staying at the "Sugar Shack" for the past three years and love the place. It isn't the biggest home on the block but it is a nice, quiet,comfortable place to enjoy the Lower Keys style of living. The area is quiet and safe. The residents in the area are friendly and we feel at home when we visit there. The sunsets from the second floor deck are as good as they get. Easy access to back country and reef fishing is a real asset. The owner has tried to upgrade something each yrar and is someone who"cares" about his renters. I have never met the owner,but I feel like I know him as if he were my neighbor.If you are planning to rent a quiet, comfortable place with great sunsets from the second floor deck......don't rent this place in February........... WE WILL BE THERE!!!!!!!

Recommended for:

Guest: Steve@KXVG (Hackensack, Minnesota, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/28/09 Review Submitted: 01/28/09

This was our second rental experience with VRBO, the first experience was marginal but working with Bill was great. Bill was always prompt to reply to our questions and his follow-up was excellent. We agree with previous guests' comments, nice quiet location, great views, great house. We recommend this property and think others will enjoy it as much as our family did.

Recommended for:

Guest: Sara Sagmeister (Park Ridge, IL)
Date of Stay: 01/14/09 Review Submitted: 01/14/09

This was a very spacious property with beautiful views of the water and the sunsets. It was also on a quiet street. The owner was easy to work with and gave accurate descriptions of what to expect. My family enjoyed our time here.

Recommended for:

Guest: Laurie10 (-)
Date of Stay: 07/22/08 Review Submitted: 07/22/08

My husband and I had vacationed in Key West last year and wanted to take our children this year. We picked the SugarShack. We all loved it. My son (17) has always loved spiral staircases since he was small. We spent much time on the screened in porch watching the iguana. The kids also loved the coconut trees. My husband fished from the dock and did actually catch a few! Hope you get to go sometime!!

Recommended for:

Guest: Chris & Alexis Wilkins (Inverness, FL)
Date of Stay: 07/20/08 Review Submitted: 07/20/08

We stayed at the Sugar Shack in May for our annual trip to Key West. It was definitely a memorable vacation as we caught and released a 300lb blue marlin. We also caught several dolphin, the biggest weighing 47lbs and a 25lb wahoo. Waking up with the boat already in the water was great! We truly enjoyed our stay at the Sugar Shack!

Recommended for:

Guest: Alison & Mickey Lee (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 07/03/08 Review Submitted: 07/03/08

When we decided to run off to Key West to get Married, we needed a home base. Having never been there before this was a bit of a challenge. We choose the Sugar Shack because of it's location and views...we were not disappointed! It was perfect! Cute, cozy, clean, in a nice quiet neighborhood, well stocked and safe. We fell in love with the Sugar Shack! The home Owner was easy to work with and very friendly. We would highly recommend this home to anyone looking for a nice quiet place to escape still within easy driving distance to Key West and right around the corner from Big Pine and Bahia Honda. Wonderful Home! Thanks for sharing! We will be back.

Recommended for:

Guest: Shannon S. (-)
Date of Stay: 05/11/08 Review Submitted: 05/11/08

My family and I stayed at the Sugar Shack in April 2008. We really enjoyed our stay the setting was beautiful! The sunsets were breath taking! The neighborhood was very nice perfect for evening walks!

Recommended for:

Guest: David and Joyce (Pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 03/06/08 Review Submitted: 03/06/08

Great sunset view. This will be the third year we rented this home. The owner has upgraded every year. We like the neighborhood. 17mm is perfect for going down to Key West or up to Big Pine. Quick access to the backcountry for flats fishing and ocean fishing. The house is just in the right place. Can't wait to go back.

Recommended for:

Guest: Bob from Surf City (Long Beach Island, New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 02/10/08 Review Submitted: 02/10/08

The house called the Sugar Shack for the month of January 2008 was perfect for me - a semi-retired of the "snowbird" sort taking a rest from one island in the North to another located about as far south as you can get in the USA. The nicely appointed house (just as described on this site) is in a nice, quiet area. Its amenities, view, location and convenient proximity to all that's necessary made this my best choice in the four years I've been using VRBO to find a winter house to stay for a month out of the cold. The high-speed internet connection at the Sugar Shack was reassuring to have to stay "connected" as I enjoyed all the area offers to "get away" in my favorite time in the Keys - winter. There's no need to repeat the praises of others who have left comments here, but just let me add that Bill, the Sugar Shack's owner, deserves an accolade too. He has proven to be the best person I've dealt with using VRBO, and showed a higher ethical and professional standards than any real estate rental "professional" I have encountered concerning Florida accomodations. He is a good communicator, prompt and attentive to detail, clear and honest, fair, and most importantly, I could tell Bill truly wants his guests to enjoy their special time at a place which is special to him as well - the Sugar Shack on Lower Sugarloaf Key.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/10/07 Review Submitted: 12/10/07

My family and I had a wonderful stay at Sugar Shack. The house is roomy and clean, and has a screened in porch area where we had coffee and watched the birds every morning. The wildlife was abundant, and the deck on the canal made swimming, snorkeling and sunning a breeze. The sunsets were glorious. Sugarloaf Key is quiet and beautiful and was a great place for our vacation.

Recommended for:

Guest: Bill and Sherri Davidson (Sarasota, Florida)
Date of Stay: 08/25/07 Review Submitted: 08/25/07

Great location with easy boating access to both the Gulf and Atlantic. House was very comfortable and in a quiet neighborhood. The dockspace was more than adequate on a very quiet canal. Only 17 miles from Key West. Already renting next year!

Recommended for:

Guest: Pete4 (Raleigh, NC)
Date of Stay: 07/16/07 Review Submitted: 07/16/07

Wonderful location. Quiet, well-maintained neighborhood, beautiful views. A great place to stay in the keys. Can't wait to return!

Recommended for:

Guest: MaryAnn & Allen (Edgewater, Florida)
Date of Stay: 06/29/07 Review Submitted: 06/29/07

Excellent place to stay. Home was well furnished and very comfortable. The views are spectacular. So much to do and see and explore. Close to everything you could possibly want. Nice quiet neighborhood. We give this a 5 star rating. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/22/07 Review Submitted: 05/22/07

This is a great home and location for exploring all the Keys has to offer in a quiet secluded setting. The home is wonderful with lots of windows and decks that allow full view of the sunset. Very clean and well equipped. Sugarlaof is a perfect spot for exploring Key West, kayaking, snorkeling, boating, and bike riding.

Recommended for:

Guest: Greg Melrath (Quarryville, Pa.)
Date of Stay: 05/03/07 Review Submitted: 05/03/07

Wow! As they say it's all about location, location, location. Placed between one of the best beaches in the U.S. and Key West this place has it all. Clean and well stocked, this place has it all. And the sunsets.....forget about it! We had a great time! Thanks Doc!!

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/02/07 Review Submitted: 04/02/07

Great vacation getaway. Quiet neighborhood and very nice home. Boating access is excellent. Owner is easy to work with. We highly recommend this beautiful island home!

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/16/07 Review Submitted: 01/16/07

This is a very comfortable, clean, and well-stocked house, convenient to the Lower Keys and Key West with car. The neighborhood is quiet and picturesque, and the house is a pleasant setting for relaxing and as a comfortable home base. There are plenty of good local restaurants nearby, as well as kayaking and other water sports. Check with a local marina about navigating the local waters if you intend to bring a boat, as some of the channels are quite shallow. We had a very enjoyable stay in December 2006.

Recommended for:

Guest: Kerri Nordan (Lexington, SC)
Date of Stay: 11/04/06 Review Submitted: 11/04/06

Nice house. We enjoyed our stay and the owner was very accomodating. Nice sunset view from the top deck.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/30/06 Review Submitted: 10/30/06

Great vacation place. Very easy boat access to the best diving in the keys. Very quiet and peaceful. Great view of sunsets, well kept, spotless. You will definitely enjoy your stay in this private home. Highly recommend.

Recommended for: