January In Florida

Guest: Lisa/Rich (Brick NJ)
Date of Stay: 01/11/12 Review Submitted: 01/28/12

My family and I visited Hawks Cay and stayed in Jeanne's townhouse early this month. We had a great time. The townhouse has everything you could possibly want and great proximity to the activities at the hotel. We really enjoyed our visit and thank Jeanne for her hospitality. We will definitely be back.

Owner response:Thnk you so much!! We strive to make our guests as happy as can be. We would love to have you back. Our favorite guests are return ones.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Terrific Time

Guest: Lobstergirl (Sarasota)
Date of Stay: 10/20/11 Review Submitted: 11/07/11

Perfect for our family fishing getaway! My husband made a seafood paella from a mix of his daily catch while I lounged at the pool, lagoon with kids and friends. What more could I ask for?

Recommended for:Families with young children, families with teenagers.

We'll be back!!!

Guest: Debra & Jim & 4 boys (Cleveland, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 10/29/11 Review Submitted: 11/03/11

This villa has been delightful! We are sad to leave. We have stayed for the last week and have done everything and nothing. Coming in and finding a wonderfully decorated villa and the welcome basket was so nice. Our boys fished from the dock everyday and I think the latest count today was about 232 fish. While they aren't the biggest, the boys are sure having fun catching the fish. We had a lot of things planned that we didn't do because it was just enjoyable sitting on the porch relaxing while our boys fished. The villa is comfortable, clean and super nice. Everything you could ask for. We used the Sunset pool. Went to breakfast at the hotel. It was good, just kind of expensive for a family of 6. We highly recommend Sparkys and The Island. The owner of the villa recommended a babysitter and she was great. We were able to get away and have some couple time and not worry. I think our boys wanted us to go out the next night as well. We went to Lazy Days and it was fabulous. Right on the water. Recommend catch of the day prepared "Lazy Day Style". Great. This has been one of best trips as a family ever. The villa is warm and welcoming. Working with Jeanne was easy. Having Ellie the property manager was a nice back up plan. We've already booked for next year.

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

House steps away from dock!

Guest: Craig (Hendersonville, TN)
Date of Stay: 08/18/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

Had a great time, house is fantastic and the view and access to the boat (around 15-20 steps) was nice after a long day of fishing and diving. Access to the ocean or gulf is only minutes away and made this vacation one of the best we've had in a long time. We'll be back! Craig Tankersley, DC

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Diane@kozlecar.com

Guest: Diane (Kozlecar)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 08/21/11

Our family recently stayed at this Hawks Cay cottage and had a wonderful experience. This owner goes out of her way to welcome each guest! Upon entering the cottage one of the first things we saw was a 'goodie' basket that was enjoyed by all! The cottage is exactly as it is presented in the photos, very chic, clean and up to date! Fully equipped with everything we needed and many personal touches that make it seem like you are in your own home. Hawks Cay is centrally located, making it easy to travel the Keys either way. The owner had a plethora of personal recommendations from favorite restaurants to shopping to things to see and do. The owner is one of the kindest and most welcoming I have ever booked with. I would highly recommend this VRBO to anyone looking to enjoy a Keys experience! Thank you for making our stay so easy!

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Awesome time in the Keys

Guest: Stephanie & George (Tampa, FL)
Date of Stay: 07/01/11 Review Submitted: 07/17/11

We just recently returned and can't wait to go back. We did have some rainy days, but even those turned out to be fun. Jeanne & Ron's house is fabulous with everything and more you can think of for a home away from home. We did tow our boat and my husband liked the fact that he could keep an eye on the boat since the dock is located right out the back door of the home. Since we weren't staying with the resort we couldn't check our kids into the Camp Hawks Cay, however, Jeanne recommended a couple of people that babysit and we interviewed them and did use them on a couple of ocassions and our three little ones ages 7, 5 and 3 had a great time with Jackie and Sue. Made for a couple of nice afternoons for us out on the boat and we met some friends for dinner and we were able to go out, have a nice dinner and not worry. A little more $ than we spend at home on sitters, but you expect that when you're on vacation. Highly recommend Bahi Beach. Took the kids there one day while my husband was out fishing. The house comes equipped with a couple of beach chairs and beach towels. There is a deli just a short walk down by Sunset Village side called I think it was Deep Dock Deli. They packed up everything we needed for a day at the beach and it is a great beach! Sparkys restaurant in Key Colony Beach has a great menu and equally as great food and the prices were very reasonable. One night they cooked the fish that we caught 3 different ways, so good! We did eat at the resort for breakfast one morning and while it was good, it is very PRICEY. The house has everything you need for cooking so we did try and save a few dollars here and there and stayed in for some meals. It was lovely sitting & eating out on the porch and watching the boats go by. Can't wait to return and can highly recommend staying with in this house and with these owners.

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

Tranquility Found!!!

Guest: Heather and Glenn (Eden Prairie, MN)
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 07/04/11

Our family which consisted of my husband and I & our 2 teenage children (ages 13 & 15) 1 girl, 1 boy. Any time you can find tranquilty when you have 2 teenages that are known to be well teenagers is a really good thing! This condo offered just that. It is located within the Hawks Cay Resort on Harbor Village Drive. It comes w/a dock located directly behind our condo & while we didn't have a boat our kids fished for hours off the dock. Each child had their own room w/ a queen bed & since there are 3 full baths that offered us tranquility. We had our "wing" with the master br w/ a wonderful king size bed, w/ a fabulous mattress and beautiful view from the upstairs porch. My husband & I had coffee there each morning and enjoyed watching the boats come & go. The master bath is very large w/ a double sink. There are flat screen tv's in all the bedrooms, which are kids watched, but honestly I think my husband & I only turned it on maybe once. The condo is well maintained with so many extra little touches that make it feel like home (actually better than home). We did not utilitze the water sports at the resort as we found some going out of Marathon to be priced a little bit better. Since the condo is centrally located it was easy to do many day trips going to John Pennecamp for snorkeling in Key Largo & Theater of the Sea in Islamorda, Dolphin Research Center (make reservations early) to Bahi Beach, Little Key Deer (so cool!) to Key West. A day trip to KW is very doable and upon returning we were just glad to be able to come back to this welcoming villa every day after a day of touring what the Keys have to offer. I can't say enough good things about all the little details the owners furnish in this condo. Jeannie has great taste in the little things like the soaps she offers to guests' use to the little items like fun dishes and glasses. Guests are greeted by a lady that comes over with a welcome basket which our kids ate immediately. The lady leaves her card and a book that is very helpful. We were kind of concerned about renting through VRBO that you'll be "on your own" if something should go wrong, but the owners have 2 ladies on call for anything that should happen. The villa is well kept up and the owners seem ahead of the game so nothing should go wrong, but it's comforting to know if something should go wrong, help is a phone call away. We hope to return real soon!

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

GIRLS GET AWAY

Guest: Jane & Vince (Tampa, Florida)
Date of Stay: 06/15/11 Review Submitted: 06/23/11

My girlfriends and I decided to celebrate our 50th birthdays in the Florida Keys. It was great! The villa is well appointed and we all have our own beds which were very comfy. We did the snorkle and sunset cruise right our of Hawks Cay which we highly recommend. Probably more expensive, but it's very handy. We usually ate off property, came back and enjoyed the back lani and sometimes put in a DVD and just plain relaxed. The villa is just really inviting and a great place to come home to after we were site seeing or going to Bahi Honda Beach (which was fabulous!) and everything in between. It's great because it's centrally located in the Keys so going any where in between Key West and Key Largo is available to do in one day. All 4 of us 50 year old ladies highly recommend this villa. Maybe we'll take our husbands next time we go.

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

PARADISE FOUND

Guest: Jeff and Amy (Boston MA)
Date of Stay: 06/06/11 Review Submitted: 06/23/11

Our family recently stayed in this fabulous villa. It is modern, clean, comfortable and just plain great! The owner at the last minute let us bring our small dog with us after the people we had lined up couldn't stay with her. We came with extended family, grandparents, parents and 3 children and never felt crowded. Our favorite spot was sitting on the back lani watching our kids just fish right off the pier. They caught quit a bit and they did that for hours, which was great for the adults to sit and relax and be with the adults and yet close to the kids so we could watch them. The owners have thought of everything. The beds are fabulous, linens are fresh and the owner puts out nice amenties for the first night so you don't have to worry about running to the store if you get in late, plus a wonderful little welcome basket that our kids devoured. The soaps and lotions in the baths and kitchen sink set are all Caldrea, which is such a nice touch. We all did the snorkel trip right from the resort and it was great. My husband & his father took the kids on a fishing excursion also right from the resort. Don't recommend eating at the resort restaurants. We ate at Toms Harbor one night and for the price and service it is certainly worth it to get in your car and drive a short distance for some great Keys style foor. We didn't even think to try the more upscale restaurant at the resort called Alma as we heard it is pricey and the people staying in the villa next to us were greatly disappointed with their experience at Alma. We loved The Wrek, Sparkys and The Island. Plus the kitchen has everything you need to stay in and eat which is a great way to save money. There are IPOD docking stations in all the bedrooms. Can't say enough good things about our experience. Our kids have informed us that we will be going back & we're with them! Thank you Jeanne & Ron for sharing your beautiful villa with us and being so easy to work with.

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

We'll be back!!

Guest: Mountain Lady (Highlands Ranch, CO)
Date of Stay: 05/08/11 Review Submitted: 05/30/11

We recently stayed at this wonderful wonderful place. We like to travel and have gone through VRBO many times. Often when you get in the place, it's not what the pictures look like. NOT WITH THIS PLACE! You can tell that the owners go out of their way to keep their place in really great condition. It's bright, cheery, clean and modern. The beds were fabulous, kitchen well appointed for just about anything, including a really cute martini shaker. It was great to be greeted with a welcome basket from the owners which was so nice after long travels. There is also a little book in the basket that was of great help. Jeanne has a book on her coffee table that has restaurant menus as well as things to do and see. Their favorites were denoted and they were right. One of the best tips in that book though, was a young lady named Brandi. My husband and I both have back issues and Jeanne recommends this lady for massages. She comes right to the unit with her table and gives the best massages both my husband & I ever had, and with back issues, we've had plenty. As I said, we'll be back. Next time we think we'll rent a boat.

Owner response:Glad to have you and so glad you enjoyed yourselves. Brandi is a great find! My husband and I also had massages when we stayed. She does such a great job for people with back issues. Next time you come, do rent a boat, it is so much fun, especially cruising the canals right around sunset is our favorite time.

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