Gerry's House-Grassy Key

Guest: RDM (Ocean City, Md.)
Date of Stay: 02/01/08 Review Submitted: 03/12/08

Location location location...this location was superb...quiet, semi-secluded, few houses nearby, very private. The house was nicely furnished, included everything you would want for enjoying the water-snorkel gear, fishing rods, kayaks. Rental agent and maintenance folks were concerned and responsive...owners are very nice folks. Great area for jogging, bicycling, etc. Half-hr. from Islamorada, 10 min, from Marathon, 1 1/4 hr. from Key West.

Owner response:I'm so glad you had a good time at Gerry's Florida House. Thanks for all your positive remarks, we really appreciate the feedback. Gerry

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

Thanksgiving 2011

Guest: Roxane (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 11/19/11 Review Submitted: 12/02/11

We always have gone to Mexico and love it and all four of us had some misgivings about Florida. The minute we arrived at Gerry's house, we knew we found our Florida spot. The pool is one of the cleanest, warmest pools we have enjoyed in 20 years of renting homes. We found the house very clean and comfortable, including a great kitchen for cooking--and that is all I can say about the inside because we live outdoors. The porch patio is a great place to have morning coffee and dinner with great views of the water. Every afternoon we took our drinks and walked the long pier and sat and watched the birds while the guys fished. The whole neighborhood is peaceful and quiet and offers a sense of privacy. All in all, we highly recommend Gerry's House to vacationers that want to get away from it all!

Owner response:We really enjoy hearing that guests love our house as much as we do. You mentioned all our favorite things about the house, especialy the porch, dock and pool. We hope you can come back again soon. Thanks again.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+.

We love Gerry's Florida House!

Guest: Wendy (Herndon, VA)
Date of Stay: 08/28/11 Review Submitted: 11/05/11

We had the best vacation at this house. The views are amazing. The house is very nicely decorated and landscaped. They provide everything you could ever need for a fun vacation. We really enjoyed watching the sunset off the dock every night. It is also fun to walk on the doc and look for sea creatures in the water and fishing is a must. The pool and hot tub are the best part. We spent so much time in there. I would definitely recommend this house to a friend.

Owner response:We love to hear that families enjoy our home as much as we do. We hope to see you again very soon. Thanks for all your positive comments.

Recommended for:

BEST PLACE WE EVER STAYED IN THE KEYS

Guest: Andrew and Amber, Virginia (-)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 10/02/11

We had a fabulous week at Gerry's. Everything we needed was provided. Our young children loved swimming in the pool and fishing from the dock and we really enjoyed the hot tub/spa. Kayacking was perfect and we really liked the beach bikes. We walked early every morning with our kids in the very quiet and safe neighborhood. The house was so private, we thought we were on our own island and yet we were minutes from great restaurants and The Dolphin Research Center which is a must see. We're already planning our trip here next year.

Recommended for:

Grassy Key

Guest: Capt_Neil (Cherry Quay, NJ)
Date of Stay: 03/05/11 Review Submitted: 03/15/11

A lovely 2-bedroom home on the gulf side in a quiet area. The home well equipped with bedding, towels, kitchen appliances, and Washer/Dryer. The bathroom's were in each of the 2 bedrooms which is fine until you have more than 4 people which makes it a bit odd opening a bedroom door to get to a bathroom. The pool and hot tub were very nice as well as heated. It takes a little effort to figure out how to make the hot tub hot (use the book with pictures). The view was great looking north however we could not see the sunset even from the end of the dock during the Month of March. There was a very friendly cat that seemed to be a resident of the property. It meowed a lot until we offered it some food. The waterfront was less desirable as there was a massive amount of sea grass you had to trudge through to get a kayak or canoe in the water. The worst by far was the horrible smell from the rotting sea grass which most resembled the smell of horse manure. As long as the wind blew out it was fine. This is the third time in 3 years we have rented homes in different parts of the keys. I would say this was the least desirable compared to ocean side in Ramrod Key near Big Pine followed by Stock Island just north of Key West. I did like the pool, hot tub, use of Kayak's and big screened in porch. If I owned this property I would fix the sea grass problem with a sea wall like some of the neighbors have. All in all we still enjoyed our time in the Keys! We will most likely go in 2012 seeking yet again another property to enjoy.

Owner response:I'm sorry that your stay warranted only two stars. We go to considerable effort to provide those things that will make your stay comfortable and pleasant - the use of kayaks, bikes, fishing gear, snorkeling gear, dvd's games, linens, comfortable beds and a kitchen with everything you need to make great meal There's a neighborhod cat who lives on Bailey Street who's owner is gone all day. She loves to hang out at any of the neighborhood rentals where vacationers may feed her and give her attention. If you're not a cat lover - just don't feed the cat. Nyla has a home of her own on the next street. Unfortunately we need to have a louvre bedroom door because the air-conditioning system is in the bedroom hallway and it needs to be lovred for the return air. The seagrass is seasonal (winter months in particular) and there is no solution for getting rid of it. It is natural for the Keys and the Ocean and Gulf side deal with it seasonally. We are prohibited by law to change the natural shore line. Anyone with a seawall put it in several years ago. The grass comes from the Everglades and we have found that there are only a couple days for a couple of hours that the wind blows in the right direction to cause a very unfriendly odor. With the great views and wonderful amenities, we find the grass to be a minor discomfort. On the plus side - it attracts great water birds. Enjoy you stay next year in the Keys wherever you choose to go.

Recommended for:Pet owners, age 55+.

Home away from home!

Guest: Wendy (Herndon, VA)
Date of Stay: 11/13/10 Review Submitted: 02/18/11

We’ve stayed at Gerry’s House a few times and keep going back because it offers everything and more that we’re looking for in a vacation home. It’s a “home away from home” with all the amenities to make your stay as comfortable as can be. My husband and I enjoy a bike ride or walk in the morning in the very quiet, safe neighborhood near the house. We also enjoy walking the kids in the stroller around the area. The kayaks are a great way to view the neighbor’s houses from the water. I would suggest that you bring water shoes to trek across the coral or sea grass, depending on the season. The pool and spa are just delightful and I appreciate the continuous filtering of the spa overflow into the pool. It’s hard to get the kids out of the pool to put them to bed at night. My brother-in-law loves fishing from the dock while his kids snorkel in the waters nearby. We all really enjoy the enclosed lanai with its comfortable rockers and large dining area. We like seeing the local water birds who visit in the morning and at dusk. The close by Wreck and Galley is a good place to grab a meal, as is The Island and also the Keys Fishery has great local seafood. The kids like to go out on the pier at night with flashlights to see what creatures they can spot in the deep dark waters. All in all Gerry’s is a great place to stay in the Keys and we’ll be back.

Owner response:Thanks for your comments. We really appreciate your repeat business and look forward to having you stay at our home in the near future.

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

Fabulous Vacation

Guest: Jennife (Virginia)
Date of Stay: 09/04/10 Review Submitted: 02/08/11

We had the most fabulous vacation ever. Gerry's Florida House is tastefully decorated and so comfortable. The house comes with everything for all our needs and wants. We rode bikes nearly every morning. We enjoyed taking the sea kayaks out into the Gulf waters. Floating around in the pool chair while reading a paperback found in the library of Gerry's Florida House was so relaxing for me. One afternoon we took the Starfish boat 6 miles out to the Sombrero Coral Reef and Lighthouse for snorkeling. It was a spectacular visual treat. Seeing so many beautiful fish in the crystal clear water was worth a little sea sickness from the 6 mile boat ride out. We had delicious seafood dinners at different restaurants every night. My favorite dinner was grilled grouper at the Sunset Grill and Raw Bar by the Seven Mile Bridge. The Keys ecosystem is amazing. The flora and fauna are unique to this area. We wish were more knowledgeable about birds. At least I could recognize pelicans and gulls. We saw a large iguana crossing Kyle Street one morning. Something we don't see back home in Virginia. We rode our bikes to Curry Hammock State Park. We felt the park didn't offer much and could have skipped that. We enjoyed a full day in Key West. We toured the Hemingway House, ate lunch at the original Margaritaville Restaurant, attended the sunset celebration at Mallory Square. As we were walking down the sidewalk, we heard the most beautiful Spanish ballad song from the Schooner Wharf and Raw Bar. The musician, Raven Cooper, then broke into a Johnny Cash tune. The chance exposure to Raven's extraordinary talent led us back for another trip to Key West. After jet skiing around Key West for a couple of hours, we were back at the Schooner Wharf to see Raven Cooper with her quartet. Last night we walked out to the end of the pier and looked up at the starlit sky and down to the quiet stillness of the gulf waters. It was mesmerizing and tranquil. We don't want to leave paradise but we will take our fabulous vacation memories with us. Thank you for a wonderful stay at Gerry's Florida House. (Nice landscaping too). We'll be back.

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

Fabulous Vacation

Guest: Jennife (Virginia)
Date of Stay: 09/04/10 Review Submitted: 02/08/11

We had the most fabulous vacation ever. Gerry's Florida House is tastefully decorated and so comfortable. The house comes with everything for all our needs and wants. We rode bikes nearly every morning. We enjoyed taking the sea kayaks out into the Gulf waters. Floating around in the pool chair while reading a paperback found in the library of Gerry's Florida House was so relaxing for me. One afternoon we took the Starfish boat 6 miles out to the Sombrero Coral Reef and Lighthouse for snorkeling. It was a spectacular visual treat. Seeing so many beautiful fish in the crystal clear water was worth a little sea sickness from the 6 mile boat ride out. We had delicious seafood dinners at different restaurants every night. My favorite dinner was grilled grouper at the Sunset Grill and Raw Bar by the Seven Mile Bridge. The Keys ecosystem is amazing! the flora and fauna are unique to this area. We wish we were more knowledgeable about birds. At least I could recognize pelicans and gulls. We saw a large iguana crossing Kyle Street one morning. Something we don't see back home in Virginia. We rode our bikes to Curry Hammock State Park. We felt the park didn't offer much and could have skipped that. We enjoyed a full day in Key West. We toured the Hemingway House, ate lunch at the original Margaritaville Restaurant, attended the sunset celebration at Mallory Square. As we were walking down the sidewalk, we heard the most beautiful Spanish ballad song from the Schooner Wharf and Raw Bar. The musician, Raven Cooper, then broke into a Johnny Cash tune. The chance exposure to Raven's extraordinary talent led us back for another trip to Key West. After jet skiing around Key West for a couple of hours, we were back at the Schooner Wharf to see Raven Cooper with her quartet. Last night we walked out to the end of the pier and looked up at the starlit sky and down to the quiet stillness of the gulf waters. It was mesmerizing and tranquil. We don't want to leave paradise, but we will take our fabulous vacation memories with us. Thank you for a wonderful stay at Gerry's Florida House. (Nice landscaping too). We'll be back.

Owner response:It sounds like you had a busy and wonderful time in the Keys. Thank you for your thoughtful comments about our accommodations. We hope you can return soon.

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

A Marathon Must!

Guest: Jeffrey R (Phoenix,Az area)
Date of Stay: 01/22/11 Review Submitted: 01/30/11

My partner & I had a fabulous time at Gerry's Florida House.The house is perfectly appointed & extremely comfortable,like your own home.It has all the amenities of a luxury resort. Their is so much to do if you want,or just relax on the porch,or at the end of the dock. Georgeous sunsets. We went biking aroud the area,& there's a nice bike path nearby. We went swimming, snorkeling,& fished off the pier.Sombrero beach is minutes away. As for attractions,the Dolphin Center was amazing.Toured the Turtle hospital. Key West is a must only an hour away.Mallory Square has a great sunset entertainment,with many performers. Lots of restaurants,bars & shopping. Can't wait to come back. We've already booked for next year! Thanks Gerry for a terrific vacation!

Owner response:Delighted to hear that your vacation at Gerry's Florida House was such a good experience for you. We make an effort to provide everything for a fun time at our home and try to anticipate our guest's needs. We look forward to having your return.

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

Please Note Significant Drawback, Otherwise Very Nice

Guest: Calebindiana (West Lafayette, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 01/01/11 Review Submitted: 01/09/11

You need to read the bad news first so you won't be disappointed. Everything else I could say is just like you read in the other reviews here: the house is nicely appointed, the pool and spa are great, it is quiet and private, the fishing gear/bikes/kayaks are wonderful, the dock is beautiful, etc. It is a small, but really very nice, house. The pictures on this site are very accurate. EXCEPT THE THE FULL VIEW OF HOUSE AND BEACH FROM THE WATER. The bad news is that during our stay, the house had no beach because there was 100 FEET of dead sea grass between the end of the property and the water. 100 FEET. I measured walking out the dock. You could walk out across about 50 feet of it, then you were up to your hips in swampy, mucky sea grass for the next 50 feet. The still-wet parts smell like rotting-grass and sulphur when the wind blows in. So the beach does not look ANYTHING like the main picture here, where the water touches the sand. You need to add 100 FEET of rotting or dried grass between the water and the sand. If you were imagining splashing around there with the little ones, forget it. And if you would be sensitive to a rotting-grass smell blowing into the pool and screened porch area, then you'll have a problem. Given this, you might think it odd I still rated the place 4 stars. But the house itself is really nice. Parking is good. Appliances and kitchen gear are good. Screened porch is lovely. And it's great to have the dock and all the water gear, though fishing was poor (cold snap) in the Gulf the week we were there. The privacy is truly great. Grassy Key is a nice location--quiet, but near the larger Marathon area. As a group of six, we found the house a little snug. There are really just 3 rooms--2 bedrooms and a living/dining/kitchen combo. But this is fairly represented in the photos on this site. The sofa bed is not too good, so you may want to reconsider if you are thinking of this house for more than 4. But for two adults and two kids, this house is nearly perfect. Except for the grass thing. The main picture on this website is simply not right. There is no place where the water touches the sand. Not even close. Plus the smell depending on wind. Assuming this review makes it onto the website, I'd be pleased to provide pictures of the grass. You don't really need other pictures because this site is otherwise accurate in my view.

Owner response:I'm glad you enjoyed the Keys and found our home to be well equiped and nearly perfect. We're always happy when families have a fun vacation at our home and we try to provide everything we can to make that happen. We understand that your stay was less than ideal due to the sea grass. The sea grass originates in the Everglades and it is seasonal. It comes and goes depending on the winds, tides and currents. There are times when there is no grass at all. It is part of the nature of the Keys. Since the grass attracks many beautiful water fowl, some find it an attribute. Marathon and other Keys are all effected by this grass. There was no deliberate misrepresentation as some of the pictures show grass (contained in DVD, especially bird photos) and some do not because that is how it was when photos were taken. I'm glad your family had an otherwise great time at Gerry's Florida House.

Recommended for:Families with young children, age 55+.