Nature Lover's Paradise, Great Sunsets Over Wide Water

• Great house in great location

  Great house in great location

  • Guest Sarah
  • Date of stay 05/04/13
  • Review Submitted 06/03/13
  We stayed here in early May with a group of 6 adults. The house is beautiful and well stocked with just about anything you could want on your vacation. The tiki hut with the hammock in it down by the water was a great place to hang out and read or just relax with a cold drink. The kitchen was fantastic and we really enjoyed eating dinner on the screened porch overlooking the water. The beds were very comfortable. The whole house was very clean, as were all the towels/linens. The owner was very easy to work with and we had no problems with communication. We are so glad we chose this property for our vacation, it really made everything perfect.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Location, location, location!!!

  Location, location, location!!!

  • Guest David D.
  • Date of stay 04/06/13
  • Review Submitted 04/28/13
  The location of Nature Lover's Paradise is wonderful- close to all that is Key Largo, and close enough to the rest of the upper Keys to be convenient. It is far enough from US1 that the sounds from this busy highway are diminished considerably. Also, as a rental, there were far more supplies for cooking than there usually is in our experience. There were more than abundant water toys for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, snorkling, etc. On a negative note, starting 2 weeks before our trip I tried to contact the owners to finalize details of our trip but did not receive any response until over a week had passed. I was beginning to wonder if my deposit and rental fees were long-gone. Normally I would just chalk this up to the demands of a busy life, but for the entire time of our trip after this, I couldn't get a response from the owner. I tried to get directions for operating the malfunctioning TV in the MBR but never got a response until I returned home after our week's rental was completed. I also would caution renters who think they might be getting a 5 BR unit; this is really a 4 BR unit, with a bed in the downstairs living area. This was OK for our 2 adult sons, but if any element of privacy is desired for the 5th bedroom it is non-existent. Overall this was a nice unit, but the lack of communication with the owners before and during the rental was a huge dissatisfier.

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

  Owner response: Thank you David. You are first renter to rate less than 5 STARS excellent. The space I have is limited so I will address your negative points, but thanks for mentioning the home's peaceful setting being so far distant from US1, the well stocked kitchen and the many water toys. You: "On a negative note, starting 2 weeks before our trip I tried to contact the owners to finalize details of our trip but did not receive any response until over a week had passed.” OWNER: When I receive a contract, I acknowledge so, and alert the renter to anticipate key information and directions one week prior to rental start date. It so happened that I was out of the country and not in email contact 7 days before your start, but I did send you all pertinent info the day I returned, exactly one day later and 6 days prior to your rental. Review of emails from you shows you sent request for info only one time, 7 days prior to your start. So I responded to you within 24 hours. While you may have called when I was away there is no record of any calls. You: "I was beginning to wonder if my deposit and rental fees were long gone" OWNER: Most rental scams are by someone other than the property owner. You have my name on the contract and you can do a county property search to verify I own this property. Really, if this was a scam, do you think there would have been all 5 star reviews up to this point? Very few owners would walk away from an accrued list of over 1 1/2 year's worth positive reviews for $2K, particularly when you know exactly who and where I am. You: “for the entire time of our trip after this, I couldn't get a response from the owner. I tried to get directions for operating the malfunctioning TV in the MBR but never got a response until I returned home after our week's rental was completed." OWNER: Both mine and my husband cell phones were provided to you prior to the rental. And my contact phone number is provided in the welcome book. True, you sent an email about 1 of the 4 TVs (it works) and due to unforeseen events I did not respond until 4 days later; I wish you had called. You: “I also would caution renters who think they might be getting a 5 BR unit; this is really a 4 BR unit, with a bed in the downstairs living area. This was OK for our 2 adult sons, but if any element of privacy is desired for the 5th bedroom it is non-existent." OWNER: Valid point. I have changed the listing to a 4 BR.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Christmas in The Keys

  Christmas in The Keys

  • Guest Future Floridians
  • Date of stay 12/22/12
  • Review Submitted 12/31/12
  Our Christmas vacation stay at this home was delightful. We cannot adequately describe the view and the sunsets. It is also a very quiet and peaceful property. The house is roomy, comfortable and well stocked. We enjoyed eating outside on the porch and grilling. Dan and Carolyn are so hospitable, arriving with wine and attending to all details. This was a family Christmas with our 3 sons and they enjoyed the water equipment so much that they didn't want to leave the property. We recommend the Key Largo Fisheries for fresh fish. Publix is also very convenient. Thank you, Dan and Carolyn, for a memorable holiday.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/2

• Nothing can compare!

  Nothing can compare!

  • Guest Leslie S.
  • Date of stay 08/12/12
  • Review Submitted 11/09/12
  We had a mini-family reunion in the Keys in mid-August and it was PERFECT! The house is fantastic, as are all the amenities and "toys"! Perfect location. We had lots of people in and out, and always had enough room and never felt crowded. The house is well-equipped with everything you'd need, and then some. Very clean and comfortable. Owner very responsive and helpful. Great restaurants nearby, or if you like fishing, just eat what you catch! This is a perfect place for a relaxing and fun family vaca! Only problem is figuring out when we can go again--I'm working on it!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/2

• Great time and Beautiful sunsets at a wonderful house

  Great time and Beautiful sunsets at a wonderful house

  • Guest Tim
  • Date of stay 09/01/12
  • Review Submitted 09/26/12
  I am a dive instructor and booked a trip for a group of six. The house was very nice and there was alot of room. The pictures are accurate. The kitchen was great and fun to cook in. We ate on the covered deck for every meal. The view was stunning. It was great being on the water and we made use of the canoes, kayaks and paddleboard. The house is in a great location and we were close to several dive operations. (I recommend Scuba Do). The owners are pleasant and helpful.

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

  Owner response: There are so many great dive sites in the Florida Keys, and some excellent dive shop ooufits to get you out to the reefs or submerged vessels. Glad your divers from Arkansas had a great week!!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Awesome property!!

  Awesome property!!

  • Guest Jen
  • Date of stay 06/08/12
  • Review Submitted 08/28/12
  We rent a place every summer in the Keys, and this one has been the best by far. We chose it beacuse it was NOT on a deep water canal (we have 2 young children, and that seemed like too much of a hazard). We liked the layout of the property, and it's location on the bay. The kids had a great time on the kayaks all day, and the adults could relax on the dock to watch! Great location in Key Largo, on one of the best bays in the Keys! We even had friends come visit, and they liked the place so much that they wanted to rent it too!! We can't wait to visit again!!

  Recommended for: Families with young children, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Excellent Place to Enjoy Warm Water and Tranquility

  Excellent Place to Enjoy Warm Water and Tranquility

  • Guest pam
  • Date of stay 08/04/12
  • Review Submitted 08/11/12
  My family vacationed with my sister's family at this home. We were thrilled with the furnishings in the home. Also, there were many little things that made this a nice place for us. Because we flew to FL, we could only bring a few things. The cupboards had some spices and condiments on hand. There were plenty of beach towels and some other toiletries as well. And, we enjoyed their water "toys" that were especially great to occupy our 5 teenagers. Thank you for a great vacation experience!

  Recommended for: Families with young children, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers.

  Owner response: Thanks, glad you guys had a nice Florida Keys vacation. Renter hometown: Buffalo, NY

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Great Location and Everything You Need to Pack Light

  Great Location and Everything You Need to Pack Light

  • Guest Matt from Houghton, New York
  • Date of stay 08/04/12
  • Review Submitted 08/10/12
  This home worked out very well for my and my sister-in-law's family. There were 7 kids in all, ages 9-18, and the house did not feel cramped at all. The location on the water was great, as were the kayaks and canoes for exploring the calm waters of the area. This house is in a very quiet residential neighborhood, yet very close to many attractions such as the Pennekamp state park. The house has most everything you need, so feel free to pack light. We would love to stay there again.

  Recommended for: Families with young children, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: I'm so pleased your family had a nice vacation, and that the house met - better, exceeded - your expectations. I know initially you had some concerns, but with the provided information did your due diligence and found the owners straightforward and trustworthy. Thanks for taking the time to submit the review. Wishing you fond memories of the warm, breezy Florida Keys during the long Buffalo winter. Carolyn.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Awesome week in Key Largo

  Awesome week in Key Largo

  • Guest Jim
  • Date of stay 06/16/12
  • Review Submitted 07/10/12
  I wanted to take the time to share with you what a great stay we had at your home. This home is perfect for the family. I knew you had several Kayaks but did not realize all the other great, family stuff you had on site. My entire family had a great week staying at your home. You really don't have to leave the house to get the full, "Keys" experience. From the great sunsets to the majestic Manatees swimming by the docs! What a great week. Thanks so much for opening your home up for visitors to rent. We will return next year! Thanks again!

  Recommended for: Families with young children, age 55+, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: So pleased you and family could come down from North Carolina for a great week. I love it when the spectacular wildlife comes in close for viewing so out of state visitors get the thrill of seeing manatees, sharks, neat birds, crabs, etc. Carolyn

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Key Largo GEM

  Key Largo GEM

  • Guest Linda M W.
  • Date of stay 05/05/12
  • Review Submitted 06/01/12
  Loved all the water toys-kayaks and paddleboard. Sunsets amazing. Its like having your own private mini resort. Owners are very accomodating and go out of their way to help you enjoy your stay.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Additional information about rental rates

Holiday weeks New Year's, July 4, lobster mini season, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas higher

NOTE: unable to respond to inquiry June 16 to July 2

Fees:

• Refundable Damage Deposit: $500
• Tax Rate 12.5%

Cancellation policy:

100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date.