Idyllic Casey Key Beach House

• TITLE DOESN'T DO JUSTICE TO THIS PROPERTY

  TITLE DOESN'T DO JUSTICE TO THIS PROPERTY

  • Guest T.
  • Date of stay 01/18/13
  • Review Submitted 02/01/13
  I live in Hawaii and have been staying on Casey Key in various houses and condos since my folks moved to Nokomis 15 years ago. My sisters meet up with me down there often and the consensus this year was this was the best accommodations we have ever enjoyed thus far. It is short walk to The Fish House for afternoon cocktails and some of the best fish in So. FLA. The owners went to great lengths to make us feel welcome-a frig stocked with fruit, juice, eggs and other staples, fresh flowers, complimentary wine, plush towels and bed linens, very clean. Just like a 5 star hotel. The beautiful, open kitchen made cooking a true joy, not to mention the wonderfully stocked spice racks. We grilled every night on the poolside BBQ. We made use of the kayak and bikes and spent most nights just enjoyng a beautiful sunset from our back door. The beach is as beautiful as many a Hawaiian Beach and very private. We spent hours walking it. Our thanks to the owners who were kind enough to share this experience with us. We are looking forward to returning to this incredibly "Idyllic Beach House". The title doesn't do it justice. I would reccommend it to everyone.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers, people with disabilities, adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.

  Owner response: We are so delighted when guests see their own joy in the place they find themselves. It guarantees a good experience. It is we who should thank guests like these for the essential enjoyment of all things that naturally occurs in them. Of course, the magical place that is Casey Key encourages the very best in us. We look forward to the return of these guests.

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• A simple, relaxing vacation

  A simple, relaxing vacation

  • Guest Amy
  • Date of stay 12/23/12
  • Review Submitted 01/20/13
  We will be returning!! The owners are honest, kind and went out of their way to make our stay comfortable and memorable! We feel truly blessed to have picked this home. Our family of four, parents & two teenagers, enjoyed their home for three weeks and anything anyone could need is there. The home was more than comfortable and could easily sleep eight. We enjoyed the private access to the Gulf, use of the sea-kayak, the bicycles, and the pool with all the conveniences of a fully stocked home. We could walk to nearby Casey Key Fish House and had excellent food & excellent service. Try the Almond Snapper or Wahoo. On our daily beach combing walks we collected sea glass, fossilized sharks teeth and we were lucky to find a Lion’s Paw sea shell along with a few common fig shells – the owners have a great little sea shell guide at the home to help you learn about your collections. My husband was able to fish from the shore and 200 yards south of this home caught a 7’ sand shark; a truly memorable experience for all of us! Don't worry, you can still swim. We met a gentleman who had an impressive string of flounder; he was fishing to the north 200 yards. On two of my kayaking adventures I saw dolphins and sting rays. The beach was utterly amazing and very private; the only people out there are the owners of the homes or their guests. Many mornings we walked several miles collecting shells and could count on one hand how many people we ran into. There is a new deck with a wheelchair ramp attached (courtesy of the owner to accommodate our daughter) that made accessing the beach easy! We rented the beach wheelchair from a local rental company; they delivered and picked it up. The deck is an amazing place to read, sunbathe and watch the sunsets. Trader Joe’s and a gourmet food market are a 15 minute drive north but there is a WalMart two miles away and Publix grocery stores abound in either direction but I would recommend the gourmet market; the food was fresh and being that you’re on vacation the deli had delicious healthy salads perfectly prepared – no fuss and very reasonably priced. Try Blue Water fish market on Siesta Key for fresh fish. You will not be disappointed! I think it is wonderful the owners are willing to share their home with others. I know I was a little nervous sending a large check to someone I've never met but the owners must be a little nervous renting to people they don't know! Please treat as your own so others may also enjoy!

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers, people with disabilities, adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.

  Owner response: It is gratifying to host people with a secure sense of self and sincere appreciation of others. It was not so much what we did that delivered a wonderful Casey Key memory for this family, but who they are. This idyllic property encourages an uncommon serenity and joy. It was our motivation in sharing it with others that more would experience this magical place as God left it.

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• You are a "treasured guest" until you leave (then look out)

  You are a "treasured guest" until you leave (then look out)

  • Guest Joe
  • Date of stay 06/23/12
  • Review Submitted 10/13/12
  This house is in a great location on the island. However, it is not set up for kids, or for a beach rental in general. It is carpeted throughout, and it takes effort to live around the owners' many fragile knicknacks and expired food in the fridge and pantry. Owner unilaterally changed our dates after we'd paid in full. Luckily we were flexible, and we negotiated a credit. But when we left, we received unexpected charges (extra cleaning, "scratched" kayak, surcharge for 7th guest, and utilities(!)). We had taken pains to take care of the place, so this was an unpleasant surprise.

  Recommended for: People with disabilities, age 55+.

  Owner response: These guests left the house in very poor condition--broken & damaged items, perishable foods left out, stains on furniture. They misrepresented a "request" to adjust their stay dates (entirely their choice) as an arbitrary change we forced upon them--not true. We allowed a 50% discount for adjusting their stay 2 days, a discount the guest suggested (I allowed whatever he thought fair) and which we accepted w/o question. Further, we “agreed” to allow 2 more guests than were originally contracted for at an addt’l fee. A note their son left thanking us for the extraordinary vacation experience (loved the pool and the private beach 75 feet from the house) indicated that all beds (8) were used + a queen air mattress (they bought), suggesting 10 people may have stayed at the house. Our cleaning people spent 2 days straightening out the place and we (owners) added hrs to the clean up immediately after these guests left. When “gently” confronted w/ the damage & extraordinary cleanup, these guests were taken by surprise, suggesting that the broken pitcher had already been purchased and sent to us—something we never received—and that “whatever cleanup was ncsy “should” be included.” We offer only customary cleaning of the house and property, and do not expect hull damage to the sea-going kayak as something we should accept as customary. We take great measures to ensure the most memorable stay: * A well stocked pantry whose stores are available for consumption w/o charge. * A stocked fridge w/ milk, eggs, juice, butter, bread, jam, and indigenous fresh fruit. (Expired items are inevitable, which we encourage guests to dispose of) * Complimentary wine and champagne worth $100 +. * The oppty to buy whatever amenities add to a guest's comfort for full reimbursement. * An open offer to extend their stay 1-2 days w/o charge. * An invitation for regular guests to enjoy a long wknd at the house w/o charge. There are "no" guest rentals anywhere that offer such hospitality. We are sorry this family chose to take further advantage of our hospitality by misrepresenting their experience. Finally, we have many guests & none has ever had anything but the greatest admiration for both the extraordinary venue & impeccably cared for home—one would think full carpeting is a luxury in a beach house)—& the most extraordinary hospitality that gracious & humble people might offer. We’ve never held a penny of a guest’s DEP, but in this case. Owners

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• Exceptional Home

  Exceptional Home

  • Guest Mo
  • Date of stay 12/23/11
  • Review Submitted 01/04/12
  We rented this beautiful home over Christmas for our family. It exceeded our expectations in every way. The owners went out of their way to make our stay perfect and couldn't have been more hospitable. The home was clean, beds comfortable, linens and towels plentiful, kitchen and supplies well stocked. The layout of the home was spacious allowing for 6 people to be together and to have quiet spaces as well. The beach was not crowded and in a great location for walking, running or biking. The views spectacular from sunrise to sunset. The setting quiet and peaceful. We would definitely stay again and highly recommend this home. We can't wait to return.

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, families with teenagers, age 55+.

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$3450/week ($500/extra day) off-season rate
$3950/week ($600/extra day) in-season Dec 15 through April 30
Monthly: $12,500/mo off-season, $14,500/mo in-season
Fl tax (12%) & maid's final cleaning fee not included ($140)
Utilities (up to $50 included)
Cable/wireless internet included
Booking deposit: full price at booking, tax & cleaning (wire xfr, CC + 3%, check)
Security deposit: $500, 7 days in advance of occupation

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.