Vacation Rentals by Owner

April 2012

Guest: cueball (evart michigan)
Date of Stay: 04/18/12 Review Submitted: 04/22/12

Just got back from a 4 day stay at absolute paradise.The 2 bed 2 bath mobile was neat and clean upon our arrival.The tiki bar and hut were great also.Fishing in the bay on the pontoon boat was very good also.Nice 4 stroke motor that purred like a kitten. Upon having an issue with the tv called Stu and within 24 hours had a new 42 incher to watch, Service was excellent and the location was outstanding.Thanks for everything Stu.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers

This is the ONLY way to see Key Largo!

Guest: Renae Simeon (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/10/12 Review Submitted: 04/15/12

I am so glad my daughter chose this place. She picked it for the manatee photo and let me say....it lived up to everything!!! We were able to help rescue one. And the rescuer even let our kids name the untagged Manatee. How cool is that? An experience you cannot pay for! As for the house, it's EXACTLY as pictured and Stu and Jordan are amazing. This place is very well cared for and perfect in every way. The Pontoon was super fun, the paddle boat was great with young kids, until we heard about the local croc. ;) Good thing we never saw him! Seriously, there is so much to do and this place is so wonderful, we will be back. Definitely! And for much longer than 5 days.

Owner response:I'm glad to hear everyone had a good time and thank you so much for the great review. Can't wait to have you guys come back again. Stu

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

'Absolute'ly lives up to its name!

Guest: Yvette (Washington, MI)
Date of Stay: 03/07/12 Review Submitted: 03/14/12

This place is simply amazing -- we could not have enjoyed it more! The house is clean and comfortable, and has some great seaside theme decorations. We didn't spend much time in the house though as the deck area is spectacular. The tiki hut and tiki bar were the perfect places to relax. We saw no need to head to the local bars as we created our own nightlife right at the house. We saw the manatees several times and got the chance to pet them, which was probably one of the coolest things I've ever done. We also loved using the boat. Saw a ton of birds and even an iguana, and enjoyed exploring all the nooks and crannies of the bay. I have to mention the owners. We had a hiccup with the boat and called Stu and Michelle's house to report it. Michelle was very apologetic and promised to have Stu address it right away. Stu called back immediately, and he and his son, Jordan, brought a different boat over that evening. We weren't expecting that kind of service, but were obviously delighted to get it. When Stu says he wants his guests to have the best time possible, he really means it. On the way out, we met the housekeeper, Michelle, and she was every bit as friendly as everyone else had been. We were impressed and will definitely be returning!

Owner response:Yvette and Mark, Wow, thanks for the awesome review. It was great meeting both of you and I must also mention that you guys were extraordinarily nice and easy to deal with despite the "hiccup". Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you back at the Absolute Paradise. Stu and Michelle

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Great Place

Guest: Jason (Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/15/12 Review Submitted: 02/22/12

What a great property. My 3 boys had a great time with the manatees everyday. Tiki Hut is a beautiful part of the property and it was used everyday. Inside the house was clean and up to date. We will return again. Fish in the area was great.

Owner response:Jason and Family, Thanks so much for staying and we hope to see you all back again soon. Stu and Michelle

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.

Absolute Paradise, Key Largo, Florida

Guest: Lee (Plainville, Connecticut)
Date of Stay: 01/01/12 Review Submitted: 01/29/12

What a great way to start off the New Year. Two weeks was wonderful! The location of your property was convenient and having the use of the pontoon boat made the fishing experience really fun. I found the dock so comfortable and relaxing while waiting for the manatees to visit. We enjoyed the area restaurants that were close to the home and took advantage of cooking and entertaining on the patio. Thank you for sharing your home.

Owner response:Lee, Peter and Family, Thanks so much! It was great having you all here and hope to see you again in the near future. Stu

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

ABSOLUTELY PARADISE

Guest: char m. (FL)
Date of Stay: 12/18/11 Review Submitted: 01/07/12

Just returned from a wonderful 2 week stay. The property is a great corner lot...huge for the Keys!! This home is so comfortable..the towels are embroidered with Absolute Paradise---Key Largo--(that will give you some insight as to how much the owners care)...very spacious inside...the screened porch was great for dining...outdoor space is fabulous...the hot tub is a perfect place to relax after a day of boating. The pontoon boat is an excellent way to explore the bay. Everytime we went out we saw 15 or more dolphins...amazing! The manatee's came for their daily fresh water sometimes 4 at a time...the babies were the cutest... We thoroughly enjoyed our stay...quiet neighborhood...so relaxing...great location...close to anything you might need...photo's are very accurate and Stu is great-the perfect host. We will return to this property and we highly recommend it to all !! FYI..our security deposit was returned within a couple of days...Thank you Stu

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

Jersey Divers retreat

Guest: Robs (NJ)
Date of Stay: 11/12/11 Review Submitted: 11/26/11

Home was adorable - and just as the pictures looked. Clean, neat, nicely furnished and owner was available and respondant. Easy access to Pennekamp via water (or road). Quiet neighborhood. Grocery store very close, as well as dive shops. Would love to own this ourselves - thanks for everything Stu!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

LOVED THIS PLACE!

Guest: Suzanne Musashe (Winter Park, FL)
Date of Stay: 09/21/11 Review Submitted: 09/28/11

Stu, We just returned from our fabulous family week in the Keys! My husband, myself, grown son and girlfriend really enjoyed ourselves. There was so much to do at your place, we ran out of time. The boat rental was so nice to hop on and off and tour the sound. I have a couple beautiful sunset pictures from one evening cruise. On two different occasions we saw at least 15 dolphins right by the boat playing and jumping. What a sight! We never did get to try the jacuzzi but the tiki hut was so comfortable to sit with a drink and relax. Your place was spotless and everything was exactly as advertised. You were so helpful on the phone with my couple questions. We had two manatees come up to the dock for some fresh water and petting on two different afternoons. I only wish my grandson would have been there to enjoy it. Our two little dogs loved the fenced yard and our yorkie especially enjoyed the boat rides! On our last day while packing she hopped in the boat instead of the car. Amy Slate Amoray Dive Center is just around the corner which made it so convenient for our many dives. We have gone there for years and they take good care of us so it was nice to be so close. I highly recommend your place and we will be back hopefully soon!!! Thanks for sharing your place with us!! Suzanne

Owner response:Suzanne, I'm so glad to hear you all had a great time. Thanks for sharing your experience and hope to see you again soon. Stu

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing.

Another great stay!

Guest: Peter H. (Scottish Highlands)
Date of Stay: 08/27/11 Review Submitted: 10/09/11

Third time at Stu,s "paradise" and every bit as good as the previous two. Stu has made a few little improvements and added some nice touches to the home. We used the boat every day and I think actually caught fish every day also, which my brother-in-law was really pleased about as he currently lives in Vienna and therefore gets few opportunities to enjoy his favourite hobby. Again very relaxing and laid back, with bbq,s outside every day (even ate a few of the sea trout we had caught!) Saw pods of dolphins on at least 5 of our voyages.Made good use of the kayak again and the pool was great to cool off in after a hot afternoon in the boat. Got our usual visits again from the manatees and treated them to some of their favourite tap water from the hose! We will be back again Stu, but next time a little later in the year, as we did find the mosquitos more of a nuisance than before (they particularly liked the taste of my brother-in-law and I) I did hear a few locals complaining they were worse than usual due to the long dry spell followed by some heavy rains, so if you can fix the weather for us Stu, that would be great ;)

Owner response:Peter, thanks so much staying again, and for the nice review. I assume that the previous review was from your sister. Thank you both so much and glad to hear that everyone had a great time. See you next year.

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

Really wonderful stay

Guest: None (Vienna, Austria)
Date of Stay: 08/27/11 Review Submitted: 09/17/11

Second stay, this time brought hubby along. Lovely place without question, loads to do, sheer relaxation. Can't understand why more more overseas visitors haven't picked up on this haven but perhaps that is really good for us. The 'bugs' were annoying at this time of year but the villa is lovely, the locals great, the owner attentive and the fishing consistent! We even got to eat some sea trout. Need nothing but clothes and food! Thanks Stu.

Owner response:Thank you all for coming back and enjoying my place. I hope to see all of you again soon. And thanks again for the Whiskey and chocolate. :)

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

Don't let the fact that it's a mobile home deter you!

Guest: Shannon (Milton, FL)
Date of Stay: 07/10/11 Review Submitted: 04/08/12

I just realized I never left a review for our outstanding stay last July. We were hesitant to book this place because its a mobile home....but when you walk in, with the wood floors and high ceilings you would never know! You won't find another property offering this much bang for your buck. We rented the boat, add to that the use of a kayak, paddle boat, pool, hot tub, fooze ball table, the tikki hut...a shed full of misc items you might require. We had a wonderful relaxing trip. We really only spent 2 days of the week exploring by land, the rest of our time was spent enjoying the property and tooling around in the boat (scuba diving!) The outdoor shower is an added plus. We also saw the alligator and manatees right at the dock. I'm thinking we might book it again for a longer trip next summer. If you forced me to complain about something, I will say be careful on the new tile in the sunroom. I ran through to grab a camera and I was wet....and down I went. We called the owner and he said he would see about installing some nonskid rugs. Oh, and a small outdoor fridge would have been nice for our drinks but we solved that problem by filling up the ice chest. :) Thanks again! The kids are still talking about what a great trip it was! TIP: If you plan to rent tanks to dive, check prices. We went to the flashiest scuba shop first and they wanted a hefty deposit on each one and wouldn't accept american express. We went to a shop literally next door and didn't pay a deposit and the price was better!

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

Just what we needed

Guest: Russ (Orange Beach, Alabama)
Date of Stay: 07/03/11 Review Submitted: 07/12/11

Stu, We had a great time at your place. We had everything we needed and thankyou for your personal insight on where to go in boat and resturants we will be sure to tell freinds and family to come here. Russ, jayne, Johnny and Beth

Owner response:Russ, It was great meeting everyone. I hope to see you all back soon. Take care, Stu

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

excellent

Guest: Maria & William (Cutler Bay, Florida)
Date of Stay: 06/12/11 Review Submitted: 06/18/11

Thank you Stu and Michelle for letting us stay at your wonderful paradise! We loved it and enjoyed every part of it.

Recommended for:

Relaxed, laid back, everything you need.

Guest: Robert (Atlanta)
Date of Stay: 06/02/11 Review Submitted: 06/29/11

Stu has a great spot. He was great to rent from and we will go back again. Didn't get the boat from him but will next time. Great location and the Tiki Hut outside is a great place to enjoy the day. Can't go wrong with Absolute Paradise.

Owner response:Thanks Robert. Hope to see you next year! Stu

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Great place to stay

Guest: n/a (Millbrook, AL)
Date of Stay: 05/25/11 Review Submitted: 06/03/11

My wife and I stayed here and had the best vacation ever. Saw the manatees almost every day. Fishing was great right off the dock. Private and very relaxed environment. The owner was easy to work with and very helpful. We will definitely be staying here again on our next trip to Key Largo.

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

Absolutely Incredible !!!

Guest: Dave (Alton, KS)
Date of Stay: 05/23/11 Review Submitted: 07/16/11

This will be our third year staying at this beautiful Paradise. We usually stay for two weeks every summer or spring and wish we didn't have to go home. The home is beautifully furnished, and has an well equipped kitchen. The pictures and descriptions are very accurate. Stu always works hard to make sure we have everything we need. Our vacation seems to be important to him and we appreciate that. Everything we need is close by, grocery stores, banks, etc. There are many restaurants nearby and plenty accessible by boat which is a great experience. Anything else you want to know just ask Stu, he was a great help and we will be back for a fourth time next year. Loved it !!!

Owner response:Dave, We love having you stay every year. Thanks for the good review. Take care. Stu

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Another great trip to Paradise!

Guest: Pete Wheeler (Valrico, FL)
Date of Stay: 05/01/11 Review Submitted: 05/25/11

My brothers and I (5 of us) discussed where to head for our annual "brothers trip" and the resounding answer was Absolute Paradise! This is the third year we have stayed here and Stu keeps adding to the place. The new fish cleaning station works beautifully - and the paddle boat and kayak give you access to the mangroves. Nice to return from a day of fishing and have a pool to dive into and cool off in. Love it here - spent alot of time under the Tiki Hut just relaxing - both in the morning before we did anything and in the evening winding down. Love this place!

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

Spring Break (Easter) 2011

Guest: Vic (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 04/20/11 Review Submitted: 05/09/11

Just returned from 10 days at Absolute Paradise and have nothing negative to say. The property was exactly as described as well as very clean and well organized. The outdoor space was fantastic and we spent as much time there as possible. We also rented the pontoon boat for the duration of our stay, and took it out most days to Florida Bay. The water there is beautiful and clear. We also came across a bottle nose dolphin one day which my teenage daughter and her friend considered the highlight of their trip. Unfortunately we didn't see any Manatee during our visit, but maybe next time. We also never had the chance to meet Stu in person, but he made sure all of our needs were taken care ofm and If we decide to return to the Keys in the future we will not hesitate to return to Absolute Paradise.

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

Wonderful Stay

Guest: Jacklyn (New York)
Date of Stay: 04/12/11 Review Submitted: 04/21/11

My husband, myself, and my 14month old son just returned from a wonderful stay in Paradise! The house was beautiful, clean, and had everything you needed available. We spent the morning enjoying our breakfast in the screen porch looking at the passing boats, and then the afternoon on the pontoon boat doing some exploring and fishing. Then it was back to the house for a swim in the pool.or a surprise visit from the manittees. Then we would sit under.the hut in the shade and enjoy the breeze. At night it was as if we had our own mini resort, we would light the tiki torches and turn on the lights on the Tiki bar and enjoy sitting outside playing cards and relaxing. We were so excited to have found this location, and hope to return soon.

Owner response:Jacklyn, Glad to hear that you ejoyed our home. We hope to see you again soon. Stu and Michelle

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

An extraordinary vacation home

Guest: Susan (Menlo Park, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 03/27/11

We just returned from a week of vacation at this wonderful vacation home, one of our very best vacations. I am extremely glad that we chose this home instead of so many other condos available in the area. This home is at a corner lot (cul de sac), so you get the privacy in the front, and what's best is the back of the house where it's at the T section of the canal with a very large outdoor area. We love the screened patio room as that's where we eat our breakfast and dinner, it's so very refreshing and relaxing to enjoy the tropical breeze while eating your dinner; or you can choose to sit under the tiki hut and enjoy the nice weather all day!! Pull the chairs away from the hut and you can get a tan without leaving home. When you are ready to go out, hop on the pontoon boat and go explore the places where only boat can get you there. With the help of Stu (owner), we went to some of the exquisite places you wouldn't have been able to get to by car. We took the boat out everyday and experienced the morning, mid-day, mid-afternoon, sunset, and evening on water. It's absolutely a paradise. This rental home has a very good floor plan where the two bedrooms are separated by the living room and kitchen in the middle. Each bedroom has its own bathroom, shower and tub. While Key Largo has a very long list of restaurants, we opted to cook and eat in, 5 nights out of the 7 nights. The kitchen is very workable, and there is a gas grill outside as well. There is a Winn Dixie supermarket less than 3 minutes driving and we got pretty much everything we needed (except local seafood, where we went to the Key Largo Fisheries, mile marker 100 on a side street; this is where the local fishing boats come in with their freshly caugh fish, lobster, scallops, shrimps. If you love fresh seafood and want to do your own cooking, this is the place to go). Having the boat available also allowed us to go out for dinner with the boat. There are plenty of restaurants by the water, so it was very nice to go out around sunset for dinner. If we come back to the Keys, we will stay here again. Key Largo is a great location because it's 1 hour from the Miami airport, and it's definitely more relaxing than Key West (very commercialized and has a very different feel it. Thank you Stu and Michelle for all your help, we had a wonderful time and hope to come back! - Susan, Jim, and Jennifer (California)

Owner response:Wow, thank you so much for the excellent review. It was also great meeting all three of you and glad to hear that you had such a nice time. I do look forward to having you return. Thanks a million! Stu and Michelle

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

absolute paradise

Guest: Seasoned Traveler (usa)
Date of Stay: 03/02/11 Review Submitted: 03/27/11

This was our 2nd Feb there and we had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect high 70s- low 80s. Im ready to go back,I miss my lounge chair under the tikihut. This was my favorite spot read a few books and enjoyed watching boats going by. We had such a great time we are going back next Feb. We went to a few local rest. Especially liked upper crust pizza, pilot house and ship wrecks. Happy hour is a good time to visit, drinks are usually cheaper. Husband went fishing a few times and had a great time, even won the pool on one of the trips. We would differently recommend this place, except in Feb because thats when we will be there. Stu and Michele are very nice and help to make your stay pleasant. This time we even meet there very nice children. Stay well Barb

Owner response:Barb and Artie, It's always a pleasure to have you stay. Thanks for sharing your experience and can't wait to see you guys again next year. Stu and Michelle

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

Great vacation

Guest: Luzma (Port St.Lucie Fl.)
Date of Stay: 03/02/11 Review Submitted: 03/08/11

Absolute Paradise is a paradise. We enjoyed every minute of our 3 days stay. Clean, comfortable, private and cozy house with a wonderful Tiki Bar where we spent a lot of time drinking and enjoying the view. Michelle and Stu were very helpful . We will be back.

Owner response:Luzma, Thanks so much for staying. Next time you will have to stay longer to take in all of the sites and beauty that Key Largo has to offer. Take care, Stu

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners.

Great place to stay and see manatees!

Guest: Stephanie (Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 01/22/11 Review Submitted: 02/06/11

We just got home from Florida and we had a great week at Absolute Paradise. The home was a bit small being a trailer home, but the lot was spacious and gave the kids lots of room to run around! We had manatees at the dock side many times and we were able to pet them and feed them from our hands - they love fresh water and lettuce! We also saw a crocodile swim by three times, which made us a little nervous, but the biologist at Theater of the Sea said they are very docile and we had nothing to worry about! This property is in a great location and we rented the pontoon and took that out a few times, which was very convenient! The hot tub was a nice asset since it was a little on the chilly side when we were there. We didn't use the pool since it was not heated and a little cool in January! Overall, we had a great time and we would stay there again!

Owner response:So glad you enjoyed your stay. See you next year! Stu and Michelle

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Very Nice Time!

Guest: 4 of Us (Reston, VA)
Date of Stay: 01/15/11 Review Submitted: 02/03/11

My husband and two elementary aged kids had a great time here. The location was wonderful. We had manatees visit the dock one morning and spotted dolphins out in the sound. Rent the boat! It is great! Be prepared to hit the Winn Dixie down the road for things like paper towels and trash bags. Also, if you have kids, check out Jacob's Aquatic Center down the road at Key Largo Community Park. Wonderful time there. Stu was a great communicator. We hope to be back!

Owner response:Leigh, thanks so much for staying and glad to hear that you had a good time. Hope to see you back soon. Stu and Michelle

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Absolute Paradise Sept 2010

Guest: Peter H. (Scottish Highlands)
Date of Stay: 09/16/10 Review Submitted: 10/05/10

Our second stay at this lovely place! We thought it was great last time, and hoped this time would be the same, but it was actually better. Stu has made a few additions which all made for an even nicer time there. He now has a boat available for rent which was fantastic (we used it most days) and very reasonably priced. I looked into renting one last time there (2 yrs ago) and the same spec boat was renting for 3 to 4 times the cost! He now has a bigger pool which is fantastic to cool off in after an afternoons fishing on the boat, and in addition to the 2 man canoe he now also has a pedalo which although we did,nt use, I,m sure would be great fun for kids. The outside Jaccuzi/hot-tub was so relaxing, and great to sit in with a tall drink in the evening watching the stars at night. There is so much outdoor space and pretty much everything you want is there. I could say so much more but its all been said in previous reviews, needless to say we will be back again next year! Thanks again Stu, look forward to seeing you next year.

Owner response:Peter and Anne, Thanks for the comment and thanks again for your help. It was greatly appreciated. Stu and Michelle

Recommended for:

Absolute Paradise - August 2010

Guest: Jill & Ron (St Louis, MO)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 09/23/10

We enjoyed every minute of our stay. Clean, comfortable, private. I would advise all to rent the pontoon as it provides so much additional entertainment. (Jay was very helpful in boat instruction if you've never owned a boat.) The neighborhood manatees came by daily - five in all and they seemed to love the attention. Fish were abundant and could even be seen from the dock--love the underwater light. We'd like to thank Stu and his wife for sharing their little paradise with us and we hope to return. Ron & Jill

Owner response:Jill and Ron, thank you so much for great comment. Hope to see you again soon. Stu and Michelle

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, sightseeing.

Chillin at Absolute Paradise

Guest: Donna (Dallas PA)
Date of Stay: 08/14/10 Review Submitted: 09/09/10

Absolute Paradise, Our 1st stay in Key Largo that was not a hotel. My husband booked it, looked great online, and I must say it was...Had a wonderful vacation, relaxing, adventurous, we will be back. Something I was wondering about was the sheets and towels. And It was just like a hotel, a lot of nice white towels and even an extra set of sheets.You may want to bring a beach towel. We went out a few nights but we loved hangin out under the tiki hut, it was so relaxing. We had visits from the Iguana and Manatees. No Croc for us and that was fine with me. Guess it was too hot! And the light in the water was very cool. Stu and Michelle sure thought of everything. The boat was a big highlight for my husband and kids. So glad Stu gave my husband some tips on where to go. We had a great vacation, Thanks Stu & Michelle

Owner response:Scott and Family, Thank you so much for the great review. Hope to see you again next year. Stu and Michelle

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

FUN FAMILY TIME

Guest: Tammi (Virginia)
Date of Stay: 07/25/10 Review Submitted: 07/15/11

my husband and our 4 boys (19,17,15,10) stayed the week at Absolute Paradise and had a GREAT time...my only negative - beware of the mosquitos (but I believe that is par for the course in FL) The property is well maintained and clean. No problems at all with the house or the boat. There is plenty to do nearby.

Owner response:Tammi, I'm glad to hear you had a GREAT time. I hope to see you and the boys back again soon.

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

Really Paradise

Guest: Robyn (Columbia, SC)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10 Review Submitted: 10/27/10

This was our first trip to Key Largo. We pulled up to the house and were just so excited to check everything out! You really have to see this place to understand the absolute joy this place will give you. We were absolutely at peace from the moment we arrived. We sat out under the tiki hut from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. The cool breezes under the shade of the tiki hut will put you right to sleep. While we were there, we grilled out, swam in the pool, relaxed in the jacuzzi, and used the boat to take a trip out on the beautiful clear blue ocean. While we relaxed under the tiki hut, we saw the manatee's and the alligator (which came out at night). The day before we left was a sad day, we really just wanted to stay forever. I can't wait to go back, I think about this place all the time. Stu, was an awesome help. If we needed him he was always there, a phone call away. His friend gave us some dining tips on where to eat. We really didn't go out that much, we just didn't want to leave the house. I would recommend this place to anyone who needs some relaxation! Plus, the owner is very trustworthy and great to work with.

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

Absolute R&R Haven

Guest: DOC (SOUTHERN PINES, NC, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/02/10 Review Submitted: 07/21/11

IWe've been going to this property consistently since 2005 (when they began listing). After a long deployment it was a welcome site back then, and continues to get better each and every time. With more amneties (pool big plus for those young at heart & kids including the Pontoon), during our trips there has never been a need for another location. The upgrades and remodeling both inside and out have allowed everyone who visits with us to enjoy the property while having their own space to have fun or sit back and just relax while sipping a Pina Colada or your favorite libation. Their is something for everyone here including the proximety to Any cuisine one may desire. This is an Oasis any time of the year and definately a place we have refered family & friends to consistently. Stu and his partner are always on top of the smallest thing and go out of their way to ensure your stay is nothing less than Outstanding as well as Excellent hosts 24x7. Col T

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

Fun times!! You will love this place.

Guest: Laura (Naperville, IL)
Date of Stay: 06/02/10 Review Submitted: 06/26/10

We're a family of four and this is the second time we've stayed at Absolute Paradise. The first time was Spring 2009 for our SCUBA Open Water certification at Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. We just loved staying at Paradise. There was plenty of room to spread out in, especially to dry all our equipment. This is SO much better than a hotel room. Our favorite activity was spending time outside in the Tiki hut playing the ring game. We saw iguanas, manatees, and even an endangered American crocodile swimming in the canal. We returned in June 2010 for more diving. This time we rented the pontoon boat from Stu. It was a great addition to our adventure here. We had a lot of fun exploring some nearby keys with sandy beaches and going out at sunset. We could cool off on the boat and also in the pool. Inside, the house was comfortably air conditioned including fans in every room. We took full advantage of the Wi-Fi. We used the Redbox ($1 DVD movie rental) by Winn-Dixie for our night time entertainment. A couple of notes about our stay. We've found that reading the reviews by other visitors really helps us understand what the place would be like. (That's why we included the boat this time). When we stay here we buy our food at Winn-Dixie (get the rewards card for free) which is less than a mile away. We eat breakfast & some lunches at the house -- dinner is usually out. Another thing we like about Key Largo is the large selection of restaurants -- mostly individually owned and not "chain restaurants." On the Atlantic side we enjoyed Snappers -- sitting outside and the Pilot House, again dining outside with their glass bottom floor over the water. Along US 1, we had good pizza at Upper Crust and enjoyed our "T.J. Style" fresh fish of the day at Mrs. Mac's Kitchen -- lots of atmosphere. On the bay side, the Mexican food at Senor Frijoles was OK-- outside with sunset. We didn't get to Sundowners this year, but last spring we enjoyed eating outside, with live entertainment and a beautiful sunset over Florida Bay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Nap & Relaxion Boot Camp!

Guest: Sharkman (Orlando, Florida)
Date of Stay: 05/17/10 Review Submitted: 05/28/10

Living in Central Florida and working for Corporate America equals stress! In need of a vacation my roommate and I decided we would vacation in Key Largo for a week. We've been down there many times with groups of Scuba Divers for extended weekends and we're familiar with the area. My Internet search found Absolute Paradise...the name says it all!!! We rented the property and boat for a week. The house was clean and well equipped with everything except food, beverage and personal effects. The boat was great for the bay area so, we took it under the bridge and went to Dog Beach were we relaxed sitting in knee deep clear blue water (just add favorite beverage) for hours. We enjoyed a visit from a beautiful baby 18"to 20" Black Tip Reef Shark while sitting in the warm blue waters of this beach. Later that evening we were eating on the patio when a 5' Crocodile swam by...well, of course we walked out to the waters edge...Croc stopped, looked at us for 10-15 seconds then kept going...Wow! what a week with all the natural beauty and wild life, perfect tempretures, quiet day & nights, relaxing and learning how nice an afternoon nap under the Tiki Hut can spoil a man in hours...again, just add favorite beverage! I will be back again & again! Many Thanks to Stu of Absolute Paradise.

Owner response:Sean and David, Thanks for staying and glad everyone had a great time. You were a pleasure to work with and would love to have you come back. Say hello to Logan and Toby. Stu

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

Guest: The Kennedys2 (Salt Lake City, UT)
Date of Stay: 03/23/10 Review Submitted: 03/23/10

Our daughter goes to school in Florida and we went for her spring break and 21st birthday. Our first day there, which was also her birthday, Stu couldn't meet with us to instruct on how to use the boat. He knew it was her birthday, so he made special arrangements to have someone else meet with us so we could use the boat that afternoon. He went out of his way and we really appreciated all he did to accommodate us. Using the boat was incredible and totally worth it to explore the area and just float around...although it was hard to leave the property. There is so much to do right there and we loved just hanging out. The location is fantastic, the property itself, great diving facilities and areas, restaurants, and a grocery store just down the street. We have not had a family vacation for many years and this trip met and exceeded our expectations and left us with memories we will have forever. Thanks Serrots.

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Guest: Bethany Reese (Charlotte, NC 28217)
Date of Stay: 03/12/10 Review Submitted: 03/12/10

I can not say enough about how great is was staying here. Very Relaxing!!! It was everything that was advertised and more.

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Guest: Brenda63 (Kansas City, MO)
Date of Stay: 02/12/10 Review Submitted: 02/12/10

We had such a great time. Stu was amazing and gave us some great information about where to take the boat to find shells, places to eat and things to see. Honestly though, we were happy most days just being in the back yard (which is very well thought out). Saw manatees in the canal right off the back of the house. Great spot - we'll be back!

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Relax, Rewind, Repeat

Guest: jotravy (Vancouver)
Date of Stay: 02/10/10 Review Submitted: 06/21/11

Amazing time had, super relaxed, great area, manatees daily, fishing off the dock, sleeping in a hammock. After all this time for some beers and rest after all this work. Would go back in a heartbeat.

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

Guest: Michelle 23 (Kansas City, MO)
Date of Stay: 02/05/10 Review Submitted: 02/05/10

We had such a great time. Stu was very informative and took the time to fill us in on places we coult take the boat to and restaurants to check out. The outside space is amazing! So much to do between the boats, pool, hot tub, or just laying in the hammock. What you see is what you get. Great place and we plan to go back!

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everything was exactly like the pictures and more! everything was clean and well maintained!

Guest: Seasoned Traveler (usa)
Date of Stay: 02/03/10 Review Submitted: 03/24/10

my husband Artie & I spent the month of Feb 2010 in Absolute Paradise. It was one of the best times we had. we missed lots of cold & snow, replaced it with fun & sun!we enjoyed hanging out under the tiki hut the furniture was comfy ,one of my favorite place to read my book.we really enjoyed time on the party boat it sure is beautiful out on the water! hilite of trip was daily manetee visits.They even had babies with them. Stu & michele were very helpfull with finding our way around. Our favorite places to eat were the hideout for great breakfasts & pilot house for drinks and food.( has glass floor for view of fish). Well we had such a nice time we are going back next Feb! Is it February yet!!!

Owner response:Thank you so much Barbara and Artie. Looking forward to have you back next year. Stu and Michelle

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

Guest: Ellen Campbell1 (Orchard Park, NY)
Date of Stay: 01/31/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/10

Unbelievable!!! This was the best vacation we have ever had. We did not want to leave the deck/Tiki hut area. The boat was a major plus using it to explore the Everglades and see all of the wildlife. Also we pulled up to local dockside restaurants for dinner. The owner(s) are very easy to work with and very quick and informative when responding to emails. Thanks Stu for a great vacation!!!

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Guest: Ellen Cambell (Orchard Park, NY)
Date of Stay: 01/31/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/10

Unbelievable!!! This was the best vacation we have ever had. We did not want to leave the deck/Tiki hut area. The boat was a major plus using it to explore the Everglades and see all of the wildlife. Also we pulled up to local dockside restaurants for dinner. The owner(s) are very easy to work with and very quick and informative when responding to emails. Thanks Stu for a great vacation!!!

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Guest: Henry Halem (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 12/26/09 Review Submitted: 12/26/09

We just recently returned from our trip and wanted to share what a great time we had at Stu and Michelle's vacation home. They call it the "Absolute Paradise" it they named it right. When we arrived, we were greeted with three manatees at the sea wall. It appeared to be a family with two adults and a child. We spent most of our time under the large Tiki hut where we enjoyed watching the fish and other wild life. There were numerous types of birds and a large iquana that visited from time to time. The manatees also revisited us and we would spray water in their mouths with the hose. They couldn't get enough. We used the boat to explore the everglades which was incredible. We also spent a lot of time at a secluded beach on an island which was about a 30 minute boat ride that Stu told us about. We packed the cooler and had a blast. The price was right and overall it was one of the best vacations we have ever had. We are planning on coming back next year.

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Guest: Tiffany22 (Pinehurst, NC)
Date of Stay: 10/22/09 Review Submitted: 10/22/09

We stayed at Absolute Paradise for the second year in a row in October. Everything was as great as we remembered it from last year. It also looked like Stu did a few updates as well. You can beat the location, easy access to the bay or the ocean, room for your own boat, room for your trailer, etc. The outdoor living in incredible and it's all yours. We will come here for years to come and you should too! It's the perfect Keys getaway!

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Guest: Stephen Potts (Coventry, West Midlands)
Date of Stay: 07/28/09 Review Submitted: 07/28/09

My girlfriend and I stayed here for a week in early July with my teenage daughter and her friend. We had a fabulous time and thoroughly enjoyed the property. The layout of the home is great with the two bedrooms at opposite ends of the building allowing total privacy with seperate bathrooms. We spent many an hour lazing under the tikki hut and watching the world go by very slowly. it's extremely peaceful and very private. We didn't use the hot tub but were delighted to find a temporary swimming pool which was great to chill in. We took the opportunity of using Stu's pontoon boat for the week which made an amazing difference to the holiday and I would highly recommend it. The girls described it as the 'floating sofa'. Stu dropped in to show us the boat and was very friendly and shared lots of useful information which enhanced our time there. We took the boat out most days and found a couple of restaurants where we could pull up on the dock and eat. We often just stopped in the middle of nowhere and just swam. We saw various wildlife including a huge Iguana and a small shark. In fact Stu had told us to look out for a small crocodile which often cruised down the canal at 7.10 pm. I thought he was joking but sure enough it passed at 7.12pm. We drove one day to Miami and another to Key West where we went on a snorkelling trip. We ate out at a couple of restauarants nearby. Our favourite being 'The Pilot House' which has glass under the bar area where you can sit and watch the fish and there are some big Tarpon! Little plastic tubes through the bar allow you to feed them oats. It's also a great place to meet the locals. We are definitely planning to return. Thank you Stu for sharing your home with us.

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Guest: Nancy Hammel (Clay Center, KS)
Date of Stay: 05/26/09 Review Submitted: 05/26/09

We just returned from Key Largo and we enjoyed our time at Absolute Paradise. Everything was clean and the unit was spacious enough to entertain dinner guests. We very much appreciated the most prompt return of our security deposit and the prompt response to our phone call when we had a very slight problem. If we return to Key Largo, we'll certainly stay at Absolute Paradise again.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/25/09 Review Submitted: 05/25/09

We had a EZ-load/tilt trailer and were surprised we could launch and load the 17-ft boat in the yard. The property is just like it appears in the pictures. A friend and I stayed during NOV08. I sat on the canal porch every morning with coffee and watched the coconut trees sway in the breeze. Manatee every day. That was a major treat (even a mother with a small calf). It does take about 20min of running the boat to get to the Ocean Side, but it is all postcard picture quality. Twice on the way out, we saw live Iguanas on the rocks so keep eyes peeled. Also, if you are a diver, you pass by the John Pennenkamp Park dive shop, on the water (can fill tanks there with a C-Card). Stu, I am sorry I did not write this sooner, but it is heart-felt. Enjoyed it very much. Oh, wonderful, strong wireless network available at the property, inside and out, 24-7. Spacious dock for the boat.

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Guest: Christian Johnston (Burton, MI)
Date of Stay: 04/22/09 Review Submitted: 04/22/09

Incredible!!! We were expecting to have a great time and the Absolute Paradise far exceeded our expections. We saw numerous wildlife such as many Manatees, Iguanas, native Birds and fish including Snook, and rolling tarpon. All this while relaxing under the large Tiki Hut, enjoying music and having a few drinks. WE WILL BE BACK!!!

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Guest: Tami Biordi (Round Lake Heights, IL)
Date of Stay: 02/11/09 Review Submitted: 02/11/09

We just returned from this outstanding piece of paradise at the end of January and I am looking into dates to return next year. What a wonderfully relaxing place to be. I absolutely fell in love with the manatees! What a great experience. There are some great places to eat near by or you can grill fresh fish right at the house. I cannot say enough good things about this place. I look forward to our return.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/19/09 Review Submitted: 01/19/09

We had a wonderful time in Key Largo and were very pleased with the house "Absolute Paradise". Exotic and quiet environment allowed us to enjoy the sun and relax. We can absolutely recommend this house - You will not be disappointed!

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Guest: Nick20 (Wichita Kansas)
Date of Stay: 01/05/09 Review Submitted: 01/05/09

I would highly recommend Stu's Condo. Was there for the Homestead Race and it's idealy located both to Miami and the Key's. Clean accomadation with hot tub, BBQ Grill, bar, new wood patio deck. Doesn't get any better. Large lot and peacefull. Perfect for your next get a way.

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Guest: Rosalind Swan (Summerville, SC)
Date of Stay: 12/16/08 Review Submitted: 12/16/08

Thanks! We had a really good time and loved your place. The manatees came around to see us everyday and my 5 year old niece practically lived in the hot tub. We hope to be able to come down again sometime. Thanks for everything!

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