Vacation Rentals by Owner

Nice Condo in a Great Area !!

Guest: Ryan (Pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 06/26/11

We were guests in this condo from June 11-18. Condo is in a great area of Key West which is very close to Duval St, Fort Zachary Beach, and all of the action. When we arrived at the Condo we found it had not been cleaned so we immediately contacted Richard who scheduled the condo to be fully cleaned the next day. Richard was concerned that the cleaning wasn't done and did his best to take care of the problem immediately. Overall, I didn't consider this a problem...as we were on the beach and out while the condo was cleaned the following day. We would certainly stay at the condo again and will likely call Richard next year to book again. Its very nice having the washer/dryer along with refrigerator in the condo. The Shipyard pool is very nice and perfect for a day away from the beach. We found the condo to be a great deal compared to any of the hotels in Key West.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Memorable 25th Anniv.!!

Guest: KW bound! (Northern Florida)
Date of Stay: 06/02/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

I realize this review is much later than our trip, but this summer proved to be the busiest yet. We enjoyed our stay at Richard's property and wouldn't hesitate to book again. Learning the parking situation was a little tricky but one call to Richard and things were fine. Any communication with him was comfortable and entertaining. Great sense of humor. I checked a lot of properties prior to this booking and even looked them up while we were "jet setting" on our scooter around the island. So glad we chose the location we did! It is, in fact, in walking distance of so much. We brought our own scooter and bikes and used both when we wanted to venture our farther or scoot up to Publix. The condo neighborhood is quiet and the neighbors are friendly. The chickens and roosters are charming! I did not care for the "beach"at Ft. Zachary State Park. Those are not just rocks in the sand, more like mini-boulders! Now, I know KW is not a beach destination but it's worth the drive to the other beach. Most of the restaurants were fine. We alternated between cooking a few meals at the condo or dining out. We especially like Schooner's Wharf and there was a new one called Babalou (spelling?). Excellent Mahi-Mahi sandwich. Kermit's key lime cheesecake was great BUT still enjoyed Key Lime Factory on Front Street just a tad more! YOU MUST eat at Blue Heaven. Just a couple blocks from the Annex and breakfast is well, "heavenly". Never got back for dinner. I guess we just have to come back! You don't have to indulge to enjoy the night life. However, it was hard to pass up some of the speciality drinks at these most colorful and downright awesome bars and eateries! The musical talent at all these places is amazing as well. We tried a couple touristy things to do. Went with Fury for sunset cruise. The night we went was one of the few we could actually see the sun set and there was unlimited champaigne! Need I say more. What a way to celebrate 25 years of marriage! We tried the kayak/snorkel trip with the clear kayaks. I can't remember, but I thought it was called Big Cat. Two young guys run it. Not sure how the cost pp compares with service but we still had a good time. Snacks provided were a little peculiar but after all, we did pay for snorkeling and kayaking. Mallory Square is a must every night as something is always different. Richard said this was not just Southern Florida. KW is a in a world of its own. Can't wait to go back!!

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic!

Guest: Reid (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 05/21/11

This was our first trip to Key West and this condo unit was the perfect place in the perfect location. 2 blocks from Duval and right in the middle, Mallory Square was a 20 minute walk to the left and Southern Most was a 20 minute walk to the right. We arrived on Sat. and once we picked up some groceries, I returned the car on Sunday and never needed one the rest of the week. The booking process was very smooth and the directions and getting the keys was flawless. The unit was very clean and well kept. The whole Truman Annex area is fantastic. Very secure and quiet. The pool was very nice with plenty of chairs and the friendliest people. Having filtered water was a real plus and even though we didn't use the grill (too many dining out options) it was nice to have one available. We're both now infected with Keys disease and would book this unit again without hesitation for our next stay. Thank you!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Pefect

Guest: Kathy (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11 Review Submitted: 04/27/11

We've been to KW at least 10x. By far, the Truman Annex is the best place to stay if you are looking for safety, location, and peace and quiet. The kitchen is equipped with everything you need to make light meals. There is a nice pool in the complex that has lots of chairs and umbrellas. This very clean condo is conveniently located 2 blocks from Duval, and a 15 minute walk to the harbor. Things to do: Mallory Square (where everyone gathers to see the sunset and street entertainers) is also a 15 minute walk. If you take a taxi from the airport (approx. $20 each way) you do not need to rent a car at all, unless you want to day trip up to other keys. Fort Zachary Taylor is about 20 min. walk, or an easy bike ride away. Within this gated community is President Truman’s White House, that has a nice tour. We love to take one of the schooners or catamaran rides out of the harbor to kayak and snorkel. There is so much to do in KW that one week is never enough. Try to walk over to The Blue Heaven for a relaxed and delicious breakfast (2 blocks away on Thomas St.). blueheavenkw.com • We haven’t had dinner there yet, but we hear it’s also wonderful. Can’t wait to go back to this wonderful paradise!

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

Great condo and location

Guest: Stuart J. (Newport, RI)
Date of Stay: 01/15/11 Review Submitted: 02/15/11

The condo is located at the centrally located part of Key West called the Truman Annex and, in particular, the "Shipyard" section of it. It's a nice complex with plenty of parking and nice amenities like a pool. Everything is within walking distance since you're essentially located in the middle of Key West, a walk from the infamous watering-holes on Duval St as well as nice shopping and not too far a walk from the beaches. The condo is nice and clean with a queen bed in the single bedroom and two fold-out futon couches that convert into queen size beds-- a nice feature for a family or close friends. About the only "improvement" I could suggest was upgrading the "classic tube" TV set with a modern LED 50" flat screen TV-- a nice to have feature since Key West does get cloudy/rainy days, plus it's nice to have in the evening for relaxation. In short, it's a nice place to stay and look forward to the opportunity to stay there again! :)

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic time at Fanasty Fest

Guest: ANDY (Del Rio, Texas)
Date of Stay: 11/20/10 Review Submitted: 11/03/11

Wife an I stayed here for the week of Fanasty Fest,couldnt ask for a better location,condo was just perfect,met the owner,fantastic man.enjoyed talking with him, cant wait to go back next year again,see ya next year Richard

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Could not have been better

Guest: Brenda (Syracuse, NY)
Date of Stay: 11/13/10 Review Submitted: 11/30/10

This property is fabulous. Excellent location, close to everything. Very clean and well equippped. Would definitely stay here again.

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

Wonderful Vacation

Guest: CJS (Philadelphia)
Date of Stay: 09/06/10 Review Submitted: 09/27/10

We stayed in this condo from Sept 6-11 and had the most wonderful vacation. The apartment is extremely clean and close to all places you will want to visit - 2 blocks away from the center of Duval Street. Everything is in walking distance; not once did we have to take a cab. The pool is very quiet and relaxing and the beach is a little walk, but as close as you can get considering it is a state park. Having a full kitchen and washer/dryer was a big help. I would definitely recommend this condo to any couple or small family. Can't wait to go back!

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

Great Spot

Guest: NCHans (NC)
Date of Stay: 05/07/10 Review Submitted: 05/17/10

My wife and I stayed here last week (May, 2010) and really enjoyed ourselves. The location is perfect (close to everything, yet very peaceful and quiet), and the condo was well maintained and clean. Also, the owner is very friendly and eager to work with renters to insure they get the most out of their stay. We would definitely stay here again if we travel to Key west in the future.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent Location/Really Nice Condo

Guest: Kathy and Jamie (Baton Rouge, LA)
Date of Stay: 11/01/09 Review Submitted: 11/18/09

We have rented this unit for the last two years and will do so again in the future. It's always been clean and fresh when we arrive. The owner is extremely accommodating and fun to talk to. The condo has enough necessities to get you through the first day or so with toilet tissue and paper towels and the ice maker is wonderful. The kitchen is well stocked with dishes, pots and pans, useful utensils. BONUS: the sink has filtered water so you don't have to buy bottled water. There's an abundance of towels and sheets. The W/D allows you to pack fewer clothes, too! The deck is very peaceful and a relaxing place to have your coffee in the mornngs and an early dinner at sunset. The gas grill comes in handy when you just want to eat in for a change, and the microwave works well for all those restaurant leftovers. There are shops and restaurants within a few blocks, as are some really fun bars. The sunset from the Fort behind the Annex is just as awesome as Mallory Square. Security has never been an issue with the condo or our vehicle; we've always felt safe and use common sense as we would anywhere else (lock the doors, lock the vehicle, be observant but not paranoid when walking in dark areas). If you're not inclined to walk a lot, bikes or mopeds are great for getting around since vehicle parking is so limited and the streets so narrow. Cabs are cheap and there are some major grocery stores and liquor stores on N. Roosevelt if you can't find what you need at Fausto's or the corner deli. It's always a fun experience and we highly recomment this condo!

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

Great 8 Day Key West Vacation

Guest: GRW (Ballston Spa, NY)
Date of Stay: 12/05/08 Review Submitted: 06/14/09

Have been to Key West ten times and this unit is in one of the best Old Town locations. Since we did not have a car we rented bikes for the eight days - the best way to get around KW, both day and night. But if you have a car, the unit comes with a designated secure parking space. The unit is in a very safe area and was very clean with a great deck - perfect for happy hour before grilling or going out to eat. The best beach is only a few minute bike ride away. The pool was very nice, too. All the major sights are short bike ride away. The owner was great to work with and I would recommend this condo to anyone. Can't wait to come back! We had a great vacation.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

August 2008, 4-days-stay

Guest: Schaggi (Lisbon, Portugal)
Date of Stay: 08/20/08 Review Submitted: 09/02/08

Condo very good located, very quite and central. Regarding cleaness was it ok, but lots of ants in the bathroom, amenities ok, but nothing to get excited, especially beds. Small swimming-pool. Unfortunately unsafe area, appartement was burglered during our absence. Owners didn't take any responsability. Regarding the price, appartement isn't dialy cleaned, would recommend staying in a B+B.

Owner response:If this renter would have notified me of the ants in the bathroom while there, I would have sent someone to tend to the problem. As for the size of the pool, it services 200 condos in the Shipyard, and I have never had another tenant complain, nor heard complaints about the smallness of the pool while there myself. This is a gated community, so it is certainly not unsafe-providing that the tenant locks the doors. The officer I spoke with confirmed that the 'burglar' simply walked into the condo, and furthermore, this was the first call about a 'break in' that he had ever received in the Shipyard. While we do not offer daily cleaning, and certainly you can get that if you go to a bed and breakfast, we do offer a full kitchen, laundry, private living area and private deck which you do not get at a b and b. Every option has its trade-offs. When the renter notified me of her loss, I offered compensation of two or three extra days at no expense. Insurance does not cover tenant property and it is the tenant's responsibility to lock the doors-at 1700 miles away I can't simply stop by to check the doors each time a tenant goes out.

Recommended for:Age 55+

A Week without Cold or Snow

Guest: gbmw (Buffalo,NY)
Date of Stay: 01/01/08 Review Submitted: 01/22/08

The location was great for walking to all the attractions! If you didn't want to walk a cab ride cost around $5-$6. The condo included items needed for the week. The only problem a well stocked grocery store was not available. If you drive bring your own condiments, papertowels, toilet paper and a few dinner items. It was great that the condo was located close to the gate. My daughters and I did all of the tourist things - Hemmingway's Home, Butterly Conservatory, Light House, Southern most point, Bar Crawl, Haunted walk, sunset @ Mallory Square, Aquarium, Ft. Zachery. We had a ball.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.