Laidback Beach Shack, with a Vintage Retro Vibe & Serene Feel.

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The Laid Back Beach Shack in Key Largo, Florida

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4920 sq ft

Popular amenities

Parking available
Washer
Barbecue grill
Air conditioning
Kitchen
Dryer

Explore the area

Key Largo, FL

Baker's Cay Resort Beach
‪1 min walk‬
Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill
‪2 min drive‬
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
‪6 min drive‬
Ocean Reef Club, FL (OCA)
‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Twin Bed

Family room

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Separate dining area

About this property

Come stay ....The Laid Back Beach Shack will be your home away from home for as long as you want to stay in the Upper Keys.
We welcome you to fall in love with the area's casual atmosphere.

Experience the coziness of an original Conch House from the 50's completely renovated in 2010 to suit all your needs with today's comforts.
Kick back, take off your shoes, and hang out on the deck.
Read a book outside, take a day trip to Key West, or charter a boat for an exciting fishing trip. Do a lot or nothing at all.
Welcome to The Florida Keys!

Keywords: Little escape, original Upper Keys Conch House. Cottage with a water view. great for relaxation, fishing & intimate sunsets. Decorated with an eclectic vintage look, with surprises in every room. We even provide you with fishing poles and a cooler for your outdoor fun time! Charcoal and fuel for the small brick barbecue. Old record player to play 1940's and 50's music, dance in the moonlight on your deck, enjoy the charm of the keys...

Property manager

Elsa or Katrina

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Outdoor Space

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Pool
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Key Largo

Located in Key Largo, this cottage is in the city center. Caribbean Club Bar and Christ of the Abyss are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Jacob's Aquatic Center. MarineLab Undersea Laboratory and Key Largo Hammocks State Botanical Site are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

View more Cottages in Key Largo

Key Largo, FL

What's nearby

Baker's Cay Resort Beach - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill - 2 min drive - 2.0 km
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - 6 min drive - 4.3 km
MarineLab Undersea Laboratory - 6 min drive - 5.2 km
Caribbean Club Bar - 6 min drive - 6.0 km

Getting around

Miami Intl. Airport (MIA) - 79 min drive

Restaurants

‪McDonald's - ‬10 min walk
‪Sharkey's Pub & Galley Restaurant - ‬3 min drive
‪Starbucks - ‬20 min walk
‪Wendy's - ‬17 min walk
‪Snook's Bayside Restaurant - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Laidback Beach Shack, with a Vintage Retro Vibe & Serene Feel. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Laidback Beach Shack, with a Vintage Retro Vibe & Serene Feel.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Laidback Beach Shack, with a Vintage Retro Vibe & Serene Feel.?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Laidback Beach Shack, with a Vintage Retro Vibe & Serene Feel. located?

Located in Key Largo Park, this cottage is 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill and within 3 mi (5 km) of Jacob's Aquatic Center and Lower Sound Point. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Bluefin Rock Harbor Marina are also within 3 mi (5 km).

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly H.

Mar 15, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Step back in time

It was everything we required for our stay in the keys. We have stayed in all kind of homes/condos for the past 7 years around Southern Florida the owners we're helpful and friendly.

Stayed 98 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Don H.

Mar 4, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Laidback beach house

I had a great time staying here. I was able to get a lot of fishing in on the ‘Sailors Choice’ party boat, located less than a mile from the house. I got to know a bunch of old codgers, like me, and had a good time with them. The home fit all of my needs and the owner, Katrina, was very nice to work with. Thanks, Don Hiller

Stayed 93 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen L., Old Saybrook CT

May 11, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous Stay at the Laid Back Shack

I spent four months at the Laid Back Shack, January through April ‘22. It was fabulous! It’s just an adorable house with great outdoor space. Spent many hours reading in the hammock. Great neighborhood and easy access to the Overseas Highway. The owners were always accessible and always got back to me when I contacted them. I highly recommend this house!

Stayed 119 nights in Jan 2022

8/10 Good

Kevin M.

Apr 11, 2018

Super cozy, adorable, retro cottage

This property is so cozy and comfortable but most of all it is so cute! It is filled with antiques in every room that have been so thoughtfully placed and also has everything you would need on a vacation (e.g. beach chairs, beach towels, coolers, etc.). We snorkeled at Pennekamp, fished out of Islamorada, and even drove to Key West for one day--all from this Laidback Beach Shack. The park down the street is a definite bonus. We loved it here!

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Nancy L.

Mar 17, 2018

The Laid Back Beach Shack was the perfect get-away!

Staying here was absolutely wonderful! We were greeted with wine and snacks and a welcome note, and immediately felt at home. The place was clean and well stocked with everything that we could possibly need. I was actually born in Key West, so I really appreciated the vintage island decor. Some of the things I actually recognized from having them in our own home growing up. We chose the location as we really wanted to explore the Everglades on this trip, and it was an easy trip to get there. It was also convenient to stores and restaurants and anything else that we may have needed. We also made our soujourn to Key West for a day, and that was only 2 hours away. Katrina and Elsa were wonderful to deal with and communicated right way to answer any questions. We also loved the private waterfront park right down the street. Everything was fabulous and we hope that our travels will take us there again. Thank you.

Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Joni m.

Mar 24, 2017

Maximum Chill..great vibe...very clean..quiet..fun...great location for jumping off in the Keys!

Came in exhausted from life...this place and the beautiful sunshine of the Florida Keys brought rest and revival to our spirits and souls! The place is so put together, mid-century decorated and cohesive with tons of every day products already stocked and even water bottles ready for the beach! My 2 friends and I LOVED IT!! Katrina was available with a quick response at anytime with answers to questions through email...so accommodating and helpful. Our party of 3 was mostly interested in beaches and sun, but we also wanted to kayak through the canals and bay area...it was fantastic!! You can rent kayaks for 24hrs(from local rental places) ., have them delivered right to the canal by the neighborhood beach(1 1/2 blks away)...and then you're off! Met up with a tribe of manatees in one of the canals plus beautiful birds and wildlife. I would totally recommend this beach house for anyone looking for a place to relax, enjoy the Florida Keys (must have a car), take off on water sports, fishing, boating, kayaking, skiidooing, water skiing...it's everywhere and really close by!! Plus the full kitchen gave us opportunity to cook a nice breakfast each day. Thank you Elsa & Katrina for providing such a sweet retreat for the weary souls of the North!

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Melba T.

Mar 9, 2015

Wonderful Stay in Paradise!

Really enjoyed our stay in the Laid Back Beach Shack! In addition to having every need anticipated and a fun mid-century decor, the location is excellent. A short walk takes you a good fruit market and a tasty lunch truck or in the other direction, a candy store, pizza, etc. I was able to walk to Publix and the local library and John Pennekamp State Park is also very close by for kayaking, snorkeling and glass-bottom boat rides. Absolutely loved the community dock, where my husband and grandson caught lots of fish and saw the manatees roll by. We will definitely return. The home is as described and Elsa was very responsive and helpful. The house feels surprisingly spacious, very clean and we were so comfortable there that we really hated to leave. Love the house, love the decor, love the location!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michel C.

Jan 11, 2015

Absolutely Loved Our Time Here!

We were 4 adults and we all absolutely loved this house! It was pristine and clean and obviously well cared for and loved by the owners. Elsa and Katrina were great...everything went smoothly and all unfolded as it should...couldn't have asked for more. The private beach was a question mark until we got there...we loved that also...and spent time there...including with the local manatees. We heartily recommend staying at the 'Laid Back Beach Shack.' Thank you!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen B.

Apr 14, 2014

Wonderful! Loved it!

My husband and I stayed for a week and we couldn't have asked for a more wonderful location. The owners were fantastic to work with-Great communication and very helpful. They have put a great deal of love and thought into this bungalow. The bungalow was beyond cute! Great vintage/beach decor was unique and charming. The vintage stove is the centerpiece of the kitchen and it is awesome. Everything was neat as a pin. The owner put a great deal of though into making it comfortable for their guests, from extra pillows and blankets to DVD's to watch in the evening. There was not one thing that I can think of that wasn't available to us during our stay. We spent most of our time of the lovely wooden deck/porch in the back of the house. We had breakfast, read our books and had cocktails out there! It also is very well cared for and tended. There is a nice privacy fence around the yard so if you were of a mind to just lounge all day in the chaise's, you could. A large, moveable umbrella made it possible to stay outside all day without a sunburn. I cannot recommend this rental enough. We can't wait to go back next year!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Matt M., Harrisburg PA

Jun 6, 2013

Zen retreat

On our recent stay at the Laidback Beach Shack, it was just what we were looking for. May was the perfect time of year, with it being low season, the rental deal was awesome, and the birds were very entertaining at this time of year. The private beach, which is no more than a block away, was our favorite sunset viewing area. Highly recommend making time for the sunsets as it is spectacular. It's not a beach as much as it is a boat launching area, but it has sand, and a nice covering for gatherings, with tables, and you need a key to get in, which makes it very private. We used the back patio a great deal for eating, and also it made an incredible yoga space. We had a great time practicing yoga and just chilling and being zen with the birds and the outdoors. It's a very private space and was ideal for our needs. As far as beaches go, we found the nearest state park beach very rocky, with no sand to speak of, but a nice view nonetheless. We preferred to visit Sombrero beach, which was our favorite, about an hour south on Hwy 1. We also visited Bahia Honda State Park beach as well, an hour an half south, as well. Anne's Beach is closer, but has very limited parking and is very crowded, for some reason. These were the closest beaches we could find. We did not eat out, but we loved the Key Largo Fisheries and their fresh seafood caught daily. We cooked a great deal and the kitchen is very user friendly, with all you need to prepare your meals. The retro stove/oven center was certainly interesting, once you got the hang of it. We enjoyed the bird sanctuary not far south on Hwy 1 very much. We also made our way down to Key West, which is accessible a little over 2 hours with the Hwy 1 traffic, and is doable as a day trip if you leave early enough. The house is very clean, well maintained, and has a nice retro vibe. The pictures on the website do it justice. The rental process is very easy and everyone was very helpful when making the arrangements. We wanted a place in a warm climate, with some access to the water, and this was perfect for us. I would recommend this to anyone who just needs to get away, as there is no wi-fi, and we couldn't find the dvd player, but this just made us disconnect, which was probably what we needed anyway. If you are looking for close beach access, the only negative is the house is not closer to the nice beaches like Sombrero. Laidback beach shack is the perfect description, and we enjoyed it!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy E., Philadelphia

Apr 18, 2013

vacation gem

We had a wonderful stay - wish we had been there longer. The house is charming, very clean and comfortable. The neighborhood felt safe and we enjoyed strolling the quiet streets. One morning we had a wonderful breakfast outside on the patio. We heard more birds and wind than people and cars, so it was quite relaxing. We ate a lot of local seafood - I recommend the Fish House. We didn't find the beaches at John Pennekamp State Park that nice, but I highly recommend doing a snorkeling tour (by boat) there if you're into that. There are several excellent offshore reefs accessible only by boat. Definitely the most beautiful beach we visited was the southeast side of Bahia Honda State Park. It was 1 1/2 hours drive each way from Key Largo and so worth it. We also visited the Everglades - a surprisingly quick drive. We were amazed at the hordes of alligators on the Anhinga Trail by the Royal Palm Visitor Center. Originally I had hoped to stay at a place farther out on the Keys, but in retrospect this place is the best of both worlds. Excellent central location, so peaceful and fairly priced. Hope to be back again!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wytske K., boston MA

Jan 5, 2013

great vacation and sunset over water views from beach

we stayed at the beach shack recently and had a wonderful time . The house welcomed us with a bottle of wine and welcome wishes. The floorplan is more spacious than it looks from the outside, has high ceilings with interior of seascape and beach furnishings and pictures. We used it as a base for explorations to local parks and hiking trails as well as Everglades National park- It is close to Fish house (wonderful fresh seafood and great service) and Publix for shopping convenience. The use of the private community beach for a short stroll and sunset gazing is 2 min from the house. The owners were very responsive and helpful. Can definitely recommend staying here.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nov 24, 2011

Vladimir Davydov Toronto Davydov_vn@yahoo.ca

It's a wonderful decorated real Keys Conch House beautifully located close to community private beach. We, my wife and I, chose this house on the VRBO site because of description and location and had a delightful vacation there. The listing is very accurate to describe the location and the rental's appearance and amenities. The house really has that magic atmosphere of the past which made our vacation much and much better. The house is thoroughly cleaned and maintained, everything is a good working condition. The home has a fully stocked kitchen as well as plenty of towel and linens. The furniture is comfortable and truly like being in your own home. The owners are nice and very helpful in answering all our questions before rental and during our time there. There is a lot of restaurants nearby and a plaza with a lot of shops and Publix to buy anything you want to. The John Pennekamp State Park is also very close and we spent a whole day there. I also recommend that Italian restaurant nearby - “Pizza Tower”, it’s close to the house and they cook a really good Italian food. Thank u so much for letting us rent your wondeful home! Vladimir&Olga.

About the host

Hosted by Elsa or Katrina

We own a travel agency in Miami and one of our favorite things to do is head for Key Largo after a long work week. The peace and quiet of the hammocks and the beautiful sunsets, are just what the doctor ordered for relaxation. Although I could go anywhere in the world, my favorite place is our Beach Shack. The drive thru the hammock on the 20 mile stretch from Miami, transports us to another world. A lazy beach side town is what we need after a hectic week in Miami. The southern most islands in the United States, with some of the worlds best fishing and the only Natural Coral Reef Natural park in the world. You can't beat, the bird watching, wild life and snorkeling. Rent a boat for a day or hire a captain to take you out. Either way, it's real raw fun!
When I am not walking on the beach, I am listening to quiet music and reading a good book. Sometimes, it's just nice to go to the beach and reflect. Whatever mood I am in, I always come here to feel good. My daughter is an artist and a decorator, so this is her baby. She enjoys finding treasures to make it feel like home. If you love garage sales and treasure hunting, hit the street early and go. Prices are great and you will find fun sea-themed treasures to take a little piece of the Keys back home with you!

Why they chose this property

The house is very well situated. Only 1.5 hours from Miami International Airport and 2 hours from Key West, the southernmost point of the United States.
We decided on a vacation house in Key Largo because it is like being on an island that you can drive to.
There is so much to do there. Swim with the dolphins, snorkel at the first underwater park in the United States, John Pennenkamp, or sail the calm waters of the Bay to witness the beautiful sunsets. The location of our house is minutes from everywhere. You can walk to the farmers market, restaurants, and many activities that are no more than 30 minutes away except for Key West. But you can go there for lunch and then return to the Beach Shack. It's a great little house for your stomping grounds to explore all of the Keys Islands.

What makes this property unique

Staying at our beach shack is a serene experience. Listen to the birds in the morning while you have a nice breakfast on the deck. When you come down to Key Largo, you get away and relax.

**Rent our home and receive a Florida State Parks Annual Family Pass!**