Sweet Sunshine Garden Flat

Ever dream of vacationing in a sun-kissed Caribbean Cottage-style flat close to the beach, nestled behind a white picket fence in a landscaped tropical garden? Sweet Sunshine Garden Flat can make that dream come true. Set in the beautiful Key West Truman Annex Shipyard condominium complex, flowers and palm trees frame the front entrance like a pretty picture. Pale pink wood-slat siding, a haint-blue front porch ceiling, and a nautical octagon window epitomize Key West nouveau architecture and welcome you to your own slice of paradise.

At the front entrance of Sweet Sunshine Garden Flat vacation rental, the porch creates a landing-place to stop and admire the manicured grounds of Truman Annex neighborhood that surround it. A synonym with Key West luxury, every direction you look is idyllic in this luxury neighborhood. And here you are perfectly situated for a week near the beach, and just as close to downtown Old Town Key West.

Looking north from the front porch, facing town, you’re less than two blocks from Duval Street. Looking south you’re less than two blocks from the Truman Waterfront Park and Key West Amphitheater. You’re also at the gateway to the iconic pre-Civil war Fort Zachary Taylor, and just a ten-minute walk to the water's-edge of the beach. But before we explore more of the surrounding grounds, let’s step inside the flat and focus on the layout and amenities, and peek at the covered back porch and courtyard garden.

Interior Layout:

Let’s start at the front door entrance, where we step into the small entry hall. True to shot-gun style conch architecture, you can see straight through to the back of the house from here. The entry hall makes good use of space by providing a hidden laundry closet to the left, equipped with a washer / dryer. Take a few more steps, and you find the fully equipped U-shape kitchen. Set into blonde wooden cabinets, the appliances include a full-sized refrigerator, with top freezer, electric glass stove top with full size oven, and space-saver microwave over the stove. The sink is on the bar counter opposite the appliances facing toward the living room and back deck – a perfect place to brew a pot of coffee or spin a cocktail. Recessed lighting over both counters, provides plenty of light for cooking and serving.

The dining and living room area are on the other side of the bar counter, where the dining table provides a comfortable transition from the kitchen to the living room. Set with a round table and four chairs, an artistic garden rose chandelier adds a touch of elegance over the glass table.

The living room grouping is next, providing comfortable seating with a wicker sofa, easy chair and ottoman, and nesting coffee tables. For movie night and games, a 43-inch flat-screen TV is placed on a rustic wood carved stand. Four-panel flower theme art work hung over the sofa, compliments the dining chandelier and the mood of the garden scene outside. But before we check out the porch and pool, let’s go to the other side of the flat, and see the two bedrooms and the bathroom.

The architectural transition from the living room side of the flat to the bedroom / bathroom side, incorporates a pass-through window and open entry leading into the bedroom hall. This design makes the entire flat feel more spacious. Straight through the hall entrance is the bathroom, which provides a tiled shower with glass door, vanity with single sink, and commode.

The bedrooms are on opposite sides of the bathroom. Both bedrooms provide 32-inch wall mounted flat screen TV’s, ceiling fans, and plenty of closet space. The master bedroom, which provides a queen size bed, is to the right of the bathroom, as you enter the bedroom hall. It’s shown on our slideshow with coral-cream walls, a bright blue bedspread, and complimenting bright artwork over the bed.

The second bedroom, which provides two twin beds, is to the left of the bathroom. The beds can be pushed together and made up as a king size bed upon request. It’s shown on our slideshow with light wood furniture, soft lime-green walls and tropical theme bedspreads.

Throughout the interior of the entire flat, floors are finished with large light grey tiles. Adding an element of casual elegance, windows throughout are nicely appointed with plantation shutters.

Porch and Grounds:

One of the nicest features of this garden flat, is the generous covered back porch, that creates an enviable spot for the famous Key West indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Access this outdoor room through the single-pane French doors off the living room. Here you find an outside dining set and plenty of extra chairs. Just beyond the porch, is a bricked courtyard, set with chaise lounges for horizontal relaxation. The view from your courtyard is landscaped grounds, steps from the shared swimming pool and cabana.

When you’re ready for a dip in the pool, you only need to walk twenty meters (65 feet). The pool deck is furnished with chaise lounges and sun umbrellas. A Caribbean style cabana offers shade from the sun and creates a nice tropical ambience.

Bedding Summary:

Master bedroom - Queen size bed
Second bedroom - 2 Twin size beds (can be pushed together to make a King)
Living room - Queen sleeper sofa
Amenities: Fully equipped kitchen. Central A/C, washer / dryer, flat screen TV's in the great room and each bedroom, Wi-Fi. First floor garden flat with private spacious covered back porch and brick courtyard. Heated resort-style shared swimming pool, manicured tropical landscaping, fully fenced, gated neighborhood. Linens and towels are provided.

Activities: The waters-edge of Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach is a ten-minute walk from the front door. Truman Waterfront with children’s water-park, and the Key West Amphitheater are two blocks away toward the beach. Explore pre-Civil war Fort Zachary Taylor, an incredible brick fortress structure. Downtown Old Town Key West, and Duval Street are a five-minute walk away. Location allows for spontaneous planning of activities. Walk to restaurants, night life, shopping, museums, sailing, boating, snorkeling, diving, beach, theater, and family activities. Famous Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square is a fifteen-minute walk away.

Area: Located in Truman Annex Just steps away from all Key West Old Town features. An additional feature of the Shipyard complex is that it is completely fenced and gated for added security. The gate is activated by a numeric keypad. Grounds throughout the Truman Annex neighborhood are beautifully landscaped and maintained to picture perfection., providing a story-book neighborhood to walk and bicycle. White picket fences, freshly clipped hedges, green grounds and fountains create an impressive back drop for your stroll around this unique neighborhood.

Parking: A free private designated parking space located about 200 feet from the back door. If you do bring a car, plan to park and forget about it. Parking is limited and expensive throughout Old Town. Enjoy walking or biking everywhere you'll see more that way.

Restrictions: Smoke Free House. We do not accept guests less than 25 years of age unless accompanied by a family group or guardian. The property is in a private gated residential complex in a secured neighborhood and is not suitable for staging loud parties.

PAYMENT: Payment for the rental will be processed outside of VRBO according to the terms of your rental agreement (sent for review upon reservation). Payments by credit card are subject to an additional 2.95% merchant processing fee.
PARKING: There is one free parking space which is located in the parking area and labeled 106-6 on the parking block (please see map). You will need a parking pass to park your car in the designated spot. The parking pass form you will find in the unit. Please fill it out and place it on the dashboard of your vehicle.

PLEASE NOTE: Per the HOA, vehicles over 18' long or 80" wide are not allowed on property. No large trucks, trailers, mobile homes, vans, campers or similar vehicles shall be parked within the Truman Annex. For more informatio on parking please refer to the HOA Rules and Regulations document provided in the Welcome Packet under "Additional Documents".

**Bike Parking**

If you are bringing your own bikes with you will need to get a temporary yellow tag from the office at Truman Annex. Please call the office at 305-296-0556 ahead of time so they can prepare the yellow tags and arrange for pick up. Guests are not allowed to leave bicycles, whether personal or rental, on the front porches but must be put in the bike racks that are found throughout the community. Any bikes found in violation of this policy are subject to removal.