My husband and I just returned from beautiful, sunny, ultra-friendly Key West, where we spent four glorious months at "Low Key Paradise". This home is aptly named; we truly felt that we died and went to heaven! What sets this home apart from other rentals where we have stayed are the owners, Emily and Mike, and their direct contact with the renters, rather than a manager who acts as an intermediary. It's apparent from the moment you enter the house that Emily and Mike take great pride in their home. And this is reinforced by their accessibility throughout the rental period, just in case there is a minor problem.
This home is extremely comfortable with two lovely bedrooms (the master has French doors leading to the patio), two updated bathrooms, a living room with a pull-out sofa bed, a bright, sunny dining area, a fully-stocked kitchen with modern appliances, a laundry room, and a family room which was our favorite indoor space. It has a sofa, a love seat, a club chair with ottoman, and a large flat screen tv. There are two sets of French doors along one wall which bathe the room with Key West sunshine, and bring the outside pool and deck area with tropical vegetation into view.
The large outside space is unusual for Key West. Many rentals have small dipping pools and limited outside space. "Low Key Paradise" has a large pool surrounded by a huge deck where we lolled away the days in one of six lounge chairs. In the morning we enjoyed our coffee at the outside bar, while watching the news on the flat screen tv located above the bar. When not dining at one of the many superb Key West restaurants, we enjoyed our lunch and dinner at a large table on the patio covered by an awning. This became the favorite gathering site for cocktails and a barbecue with our family visitors and our many friends who winter in Key West.
"Low Key Paradise" is in a quiet, safe, residential area of Key West and only a short walk to beautiful Smather's Beach. At sunrise each morning, we took a two mile walk along the ocean wall to enjoy the turquoise water, the graceful pelicans, and the shrimp boats in the distance.
My youngest son called me "the customer from hell" when he was a teenager because I am such a demanding consumer. I am not one to lavish praise, unless it is well-deserved. Emily, Mike and "Low Key Paradise" deserve the utmost praise. And yes, we are returning to this gem next winter!