All the elements are here to make the perfect vacation cottage: one highly comfortable king bed, one full bath, an open floorplan with living-dining-kitchen areas, a front porch looking over the large Monaco-style pool, and a location very near world-famous Duval Street and the lively Historic Seaport featuring the scenic Harborwalk.
The first steps into the cottage are up onto the porch that features two chairs and a small table. Above a ceiling fan provides light for night, air circulation, and sets a delightful tropical theme. A swath of cloud white organza billows at the front door as if to usher guests into a magical setting. The multiple windows throughout are likewise draped in the fabric that creates privacy and artistic interest. The décor colors are borrowed from the ocean: blue water, ivory shells, red corals, the sunlight, the sky.
A social area offers a couch with decorative pillows, a ratan chair, and a round coffee table. On the opposite wall hangs a flat screen positioned for easy viewing from the couch. It’s the perfect place for discussing the day’s plans or playing a round of Key West Monopoly. Maybe drink your coffee or cocktails here but out by the pool or on the front porch is also ideal. Of course, there’s cable and wireless high-speed internet. If you find you need an extra bed, the couch is also a full sleep sofa.
The next area is defined by an artisan sideboard with storage space and four sturdy stool-chairs. This area can function as a dining table for meals or a space for doing computer work or a game area or craft project area or whatever you might need a table for. The space is well located beside the kitchen area.
The kitchen is well equipped with everything you need to make a meal or warm up leftovers from dinner out the night before. And plenty of cabinet space above and below creates space to store stuff. There’s a coffee machine, toaster, dishes, glassware, silverware, a stove with a glass cooktop for easy cleanup, and a double sink. A back door just off the kitchen leads to a small patio and a washer/dryer for laundry. Parking, should you need it, is on street.
The other side of the room includes an unexpected design element: a section of hollow glass brick forming part of the wall and reflecting soft ambient light. On the other side of this wall is the bedroom and full bath. The bed is a generous king and the perfect spot for a relaxing daytime nap and a comfortable sleep through the night. Nightstands with lamps are on either side and serve as a good place for the novel you’re reading and for your cell phone. A flat screen TV is on the opposite wall, a positioning that allows comfortable viewing from the bed. The closet provides space for hanging clothes and some shelf space for foldables. A cabinet under the tv provides even more shelf space. All the storage makes it easy to put things away and out of sight. A bladed ceiling fan whirring above adds a tropical ambience and circulates air throughout the room. Adjacent is the generous-sized full bath with a wall of mirror glass, spacious sink, shelves for towels, and a tub with a soothing shower.
The inside of the cottage takes care of your vacation living needs very efficiently and very comfortably. Back outside, you can step off the porch onto the deck of the large, heated, residents-only pool and make yourself comfortable on one of the chairs or stretch out on a chaise lounge. The pool is large enough for swimming. Or for less movement, maybe you want to float looking up at puffy white cumulus against a blue-blue sky. In either case, don’t forget the suntan lotion. When you want shade, move to the table and chairs on the upper deck or back to the table and chairs on your own covered front porch.
Besides a delightful cottage and a spectacular pool, its perfect location is another element contributing to the appeal of the cottage. Despite its tranquility, the location is only two blocks off world-famous Duval Street and three blocks from the Historic Seaport, both must-experience destinations in the Southernmost City.
When you are ready to check it all out, head up Fleming three blocks to Margaret and turn left. At the corner of Margaret and Caroline you are about a hundred feet from the Historic Seaport and Harbor Walk. Follow the wooden boardwalk along the Gulf to find historic tall ships offering day and sunset cruises or take an all-day ferry excursion to the Dry Tortugas. If you’re interested in watersports, there’s all kinds—diving, fishing, parasailing, snorkeling, and jet skiing to name a few. If you get hungry, a dozen or so restaurants of varying levels of informality ring the harbor.
Or walk two blocks in the other direction to Duval Street to find tours, museums, shopping, more restaurants, more bars, and the Key West Aquarium. Your cellphone can identify sunset time, so you don’t miss the daily celebration at Mallory Square where locals and visitors alike gather to applaud as the sun sinks its fiery orange circle into the horizon. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the elusive neon green flash at the last second. But it’s not yet time to put your day to rest; instead hang around for the party as artists and street performers entertain the crowd with magic, juggling fire, telling fortunes, and selling handmade items.
If this is your first trip to the Conch Republic, a guidebook from Books & Books on Eaton Street or a stop at the Chamber of Commerce Information Center on Greene Street will help make sure you don’t miss anything. Or check out info on the current music scene, movies, plays, gallery openings, and charitable events at milezerokeywest.com.
