This Civil War Era home sits in Key West's most desirable Historic Seaport District, less than a block from the Gulf of Mexico. Did Abraham Lincoln sleep here? Probably not. But anyone staying today in this classic revival valued in the millions will find not only history but every creature comfort and contemporary convenience.
The first floor offers a spacious living room appointed in a soothing green-and-beige palette where you can sink into a fiery coral couch flanked by a classic glass-top coffee table and oriental-style rug. Wicker and wood occasional chairs complete the scene. Open all the windows and doors to invite the soft tropical ambience inside. Or sit in air-conditioned comfort to chat with family or friends while a classic ceiling fan swirls lazily above. Use the Cable TV/DVD player, which you'll also find in the bedrooms above, to view a movie or watch a favorite show. If you're thirsty or hungry, the spotless kitchen and dining table that seats six are just steps away and waiting to be used.
Maybe you're ready to lounge outside on the expansive front porch, back porch, or one of the two upstairs verandas. Out back, across the terracotta brick patio, you can refresh in the swimming pool ringed by foliage and shimmering under a cloudless Key West sky. Afterwards check out the pool cabana with bedroom, bath, and inviting open-air shower (yes, the shower is outside only.) When you're ready to call it a night, you can retire to one of the two airy, comfortable bedrooms upstairs in the main house, each with full bath, or enjoy total privacy in the stand-alone cabana.
You've heard the term location-location-location. The home you've rented is perfectly placed for experiencing the many charms of Key West. You could start by stepping just across Caroline Street to B.O.'s Fish Wagon for lunch or dinner. As one blogger put it, the place "looks like a hurricane just dumped a pile of flotsam on a street corner." In reality, B.O.'s is a favorite locals' hangout where you can order an award-winning fish sandwich as written up in The New York Times. Or, ringing the seaport just beyond B.O's, are a dozen or so eating establishments such as Raw Bar, Turtle Kraals, Schooner Wharf, and Conch Republic.
Since the coral island of Key West only spans fourteen short blocks of real estate from the Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean, plenty of other culinary delights-from five-star to street food vendors-are all incredibly close and accessible by foot, bike, scooter, car, pedicab, or trolley. Your choice. Many have Happy Hours from late afternoon to early evening when drinks and appetizers can be enjoyed for half price. And don't miss Mallory Square's sunset celebration where locals and visitors gather to witness and applaud as the sun sinks below the horizon. Once in a while you'll glimpse a brilliant green flash at the exact moment the sun disappears. Hang around for the party as artists and street performers entertain the crowd. Or join the throngs on Duval, browse in an art gallery, or visit the Hemingway House, Truman White House, or Key West Light House and Keeper's Quarters Museum.
On the other hand, maybe right now you want to move at a slower pace, on what's famously called "island time." To get started, pick up libations and appetizers at Faustos Food Palace, which has been in the same location on Fleming Street since 1936. Expect to shop among writers, artists, families, locals, and visitors. While at this historic grocery store, grab a free copy of Paradise, a publication that comes out every Thursday listing upcoming special events: the music scene, movies, plays, gallery openings, and special events.
Bring your purchases and reading material back to those comfy lounge chairs by your private heated pool. Snack, swim, sip, read. But don't forget to lather on a bit of sun screen first. If you begin to feel drowsy, let a relaxing siesta overtake you. Maybe when you wake, you'll be motivated to BBQ at your grille or cook something succulent in your fully equipped kitchen. Making the right choices in life are important and you'll know, as your time in paradise comes to a close, that renting the Kemp House has been one of those "rights." If a vacation means to escape, relax, lounge, take a break, get away, this has been the absolute right place to do it.
The Property may only be used for residential accommodations. No special events, parties, or functions of any kind are permitted on the Property. To know what's going on from day to day, check out Historic Hideaways' informative Events page on our website. Other information on the current music scene, movies, plays, gallery openings, and charitable events include milezerokeywest.com and Paradise, which comes out every Thursday.
