Cozy, comfortable, affordable. Not to mention a location in the very heart of the Historic District of Upper Duval. That's why this one bedroom/one full bath rental is aptly named Bella Vita, the beautiful life. Located within La Casa de Luces building, Bella Vita features a wrap-around porch and king bed.
Past the brick walkway, through the white picket fence, up two steps onto the covered porch of the building, you'll find two inviting Adirondack chairs and side table in a backdrop of tropical foliage. It's the perfect place to enjoy being outside, check text messages, read a book, or enjoy the beverage of your choice.
Once inside you can add colorful to Bella Vita's description. As you step through the front door, you notice commanding cathedral ceilings and bold colors both in art works and accent walls, the hallmark of a professionally planned decor. The acrylic paintings of nautical scenes in tropical colors add high impact to a compactly laid out unit. Inside the door and immediately to the right is a lamp illuminating a comfy leather couch. To highlight the island's influence, a painting of a Key West type sunset hangs above. At the other end is another lamp and convenient end table. Directly across from the sitting area and in perfect position for viewing TV or movies is a shelf for electronics with ample drawers below. Of course there's AC, wireless high-speed internet, cable, small stereo system, and DVD player at your fingertips when you want them. Louvered windows let you control the level of natural light you want flowing in during daytime or evening.
A breakfast bar with two swivel stools make the perfect place for your morning cup of Joe or for meals. Although with over 200 excellent eating and drinking establishments in town, you probably won't be fixing many of your own meals. Some of the best coffee on the planet is also available on and near Duval Street. Yet the choice is always yours. On the other side of the breakfast bar is a galley kitchen packed with all the essentials of home: cabinets, microwave, stove, refrigerator, cooking accoutrements, etc. Above the microwave-and remember with catherdral ceilings, there's still plenty of "above" room--is a dramatic, backlit fish sculpture that adds pizazz to the whole alcove.
Directly behind the kitchen is the master bedroom, a spacious and well-appointed room with ensuite full bath with chic glass tiles. The lighting is by ceiling fan with bulb, flush-mount spot lights, and lamps all adding a warm glow to the whole space. A six-drawer chest supplies plenty of space for your folded vacation items while the closet offers plenty of hanger space. The second TV in the residence sits on top of the chest, so you can view it easily from the king bed with Tempurpedic mattress. Each side of the bed features a small, round, glass table perfect to hold your glasses, the remote, your book, or whatever you want.
Although Bella Vita is perfect, so is the neighborhood. After you unpack, you'll want to walk half a block up to Duval, the world-famous address for many of the wonderful things Key West has to offer vacationers. A right turn will head you towards the shores of the Atlantic and a left turn will head you towards the Gulf of Mexico. In between are all the things that make the Conch Republic so famous: beaches, tours, museums, shopping, over two hundred restaurants, bars, and the Key West Aquarium where you can pet a shark if you dare. Or maybe you'd prefer to have your picture taken at the Southernmost Point buoy, the most photographed spot on the island. If the arts interest you, you've come to the right town for music, movies, plays, art galleries, lectures, artists in residence, and more. Don't miss the sunset celebration at Mallory Square or the opportunities for all kinds of water sports along the Historic Seaport boardwalk. Most tourists say you haven't "done" Key West unless you've been to the daily sunset celebration at Mallory Square where tourists and locals alike gather to watch and applaud as the sun sink into the Gulf of Mexico. Then stick around for the unforgettable party that follows featuring local musicians, street performers, art vendors, jewelry vendors, and food and drink carts
Get a guide book so you don't miss the specific attractions that most appeal to you. To know what's going on from day-to-day, check out Historic Hideaways' informative Area Guide/Events page at http://www.historichideaways.com/key-west-events/. Other information on the current music scene, movies, plays, gallery openings, and charitable events can be found at milezerokeywest.com (calendar section) or in the print publication Paradise, which is available at various locations around town every Thursday.
