See all properties
Entire home·Private host

Tropical oasis in a former author’s retreat. Sleeps 4.

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Tropical oasis in a former author’s retreat. Sleeps 4.

Interior
Property video
Property grounds
Terrace/patio
Exterior detail

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedroomsSleeps 679 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View in a map
Key West, FL
  • Place, Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, South Beach
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Place, Southernmost Point
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Airport, Key West, FL (EYW-Key West Intl.)
    ‪10 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

Terrace/patio
Old Town Elegance Island Breezes and Poolside Bliss
  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
5.0 out of 5, Exceptional, 5 reviews
Old Town Elegance Island Breezes and Poolside Bliss

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Tropical oasis in a former author’s retreat. Sleeps 4.

Former residence of an author and decorated accordingly, this cute cottage is quintessential Key West. Perfect monthly rental has two bedrooms, one full bath plus outdoor shower, is an authentic Old Town Cigar Maker's Cottage and the location of the actual writing of Laurence Shames' famous book FLORIDA STRAITS. Key West is a former home of many other authors including Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams and this lovely getaway reflects that heritage in its decor and lending library! Lush foliage and brick meandering walkways surround the swimming and wading pools. Brand new living room furniture and decor in 2019. All new memory foam mattresses. Brand new shower head with features, brand new sink faucet, new ceiling fans as of 1/21, newly finished bar area, brand new hot water heater. WiFi and access to your smart network on roku.Other features of this charming home include hardwood and tile floors, ceiling fans and central a/c in every room, a large eat in kitchen with all appliances and kitchen items/utensils including dishwasher, high ceilings, sun room, and an expansive deck with gas grill perfect for entertaining. In home washer and dryer. This monthly rental property is within walking distance to Truman and Duval streets, Higgs beach pier, local grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, St. Mary's Star of the Sea basilica and the beach! This cottage is perfect for a couple's retreat or a group getaway to remember! Professionally cleaned by a third party service after each guest's stay. Book your dream Southernmost vacation today!
During your stay at this vacation home, you're just a quick walk from Key West Firehouse Museum. An outdoor pool, a hot tub, and laundry facilities are available. The vacation home includes amenities such as free WiFi and a patio.
  • Air-conditioned home with washing machine, patio, and Smart TV
  • Free WiFi
  • Take a swim in the outdoor pool or soak in the hot tub
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Within a 15-minute walk of Duval Street and Florida Keys Beaches
This vacation home offers its guests an outdoor pool and a hot tub. This vacation home also features barbecue grills and laundry facilities.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Communal pool
  • Heated pool
  • Hot tub
  • Outdoor pool

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Outdoor shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • Up to 23 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: smoking allowed outside on private deck or patio

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Things to do

  • Heated pool

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Property does not allow children
  • Unit size: 854 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 1 (weight limit: 50 lbs per pet)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Pets to be approved by hoa on guest by guest basis

Children and extra beds

  • This property does not allow children.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking allowed outside on private deck or patio

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

Tropical oasis in a former author’s retreat
Tropical oasis in a former author’s retreat. Key West

Tropical oasis in a former author’s retreat. Sleeps 4. Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 10 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 10 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Peter T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic 3rd year!!!!!!Already booked 5 weeks next year. Christina is a great host, lovely people in the compound, walked to everywhere.WOW!
Stayed 30 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter T., New York, USA

Liked: Cleanliness

1111 Watson

Fantastic! We booked for next year already for our 3rd in a row. Christina and the folks who live in the compoud are great..
Stayed 28 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peter T., New York, USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Fabulous

The place is fantastic. Very quiet and you can walk to most anywhere in 15 to 20 minutes or so. The house has two nice bedrooms, a nice kitchen with a dining area and a washer dryer. In addition, the house has large outdoor space with a nice barbecue. There is also a common outdoor space with a heated pool and hot tub that are well maintained. The folks in the 1111 compound are very nice. Christina is the perfect host who is there when you need her and makes the place feel like home. We already booked it for next year!
Stayed 28 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

David R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Author’s Cottage

We had a fantastic stay at the Author’s Cottage. The cottage was very roomy and comfortable, and came equipped with everything we needed. The pool and hot tub were excellent for relaxing after a day out enjoying Key West. Christina was super helpful and quick to respond to our inquiries. An all around excellent stay!
Stayed 31 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

David R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Secret Hideaway

We absolutely loved our time in the author’s cottage. It’s tucked away down a tree lined path, ending by the pool and hot tub. The pool deck has just been beautifully redone, and the heated pool is great. The cottage is very comfortable, with two good sized bedrooms, an eat in kitchen, and an office area. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again, and highly recommended the cottage. Christina was very helpful and a great host!
Stayed 28 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Randy S., Portland, Oregon, USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome location with great heated pool and hot tub!

This is the first time staying at Christina's home in Old Town Key West and we loved it! It's a gated group of 5 homes tucked away off the street. All of the other owners were great, friendly and outgoing. We felt like part of the group immediately. I love the heated pool! The house is a cottage with lots of light, it's own private deck and it has w/d, a/c, and fully equipped kitchen. Christina is an excellent hostess too! Highly recomend!
Stayed 32 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Evelyn S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Author’s Retreat

Our stay in Key West at the author’s retreat was fabulous. The condo was clean, well-equipped and the pool was always the perfect temperature. We had our own private back area for relaxation and having friends over for dinner. The common area in the front of the building was a great place to get to know your neighbors. We would definitely return at a later date.
Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert B., Milwaukee

Liked: Cleanliness

We are coming back!

We stayed for the month of January 2022. Great neighborhood and location. Easy walk or bike to virtually all activities and attractions on the island. Yet far enough from the action on Duval for quiet evenings. The perfect spot to see what Key West offers. 2 blocks from the best coffee (Sandy's) & chicken (Dion's) on the island and from Fausto's (groceries). We didn't bring a car and never felt the need for one. Beautifully big deck in the back with an outdoor shower! It is in a complex of 6 cottages surrounding a common pool and hot tub. You will get to know the neighbors. Christina (owner) was always available and responsive. The pictures really don't do it justice. The walk through the (locked) main gate takes you down a lush pathway back to the cottages. It is quintessential old Key West. Loved every day we were there! If your expectation is new and fancy - this is not it. This place makes you feel like you are a resident of the island. Just what we were looking for.
Stayed 28 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hannah P.

Liked: Cleanliness

AMAZING stay - Would recommend to anyone!

It is not often that reality exceeds expectations, but that is exactly what this quaint cottage did. Upon arrival, the place was immaculate and stocked with everything one might need from a blender to olive oil to cleaning supplies this place had it all. It is in a gated compound which added a level of safety we appreciated. All of the other compound guests were extremely friendly as well and the place/pool is large enough that we never felt overcrowded. The location is great, far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Duval but also walkable to almost anything. There is a grocery story and great Cuban restaurant, Sandys, within a 2 minute walk as well. (Sandy's breakfast sandwiches are too die for) Further, Christina was a top tier host. Extremely responsive and made the "check in/check out" process seemless. I can whole heartedly reccommend this place and hope myself to return one day soon!
Stayed 28 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Terri S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Authors cottage

This cottage was wonderful ! It was very clean and fully stocked with everything we needed. The pool and landscaping are so secluded and gorgeous! Getting to know the neighbors was so much fun! Christina was quick to answer any of our questions—I would highly recommend staying in this oasis!
Stayed 58 nights in Feb 2021