Just the mere idea of planning a vacation puts a smile on most faces. If your vacation includes a stay in the Conch Republic, even better. If your vacation includes this rental, Bay's Hideaway, even better still. The compact one bedroom/one bath condo provides the perfect sanctuary and base for enjoying the U.S.'s southern-most island. Located on fashionable Fleming Street in Old Town Key West, the condo is just blocks off world-famous Duval Street.
It's also close to Mallory Square, the Historic Seaport with its colorful Harbor Walk, and other must-see's/must do's on the Gulf of Mexico all the way to the Atlantic Ocean fourteen blocks away. This is a NON-SMOKING PROPERTY/ASSOCIATION, including the PORCHES, OUTDOOR, and POOL areas. NO PETS, Guests with a pet will be removed by the HOA. There is a coin operated Washer & Dryer in the shed next to the pool for use by the 10 units in the condo. ($1.50 per load, per machine, at time of writing.)Bay's Hideaway is one of the units in the historic Seafoam building that greets you with an open-air atrium, lofty ceilings, a plethora of coveted Dade County Pine, and private balconies. The balconies are glorious and allow the kind of inside/outside living you've come to Key West to enjoy. Because Bay's Hideaway is on the top floor, sitting on its wide balcony feels like sitting in a breezy treehouse surrounded by luscious tropical foliage. (Please be aware this is a 3rd floor walk up - no elevator.)But let's start at the front door of #8 which opens into a view right through to a light-filled window in the kitchen/dining area. To the right is a full bath with a linen closet, louvered medicine cabinet, and stand-alone linen cabinet so that your stuff can always be out of sight if you want it to be. In typical local fashion, a ceiling fan with light whirrs quietly above lighting the way, adding a tropical ambience, and moving breezes throughout. The delightful ceiling-fan motif runs throughout the condo. A painting of an iconic sea turtle on an adjacent wall sets a delightful color pallet and ocean theme for the rest of the condo. From here the kitchen is to the right and the living room to the left. The kitchen allows plenty of space and the right accoutrements for vacation meal prep or just heating left-overs from your meal out the night before. White cupboards above and below keep everything you aren't using out of the way. Here the ceiling, floors, and even countertops are fashioned out of luscious natural wood which gives the area, really the whole condo, an unexpected uniqueness and warmth. One end of the kitchen conveniently doubles as table/stool seating for four. The whole kitchen area is bathed in light from three large windows.The open-space floor plan means the living room and beyond to the outside deck is visible from the kitchen. Here again ambient light is a major feature. Another large window over the couch plus French doors out to the balcony bring in sunlight daytime and moonlight at night. Of course there are blinds incase you are in the mood for just lamp light or no light at all as you sleep. Air conditioning, high-speed internet, and cable TV provide for your entertainment and comfort. Perhaps sit on the comfy couch to view the news, your favorite sitcom, or a movie on the flat screen mounted on the opposite wall. The couch, by the way, also converts into a full sleeper. Colorful pillows dot the couch, adding color and fun to the room. A small coffee table, area rug, lamps, a chair with ottoman, and a cabinet below the TV round out the room.On the same wall is a hardwood barn door which slides open to reveal the bedroom. Centered is a King bed whose dressings in sea blue and sand make you want to flop right into the middle of its comfort. Small lamp tables with lamps sit on either side. An oval mirror hangs on one wall incase you want to check that your going-out-on-the town ensemble looks as you imagined. A five-drawer bureau provides more than enough space for your folded items while a closet with louvered door provides for your hanging items. Just as in the living room, here another set of French doors lead to the balcony.The balcony, running the depth of the condo, is the centerpiece of this residence. Open onto it from the living room or bedroom. Step out into what seems to be a little piece of heaven. The floor is brought to life with a colorful area rug in sea blue, palm green, and focal points of orange. One end features a conversation area with four chairs. Perhaps sit here to enjoy your morning coffee or afternoon cocktail. The spot is also perfect for reading that book you brought along or the latest edition of your favorite newspaper. A table and two chairs sit beyond that and provide the perfect spot for eating or playing a card game. But mostly you will want to enjoy the dapple of sunlight and glorious sea breezes that stir the palms all around you.Or look over the edge of the balcony to view glimpses of the shared pool and landscaped deck three stories down. The climate-controlled pool is for the exclusive use of Seafoam building. Chairs and table at one end of the pool deck make this an ideal place to hang out. Or maybe you'll be inspired to swim or float in the delightful turquoise water while puffy white clouds or a flock of water birds fly over. Once you've settled in and congratulate yourself on your vacation rental, it's time to check out the whole storied island awaiting your exploration: the emerald water of the Atlantic and of the Gulf of Mexico, beaches, conch-style houses, civil war forts, museums, famous hangouts like Sloppy Joe's, Elvis look-alikes, a new waterfront park, and sharks at the Aquarium. From your central location on Fleming Street, most things are easily accessible by foot or bike or the Duval Loop bus. For example the island's main artery-Duval Street where you'll find shopping of all sorts, art galleries, tours, open-air restaurants, bars and much more-is only blocks away. Or a few blocks in another direction you'll find the Historic Seaport with tall-ship sunset sails, more water sport opportunities than you could possibly take advantage of, and waterfront restaurants of varying degrees of informality. Set your timer so you don't miss the nightly sunset celebration at Mallory Square where visitors and locals alike gather to applaud as the sun slip below the horizon.Maybe your taste runs more towards the arts. If so, you're in the right place for music, movies, plays, art galleries, lectures, and more. If you like beaches, your accommodations are within biking distance to a favorite locals' beach, Fort Zachery Taylor, where you can rent chairs, umbrellas, and snorkeling equipment. Bathrooms, showers, a snack bar, and picnic tables are also available. Or maybe you'll decide to skip the beach in favor of exploring the adjacent Civil War-era fort, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973. 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. To know what's going on from day to day, you can check out Historic Hideaways' informative Area Guide/Events page at http://www.historichideaways.com/key-west-events/. Other info on the current music scene, movies, plays, gallery openings, and charitable events can be found at milezerokeywest.com (calendar section).
Amenities Include:
- Bed Size 1st/Master: King
- Number of Baths: 1 Full
- Parking: On Street
- Square Footage, Est.: 500
- Pool: Shared Heated
- High Speed Internet: Yes
- Cable Television(s): Yes
- Patio: Balcony
- Ceiling Fans: Yes
- Microwave: Yes
- Air Conditioned: Split Units
- Outdoor Shower: Yes
- Bldg. Complex Name: Seafoam
- Beach Distance: Biking
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