Fall 2021 – A Better Value For A Beautiful Time of Year

The Fall is actually a great time to be in Key West, there’s less traffic and the island is much quieter, allowing you to enjoy all of your Key West favorites without having to deal with the crowds. The Fall is also when you’ll find the best rate values of the year, your favorite Key West vacation homes can be booked for nearly 20% less than the cost of on-season rates!

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Get ready for Fantasy Fest! An experience you have to see to believe. Fantasy Fest is an annual 10-day party for grown-ups including costumes, parades and excitement! This year’s event will be held from October 22, 2021 to October 31, 2021. Put on your most extraordinary costume and get ready for all the fun!  While it’s true the parade is cancelled this year, 95% of the festivities are still going on, so honestly, no one will even notice! Find a Key West vacation rental near Fantasy Festival.

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Planning a getaway to Key West?  Fall is a perfect time! Temperatures start to cool down slightly in September. Key West averages a daily maximum temperature for September that’s between 87 and 89 degrees Fahrenheit (30 to 32 degrees Celsius).  October averages a high of 85 degrees and a low of 78 degrees (25 – 29 degrees Celsius). 

You can also enjoy less crowded beaches and attractions.  With kids going back to school, your Key West vacation experience can be a bit more relaxed and slow-paced.

Your time in Key West can be as action-packed or as relaxed as you desire. Adventure-seekers can book a fishing charter, snorkel trip, or dive to explore a shipwreck. Or, simply relax and unwind at the beach, at your vacation rental’s private pool, or strolling the downtown area. 

Investing In Key West

As Key West’s premier Vacation Home Asset Manager, when it comes to Real Estate our priority isn’t production. When we venture into Real Estate our priority is the best possible outcome for our clients, period. This may not sound like a typical Real Estate Agency’s motto, that’s because we’re not your typical Real Estate Agency.

Because our bread and butter is vacation rentals, we have a unique understanding of what makes a successful vacation rental home. From identifying Key West’s leading investment opportunities to producing a high performing vacation rental, we are ready to help make your Key West investment dreams a reality.

If you are ready to embark on the journey of purchasing an investment home in Key West, start with the ones who will be mutually invested in the long term success of your investment. Schedule a personal consultation with our team today to discuss your investment goals and how we can help make those a reality.

May 2018 Review/Photo of the Month

It’s that time again… when we announce our Review/Photo of the Month winner. The Greenwood Family, guests of  << VILLA CUBANA >> in May are our $100 cash card winners! They submitted a fantastic review of their week long stay with us, read it below:

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The Greenwood Family’s 5 star review from their stay at Villa Cubana.

We thoroughly enjoy reading each of our guest reviews. It’s a humbling reminder of how lucky we are to be able to provide guests with a memorable vacation experience and how lucky we are to live in such a magical place like Key West.

Want to be next month’s Review/Photo of the Month winner? Be sure to send us a photo or video of your time on vacation and submit your memorable review for your stay to be automatically entered in our monthly contest.

April 2018 Review/Photo of the Month

Each month we receive dozens of fabulous reviews and photos from our guests following their stays with us. We then choose the most memorable review and or photo for that month to win a $100 cash card. Our April 2018 Review/Photo of the Month Winner is Dr. Lentini’s chiropractic group that stayed with us at << THE COMMODORE’S MANOR >> for a long weekend. The group submitted a terrific review and awesome photo from their stay.

This fun group of Chiropractors enjoyed a day of jet skiing on the Gulf during their stay.

5-star review from the group.

We love hearing about our guests’ vacation experiences and seeing these amazing moments. It reminds us how lucky we are to do what we do everyday and to live in such a magical place.

We ask our future guests to send us a photo/video of your time on vacation and/or submit your memorable review for your stay to be automatically entered for a chance to win a $100 cash card.

A DAY IN CUBA: The newest adventure from Last Key Concierge

Thinking about adding Cuba to your passport stamps, but not ready to make a commitment to an extended vacation just yet?  Our concierge has designed the perfect day trip to add “visit Cuba” to your Key West vacation itinerary, allowing you to get a taste of Havana but returning you to Key West by sunset.

A fully guided exploration through Cuba including Cuban cuisine, historical sites, art…

Wake up in your Last Key vacation home in Key West, hop on your semi-private charter flight to Cuba, spend the day exploring and be back in time to enjoy dinner and drinks on Duval St.

A Day in Havana

TRAVEL:  Your day will begin at 7 AM for check-in at the Key West airport. The flight for Havana departs at 8 AM and takes approximately 50 minutes to fly the 90 miles south.

EXPLORE HEMINGWAY’S ESTATE:  Once you’ve cleared customs, you’ll be met by the local guide and will begin exploring La Finca Vigia (Hemingway’s Country Estate). This is your chance to take a glimpse back in time and see where the famed author withdrew to during his years living between Cuba and Key West – and if you’ve ever visited The Hemingway House in Key West – compare the two monumental properties. Spoiler alert: Hemingway’s famous boat “Pilar” is on site.

LUNCH:  When lunch time rolls around, you’ll take a pleasant ride into the fishing village of Cojimar for a mid-day meal at Ajiaco for an authentic Cuban meal. While here, get a glimpse of the “Hemingway Bust” the village people erected.

EXPLORE OLD HAVANA:  Once you’ve satisfied your appetite, it’s time to explore Old Havana. You’ll have a chance to visit some of Hemingway’s old hangouts: Hotel Ambos, Mundos, La Floridita, the Cathederal, Parque Central, and La Bodeguita del Medio. 

SHOP:  Stop for souvenirs (maybe some authentic Cuban cigars or rum) on your way back to the airport. The returning flight to Key West departs at 5 PM and you’re home by 6 PM.

Ready to experience the Key West and Cuban cultural connection for yourself?  Contact Last Key Concierge – 305.290.2522 to make a reservation or for additional details.

March 2018 Review/Photo of the Month

We received a multitude of excellent guest reviews and photo submissions this month! Each month we select the most memorable review/photo received as our monthly contest winner of a $100 cash card.

Our March 2018 Review/Photo of the Month Winner is The DeFelice Family, who stayed with us at << AVALYNN HOUSE >> and submitted a glowing 5-star review for their stay and shared some fun photos of themselves enjoying their vacation home and celebrating St. Patty’s Day!

The DeFelice Family celebrated St. Patty’s Day in true Key West style during their stay!

The 5-star review submitted from their stay at Avalynn House.

The whole gang posing by the pool.

It never gets old seeing moments like these of our guests enjoying their vacation homes and time in Key West. We take full pride in providing them with a memorable vacation experience.

Future guests: Be sure to send us a photo or video of your time on vacation and/or submit your memorable review for your stay to be automatically entered for a chance to win a $100 cash card. You could be April’s winner!

February 2018 Review/Photo of the Month

We love receiving reviews and photos from our guests. Each month we select a memorable guest review or photo to win a $100 cash card. The Chambliss Family is our February 2018 “Review/Photo of the Month” Winner for the review and photo submitted for their stay at << COASTAL CABANA >> for the outstanding 5-star review and this adorable photo they submitted from their stay!

Pets need a vacation too, ya know…

5-star review from the Chambliss Family

We thoroughly enjoy seeing these amazing moments of our guests’ vacations. It reminds us how lucky we are to do what we do and to live in such a magical place!

For future guests, send us a photo/video of your time on vacation and/or submit your memorable review for your stay to be entered for a chance to win a $100 cash card.

The Insider Guide to Prime Season Key West Vacation Home Booking

The keys to scoring the best Last Key vacation home fit for your prime season stay are: educate yourself on our policies ahead of time, let us help you find a match, and be prepared to secure your rental. For those prime season Key West vacationers who brave the vacation rental market each year, this is your insider’s guide, created for you by our Director of Marketing & Reservations, so that once next year’s dates become available for rental you are ready to pounce on that vacation home you’ve been crushing on.

**Insider Tip** Understanding Right of First Refusal

In order to properly prepare for prime season rentals, it is best to start with the pre-booking policy of Right of First Refusal. We offer the Right of First Refusal to our prime season monthly guests (Jan-April months in relevant homes.) “Right of First Refusal” simply means we try to give current guests the first crack at renting the same home for the same dates the following year before it is made available to the public. Our timeline for this shifts each year, but typically seasonal guests are contacted the December prior to their stays to exercise their bookings for the following season. As an example, in December 2018, guests for season 2019 will be contacted regarding Jan-Apr 2020.

What this means for prime season vacation home shoppers is the day following the right of first refusal deadline is the best opportunity to jump on a reservation for the home you have your sights on. Mark your calendar for the right of first refusal deadline and call our office on that day.

Let Us Help You Find a Match

Our goal is to host you as our guest in the home that fits your needs. Help us do this by thoroughly communicating what you do and do not like about various homes we discuss in the booking process. New homes join our inventory all year long, so the more we know about you and your search, the better. Just in case the home you’ve been eyeing is unavailable, it’s always a good idea to have other homes in mind. Rank your top choices (1-4) and communicate why you do or do not like options we share, and we can best match you with the right home for your dates.

Tour The Home In Person

Although our homes are very true to the photos here on our website, we appreciate that many guests prefer to personally view a home prior to confirming a rental. We are available to walk you through any of our rental homes free of charge, as long as the home is not occupied by guests at that time.

Not able to come tour a home for yourself? We encourage vacation home “shoppers” to take a look at the reviews past guests have entered on our website, on HomeAway/VRBO/AIRBNB listings, and on Google.

Be Prepared to Secure Your Rental

Provide our team with as many details as you can about your needs so that we can best consult on the homes in our inventory that may match your search. On the day that homes become available for rental, be prepared to secure yours by knowing what you need – we require a signed contract and a 50% deposit in order to confirm your reservation. Be ready to sign and put down your deposit to lock in your dates as quickly as possible.

There you have it, the recipe for how to get the vacation home you want! The prime season months always book up the fastest (a year or so in advance) so do not hesitate to make your plans early. Remember we’re always here to help you plan your next Key West adventure – contact us at rentals@lastkeyrealty.com or call our Office at (305) 292-6266 to speak with a reservationist directly.

January 2018 Review/Photo of the Month

We received lots of wonderful review and photo submissions this month, but there can only be one winner! Our January 2019 “Review/Photo of the Month” Winner is The Manzler Family,  guests of << HAVANA HOUSE >> for the month. We received such a flattering 5-star review on Google from them, as well as these fun photos!

 

 

 

 

 

The Manzlers review from their stay at Havana House

Where else can you enjoy the pool in January?! We love seeing our guests enjoying their vacation homes and time in Key West. It is a reminder of how lucky we are to do what we do and the fact that we live in such a magical place.

Future guests are encouraged to send us a fun photo or video of your time on vacation and to submit a memorable review of you stay to be automatically entered for a chance to win a $100 cash card.

December 2017 Review/Photo of the Month

It’s again time to announce our Monthly “Review/Photo of the Month” winner. Each month we select a memorable guest review or photo to win a $100 cash card.

Our December 2017 winner is the Gansner Family, holiday guests of ours at << PLANTATION TROPICALE >> who submitted an excellent 5-sar review for their stay, and shared a fun photo of the whole group enjoying the home’s spacious outdoor pool area!

The Gansner’s review of their stay at Plantation Tropicale

The family celebrated their holidays ‘Key West’ style this year.

Receiving such a flattering review and seeing these amazing moments of our guests’ vacations reminds us how lucky we are to be doing what we do in such a magical place.

For our future guests, send us a photo or video of your time on vacation and submit your memorable review for your stay to be automatically entered in our Monthly contest for a chance to win a $100 cash card.