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. 

What to Expect in Key West – Spring 2021 Vacation Rentals

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  The biggest question we’ve been asked over the past year is ‘What’s Key West like right now with COVID-19 restrictions?’  It’s the same lovely weather, terrific food and fantastic live music you’ve come to expect.  So what’s changed?  The city has implemented a mask mandate that we take seriously and folks stay a bit further apart.  What’s that mean for you?  Probably nothing you aren’t already used to where you are from.

The Royal Compound – Located at 101 Admirals Lane – Available Nightly (6 night minimum)

Renting Properties in Key West

Key West was actually pretty busy during 2020 as most people learned that ‘work from home’ is a whole lot more fun when your home is in Key West.  We’ve helped many guests come stay for a month or two, a few even decided not to leave.  All of our Key West house rentals include high-speed WiFi so when you open your Zoom call everyone can see your stunning view.  And you can rest easy, all of our reservations are 100% refundable outside of 21 days of your arrival.  We understand how quickly things can change and we’re here to help you in any way we can.

Bird of Paradise – Located at 1514 Patricia St – Available for Monthly Rentals

The Atmosphere in Key West

One of the reasons people have been flocking to Key West (even more than usual!) is because businesses of all kinds, from the bars & restaurants to public transportation to your friendly neighborhood vacation rental agency, have taken steps to ensure our guests feel comfortable, safe and healthy while enjoying the much-needed reprieve Key West provides.  Don’t worry, Duval St is open, musicians are still playing, the restaurants & bars are still serving (dine-in or take-out) and there’s never been a better time to get out on the water.

Avalynn House – Located at 522 Emma St – Available Nightly (6 night minimum)

Here at Last Key we’ve gone above and beyond to ensure you have a safe and healthy stay.  We’ve implemented extra cleaning of our properties, we have contactless check-in, grocery delivery if need be, and a full concierge service that can assist with any special request you may have.  To see all of the steps Last Key has taken to make sure you have a safe trip, click here:  https://www.lastkeyrealty.com/vacation-key-west-covid19

As the vaccine rolls out, the demand for Key West is climbing even higher.  Lots of travelers are looking to escape to our island, so if you’re thinking of joining us start planning your trip early.  Give us a call at 305-292-6266 or search for vacation rentals to see what we have to offer.  Whether you just need to get away or are looking for a new locale to work from home, Key West has what you’re searching for.

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.

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.

Time to Kick Start Key West – Post Hurricane Irma Update

Six weeks have passed since Hurricane Irma showed her ugly face in the Florida Keys, primarily impacting the middle and lower Keys about 20 miles North of Key West. Magically (see more on the mystical Grotto here), Key West was spared from much of the devastation and is now back to normal… which if you know Key West, is not normal at all.

Last week many Key West lovers flocked down to take part in the annual Halloween celebrations known as Fantasy Fest. It was such a fine sight to see so many people enjoying our glorious island again! If you weren’t able to make it to Fantasy Fest, don’t worry: There are a great number of fun events on the calendar for the rest of the year, including next week’s 37th Annual Super Boat Races, where guests can witness exciting power boat races right from the Truman Annex waterfont.

Now that Irma is in our rear-view, we need your help in bringing the activity back to our island! Despite the media’s portrayal of Irma’s impact, Key West was mostly spared – but what is now hitting us the hardest is the misconception that we are not yet open for tourism.  The island opened back up for tourism on October 1 and is back in full swing at this point. If you love Key West, it’s time you escaped all of your worries and took a relaxing vacation to our beautiful island. The weather is literally perfect, the beaches are glistening and you couldn’t pick a better time of year! Support your favorite vacation destination AND do your quality of life a favor by making a plan to spend a few nights, a week, or a month in the Conch Republic!

 

To make the deal even sweeter, we are offering some AMAZING specials that you will not want to pass up like our Procrastinator’s Discount, Snowbird Special, and Kick Start Key West.  See our specials page for details. Discounts included in online quoting.

Should you have additional questions about the impact of Hurricane Irma, the state of the island or our properties, please do not hesitate to call us directly at 305-292-6266.

Long live the Conch Republic!  #keysstrong

Slow Down, This ain’t the Mainland: Your Guide to Getting Around Key West Without A Car

Getting around Key West isn’t too difficult, after all it is an island. Speed limits are low, people are friendly and you’ll probably see a few bumper stickers with the tagline “Slow Down, this ain’t the mainland.” At Last Key Realty, we’ve come up with a guide – for those vacationing without a vehicle or for those that want to ditch their vehicle – to get you around Key West in the style that best fits your island experience.

Ride A Bike

The quintessential mode of island life transportation is biking. Most streets in Key West have designated bike lanes, making cycle commutes safe and easy. However, be sure to keep your wits about you and watch out for traffic. Key West has a long history of being a bike-friendly community. Many locals take pride in dressing up their “conch cruisers” and rig them with distinct character, flair and fabulousness. Just remember to always use bike lights at night, and to lock up your bike when making a pit stop downtown. Renting a home without parking for a vehicle? Bike racks are located all around Key West, and most LKR vacation homes have designated space for locking up your bicycle when you aren’t out cruising around. If your bike won’t fit nicely in the overhead bin or safely under the seat in front of you, don’t worry, our Concierge Team will be happy to help you secure two wheels during your time in paradise. They can even arrange for bike delivery to your Key West vacation home, so that you won’t have to waste valuable vacation time. Not the most confident on a bike? You can always snag a three-wheeled adult beach cruiser for an easy ride around town, plus these tri-cycles feature ample basket space. This set-up is perfect for a “beverage” run or a quick trip to the local grocer, Faustos, for the essentials.

Hop on a Scooter

There’s nothing like scootin’ around town with your hair blowing in the wind. Driving a scooter is quicker than riding a bike, yet more convenient than driving a car. Key West is very scooter-friendly and scooter/moped parking is a breeze – especially in Old Town. Plus, you really get to see more of the island up close when riding a scooter compared to driving a car. Reserve a scooter for your stay through our Concierge Team, who will offer to shuttle you to your scooter pick-up location.

On Foot

Get your steps in! Nothing is “too far” to walk in Key West. At only 2-miles by 4-miles, walking the entire island can be accomplished in a single day. Walking is a safe option (especially after you’ve hit a few happy hours) and it allows you to soak in and marvel the island’s beautiful architecture.

Ride Sharing

Now that Uber, Lyft, and other Ride Sharing Services have made their way to Key West, enjoy the convenience of a quick ride around town just by using your smartphone. Ride sharing is a great option after hitting the bars on Duval Street or for a prompt fast trip to and from the airport. Ride sharing is the perfect option for reaching locations that may be a bit far for a bike ride or a walk without having to rent a vehicle for your entire stay.

Duval Loop

As of August 31st, Key West will offer a circulator bus ride to your favorite stops on and around Duval Street. Tentatively called the “Duval Loop,” this complimentary bus service consists of a sixteen stop route. The Duval Loop is part of the city’s “Car Free Key West” initiative to eliminate cars and ease congestion in the heart of Old Town Key West. Check out the official Duval Loop website for pickup times and stops. You can also search for one of our amazing vacation rentals on Duval Street, or rentals near Duval Street.

Pedicab

Pedicabs are three-wheeled vehicles that seat two passengers in a hooded cab behind the driver, who operates it using pedals. You will see them riding up, down, and around Duval Street constantly, and hopping in one to get from one bar or attraction to the next is a relaxing and fun way to get around. It’s also a great way to see the island while letting the pedicab driver do all the work.

For any other questions, or to find a Key West Vacation Rental, just contact us at Last Key Realty.

July 2017 Review/Photo of the Month

Another month has come and gone, and with it we’ve received a number of excellent reviews and fun photos from our guests from their adventures in Key West. Each month we select one of these memorable guest reviews and/or photos to win a $100 cash card.

Our July 2017 winner is The Bakewell Family who stayed with us at :: LA BONNE VIE :: and submitted an excellent 5-star review and shared fun photos of their vacation in Key West!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We love seeing photos of our guests enjoying their vacations and receiving feedback about the properties they stayed in and the service they received.

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

June 2017 Review/Photo of the Month

Each month we choose our favorite guest Review and/or Photo submission received during that month to win a $100 cash card. Our June 2017 winner is the Shepherd Family who stayed with us at :: VILLA CUBANA :: and submitted an outstanding 5 star review, as well as shared some lovely photos of their time in Key West with us! It looks like they got to enjoy some time on the water…

Villa Cubana Guests Last Key Realty Guests

Last Key Realty Guest Photo

Seeing these amazing moments of our guests’ vacations just reminds us how lucky we are to be doing 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. July’s winner might be you!