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See current specials & Winter reduced rates & 12% Off wkly Stays! close beach

Holiday home with kitchen, near Duval Street

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Dining Area
dining area
Interior
Bathroom
Room

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 246.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Duval Street
  • Place, South Beach
  • Place, Southernmost Point
  • Airport, Key West, FL (EYW-Key West Intl.)

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Separate dining area
Dining area

About this property

See current specials & Winter reduced rates & 12% Off wkly Stays! close beach

Special Oct 28-Nov 5 @149.lodg lodg+ extras. w. 3 night stay!

Come On Down. November great time for Key West -lower pre-season winter rates. less people easier to get around and good weather!

Power Boat race wk. & mid wk specials. spec.@165.lodg + w. 4 night stay.
11-2 til 11-6 & 11-8 to 11-10 @ 175. +
Nov mid-wk specials.at 165.+
11-10 to 11-13 & 11-18 to 11-20.
11-24 to 26 at 185.00 +
195.00 + specials 11-30 to 12 -3 &
12-9 to 12-11

FEB & MARCH WKLY SPECIALS @
12% OFF & REDUCED RATES 285.lodg. + extras.ngtly.

This is a good value at a
GREAT LOCATION Close to beach and All!
REASONABLE RATES. W.FULL KITCHEN AND PATIO
Please read reviews. People have left and judge for yourself..
Key West is old and historic when
The homes were built-in this area. Parking was always on the sides of the street and is FREE.
A great way to see the island however, is by bicycle plus there are so many different kinds of vehicles you can rent it is amazing.

SO.........

Come splash in the surf. Come soak up the heat of the Sun. Come feel salt water mist on your skin as you take a sunset sail! Come listen to the beat of the reggae drums. Come feel the loose sand in your feet as you sway to its rhythm. Feel alive and vibrant.
CARPE DIEM!.
You will be staying at Varela Street Retreat. Only a beautiful half-mile walk from the beach.
My place has a full kitchen with full size refrigerator and stove. A complete dining area and a living room/bedroom combination and bathroon. You also have your own large private patio.The 1/2 mile walk straight down the street to the public beach is lovely.
The beach also has a nice small restaurant onsite.
You will love staying in this great location where 90% of the residents are local. They each have an interesting Key West tale to tell and are a very warm, friendly and diverse group. Here you will absorb the ambiance that made Key West what it is today.
Varela St. Retreat is located in historic Old Town away from the bustle on famous Duval Street. It is only half a mile to the closest beach and a 7 minute walk to Duval Street. It is less that one block to the White Street art gallery district, the grocery, the laundry, the largest city park,restaurants, shops, bike rental shop and more.
Go ahead, kick your feet up and make yourself at home! You are about to enter Varela St. Retreat. Here you will meander back a secluded stone pathway to reach your very own private, spacious stone patio complete with lush overhanging tropical vegetation.
A table and chairs and plants
await you. You can dine out and soak up the warm inviting Florida sunshine,chat with your friends or just catch up on some reading. The front room of your apartment is a combination of a full kitchen and a separate dining/office area. The back room has a queen-size bed and a living area complete with a sleeper sofa. The bathroom has a stall shower. The apartment has all new ceramic tile and wood laminate flooring.
Varela St. Retreat offers FREE parking right on the sides of the street in designated areas. First come first serve.

Also, ask me about a pool hook up if needed. So please come and make Varela St Retreat your temporary home while away from home!

Keywords: House

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Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
a copy of your photo ID will be required for all reservations within 24 hours of first payment
no smoking inside / no grills allowed during your stay
Free parking on street sides & cross streets. First come, not assigned. Avoid areas with words on blacktop to prevent tickets.

Important information

You need to know

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Key West

Located by the ocean, this holiday home is in Old Town Key West, a neighbourhood in Key West. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and Southernmost Point are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park and Florida Keys Beaches. The Kite House and Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory are also worth visiting. Jet skiing, kayaking and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling nearby.
Map
Key West, FL

What's nearby

  • Duval Street - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • South Beach - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Southernmost Point - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Mallory Square - 4 min drive - 2.4 km

Getting around

  • Key West, FL (EYW-Key West Intl.) - 8 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sandy's Cafe - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪El Siboney Restaurant - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪The Best Coffee In Town - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Dions Truman & White - ‬3 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is See current specials & Winter reduced rates & 12% Off wkly Stays! close beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at See current specials & Winter reduced rates & 12% Off wkly Stays! close beach?

There is free parking nearby.

What time is check-in at See current specials & Winter reduced rates & 12% Off wkly Stays! close beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at See current specials & Winter reduced rates & 12% Off wkly Stays! close beach?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is See current specials & Winter reduced rates & 12% Off wkly Stays! close beach located?

Located in Old Town Key West, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Key West Firehouse Museum, Duval Street and Florida Keys Beaches. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and South Beach are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

9.4/10

Cleanliness

6.0/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

9.4/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 114 out of 176 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 40 out of 176 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 16 out of 176 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 176 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 176 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michael H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My wife and I really enjoyed the property. It was intimate and cozy and perfect for just the two of us. Shower is a bit tight but it served its purpose. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

teddi c.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Key West vacay

We really enjoyed our stay..the little guest house was cute and exactly what it advertised. The bed could have been a little softer and a little more cleaning in the unit wouldnt hurt either..the only other thing, is there was not enough bike parking. Overall everything was good, location, noise, food etc.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alana M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

This place was perfect for me and my boyfriend! It was in a great area very convenient and parking was pretty easy to find nearby, the new updates were super nice and everything was really clean! Host was really nice and understanding, would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Kathy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our VRBO Stay in Key West

The overall impression of this property was it was cute and satisfied our needs. There were a few minor things that should be corrected, but nothing that was outrageous. Our hostess was amazing and communication with her was great!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Phyllis B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Convenient, affordable, and comfortable

Parking is difficult and the write-up says there is onsite parking. For newbies to Key West, this should be rewrittten to specify accurately that there is no assigned parking. Otherwise, this was a great stay.
Stayed 9 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allison L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

Our stay was great. Marilyn provided us with all necessary information. The house itself is very clean but tiny. It is good for a couple or two people. It was perfect for our needs ! :)
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Frank O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

3/11 - 3/18 vacation

Excellent location, unit had everything we needed for a relaxing visit.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Shaun G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little bedsit.

Comfortable place within easy walking distance of things
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chasity S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Very comfortable bed, excellent location, we were able to ride our bikes everywhere we went. Bathroom is small
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hannah S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

Close to everything. Also quiet. great trip
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

karen d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Happy trip.

Perfect area to be staying. Choice to walk or bike ride around town, to the beach, restaurants, etc. very convenient.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Clifford R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cute, Cozy, Comfy

Our stay overall was great! The bathroom is small, but it definitely works! I would not have a problem staying here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Juan G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pleasant stay

Overall stay was good with no complaints. Restroom is small but manageable for what needs to be done. Location is within 15 minutes of Duval St if walking.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Willis

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
My wife and I stayed here for 5 days, 4 nights, and really enjoyed ourselves. The room is comfortable, very quiet, and in a great location. It is very close to some great dining, a couple of convenience stores and other interesting shops, but still has a neighborhood feel. We enjoyed the feeling of privacy, while still being within minutes of anything and everything the island has to offer. Marilyn was very responsive, great host! 5/5
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ann S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the cutest apartment! Not sure what all the comments were about regarding the bathroom. I found the shower water hot the bathroom was plenty spacious and I applied my makeup at the sink. Plenty of room. The kitchen is well equipped. My only suggestion if you do not like a firm mattress bring or buy a pillow topper. Also, I had no problem getting in and out of the bed. This apt is located behind and attached to another home which is very typical. My friends owned a home behind but not attached 3 houses down from our rental. We had no problem parking. I was very Leary given the price and was amazed on what I found.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

A Great Place to Kick Back!

This place was the best part of our trip! The apartment was spotless and the wood deck out back got lots of morning sun. We felt so at home that we stayed in several days just to relax and read on the deck. We would definitely come back! Chuck and Terri
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

kaycee g., Lehighton, PA

Cozy and comfortable - everything you need

Found Marilyn and the Varela Retreat when looking for a place to stay for a ceremony in KW. It was perfect for my sister in law and myself!! Everything you need is right in the neighborhood and it's a nice walk to the top of Duval Street. The apartment is vintage and highly functional. I would definitely stay here again. Thanks so very much, Marilyn!

6/10 Okay

Barbara N.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quirky old town location

Great location, walking/biking distance to everything, reasonably priced for Key West. Apartment is small, exactly as shown in the photos. I don’t believe it would be comfortable for four adults, but young kids may be okay on the futon sofa bed. Courtyard is a nice place to sit with coffee.
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2022

6/10 Okay

Charles S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Small spaces

It is not shown in the photos, but the space that one must squeeze thru in order to get to the toilet is only about 18 inches between the corner of the shower and the lavatory vanity. A large person will not do well in this unit in my opinion.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

4/10 Poor

Linda B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Check-in, communication, location

Key West Disappointment

Manager never sent door code after repeated requests. Neighbor had to help us gain access to the rental. Also, we are senior citizens and the rental was definitely not designed for our needs
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katie N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great VRBO with a gracious host!

What a great location! The apartment is close to the heart of Key West and the majority of attractions on the island, so we were able to walk everywhere during our stay. We had a variety of restaurants, grocers, and shops to choose from, and when we were exhausted, it didn't take long to walk back. While the apartment is small, it's perfect for those wishing to not be surrounded by hoards of tourists. Calm, comfortable, and secluded. The back patio was a nice area to enjoy without distractions or excessive noise. Just a note: the bathroom is a tight squeeze, so if you need room to shave or style hair, it can be difficult if one is not flexible. The owner was easily reachable by text or call, and was very responsive if an issue arose. Overall, the VRBO was comfortable to stay at and suited all of our needs for our week-long stay. 😊
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Bob F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Our stay in Key West

The property is clean and well kept but very basic. It's a back unit so the small outdoor seating area is surrounded by 9 foot wood fence making sitting outside unpleasant. The two air-conditioning units are old and noisy making sleeping difficult. The bed is against the wall on one side and only 6 inches from wall on other side making it difficult to get into. The unit is not handy to bus stops so getting to attractions requires considerable walking. The property is near two great restaurants and a very good grocery store.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

Paul K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good, quick response to a needed repair.

The owner reported the need for a repair of overhead light/fan the day before our arrival and said that it would have to wait until after we left three days later. I responded that we were not at all happy about this and would appreciate it if she could have the work done before our 4 pm check-in time. We were quite pleased to see that she did indeed have the work done before our arrival. Excellent communications and follow-through in my view! Inside the unit we saw other small things needing repairs. The refrigerator handle fell off because the screws were loose and a floor lamp had a broken plug. Intending to fix these myself, I went to a hardware store and purchased some screws and a plug, but I never got around to it as I got sick and had to be hospitalized on our last day. Overall, we felt that the rental was a good, quality value and was described by the owner correctly.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The value for Key West was excellent. We stayed 5 nights for what our friends paid for 1. It's older, but that is a lot of the charm. Staying in the neighborhood was a completely different vibe. We were able to walk to everywhere, including a great grocery store and we walked to Mass at a beautful Catholic basilica. We had a flight change and host was extremely flexible. Communication was extremely quick. Duval St. was a quick easy walk which saved so much on Ubers. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bryne Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cute place! Great location and communication.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

About the host

Hosted by Marilyn Henley

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

If you want to know what it feels like to really live in Key West and you like the benefits and homey feel of having your own kitchen, living area and either deck or porch this is a good fit for you. Plus my location is grand. I love being literally so close to everything and the beach.

What makes this property unique

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests