Entire home
Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl. Keys Specials
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Reviews
8.8 out of 10
Excellent
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4130.1 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Marathon, FL
- Place, Crane Point Museum and Nature Center9 min walk
- Place, Boot Key Harbor19 min walk
- Place, Florida Keys Country Club2 min drive
- Airport, Marathon, FL (MTH-Florida Keys Marathon)2 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 4)
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Bathroom 2
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl. Keys Specials
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
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House Rules
Check in after 2:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 3–17
Perfect for supervised children over 5
Events
No events allowed
Pets
Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 23 kg per pet (limit 3 pets total)
Owner contact required before booking .
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights
I do not change a cleaning fee so I expect your party to leave the house as close to the way you found it at check-in please😃
Departure check list is available upon arrival in welcoming book to assist in departure procedures for your convenience.😊
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
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 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 that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Marathon
Located in Marathon, this cottage is on the waterfront. Florida Keys Country Club and Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Sombrero Beach and Curry Hammock State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Marathon, FL
What's nearby
- Crane Point Museum and Nature Center - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
- Boot Key Harbor - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
- Florida Keys Country Club - 2 min drive - 2.0 km
- Sombrero Beach - 5 min drive - 4.4 km
- Seven Mile Bridge - 10 min drive - 11.1 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- McDonald's - 9 min walk
- Brass Monkey - 12 min walk
- Mr. Beans Books & Beans - 4 min drive
- Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House - 3 min drive
- Wendy's - 17 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
8.8
Excellent
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window8.4/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Amenities
8.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
9.6/10
Check-in
9.6/10
Communication
9.0/10
Location
9.2/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Verified
31 January 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
erin b.
2 March 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
erin b.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Eileen R.
7 February 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Eileen R.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
William B.
26 January 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
William B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jeana O.
7 December 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Jeana O.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Judy L.
25 October 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Judy L.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
2/10 Terrible
Gregg S.
28 January 2026
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy



Gregg S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2026
Verified
8/10 Good
john f.
10 February 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice Times
john f.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Marc W.
7 April 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location!
Marc W.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Claudia B.
16 September 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fun week in Marathon
Claudia B.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Rick D.
26 March 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A little getaway
Rick D.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Verified
8/10 Good
Barbara W.
1 March 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Keys Holiday
Barbara W.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Adam D.
9 January 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just what we were looking for
Adam D.
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Linda W.
22 February 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect location
Linda W.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020
Verified
8/10 Good
Darrell S.
2 July 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice place great hosting
Darrell S.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2022
Verified
4/10 Poor
Faye B.
31 December 2024
Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Don’t be “lured” in by this VRBO
Faye B.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
John G.
24 February 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Convenient Location and Great Host
John G.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Tonya H.
29 January 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great for family trip!
Tonya H.
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
William M.
12 March 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise in Marathon
William M.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Phil L.
16 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great guys trip!
Phil L.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Eric F.
22 March 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Vacation to remember
Eric F.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
David L.
5 March 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Worked great for our family for the week
David L.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
William J.
29 April 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Happy
William J.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lisa H.
9 April 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
March 2025
Lisa H.
Stayed 30 nights in Mar 2025
Verified
8/10 Good
C E.
21 October 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice and comes with Iguanas
C E.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023
About the host
Hosted by Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl.Keys
Connie Merando your Owner/Hostess has been serving guests as their hostess on the island of Marathon since 2002 offering one of the first licensed weekly/monthly vacation rentals available to the public. I was formally a professional animal handler in the conformation field for over 30 years traveling the world with as many as 4 dogs at a time for clients from not only the USA but from around the world. After staying nearly everywhere and working not only with my clients but the general public for so many years at the shows I soon became an authority on not only K-9’s but lodging and conversational etiquette learning to solve the most drastic of problems. After retiring to the Florida Keys, fishing tournaments and partnering with a Charter Captain when the vacation rental market opened up in Marathon I naturally jumped into the opportunity to be one of the first to look for just the right location and become an owner. I wanted to continue to work with the public offering them a real taste of the old Keys experience while offering them the finest hospitality, relaxation and affordability so they too could experience just what the fabulous Keys had to offer. After 23 years serving as the hostess of Carpe’Diem, my home, I have met some amazing people that have enjoyed visiting our islands and just knowing them and the fantastic memories they have taken home after their visits has brought me great satisfaction and joy over the years not to mention all the K-9 friends they have brought along from time to time as I have never forgotten my attachment to my first love the K-9 world allowing them to visit as long as they bring their owner along. This is why I have enjoyed being your hostess all they years. No problem has ever been to big to solve as long as the sun shines down on one of the most beautiful locations in the world!
Why they chose this property
After looking high and low for just the right place that I myself would want to live in, that was quite, ground level and located in the very middle of the Keys but of course on the water I accidentally stumbled upon the neighborhood when going to pick up a friend for a shopping expedition when I suddenly found myself on a quiet dead end street one Saturday morning and was shocked as I didn’t know that the neighborhood even existed and after looking with numerous realtors had no idea the street was even back there had my friend not given me directions to her new home. At that exact moment a person was putting a For Sale sign in front of a duplex as the property was just about to be going on the market. I stopped the car went up to the gentleman and requested the information concerning its availability and about the realtor about to handle it. Driving on down to my friends home instead of shopping we spent the day discussing not only the home but the neighborhood and as the afternoon progressed I soon discovered what “It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere ment in that neighborhood as we went to numerous homes on the street meeting different neighbors. They were friendly, welcoming and basically wonderful local residents that enjoyed meeting someone new. I was having a wonderful time on a road that ended at the Atlantic with maybe 8 homes, quiet, out of the way, and very little traffic with great neighbors! One neighbor even had the keys as the present owner had him keep an eye on it for her as she had moved back up North with her kids. So I saw the house the first time by a trusted neighbor and friend of the owner and with that I knew I had found what I had been looking for, quiet, relaxed atmosphere, on the water with the greatest of trustworthy friendly neighbors! A secret hide away, it had it all and I purchased it the next day! Carpe’Diem
What makes this property unique
Location,Location, MM50 and Location! Sun, Sun, Sun! Food, Food, Food! FUN,FUN,FUN!
This is the prefect locations to hang your sun hat in our island chain! In the middle of everything! You can either take the car or catch the shuttle bus and travel up or down the island chain. For $4.50 try the shuttle and get off in the different island communities or go all the way and do the Duval Crawl in Key West. Don't come to see part of the Florida Keys come to see all of it from Key Largo to Key West and everything in between. We are close to the beaches, shopping, restaurants, water actives, dancing and about everything you can imagine on the island of Marathon which by the way is only 6 miles wide and 10 miles long. The Sun as you know just keeps on shining down here when it's 40 below and their ah shoveling snow up North we love it! Island breezes sway the palms at about 78 degrees down our way in the winter but once in a while we may have a cold snap of about 60 in the dead of winter.Enjoy the end of each beautiful day with a majestic sun sets over our emerald seas. FANTASTIC! Food - Some of the best Chef's in the world are right here in the Keys. Choose from 5 star restaurants or Mom and Pop joints for some of the best fresh seafood you can eat. It doesn’t matter if you like to catch or buy your own fish and grill a quiet dinner on our patio deck, whichever the fresh produce and seafood will tantalize the taste buds and don't forget the Key Lime Pie!
FUN,FUN,FUN - You have just stepped into the twilight zone of FUN. Spend a day on the water on one of our party boats, take out a jet ski, spend the day like a beach bum up and down the island chain, snorkle or dive the reef, have a dolphin encounter, theater, take a biplane or helicaptor ride. parasail, water ski,and always plan to catch a sunset at the Sunset Grill, dance til dawn! The list goes on - like the saying goes,'If you want to try it the Keys have got it!' and at Carpe'Diem we know where it's at!
This is the prefect locations to hang your sun hat in our island chain! In the middle of everything! You can either take the car or catch the shuttle bus and travel up or down the island chain. For $4.50 try the shuttle and get off in the different island communities or go all the way and do the Duval Crawl in Key West. Don't come to see part of the Florida Keys come to see all of it from Key Largo to Key West and everything in between. We are close to the beaches, shopping, restaurants, water actives, dancing and about everything you can imagine on the island of Marathon which by the way is only 6 miles wide and 10 miles long. The Sun as you know just keeps on shining down here when it's 40 below and their ah shoveling snow up North we love it! Island breezes sway the palms at about 78 degrees down our way in the winter but once in a while we may have a cold snap of about 60 in the dead of winter.Enjoy the end of each beautiful day with a majestic sun sets over our emerald seas. FANTASTIC! Food - Some of the best Chef's in the world are right here in the Keys. Choose from 5 star restaurants or Mom and Pop joints for some of the best fresh seafood you can eat. It doesn’t matter if you like to catch or buy your own fish and grill a quiet dinner on our patio deck, whichever the fresh produce and seafood will tantalize the taste buds and don't forget the Key Lime Pie!
FUN,FUN,FUN - You have just stepped into the twilight zone of FUN. Spend a day on the water on one of our party boats, take out a jet ski, spend the day like a beach bum up and down the island chain, snorkle or dive the reef, have a dolphin encounter, theater, take a biplane or helicaptor ride. parasail, water ski,and always plan to catch a sunset at the Sunset Grill, dance til dawn! The list goes on - like the saying goes,'If you want to try it the Keys have got it!' and at Carpe'Diem we know where it's at!
Languages:
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