Entire home

NEWLY Redecorated as of 4-15-25. The current pics. do not reflect the changes

Photo gallery for NEWLY Redecorated as of 4-15-25. The current pics. do not reflect the changes

Dining Area
Dining
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

Map
Key West, FL
  • Duval Street
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • South Beach
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Southernmost Point
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Key West, FL (EYW-Key West Intl.)
    ‪8 min drive‬

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

NEWLY Redecorated as of 4-15-25. The current pics. do not reflect the changes

NEWLY REDECORATED AS OF APRIL 15. 2025 all dark natural wood walls and cabinets gone instead painted off-white color throughout. Really lightens up the place.Orange walls are gone as well. Instead, painted pastel color and in the bathroom. Cabinet under bathroom sink is gone. Just imagine new pedestal sunk opening up the bathroom.

GREAT LOCATION Close to beach and All!
REASONABLE RATES. W. KITCHEN AND PATIO

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

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

Property manager

Marilyn Henley
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

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

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 snorkelling 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 - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum - 16 min walk - 1.3 km
  • South Beach - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Southernmost Point - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Mallory Square - 5 min drive - 2.5 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Sandy's Cafe - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪El Siboney Restaurant - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Thai Island Restaurant - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Key West Sailing Club - ‬14 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is NEWLY Redecorated as of 4-15-25. The current pics. do not reflect the changes pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at NEWLY Redecorated as of 4-15-25. The current pics. do not reflect the changes ?

There is free parking nearby.

What time is check-in at NEWLY Redecorated as of 4-15-25. The current pics. do not reflect the changes ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at NEWLY Redecorated as of 4-15-25. The current pics. do not reflect the changes ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is NEWLY Redecorated as of 4-15-25. The current pics. do not reflect the changes 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. Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park and Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 105 out of 161 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 35 out of 161 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 15 out of 161 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 161 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 161 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

6.0/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

9.4/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

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

Michelle L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Kathleen F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janet C.

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

Cute, Comprehensive, Convenient

The place was cute; we had everything we needed and it was convenient to all the fun w/o being too close to all the noise and busyness of Duval St. Loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 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

8/10 Good

Christine Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Disliked: Communication

Good location and reasonable price

The good: convenient location, quiet, bed was comfortable, the little patio in the back is nice. The bad: there is no “on site’ parking but we always found parking on the street about a block away, The communication with property manager was a bit strange, she accused us of still being inside the unit a full day after we had check out on time, despite texting her to tell her we had left (an hour before check out)
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

william r.

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

Excellent

Excellent location very clean. Excellent communication with the owner of the accommodations were wonderful. We enjoyed our New Year’s.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shaun S.

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

Couple Spot

This spot is a good spot for a couple looking for a place that’s quiet but close. The place has everything you need for a stay with a full size stove and fridge, comfortable bed and roomy enough considering you’re out way more than you’d be in. There’s WiFi, AC if hot, a private outside patio area , beach chairs available, and the basic needs to prepare food if you don’t want to go out. It’s close enough to walk to Duval St or the beach. The owner is easy to work with and very communicative. She’s super nice and wants her guests to enjoy her home.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Ian W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin v.

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

Schönes kleines Apartment

Das Apartment ist super gelegen, alles nötige in laufweite. Die Größe der Wohnung ist ausreichend und entspricht der Beschreibung. Alles da, was benötigt wird. Die Kommunikation mit der Gastgeberin hat sehr gut funktioniert. Wir werden wieder kommen. Danke!
Stayed 14 nights in Nov 2024

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

6/10 Okay

Melissa G.

Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Key West

The property is small and dated. It is fine for a young couple, or a small framed couple. If you are elderly you will find it challenging finding street parking, navigating the unleveled walkway on the side of the house down to your unit. I had to carry a lot of heavy items from the street to the back of the unit and it was not easy. Their are tree branches you have to dodge, you can't roll your suitcase, and the ground is uneven. The bathroom is tiny so if you are a larger person you may have issues with the shower and toilet. Again, if you are younger than the unit will work fine for you.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

STEPHEN M.

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

Great for stay in Key West

A lovely, typical property located in Old Town area of Key West. Very comfortable stay, quiet ensuring good sleep. Great location and I did everything either by walking or on the bicycle I hired. Excellent communication with host who replied within a couple of hours if not sooner!!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

kfred3738

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

Our honeymoon spot

This is our second time visiting this location. We came here last year when we got married.. Marilyn is a wonderful host and this place is adorable!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kaia H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 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

8/10 Good

Dusty W.

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

Fine

Fine, but smaller than anticipated.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

james r.

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

OK, place and convenient to old town

The apartment was nice, but we did not have any dish towels to do the dishes. I would recommend a bicycle because it can be a hike to get to DuVall. Good place for the price. It is in need of updating but is an older property.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

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

Verified traveller

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

One bedroom back unit.

Great location. Host was very easy to communicate with. Tiny bathroom but functional. Would stay again. Thank you
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Ross R.

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

Meets the basic needs

Good location, walkable to most places or a short bike ride or Uber. The property meets the basic needs of a bed, a kitchen and a bathroom. It’s a landing spot in between outings but there is no charm to this space and the bathroom is tiny and sinking. It’s dark with no views. It is super close to a little grocery store. It’s fine if you are going to be out and about most of your time but not a space you want to spend large portions of time relaxing.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

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

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Kendall W.

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

Perfect for a key west getaway

Loved the location! We parked our car outside and didn't use it at all until we left. Duval Street, the beach, and cafes are all in walking distance and the neighborhood is so cute. You can also walk to a golf cart/scooter rental shop to get around the island. We also loved the privacy of the unit. Would absolutely stay here again, such great value!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

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