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The Mermaids House - Old Town, Yearly Rental ! Historic Bahama Conch House

Photo gallery for The Mermaids House - Old Town, Yearly Rental ! Historic Bahama Conch House

Front of The Mermaids House
The Mermaids House sign.
Front Porch with 2 chairs and swing.
Front porch with swing to watch the world go by or smoke. Ash tray provided.
Picture in Hallway next to Vintage French  Doors.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 492.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Gym
  • Pool

Explore the area

Map
key west, FL
  • Duval Street
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Southernmost Point
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Key West, FL (EYW-Key West Intl.)
    ‪12 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

outdoor shower

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Mermaids House - Old Town, Yearly Rental ! Historic Bahama Conch House

In the heart of the Old Town Historic district of Bahama Village Key West, where life in the old days was very different than it is now, is my Conch home which has not really changed much except on the inside. It is private, fully furnished, very clean, and comfortable well stocked home perfect for a very wonderful Key West experience.

I have restored the house to keep it's history, so it has remained a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom with a 6 foot claw foot bathtub( Original)/ shower, pedestal sink, outside private shower, high cathedral ceilings, original hardwood floors, 5 foot sash windows, all Dade County pine, outside back deck for dining,bricked in back yard with comfy furniture for lounging under the 145 year old trees, front porch with seating, washer and dryer and central air conditioning and heat.

The main bedroom has a king size bed, the other bedroom has a queen bed and both have unique headboards for reading comfort. There is a view of the Key West Lighthouse from the kitchen and the backyard is tropical and shaded for a long nap on the chaise or hammock.The double back decks are a great place to practice yoga or meditation. Parking in front of my home is private and can fit 1 car and 1 moped. You will be so close to all the action, you do not need a car at all. Walking or biking is the way to see Key West like the locals do. Moped or electric cars are available down the street. If you would like to use my bikes, they are included , there are 4 bikes with lights to use in the yard( you will feel like a local)and the locks are in the baskets to use. The keys are by the front door.

I am looking for the longer term rentals since I do not want a lot of traffic through the house. I would like to retire there some day, so this is not just a business for me, it is my home. She was built in 1865, so she likes good company. We think she was once inhabited by a mermaid that a drunken sailor brought home one night long ago. She still remains in the house to watch over her and protect her.

My Rates are:
January, February and March are $8,000
April and May are $6,500
June, July , August, Sept are $5,500
October , November, December are $7,000
I will prorate and combine these rates depending on the start of the lease.
Cleaning fee is extra and due upon check in of $300.


Keywords: Single Family, Private, Historic Bahama Conch Home, with Fenced in Yard

Property manager

Barbara DeClemente

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 6:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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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

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 not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Key West

Located near the beach, 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 South Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and MLK Community Pool & Community Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
key west, FL

What's nearby

  • Duval Street - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • South Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Southernmost Point - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Mallory Square - 17 min walk - 1.5 km

Getting around

  • Key West, FL (EYW-Key West Intl.) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bourbon Street Pub - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪801 Bourbon Bar - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Mangoes Restaurant & Island Cuisine - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Moondog Cafe & Bakery - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Old Town Tavern Key West - ‬2 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does The Mermaids House - Old Town, Yearly Rental ! Historic Bahama Conch House have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is The Mermaids House - Old Town, Yearly Rental ! Historic Bahama Conch House pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Mermaids House - Old Town, Yearly Rental ! Historic Bahama Conch House?

Check-in begins at 6:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Mermaids House - Old Town, Yearly Rental ! Historic Bahama Conch House?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Mermaids House - Old Town, Yearly Rental ! Historic Bahama Conch House located?

This family-friendly Key West holiday home is located by the sea, steps away from Tennessee Williams Key West Exhibit, Duval Street and Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. South Beach and Florida Keys Beaches are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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. 63 out of 65 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 65 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 65 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Our ninth year

We have reviewed the Mermaids House before and all of our reviews have been very positive. Our opinion of the Mermaids House has not changed. Barbara is always making changes that improve an already great property. We love our month in Key West and are planning our trip next year to the Mermaids House. Kdshell Lancaster, PA
Stayed 30 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Linda M.

Historic House, Great Location!

Located just a block from Duval Street, this lovingly restored historic property offers comfortable living spaces inside and out. Front porch for watching the world go by, fenced back yard for private relaxing complete with decks, outdoor furniture, hammock and gas grill. Lovely interior with lots of thoughtful touches. Barbara is a friendly and caring owner who really goes the extra mile to make her guests comfortable., too. Highly recommended!
Stayed 26 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Pam W., Williamsburg, Virginia

Mermaid Marvel

Cozy, charming, well located, fully equipped conch cottage with super attentive owner. I have reserved a month for next year.
Stayed 29 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lynn B., Calmar

Absolutely amazing!

Our stay at The Mermaids House could not have been better! Barbara greeted us at the house to show us around when we arrived and we were instantly in love! The house is perfectly equipped with everything you could possibly need and is very large inside with 2 nice bedrooms. Wonderful, large fenced in yard, wonderful front porch and tropical paradise backyard with plenty of places to lounge and a hammock! The location could not have been better, just a 1/2 block off Duval everything was close but it was very peaceful at the house. The claw-foot tub/shower in the bathroom was really nice but we loved the outside shower! The pictures truly don't give it justice and you can tell how much Barbara loves and cares for this home. She was very attentive to our texts while we were there and very easy to work with. I would highly recommend this house to anyone and will definitely stay there on our next trip to Key West!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Oasis off Duval

Each March we have travelled to Key West to escape the Pennsylvania winters and we have been staying at the Mermaid’s House. The Mermaid’s House is a half block from Duval Street but you would never know it. It is a quiet oasis close to but it seems far away from Duval Street. We love the house. It has a historic quality of old Key West but with all of the modern amenities. If one is looking for a place with character this is the place.
Stayed 31 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Pam W., Williamsburg, Virginia

Mermaid House memories

I love this charming house,! It has a great location and absolutely everything you could ever need for your stay there. Barbara is so attentive and responsive to any concerns you might have. The house is clean, cozy, charming and attractive. I would recommend it to everyone and have already reserved it for a month next year.
Stayed 31 nights in Jan 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mermaids House: Paradise off Duval

We have been staying at The Mermaids House for eight years. That in itself should be testimony enough. We love the house and the feel of a Caribbean Island. It is close to Duval Street but far enough away from the noise of Duval. Each year Barbara, the owner, is a welcoming and gracious hostess. Barbara is always making improvements on this well kept property. One of our favorite places is the botanical garden in the back yard. The variety of the plants is amazing and almost as if one is in a beautiful jungle. Would we rent The Mermaids House again? We already have for next year!
Stayed 31 nights in Mar 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

kirt w.

Wonderful time in a wonderful house!

Centrally located, close to the action but not loud. The house is quaint and Barbara has done a wonderful job maintaining the original charm of this house, while supplying the modern conveniences we all enjoy. We loved every minute of our stay. The back yard/patio area really is as great as it looks in the photos. I think we spent more time outside than in. We would stay here again!
Stayed 30 nights in Jan 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tara P.

Perfect House

My sisters wedding brought our family to Key West, but the Mermaid House will bring us back! This was simply the perfect house in the perfect place. The house is about half a block away from Duval Street which puts you in walking distance to all the action but tucks you just far enough away that you can enjoy a great night sleep! The pictures don't do the Mermaid House justice; it is truly a gem with a backyard that will make you feel like you are in your own private oasis. The outdoor shower was fantastic and was used by all of us everyday! The bikes were also a great asset, we rode them all over the island with them.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Great Choice!

The Mermaids House is centrally located one block from Duval, but on a 2 block street so there is very little traffic. You can walk everywhere. It is a very comfy, clean & "Key West" quirky house. The backyard is larger than expected with tropical plantings and a hammock. The property manager is right across the street and is very congenial and helpful.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Pam W., Williamsburg, Virginia

Mermaids

I thoroughly enjoyed ten days in the comfortable, well-located and well-equipped Mermaid House. The claw foot bathtub and outdoor shower were wonderful. The fenced patio with comfortable and attractive furniture were pleasant to use. The owner and property manager went out of their way to make my stay welcoming and fun.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ruthe N.

Perfect home for our Christmas vacation!!

From the moment my mother and I opened the front door of The Mermaid House, we knew we were in for a special Christmas vacation. This Old Key West rental home was full of interesting pictures, shells, and mermaid items. The biggest surprise was the decorated Christmas tree! We plugged in the lights each evening for an added treat in the home. Also, we enjoyed sitting on the front porch in the morning and evening to watch people walk their dogs and the many bicyclists exploring Key West. The Mermaid House gave us room to relax with the two bedrooms, one full bathroom with an outside shower and indoor clawfoot tub/shower combo, the spacious living room, the large backyard with the great seating areas, and a fully planned kitchen. Our favorite part of the house was the outdoor shower! Each bedroom has its own cable TV with plenty of channels. We found this to be important because I liked to sleep late, but my mother preferred to rise early and watch "Good Morning America" in her own bedroom without disturbing me. Also, there is a cable TV and DVD player in the den with movies provided. The location of the home is perfect-close to everything, but on a very quiet street. Special thanks to Dave for helping us with our luggage, restaurant suggestions, decorating the Christmas tree, and providing tour ideas. Dave was always available either in person or by phone-he is wonderful! In addition, Barbara (home owner) was very responsive to all our questions via email and by phone-she is a fantastic! Our seven-night Christmas vacation was perfect because of Barbara’s wonderful home.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Amazing! We LOVED it!

We are not new to renting homes and Barbara has thought of every detail in the Mermaids House! By far her organization of space and provisions is top notch. It is obvious in every detail her love of this property. I wish I had her touch in creating such zen spaces. We, myself, husband and two twenty year old children, absolutely loved it here. Perfect location for accessing all of the amazing things to do and see on Key West. We rode bikes to both watch the sunsets from Mallory Square and sunrises from Smathers Beach. Hard to believe such a tranquil, private spot could be just a half block off Duval! We highly recommend The Mermaids House.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Fantastic! Would visit again!

We rented the Mermaids house from Barbara for a short weekend, it was our first time renting a house like this and it was fantastic! she made it simple and answered all questions we had! The house was great, there were 2 couples and it had tons of space for us, and the backyard was amazing! We only use the outside shower because it was so neat! She had 4 bikes for us to use while we were there to get around which made us feel like a local! The location of her house is great, you are within walking distance to anything in old Towne/Mallory square. It was quiet when we wanted quiet and it was super close to join in the fun as well! Dave the manager greeted us and answered any question we had and was there when we checked out. This was one of the best experiences we had vacationing!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Our Stay in The Mermaid's Cottage

We stayed at the cottage for 3 nights and found it well-appointed and no detail was overlooked in providing us with everything we needed. The outdoor space was what drew us to the cottage and it did not disappoint. We all enjoyed using the outdoor shower so much that we ignored the charming claw foot tub in the bathroom. We were close to Duval Street, many wonderful restaurants, and stops where we could walk to pick up the Old Town Trolley for our tour. The Hemingway House was also within walking distance and we enjoyed a tour there. Thank you for providing a charming place to stay as we enjoyed Key West.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Damon T.

Another great stay!!!!

This is the second year we stayed at the Mermaids House. And it was every bit as great as the first year. The back yard, outdoor shower, beautiful decorations, and LOCATION, are all top notch. And Dave is a great host. Look forward to staying again in the future!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas A.

Mermaid House Review

The Mermaid house was outstanding, it was everything we expected it to be. The central location is perfect, easy walking distance to everything. The house was perfect for 4 people, the beds were comfy, the outdoor shower was awesome. The neighbors are cool, everyone is so laid back. The kitchen is fully equipped. The back yard is huge and the hammock is great. We rented scooters and parked them in front, I will be renting scooters every time i come back to KW from here forward, it makes life so much easier. I will be staying here again, great value, great service, great house, bottom line. Paying with a cashier's check was unusual but it worked out great.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Perfect!

This was a perfect vacation for the 4th of July! The house is central to everything yet quiet enough so you can relax! The minute you walk in to the house, you know it's vacation time! The decor inside and outside are just perfect! The hammock is perfect for an afternoon nap and the grill is a nice addition to make dinner. I highly recommend this place as somewhere to stay! Everything you could need is here and more.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nano S., Raleigh, North Carolina

4 ladies getaway

We absolutely loved the Mermaid House. We had four ladies and we fit just fine, the outside shower and an afternoon in the hammock is a must. We rented bikes and parked the car for the entire time. We love Dave, who helped out tremendously with getting situated, and the thoughtfulness of the maps, tour guides, condiments and extras. We all agreed this was the best vacation we have ever taken, I am already looking to book time next year. Thank you Barbara!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Active seniors from Pennsylvania

We have been staying at The Mermaids House for the past six years during the month of March. So obviously we are pleased with the accommodations. Barbara’s property is a gem in Old Town Key West. The house has all of the amenities that one needs for a perfect stay close to all of the craziness of Key West. We are active seniors and we are able to walk or bike to any location on this wonderful island. One would be hard pressed to find a better place to stay in Key West.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Fabulous Home

There were 4 adults that stayed at the Mermaid Home and we loved everything about it. It was quaint but had everything you could possible want or need. Our favorite was the outside shower and the outside patio deck. We would highly recommend this place to anyone going to Key West and have shared with all of our friends in Atlanta.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

laura and neil b.

Delightful Home Away From Home

My husband, adult daughter, and I enjoyed 5 days at the Mermaid House. It is a delightful, interesting, a bit quirky (but in a good way), quiet home, located within walking or short biking distance from pretty much everything on Key West. We were there for the Half Marathon weekend and had quite a few friends staying elsewhere on the island. The two-level back deck was perfect for a small get together BBQ - fresh tuna on the grill from the Eaton Fish Market, which was a 5 minute bike ride. Barbara (owner) has stocked her home with just about everything, and a welcoming sign that says, "Feel free to use whatever you need." This is so nice, especially when one wants to cook and needs spices, olive oil, etc. My daughter fell in love with the back yard hammock. Every evening, she parked there and watched a movie. I fell in love with the front porch swing chair - every morning, I sat there with coffee and checked email. We all fell in love with the outdoor shower. Never used the indoor shower. Dave, the local manager, was accessible and helpful. And really nice! The Mermaid House was very comfortable for 3 people. We'd go back in a heartbeat. Thanks, Barbara!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Augustin and edith p.

Really nice

Very close to the 6 Toed Cat restaurant which we ate at daily. We stumbled on to Fogarty's restaurant one evening and loved their Key Lime Pie and service. The Mermaids House was close to everything that we wanted to do in Key West. We walked almost everywhere we wanted to go. We left our car parked out in front of the house the whole time we were in Key West. The only down side of The Mermaid House as I saw it was that there was only one bathroom. Four adults and one bathroom is a trifle difficult to deal with. Dave was a great asset, helpful, attentive and it was comforting to know that he lived just across the street and that if we needed assistance he would know how to help if need be.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

jeremy g.

Awesomeness

We had a very nice stay at the Mermaid House. We really enjoyed the outdoor shower and we were pleased with all the amenities the property had to offer. Our favorite part of the house was taking a nap in the hammock. We would highly recommend this place to anyone visiting the Key West area. We found the property manager to be extremely helpful and very knowledgeable about the area. The property was extremely quite at night yet very close to all the action on Duvall. We really enjoyed it.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Damon T.

Mermaids House for Fantasy

This was a truly excellent stay for us. The home is centrally located a half block from Duval (very convenient). The house itself was amazingly decorated and the backyard area suprizingly large. Outdoor shower.....awesome, we never used the inside even in the rain! And Dave was a great guy who helped alot, it was a pleasure to meet him. I look forward to my next stay!

About the host

Hosted by Barbara DeClemente

Host profile image
Hello,
I am the one on the left of my famous Key West singer friend. Her name is Camille Russo and she sings Jazz at Virgilio's on Duval Street.We come together at 'The Mermaids House' when I am in town.

Why they chose this property

She wasn't a vacation rental when I bought her. She was like all the other houses on the block. All residential and occupied by the original families who were born and raised in these houses. When I found her she was a mess and run down. I loved the neighborhood of Bahama Village in Old Town, filled with Cuban and Bahamian families and they loved us. Now most of the houses on the street are guest houses and owned by people who never lived on the block. How times have changed. The location of my home makes it an ideal place to see Key West on foot or bicycle.Its really the only way to see Key West. You miss so much any other way.

What makes this property unique

It is a wonderful location in Old Town, walking distance to all major attractions and great restaurants. One half block from Duval Street yet very private and quiet. This is a single family home, not a cookie cutter condo that looks like a real Key West home, this is the real thing. A Conch Home in the best Old Town location.You don't need a car while here so see Key West like the locals do, ride a bike or walk.

Languages:

English