Mermaid's Retreat, Key West, Florida Vacation Rental by Owner

Mermaid's Retreat

Welcome to Julia Whitehead Guest Suites! Built in the 1890s on the site of what had been a small provisions and butcher shop, this charming building has a rich and captivating history. In the 1930s, while Hemingway was living a few houses down, it was home to a popular Cuban bodega. From the1980s through the turn of this century, potter Charles Pearson created ceramic masterpieces which are still collected today. If you keep a watchful eye, you will find some of his ceramic fish adorning buildings and homes in the neighborhood still.

Its current guardians have spent nearly a decade painstakingly bringing the building back to life, with three one-bedroom apartments, and hosting Dog Tired Studio gallery up front as the proud face of the building. Julia Whitehead, the patron mermaid of the building, has been keeping an eye over this landmark since she first surfaced here in the 1800s, and she invites you to come and live like a local, just steps from Duval, in the shadow of the lighthouse.

Here, at Mermaid’s Retreat, you’ll find a beautifully updated space, with colorful, eclectic decor and abundant natural light. Balconies off both the living room and bedroom upstairs are ideal for languid afternoons with a good book and some sweet tea, while the comfortable living room is a cozy hideout for a quiet evening spent watching TV or using the free WiFi to scroll social media. The full kitchen holds everything you need to whip up meals and snacks. When bedtime calls, head upstairs to drift off in your serene Key West sanctuary.

THINGS TO KNOW
A booklet inside the apartment features the full story of Julia Whitehead Guest Suites.
No dog(s) are welcome in this home. No other animals are allowed without specific Vacasa approval.
Parking notes: No parking available.


Air conditioning is only available in certain parts of the home.
Please note: this home resides in a noise-sensitive area and the owners participate in our Good Neighbor protection program. Our smart home technology will alert our team if excessive decibel or occupancy levels are detected, allowing us to reach out directly with a reminder of maximun occupancy and quiet hours. This technology is privacy compliant, and only monitors the presence of decibels and devices -not any personal conversation or information. Thank you for supporting our efforts to be good neighbors!

Damage waiver: The total cost of your reservation for this Property includes a damage waiver fee which covers you for up to $3,000 of accidental damage to the Property or its contents (such as furniture, fixtures, and appliances) as long as you report the incident to the host prior to checking out. More information can be found from the "Additional rules" on the checkout page.

Due to local laws or HOA requirements, guests must be at least 25 years of age to book. Guests under 25 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the reservation.

LIC2018-000315
LIC2018-000312
DWE5404027
25230-136069