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The Rental Accommodations are located in Old Town Key West, two (2) blocks from the center of Duval Street in one of the oldest sections of Key West. In addition to being within easy walking and biking distance to Duval Street, and the best entertainment and dining on the island, the vacation property is located two (2) blocks from Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, the best beach and picnic area in Key West.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We loved it! Clean, roomy living area, dining room and good kitchen. Lovely little pool and lots of porches! We will hopefully return another year! 4 bedrooms all with comfy beds and linens. Wish there was a bit more space, closets, and bedside tables upstairs but we made it all work and truly enjoyed it all! The outside shower was fabulous! And it made the 1 full bathroom upstairs AOK as many of us (8 in total) used the outside shower exclusively.
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I just returned from the best vacation ever. Where we stayed made it outstanding. A group of 8 of us rented a 4 bedroom house for the week. The name of the property is Bahama Gardens, it is located in Old Town Key West, 2 blocks from Ft. Zachary Taylor. Bahama Gardens is a 5 house compound and we occupied the Main house. Steve the owner was there (in one of the small houses) for a few days and he was so helpful. I think we asked him 100 questions and he answered every one or found the answer for us. He was awesome. "Little Jerry" as we named the rooster what seems to have taken up residency in the backyard was a constant souuce of entertainment and someone to yell at. The pool in the back yard ia perfect place to hang out during the day or night. The hot tub was very, very hot until the heater turns off at 10 PM and then it is perfect. The tenants in the other houses were VERY friendly and we all make fast friends. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this huse The only thing I would chang is the amount of people we had. There are 2 bedrooms w/ queens, one room w/ a trundle bed (2 twins) and one room w/ 1 twin bed. We had 3 couples and 2 singles. There is only one full bath but that never really seemed like and issues as there is a 1/2 bath downstairs. Check out some of the pictures I took of the property! Also check out Bahamagardens
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The pros: Key West is great and this is a terrific location. Two blocks from Duval Street yet you can't hear the crowds and music. It's a nice set-up with the houses around the small pool and our neighbors were charming. The cons: The house needs some loving care. Everything is just a bit lacking. The kitchen is poorly equipped and dingy. Things don't work well, like one of the TVs and the toaster. The pain is smudged and dirty in spots. The bedrooms are small and--the biggest issue--there's only one full bathroom for four bedrooms. We were five people and that quickly became a problem. None of these things is major, but put together you are paying a lot of money for a place where nothing is quite what it should be. The one thing, however, that IS major, is the roosters. The house (I should say shack) next door has a flock of roosters (yes, I said a flock). They start crowing at about 3 AM and don't stop until midday. The two bedrooms that have windows in that direction are impossible for sleep. We tried earplugs, we tried white noise. One of our neighbors told us she was forced to take a sleeping pill every night. We played musical bedrooms so no one would have to deal with it every night. I know it sounds sort of charming--and the occasional crow is kind of colorful and Key West-y appealing--but non-stop multiple crowing for hours on end can make you kind of crazy. We all started having fantasies of roostercide. Despite all that, we had a great trip and would go back to Key West in a heartbeat. Just not to this spot.
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Date of stay: February 2012
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi , Just saw the 20% discount coupon and saw that they couldn't find the price for the place. I called and spoke to them. He asked how lone we wanted to stay and I said about 3 nights for 2 people. He didn't seem to have much interest but said his minimum rental is $1600. He said, "I don't care if you sty 2 or 3 nights or what...minimum is $1600. Unpleasant and aloof attitude too!
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Date of stay: April 2014
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
in april 2008 we signed a lease for jan-mar 2009 In may 2008 we bought a house in key West and tried to contact the owner. I say tried because he would not respond to multiple calls or letters. When we have rented in Fl keys in the past there has always been a cancellation policy. There is none at Bahama Gardens - this is the Roach motel.... All sublets must go through the landlord and there is a rental fee you pay for this plus cleaning fees etc and we were even charged a $100 breakage fee for a tv cable for a tv we never used .... When we rented in 2008 the house was a little 'as is' but the grounds were nice, In 2008 we had a verbal promise from the owner work was going to work on things we were unhappy with(like intermitant hot water, washing machine, window air conditioner right behind the couch etc...) but In 2009 the place was more 'as is' e.g. the shower still had intermitant hot water - and now the grounds needed to be maintained. All I can say there are many rentals in KW keep looking- it was our 15K mistake. Read the contract carefully. Pls don't make the same mistake. The place is for sale maybe that is why it isn't being maintained. Since we didn't need the 2009 reservation and we could not rent the place, we let family stay free - my sister-in-law tried to clean the back deck, washed the rugs, cleaned the grill .. they left early. That says it all.
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Date of stay: March 2009
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bahama Gardens is a gem of a property, I almost don't want to tell you about it, and save it for my closest friends.
I've been going to Key West for 30 years and so much of the authentic experience has been replaced with the Hyatts and Hiltons. The scale of the construction has been good for the economy but bad for anyone wishing to get a piece of the Caribbean lifestyle without the expense of flying 4 hours further south.
Fortunately I found this little compound, Bahama Gardens, in the authentic and as-yet-not-overdeveloped neighborhood of Bahama Village. It's still a relatively quiet little neighborhood, with mostly owner occupied houses and roosters crowing in the morning. How did this neighborhood escape the over-development?! You could not get more centrally located. Two blocks from Duval Street, two blocks from the best beach (at the fort), two blocks from the Green Parrot and only one block from Blue Heaven (even though I prefer the Dennis Island cafe across Petronia Street -- again, more authentic and less expensive) .
The property is really a compound of 5 houses that range from small (think small hotel suite) to a full sized 4 bedroom house (just one of these). The houses share the beautiful grounds that have great flowers and plantings and also a nice pool and a hot tub -- which was great for those cool nights while I was there in February. There are brick walkways and white picket fences. The place has a ton of charm.
From the outside, the houses look pretty much like they did when they were built 100 years ago (due to strict restrictions in the renovations) but inside they have been completely renovated with modern finishes and amenities. I stayed in the Turtle house which had granite and lots of glass -- glass shelving in the kitchen, glass table in the dining area, very nice. Over all, I would say the insides have a very personal feel, like you are staying at a friends home with tasteful decor, not sterile or banal as found in the Hiltons and Hyatts. Frankly some of the artwork was so nice I was surprised the owner risked it in a rental property.
Still, the property is not for everyone. You won't get amenities of a hotel like room service or daily freshening of the sheets and towels, or even someone else to make your bed. And most of the sleeping areas are in lofts (which sacrifice some privacy, and not good for anyone who can't climb a ladder or is too inebriated to do it safely). The Main house is the exception, all 4 bedrooms are regular bedrooms, not lofts.
You'll share the commons areas (like the gas grill) with the others on the property. If you are lucky like we were, these will be friendly people and you may find yourself looking forward to sharing some wine with these guests at poolside every evening. Because we became friends with these other guests, we got to see the insides of 2 of the other houses. Both the Cigar House and Conch house were, like the Turtle house, very tasteful and comfortable.
There's a few other benefits -- free wifi on the property, which saved me about $200 from having to pay a hotel their daily internet rates. Unfortunately I had to work a couple hours each days while I was in Key West. I did my work at poolside. Small price to pay to be in paradise.
Also, I found the property has one phone line for guests' use with an unlimited calling package. Now I have cell phone with plenty of minutes and free long distance, so I didn't use this phone, but the guests in the Conch house were from Italy and I think they were calling Europe for free!
There's cheaper places to stay on the island -- but for the money, here you'll pay about the same as nice hotel but you will have access to a nice kitchen, which will allow you to fix a meal or two and this translates into some good savings. I recommend picking up some fresh fish for the grill. You don't have to do much to get fish on the grill to taste great, add some yellow rice, and vegetables (also on the grill) and Cuban bread. Wow! I'm hungry. (There's several options for fresh fish -- ask the fellow who manages the property about where to go.)
If you decide you want to stay here, just one thing -- don't take my weeks at the Turtle House. I have not one, but two more trips already planned back to Bahama Gardens.
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Date of stay: February 2009
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I just returned from a wonderful long weekend in Key West with 6 high school girlfriends. Bahama Gardens was the perfect spot for us - centrally located, great pool, plenty of space. We stayed in the main house - 4 bedrooms and a pull out couch - and had plenty of room for 7 women and all their stuff. The house is a short walk from a great beach - Fort Zach - and an even shorter walk to great bars and restaurants. John the property manager was very helpful and full of great tips for things to do around the island. I'd stay here again in a heartbeat!
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Date of stay: June 2010
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I do not think that i can say enough about the quality of the main house, the kindness of the owners and ass., the great location, and the property. You will have to get use to the roosters, but that is part of the whole Key West experience.
Don’t let the smallish square footage of the house fool you, the house is so well laid out that it has MORE than enough room for 8 people! The warp around porches and open pool area makes it the both spacious and intimate. You are so close to the action of Duval you can ALMOST hear its heartbeat but with the amazing landscape you are 100% secluded from it. The Owner was present for a good portion of the trip and was not only knowledgeable but a great person. He had a caretaker present that was also just a great person. They both contributed to the feeling of community that you really want to feel in Key West. I will recommend this house to anyone and everyone. If you take care of the house and it fits in your budget, you will not find a better place to stay In Key West....Or anywhere!
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Date of stay: June 2008
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Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bahama Gardens is a great place to rent for a stay in Key West. The location could not be better as you are in walking distance to everything you want to eat, see, do, and try. Don't bother renting a car if you are staying here as you will park it and not touch it again. Duval Street, Fort Zachary State Park, Blue Heaven,Santiago's Bodega are all right there. The property has beautiful gardens and a great pool and hot tub and while you are enjoying them you feel right at home. Same for the place itself. We rented the Cigar House and it was perfect for 2 people. It has a nice porch for sitting and reading or having a meal outside. Everyone who runs this place is pleasant and professional, for the owner to the maintenance guy and the housekeeper. They are genuinely friendly, responsive, and helpful. Lastly, the roosters next door do make some noise as others have mentioned, but after the first day you get used to them. They are a good part of the local atmosphere and sometimes downright funny!
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Date of stay: April 2013
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have been going here for a few years now. We love it, the grounds are kept lovely, they truly are very accommodating. The jacuzzi is amazing! The pool is large and has a resting extension pool which is very nice just to sit and relax in. There are bikes on the property that can be rented for easy travel around old town.
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Date of stay: January 2017
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â There are 3 homes on this property it can accommodate any size party.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from bahamagardens, Owner at Bahama Gardens
Responded 24 Aug 2017
William - Thank you for the compliments and the positive review - We are glad to hear that you enjoy the property - you are welcome back any time! Steven J./ owner
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the Key West area.
PRICE RANGE
RMÂ 4,703 - RMÂ 10,286 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesFloridaFlorida KeysKey West
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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BAHAMA GARDENS: UPDATED 2024 Hotel Reviews, Price Comparison and 38 Photos (Key West, FL) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Bahama Gardens
Which popular attractions are close to Bahama Gardens?
Nearby attractions include The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum (0.3 km), U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum (0.4 km), and Heroes Bar & Liberty Lounge (0.4 km).
