Key West Condo / Fort Jefferson

Old Aug 10th, 2002, 08:10 AM
  #1  
ELWS
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Key West Condo / Fort Jefferson

Two questions:

1. Four adults are traveling to Key West in mid-September. We are looking for a condo as close as possible to the ocean. Any suggestions?

2. We hope to visit Fort Jefferson by boat. Any ideas or suggested operators? Schedule & cost?

Thanks in advance.
 
Old Aug 10th, 2002, 08:20 AM
  #2  
susan
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If by "ocean" you mean either the Gulf or the Atlantic, you should look into a two bedroom condo at the Galleon. It's a timeshare that rents to non-owners and it's in a great location on the Gulf.
 
Old Aug 10th, 2002, 02:13 PM
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Gary
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Galleon is a good choice, but it's pretty expensive. Check the website for info.
 
Old Aug 10th, 2002, 07:31 PM
  #4  
h2o
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What/where is Fort Jefferson? Is it near Key West?
 
Old Aug 11th, 2002, 05:05 AM
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susan
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Fort Jefferson National Park is on the Dry Tortugas, a cluster of islands 70 miles west of Key West. I haven't ever been, but have a friend who swears by taking a seaplane out there. There are also boat trips available. You might check out keywest.com for further information.
 
Old Aug 11th, 2002, 09:02 AM
  #6  
Jack
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Any suggested websites that aggegate available condos in Key West?
Thx
 
Old Aug 11th, 2002, 10:36 AM
  #7  
xxx
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We've stayed at the condos at 1800 Atlantic. Right on the ocean. Great views and pool. Search the web because different owners rent different units. Official website is www.1800atlantic.com, but pictures don't do the location justice. This website also has some other pictures.
http://www.vacationpost.com/1800Atlantic.htm
We have stayed here twice and would definitely go back.
 
Old Aug 11th, 2002, 11:21 AM
  #8  
susan
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Jack - do a search on google.com for "vacation rentals in key west"...you should get lots of ideas. But here's the catch: There's an ordinance against short-term rentals (less than 30 days) in Key West for anyone who isn't licensed. So if you find someplace to rent be sure it's licensed. Truman Annex has been hit particularly hard by this ordinance because a lot of the condos there were bought with the intention of being used as rental units.
 
Old Aug 11th, 2002, 01:22 PM
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Margo
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Susan-I don't understand what "licensing" means in this respect.
Truman annex is a really nice area-can not people rent out their place? I just don't understand what is behind this.
We go to Key West nearly every year for a week or so in February but stay at the Southernmost Motel so don't have a problem with "licensing".

A couple of years ago we took the seaplane to Fort Jefferson. That is a really interesting place to spend the day. We were told that the catamaran that also goes to Fort Jefferson takes much longer and can be very rough if the sea is rough like it was when we went.

Also any condo on Atlantic Ave. will not be within walking distance of upper Duval street and all the restaurants and other shops.
Be sure to try Mo's, a tiny place on White street (I believe)--a true Key West place.
 
Old Aug 11th, 2002, 02:32 PM
  #10  
susan
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Margo - I'm not the one to explain the licensing business because it's more complicated than it seems on the face. This ordinance was passed a number of years ago but its enforcement was delayed due to either a glitch in its initial wording or some other loophole. In any event, since last year people who don't own a license to rent short-term (they initially sold for $65,000) are forbidden from doing so. I agree Truman Annex is beautiful and I really feel sorry for those owners who have been renting their condos. The Shipyard area was apparently hardest hit; none of those condos are licensed and apparently most - in not all - were bought as rental property. I've noticed that various rental agencies address this issue on their websites. Some say all their property is licensed, others say some of the property is. As I recall, the original basis of the problem was non-locals buying property at premium prices and causing general housing to spike so high that many locals who're employed in the tourism industry were unable to purchase property. I hope Grglnswsh will address this issue because unlike me, she knows what she's talking about! In any event, unless someone is reported for illegal renting, there's virtually no way keep track of who's doing what. I think the owners would be fined and perhaps the renter would be made to leave the property.
 
Old Aug 11th, 2002, 02:39 PM
  #11  
janet
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Went to Fort Jefferson with the Yankee Fleet at the end of July. Very pleased. I believe it was the Yankee Freedom II. The boat can hold 250 but they only take 100 due to park service limitations, so there was plenty of room on the boat. Very friendly crew. Once they are underway you can go on the bridge and chat with the captain.
 
Old Aug 12th, 2002, 08:53 AM
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roger
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The Yankee Fleet has a very helpful website. $109 per person for a full daytrip.

Does anyone know how long it takes for the Yankee fleet to cover the 70 miles? I'm guessing about 3 hours??

 
Old Aug 12th, 2002, 08:59 AM
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xxx
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Susan, you did a great job explaining the rental limitations.
 
Old Aug 12th, 2002, 07:13 PM
  #14  
ELWS
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Great information.
Other condo suggestions?
 
Old Aug 14th, 2002, 08:40 PM
  #15  
roger
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Also looking for condominium (2 BR) suggestions.
 
Old Aug 15th, 2002, 02:42 AM
  #16  
Pam
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We just got back from Key West. Altho not real close to the ocean (but not too far) we stayed at Ambrosia House. I believe they have some 2 BR units with kitchens. People were very nice and helpful with restaurants, bicycles, etc. It is only 1.5 blocks from Duval but relatively quiet. We loved Key West but it was extremely hot and humid. We rented a moped which was a great way to get around.
 
Old Aug 15th, 2002, 05:19 AM
  #17  
linda
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hi pam, Can you tell me a little about Ambrosia House? I am contemplating a stay there. Were the rooms nice? Which type did you stay in? Was parking available and could you walk to any beach within 15 20 minutes.? Thanks
 
Old Aug 15th, 2002, 05:23 AM
  #18  
xxx
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http://www.ambrosiakeywest.com/
 
Old Aug 16th, 2002, 02:09 PM
  #19  
jeanh
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We had the fortune/misfortune of staying at Ambrosia last September. Our room had a huge veranda overlooking the pool. It was a very nice room and I'd certainly stay there again. The 'misfortune' part of the first sentence is that we were there on 09/11. It was very surreal. I love Key West, but after that I just wanted to go home. We were scheduled to fly home on Sept. 12. Ended up taking a Greyhound to Miami and renting a car at the airport. I now know that it's 1800 miles from the Hertz car rental to my driveway.

It's a long walk from Ambrosia to the beach at the park (can't remember the name). It's a short few blocks down to the docks.

Jean
 
Old Aug 24th, 2002, 12:21 PM
  #20  
Melissa
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We've taken trips to Fort Jefferson on both Sunny Days and the Yankee Fleet. Fort Jefferson is not to be missed-- One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, and well worth the price.

Sunny Days is the way to go--the boat was much more comfortable, and the Yankee Fleet charges for each soda you drink. Sunny Days includes all beverages (including beer and wine on the return trip) in the cost, which is $95 compared to the Yankee Fleet's $109.

They both take the same amount of time to get there, but Sunny Days leaves half an hour earlier and returns half an hour earlier. My husband got terribly sea sick on the Yankee Fleet, but not on the Sunny Days catamaran. It was a much rougher day on the Yankee Fleet though, and he felt better as soon as we crossed the channel.

Both crews were extremely hospitable though, very nice all around.
 
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