Fodor's Expert Review The Mermaid & the Alligator

An enchanting combination of flora and fauna makes this 1904 Victorian house a welcoming retreat. The property is bathed in palms, birds-of-paradise, and royal poincianas, with colorful birds and butterflies adding a tropical punch. Rooms are Caribbean-colonial inspired, with polished Dade County pine floors, elegant molding, and French doors. Each room has a unique color scheme—some are bold, with navy, red, and green, and others more subtle with Key West shades of lime, coral, and coconut. Ground-floor rooms open onto the deck or covered porch, just a few steps from the pool and gardens created by one of the resident owners, a landscape designer. Upstairs rooms overlook the gardens. A full breakfast is served poolside, and guests can take advantage of complimentary parking, bottled water, soda, and an evening glass of wine.