Traveling to Key West for a wk in May for wedding. Advice, please on condo rentals in Key West - looking at Truman Annex. Have never been there, never rented a condo, & see several agencies listed for condo rentals. What was your experience? Many thanks! Liz

I like to use an accomodations agency by phone so they can ask enough questions to satisfy our needs. I did this for B&B rooms in KW and was very pleased. Plus if something goes wrong you have someone to help--take number with you. I needed this in Charlottesville!!

Sorry, I am a little thick. . .would a travel agent be able to do this or do you recommend that I contact one of the condo agency listings on the web direcly? I was told about a site vrbo but that appears to be listings posted directly by individual owners. Thanks again, Liz

I think I'd contact a realtor or rental agency myself rather than going through a travel agent. I know there are several reputable ones, but the only name that comes to mind right now is At Home in Key West. Truman Annex is a very nice, quiet place in a great location. As long as you stay in Old Town, I think you'll be happy with your accommodations. You might also check into renting at the Galleon, which is a timeshare (on the Gulf side of Key West) that rents to non-owners. They have full kitchens, washing machines and dryers, etc. Galleonresort.com

What about a house?
We rented through this agency, first class home (we rented two of three units in one house). They have lots to choose from:
http://www.centercourtkw.com/

Just be careful that the condo you rent can legally be rented for less than a month. This has been a major issue in Key West....don't know if any of the laws have recently been changed or not, but you should check into it.

this site lists seversl agencies:
http://www.keywest.com/rentalagencies.html

Thanks to you all! I have just spent the last few hours surfing the sites you mentioned & found some really nice properties. I never would have thought about renting a home, but now would not rule it out. I am seeing lodging listed in areas called the gallery end, upper duval and lower duval, historic meadows, historic seaport, old town, near the old cemetery...Is there any area to stay away from or are all of these areas OK & generally close to everything?

I didn't think there were any legal weekly rentals in Truman Annex or has that changed?

Lizzie, look at a map of Key West.
I would want to stay between White and Whitehead, and north of Truman. The closer to the water the better. That is basically "old town" and the quaintest area. It gets noisier/rowdier the closer you get to Duval...so that would be according to your taste. Plan on renting a bike - the best way to get around.

I rented a sweet little cottage last February through the "Center Court" rental agency.

The house we stayed in was called "Hemingways View." The location was wonderful for our purposes.

They were very well organized and accomodating. I called the agency about beach towels and within 5 minutes someone came by on a moped delivering towels.

I have compulsively looked at just about every web site out there & all of the properties mentioned on this post & am truly overwhelmed at the number of properties available. I have sent out e-mails to rental agencies regarding availability so will sit back & wait to see what happens. Looking at the map with old town boundaries helped quite a bit, too. If anyone has any other tips, please send them along. Again, many thanks to everyone who offered their advice! Does anyone else obsess over finding a place to stay on vacation?!!Liz

I currently have posts and e-mails about housing in Mexico. Obsess-no; diligent-yes---isn't it part of the fun?

I just read some negative reviews on tripadvisor about the Center Court Cottages, and also read that the owners give perks to people who write positve reviews about them. Hmmm.

Anyone have any other advice for cottage rentals in February for Key West?

Thanks!

Terra, FYI, I have no relationship with Center Court, nor have I ever received a "perk" for commenting about them. I sincerely wanted to share my good experience. That's shameful that they would stoop so low - especially when it's unnecessary.

I also had an excellent experience with Center Court. how do I get my perk??? ha ha

Seriously, our experience with them was all positive. This was a year ago. No one offered me anything.

I rented a 3-bedroom cottage with 6 people and my parents rented a small condo nearby. No complaints at all.

Hi Joan-- I didn't mean to imply at all that you participated in the perks scheme! So sorry! I just wanted to throw that out there.

Glad to know you had a great experience with them, I am still considering their cottages, they look lovely online.

Seems like a bunch don't have doors to the bathroom when the bathroom is in the masterbedroom. Was that the case for you? I am traveling with friends, so that would be a touch awkward!

Thanks again!
Terra

Terra-
No that was not the case for us.

We had a 3-bedroom, 2-bath cottage. We had doors on all of them.

After looking at all of the possibilities, I decided to rent a house for the week & am waiting for the paperwork to close the deal. I will post once we return from our trip & let you know if the agency/house/location was a good experience. Thanks to everyone who took the time to post a note! Liz

Truman annex is beautiful and a lot quietier than staying in old town. Be willing to part with some cash as it doesn't come cheap. also I think in the annex there is a minimum of 1 month stay. You might want to check on it.