The Garden House is open year-round for patrons to occupy one of the twelve available guestrooms. In addition to the accommodation that visitors reserve, they are also given access to the on-site swimming pool, garden area, and sun deck on the top floor of the home. The owners and manager of the business encourage tourists to explore downtown Key West, Florida, during their time at the bed and breakfast. While the vicinity is rather urban, a relatively significant amount of tropical trees are growing throughout the area as well. The bed and breakfast's fairly close proximity to the ocean tends to pique the interest of those who enjoy aquatic recreation, as visitors can go snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, and paddle boarding, among other activities.
Located in the southernmost portion of Florida, the Garden House is situated in the city of Key West—an island that comprises a portion of the Straits of Florida. A total of 12 rooms are available for visitors to reserve, each of which is equipped with amenities that are fairly similar to one another. Every accommodation contains a refrigerator, a private bathroom, cable TV, a hair dryer, and standard bathroom amenities. It should also be noted that the guestrooms are divided into three of the following categories, based primarily on the size of the room and the provided bed: Tiny Queen, Classic Queen, and Cozy King. The Tiny Queen rooms are the smallest of the three accommodation types. Eric, the manager of the Garden House, remarks that the Cozy King rooms tend to be more popular on account of their comparatively larger size. Regardless of which room visitors choose to occupy, everyone is granted access to free WiFi over the course of their stay. Moreover, guests can reserve one of the property's parking spots for an additional $30 fee per night and per vehicle.
The guestrooms are located throughout the two-level building, while the roof of the home serves as a fenced sun deck area where people can sunbathe. Eric describes the interior and exterior design of the Garden House as a "cozy tropical garden feel." A particularly unique characteristic of the premises is the on-site swimming pool that patrons can enjoy at their leisure. Additionally arranged on the grounds is a shaded canopy area with tables and chairs, which guests often utilize to enjoy their complimentary breakfast. Every morning, those who are staying at the Garden House are offered a continental breakfast that typically consists of fruit, yogurt, parfaits, waffles, bagels, hard-boiled eggs, orange juice, and coffee. For those who are required to conform to a gluten-free diet, options for such restrictions are available. Breakfast is served between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
According to Eric, a fair amount of tourists are drawn to Key West for the events that are hosted in the city. He further explains that the Garden House is "near all of the action," as the city's downtown district encompasses the establishment. Some of the events that visitors can attend during their time at the bed and breakfast include the Sunset Festival at Mallory Square, the World Championship Boat Races, the Fantasy Fest, the Conch Shell Drop at Sloppy Joe's, and a New Year's Eve event. Aside from the celebrations that are held in the city, Eric also recommends that his patrons visit the historic seaport along the shores of Key West where people can undertake dolphin watching, snorkeling, sunset sails, and a variety of excursions. For those who are in search of dining options near the Garden House, Eric suggests the following restaurants: Santiago's Bodega, Boat House Bar & Grill, and Black Sand Bistro.
The manager of the Garden House, Eric, has the goal of helping guests feel as though the bed and breakfast is "a home away from home" for them. In an effort to provide this experience, Eric tries to be available to those who may have questions or concerns, and he also enjoys giving recommendations for some of the nearby activities. Eric notes that he and the owners interact with their patrons frequently. One person who previously stayed at the home commented on the owners' hospitality in a review of their experience, as they remarked, "[The owners were] super attentive and a lot of fun. I felt really safe there as I was traveling solo for the night. The room was perfect for what I needed."
A few policies are implemented at the Garden House, and everyone who visits is expected to abide by these guidelines. The Garden House is a pet-friendly establishment, however, a $50 fee is required for one dog and $25 for any other additional dogs that accompany visitors. Pets must be up to 40 pounds to be approved to stay at the bed and breakfast, and the owners do not tolerate dogs that exhibit any aggressive behavior. Pets are to be kept on a leash on-site as well. As the Garden House caters to an older demographic, children are prohibited from visiting the property. Furthermore, smoking is not permitted inside any of the accommodations, and a $500 cleaning fee will be charged to anyone who violates this policy. Guests should be aware, however, that a designated smoking area is located outside. Lastly, quiet hours are enforced every night starting at 10:00 p.m.
The Garden House is open year-round for travelers to reserve one of the rooms. Eric observes that the busiest time of operation for the business most commonly occurs from January to April, more particularly in March. The manager presumes that this time of year is the busiest because of the moderate weather conditions and the comparatively warmer temperatures that Key West experiences. Middle-aged and older couples constitute the main demographic of those who stay at the Garden House, as reported by Eric. The property also sees several repeat guests annually.
What is now known as the Garden House previously served as a private residence when it was first established circa the 1990s. According to the present manager of the business, Eric, the bed and breakfast has operated as such for the past 20 years; however, the current owners acquired the property in 2019. Eric was led to enter the lodging industry as a result of his interest in this occupation. He noticed that lodging businesses were "in high demand in Florida," thus, he decided to join the industry. Eric has found that his favorite part about his job as the manager is "meeting different guests from all over the globe." He remarks that they have received a considerable number of European visitors.
The Garden House has undergone a few significant changes over the course of its history. Updates were made to the gardens, the rooms, the flooring throughout the house, and the bathrooms. Eric says that overall, the owners "refreshed the property."
329 Elizabeth St
Key West, Florida 33040
United States
Bed and Breakfast
