What IS the Keys?? & Letter to one of our guests,

The Florida Keys is like no where else in the United States. 

Key Largo, Florida is the largest and the first Key you will encounter when heading South on Route 1.

We have unique weather; although only 20 minutes North to Homestead on the mainland, the weather here is more like the Bahamas.  We are called the American Caribbean for a reason:)

We have walking trails through forest at Dagny Johnson Park, mangrove creeks of the Southern Everglades, the Coral Reefs at John Pennekamp State park, and a few 'beaches' for example.   Our beaches are more like what you might encounter by a lake, some with natural sand like baby powder and some more rocky with sand added. There is a bike trail through most of Key Largo and South.

The flavor, energy and vibe of the area is easy, low-key, open minded and the people know how to have fun in the sun and water.   Just pop to one of the local bars and you'll meet vacationers and locals alike.

I help guests get a sense of what the Keys are about; it can help with planning the number of days, where to go, and what we have to offer.

 Here is one such note to our guest:

A few comments, just as suggestions:)

Arriving at 8PM at Miami airport is a good time.  The the drive is an easy 1 1/2 hr.  drive in the evening.  

During the day, traffic can be bad.

So, if you want to check in that first night, let us know, we welcome you:) 

The Southern Everglades is a 15 minute kayak ride from our properties. ( I can see the mangroves from my window as I write to you)

The  alligator farm, also where you can take an airboat ride into the Everglades is 30 minutes from our properties here in Key Largo. 

If you want to go further west and north, then yes, find a place North of Miami airport before coming to the Keys.  The Everglades is very vast and has many different settings from pine forest to marsh to mangrove creeks.  We have some forest, marsh and mangrove creeks.   6 miles North on Key Largo is Dagny Johnson Botanical Park-a beautiful forest.

Weather wise, at the time you are coming to Florida,  you should not have to worry about getting out to the Coral Reefs. However, I always recommend if this is something you want to do, try to do it first.  

Getting out onto the coral reefs with the fish is pretty special:)  Just keep in mind,  the weather can be a factor.

You will see manatee:) at our place, more in the Fall, Winter and Spring and less in the Summer.  You may need to go for a swim, hang out on the dock or kayak up the canal. Once they know you are there, they will come investigate:)

Regards, Chanoch Shiloh

Just an example to help with your Planning!

Sweetest little park: Croc Butterfly Park in North Key Largo, Florida

This park is just so sweet;  Yes, it is the size of someone's back yard; however, it is a nice little bicycle  destination, or, on the way back from the upper Dagney State Park hiking trails, and you are not ready to leave the woods.

 The plants are labeled and sculpture is throughout the park.

Is it real or is it not?? scams or really a good deal in a vacation rental?

Beautiful, wonderful people and places are everywhere:)
And, yes,  at the other side of the pole, there are scams out there.
As vacation rental owners we get our share of scams too.  You know, the couple coming for their honeymoon, wanting a third party to pay for the holiday - the catch is the 'check' they send to us is greater than the amount and they want us to send a check to reimburse...........
While looking on Consumer Affairs for a dishwasher, I came across this about scammers and wanted to pass it along.  
 The  message in a nutshell: Scam Alerts editor Mark Huffman says it's trite but true -- if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.    That is, unless it truly matches what you want in a vacation rental and both parties have done their homework:)  Below are points extracted from the article with our advice and comments indented.
When renting a vacation property:

• Get the details about the transaction in writing, preferable in the form of a contract, including the property information, dates of the stay, total price, and exactly what is included and what is not.
• Yes, we do send out renter agreements, even if it is for only 2 nights.   We ask our potential renters to fill in names, phone numbers, address and send it back to us! Then we know you are real too and it makes for returning the damage deposit easier.
• Ask for references from past renters.
• There are always those few brave souls that book with you when you are just starting out.  So thank you to them and their recommendations, it has made it easier for our current and future vacationers to learn more about us, our area and our places.  
• Speak to the owners/managers on the telephone instead of exclusively through email.
• Yup, give us a call! We want to make sure it is a good fit for both parties.   
• Do research online for possible complaints against the owner or rental company.
• This is important too.  However, reading both between the lines and with a grain of salt will give a lot of information too.  Sometimes, expectations did not meet reality, not due to the property or its representation but for other reasons.   So please, look at our photos, look at the description, know what you want, need, expect and ask questions!   
• Be careful when reserving properties far from home. It is easy to get scammed if you can't verify the condition and location of properties pictured on the Internet.
• True, but today, with camera stamps,  Skype, you-tube, there are many more ways to verify that the place is for real.   One guest just didn't believe our view was really so beautiful- I must have touched up the photo... I called back on Skype and walked outside with the computer and showed her the place!  I have been posting photos including our cat, MommyKat and our dog Luigi in the photos.....
• Proceed cautiously if asked to make an international payment or use a money order or wire transfer.
• If possible, pay with a credit card. Credit cards typically offer protection in the event that your accommodation is not supplied as promised.
• Yes, we accept credit card payments, we use Paypal and we don't ask for your card numbers 
• Never give out personal financial information (bank acct number, social security number, etc.)
• Consider using a reputable rental company or real estate agent for peace of mind and to assist you in your search.
• Yes, and no on this one.   No one will be more interested in getting a good, happy renter in their home than the homeowner themselves;   Often you can get better rates going privately,  open your options and look at both ways of finding a good vacation option.
• Consumers should use caution when dealing with a company that demands advance payment for travel packages. It's one thing to pay an up-front deposit but quite another to pay the entire amount.
• Again, yes and no.  Yes, always use caution.  We do ask for rental payment prior to arrival.   We want to know or guests are committed.  If we are holding dates for you, this means we are having to turn other guests away.   If you are not sure,  feel uncomfortable, your gut is talking to you,  my recommendation is don't book at all.   If you feel you want assurance in case of a family/health emergency, vacation insurance is always a good thing.    This can protect your airfare as well.

You will never guess the second amenity of a 5 star hotel!!!! part 6

So the next amenity after location, WOW!  In room TV, more specifically: “unobtrusive fully interactive entertainment system”. 

All our places have entertainment systems, maybe not their caliber, however, I was quite pleased to see the rest of the list of their amenities we also do for our vacation rentals!!

In our Key Largo vacation rentals, our entertainment systems are not all the same in each property.  For example, if you have to have a large TV, go for the Silver MOOn houseboat or the Manatee Queen Haven; Sun Bay haven and Eagle Cove Haven have ‘regular’ size TV’s.  When you want to get away from TV, then choose our Everglades Amor Houseboat.  The views from the bow of the boat, overlooking the bay to the Southern Everglades is so wonderful, you won’t have time for TV.

IN Brooklyn, our second floor lounge & kitchen, have a very large TV screen for Netflix, youtube, and DVDs, 200 CD’s and radio.

All our places have Internet and WiFi.

What is 5 star? location, location, location....part 5

I digress, back to what is considered 5 star amenities:

I couldn’t resist, I had to go to the Lanesborough website just to see what they would talk about first under their amenities; and of course to see what today’s on-call butlers do and to compare our places and what we have to offer at our Vacahaven vacation rentals in the paradise’s of Brooklyn NY and Key Largo Florida! 

The first thing under their amenities: Location, location, location.  That was their first amenity; not quite an ‘amenity’ per say.  However, the Realtor’s motto is on queue.   Well, in my opinion, location is important.  And that doesn’t mean the first place that comes up on search engines, or guide books, although those places are great too! 

For instance, in NYC, Times Square is a ‘not to miss place but don’t want to sleep there” How does my Brooklyn home measure up for a NYC accommodation?

In Brooklyn, our neighborhood has the highest concentration of Victorian homes and California bungalows in the United States; is walking distance to Prospect Park; Architect Olmstead’s landscape crowning achievement and the exceptional Brooklyn Museum or our Brooklyn Academy of Music Center, ‘BAM’ for short.

Our subway line is the Q and B line and runs through China town, the Village, Union Square, Madison Square, Times Square and Central Park; all highlights of Manhattan.

In the Florida Keys, I’m thinking one of the big hotels with a pool.

Just if your coming all the way to the Keys, in my opinion, a hotel in general, doesn’t give the American Caribean feel. Also, keep in mind, the waters are so lovely, that the bay and our canals are like BIG swimming poolsJ   Why not swim with the manatee, snorkel with the

5 star is special for......; our special amenities part 4

 I wouldn’t call the following butler services, however some special perks you won't find at the local hotels......

Take guests out on our pontoon boat to see the dolphin and mangrove creeks,

Have a special afternoon tea in my Brooklyn home’s formal dining room,

Take guests on a kayaking tour of our Key largo bay and mangroves and walking tour of our Historic Brooklyn neighborhood.

Provide bikes and kayaks in actually both Key largo and Brooklyn!

Yes, kayaking in Brooklyn is wonderful!

I digress, back to what is considered 5 star amenities:

I couldn’t resist, I had to go to the Lanesborough website just to see what they would talk about first under their amenities; and of course to see what today’s on-call butlers do and to compare our places and what we have to offer at our Vacahaven vacation rentals in the paradise’s of Brooklyn NY and Key Largo Florida! 

The first thing under their amenities: Location, location, location.  That was their first amenity; not quite an ‘amenity’ per say.  However, the Realtor’s motto is on queue.   Well, in my opinion, location is important.  And that doesn’t mean the first place that comes up on search engines, or guide books, although those places are great too! 

For instance, in NYC, Times Square is a ‘not to miss place but don’t want to sleep there” How does my Brooklyn home measure up for a NYC accommodation?

In Brooklyn, our neighborhood has the highest concentration of Victorian homes and California bungalows in the United States; is walking distance to Prospect Park; Architect Olmstead’s landscape crowning achievement and the exceptional Brooklyn Museum or our Brooklyn Academy of Music Center, ‘BAM’ for short.

Our subway line is the Q and B line and runs through China town, the Village, Union Square, Madison Square, Times Square and Central Park; all highlights of Manhattan.

In the Florida Keys, I’m thinking one of the big hotels with a pool.

Just if your coming all the way to the Keys, in my opinion, a hotel in general, doesn’t give the American Caribean feel. Also, keep in mind, the waters are so lovely, that the bay and our canals are like BIG swimming poolsJ   Why not swim with the manatee, snorkel with the fish and in Key Largo, get out to the wonderful John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park.

So the next amenity after location, WOW!  In room TV, more specifically: “unobtrusive fully interactive entertainment system”. 

All our places have entertainment systems, maybe not their caliber, however, I was quite pleased to see the rest of the list of their amenities we also do for our vacation rentals!!

In our Key Largo vacation rentals, our entertainment systems are not all the same in each property.  For example, if you have to have a large TV, go for the Silver MOOn houseboat or the Manatee Queen Haven; Sun Bay haven and Eagle Cove Haven have ‘regular’ size TV’s.  When you want to get away from TV, then choose our Everglades Amor Houseboat.  The views from the bow of the boat, overlooking the bay to the Southern Everglades is so wonderful, you won’t have time for TV.

IN Brooklyn, our second floor lounge & kitchen, have a very large TV screen for Netflix, youtube, and DVDs, 200 CD’s and radio.

All our places have Internet and WiFi.

3,4,5 star standards; on call butlers in the 21st Century; part 3

Hmmm.  On-call butlers.  Being a Victorian Dance, Music and History lover of the 19^th Century, if you knew a little about the clothes the gentry wore during that time period, it was downright mandatory to have someone help you into your corset and ball gowns.  What does a modern day butler do???

Here was their list:

includes unpacking, packing and assistance with every guest needs

Change of clothing pressed on arrival

Tea or Coffee on arrival and with wake-up calls

Hmmm.... I don't think a bathing suit needs pressing!!

What we have done for our guests?

Help carry suitcases,

Provided an emergency shirt, pants when airlines lost luggage,

Regularily provide plastic totes for unloading just what you need for the Key Largo part of your trip,

Have pressed guests’ dresses before weddings in Key Largo, and Art openings in NYC;

Are always happy to provide a hot coffee or afternoon iced tea for guests,

3,4,5 star ratings, standards; part 1

When booking a vacation rental…..there should be stars.

photos are good, guests' reviews are good, still it would be nice to know what to expect. 

When you book a hotel, there are standards – a three star, a four star hotel, etc. have criteria.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/difference-between-four-star-five-star-hotel-62719.html

Forbes Travel Guide issues hotel star ratings, also known as Mobil Stars, according to a thorough, independent inspection of hundreds of details. To gain a four- or five-star rating, hotels must exhibit an exacting array of high-end characteristics.

Both four-star and five-star hotels provide a LUXURY environment for their guest.

Don’t you love that word ‘luxury’??  

 I recently went mattress shopping, one was ‘more luxurious’ than the next.   

Chanoch and I are still laughing about the salesman’s response to every technical question: “OH, its luxurious”.   Or the signs for ‘luxury’ apartments!  You might find anything from contractor grade pressed board bathroom cabinet with cheap tile floor to truly beautiful marble and porcelain.

There are all levels of luxury.  We provide the best we can for our places in their location, information, linens, extras, kayaks, bikes, clean, dust free places with good mattresses.  

We are off to a vacation rental in Amsterdam

Well,

Now its our turn for Chanoch and I to be be the guests rather than the hosts.

We are off to Amsterdam for soaking up lots of ART and hopefully not too much rain.

The place we chose for this trip is, you guessed, a boat; however, its a European live aboard boat on a canal, quite different from an American houseboat.

 Many of the canal boats are retired cargo ships converted to living.  There are varying lengths, some as long as 65 feet; live aboard ships.  Then there are some barges.

We found our place on one of the vacation rental sites, was hoping they had a blog or website so I could learn more about their boat.  In the end, we just decided to take the plunge in booking this one family's home on the Amstel River.

Our places in Key Largo, Florida were being skillfully manned by Manny and his son Lonn; and our Emerson's House in Brooklyn, by Francisco. 

 Today is a busy day as we are getting together with our Dutch friends.  We first met them last year when they rented one of our Vacahaven vacation rentals in Key Largo, Florida:)   Truly a highlight of the trip to walk around and hang out at a cafe' for the afternoon!

Our last day was spent at the Rembrandt Huis; Here is his front room. he hosted guests as well:) Visiting artists, dealers and prospective buyers.  Their beds at that time were boxes; they slept propped up.

He hosted guests as well:) Visiting artists, dealers and prospective buyers.  Their beds at that time were boxes;  The box you see in the photo is Rembrandt's bed.  It would fit either my upper half or lower half!

Besides being smaller in stature, they slept propped up.

Amsterdam is lovely- trying to hold Chanoch back from buying another boat- except I wouldn't mind at all:)  I look forward to our return!

About Vacation Rentals: the different websites and how it works

Many guests find us via word of mouth. 

We are also on a number of different sites; below is a list, in alphabetical order, that we have tried, some we kept and some we have dropped:

Airbnb.com

Alwaysonvacation.com

Housetrip.com

 IdealFL.com

Rentalo.com

Roomlender.com

Tripadvisor.com

vacationhomerental.com

Vacationrental.com

 VRBO.com

Some websites charge a yearly fee in order to post; depending on how much a host pays, can determine the number of photos and where in the list of other listings you are ranked.  'featured' properties just means that that host paid more money in order to have their site more easily found.

 Some sites charge a fees to the host and guest after a guest books.  Some sites do provide support in return for charging fees. 

  I watch the TripAdvisor posts to see how the different sites are doing for guests and other hosts.  I have noticed some complain of the fees, the difference in rates, money exchanges, etc.   

When you know the sites and understand about renting a vacation  rental,  one can sort out the folks that didn't understand about how a particular site works or did not do their research about where they were going.  And of course, those with legitimate warnings and complaints.

People have different concepts of what 'clean' is; what is  a 'comfortable' bed; how 'close' to attractions; 

Some of these can be resolved easily with discussion between guest and host.  As a guest, be clear on what you really need in a vacation rental.

In spite of this, there are still scams out there- both on the guest and host side. 

For us, what it comes down to is communication.  This is what we offer, these are our fees and ask any questions you may have about our places. I provide as much information as possible, try to second guess potential questions and look forward to hosting wonderful, respectful, fun folks from all over the world!

BEachES, Key Largo? bEAches, the beach, BEACHES, BeAcHeS: Ann's beach here

Ahhh, so this is one example of a Florida Keys beach-- not in Key Largo but a short drive south and on the ocean side.
Last week, Chanoch and I took a drive south to look at another houseboat.  No go on the houseboat.  It has to have the potential to be as cute as the SilverMOon houseboat or no deal:)
Best part of the day was stopping at Ann's Beach.
Ann's beach is lovely, sand like baby powder. It reminds me of Siesta Key's beach.  The land is very narrow at this point in the Keys.  Try to hit going to this beach during low tide if you want to walk on some sand.  There is a catwalk built for hightide.  It is a nice place for views and having a lunch.  a good break on the way to/from Key West. I often recommend our guests staying with us in Key Largo to stop at Chad's for sandwiches- they are great! or for breakfast/lunch at Cafe Biton MM 84.  Michel has wonderful food!

This is Ann's beach in the Florida keys, south of Key Largo.  It is low tide so you see some shore line in front of the mangroves.

When it is closer to high tide, there are catwalks along the shore.

When there isn't a beach to sit on, there are these lovely 'rooms'

Chanoch and Luigi overlooking the water from one of Ann's beach's 'rooms'.

Please note, it is low tide so you can see some sand, but it is also very shallow for a long distance- wonderful for walking:)

The shore line at low tide- I am trying to show the texture of this baby powder/clay sand.  It feels good on the feet:)

BEachES, Key Largo? bEAches, the beach, BEACHES, BeAcHeS: Tel Aviv beach here

No matter how you spell it, the beach is most often a great relaxation, vacation playpen!
No all beaches are the same.  Part of the charm, I guess.    The geography of the sea or ocean often determines the function and the kind of 'scene' that is generated.

There is the Jersey Shore, the Maine Coast, South Beach, Laguna Beach, Hawaii beaches, Tel Aviv beach, South Pacific AND the beaches of the Florida Keys!

One of my favorite beaches? Depends on what I'm looking for...but to be honest, I love Tel Aviv beach:) in Israel.

We have warm clean waters like Tel Aviv just not as salty!

Our friend Danny's sculpture; Key Largo's 'sculptures' are the roots of the mangroves

Now, that's a beach:)  The Florida Keys' beaches are not like this.  They have a different kind of charm however:)

On our beaches here in Key Largo you won't find high rises:)

Sun Bay Haven is growing in size

It all started with making a nice bedroom for my Mother's visit.  It had been Chanoch's office.  So out went the office, and in came the bed.  It just so happened that our neighbor was throwing out a BRASS Bed!   I was salivating:)  Home it came.  It lived in Sun Bay Haven for awhile until I took it up to my Brooklyn Emerson's House  NOw it is in the Golden Roost:)

Then we received a beautiful hand painted sink--I don't think I would have thought of buying it for SUn BAy Haven myself but it landed in my lap from another neighbor and, well, SUn BAy got a beautiful hand painted sink.

Now we are adding space to SUn BAy Haven,  she is growing another room.  The main room and the extra room.  Right now it is my piano room!  And then will move to our new place......need a floor first:)
The piano room will be good for just a single bed, and the efficiency cooking we will move to this area.  The dock's kitchen has now had three sinks.  Her first sink is now Sun Bay's garden sink.  It is much easier dealing with my orchids now.

It starts with a gift--and then....Key Largo vacation rental face lifts!

Living in Key Largo is probably like living in other places around the country; well, with the exception of our weather, fish, birds, coral reefs etc.  One thing that Key Largo has is a lovely sense of community; the weekly Saturday yard sales, monthly Yappy hour at area restaurants,

this is the view of the Pilot House.  If you look across the water, you'll see our sailboat, the Dej O Mej. 

sharing meals.  When the boys go fishing, or shrimpingwe all eat well:)  When we changed our awning, we knew Manny would recycle it.  I have been blessed with being given some nice Kohler sinks, thanks to my neighbor, Art and Sheila.  So, one went into the dock's outdoor kitchen and the other in the Manatee Queen. 

Pet friendly for Hog fish!

I don't know if it was the same hog fish from the other day, but this hog fish is very very curious!  He followed Luigi up and down the dock. He was curious of me too.   His curiosity brought other fish. There are a few tiger. 

 The orange/red coral .....

 I hope these cute fishies hang around.  No fishing allowed! 

 Well, it may be hard to keep our friendly neighbor, this beautiful bird, from wanting to continue fishing!

Wonderful magical sky in Key largo

OK, What it is, is magical things happen here in Key Largo all the time.  It’s not just in BrooklynJ  

I have noticed the last few nights at dust the sky has been two tone- lower half is absolutely lavendar, like one of the homes in my neighborhood and the top have aqua.  I haven’t quite seen that intensity of those colors before.  This morning, those colors were there, but  not quite as intense. 

Here Fishie fish fish: beautiful Hog fish at the doc

That big beautiful fish is a Hog fish.  He was watching me while he was swimming.  When I stopped and walked backwards, he turned too! Too funny!   These fish are really good eating.   Frankly, in my canal, I prefer seeing the fish!

Its not just at John Pennekamp that has beautiful fish to look at:)
Seriously, exploring the coral reefs of Pennekamp State Park is a must do; snorkeling, diving or glass bottom boat.

Dog friendly Key Largo: Thanks to rescue efforts we found our rescued, fostered , adopted dog Luigi

Here is our dog Luigi.   He has been in the foster care system, waiting for a permanent home.   Lucky dog that he had been in loving homes, Marrveous Pet Rescue foster homes until we met him at one of Key Largo's Yappy Hours.

 Here in Key Largo, once a month, a restaurant hosts dogs needing adoption and there are other events as well in order to help match families with dogs needing adopting.  Here are two cuties at one such event, in front of Keys Kritters pet store and Dr. Bailey's vet office.

So when you come to one of our vacation rentals you may meet our Luigi- he would love playing fetch, swimming with you or playing with your dog!   Don't worry, it is not a necessity  to hang with the dog, my two cats, MommyKat and Emerson are two such vacationers that choose no dog:)

 SEE YOU IN THE KEYS!

Baby dolphin in our waters, here in Key Largo

This morning,the canal and bay were like glass.   I love the mirror of the sky in the water.  A break in the water caught my eye. Then, again, this time I saw the dolphin- or a tarpon fish?  By the time I had my phone out and took a photo, there was only a ripple- as you see above.  

Later in the morning, while Luigi and I were swimming in our canal, he suddenly got very anxious, wanted me out of the water.  Barking and talking you could tell he was really trying to tell me something and his main intent was getting me OUT of the WATER!  

 What I hadn't seen while I was in the water was that at the entrance of our short canal was dolphin! Our friends just coming up on their boat said there had just been a dolphin and a baby at the entrance. 

 Often we see dolphin in the afternoon out in the bay. 

But this is the second time in just two weeks we have seen dolphin in the canal.   The first sighting, initially, we thought it was a tarpon fish- they can be as large as 5 ft long and have a fin on the top. 

I haven't been able to get a photo of them in our canal but I do have some sweet ones from an afternoon in our bay of Tarpon Basin.

It is hard to see, but the one photo, if you look close, you can see the dolphin looking right at me.