If you've been searching for a private home overlooking the tropical turquoise sea, you've probably found that nearly all water-view vacation rental properties on Key West are hotels, condominiums, or time-shares, and that it's nearly impossible to find a private Key West house that offers both an open water view plus easy beach access. But... this unique accommodation is a rare exception to that rule! With this property you've now discovered your option to choose a private Key West house that provides a beautiful open sea view, is right next to Key West's very best beach(Fort Zachary Taylor), and is only a few short walking streets from the heart of downtown Old Town.

Holding an enviable perch in Old Town Key West's up-scale gated community named "Truman Annex," this charm-charged historic neighborhood was named for President Harry Truman who spent his winters in the Annex neighborhood at his presidential home known as "The Little White House." His famous residence is now a museum and if you look on a map you'll see it's just a "hop-skip-and-a-jump" from this vacation home we call "By The Beautiful Sea."

Fashionably tucked behind a white picket fence at the end of a quiet street, this "beach-style" home combines island living with luxury and simplicity in precisely the right way. Drawing from classic Key West architecture, everything about this property celebrates authentic tropical island life in a casual yet up-scale style. Wide sitting porches with white picket railings, capital topped porch posts, sash hung windows, French doors, and shiny tin roofs all reflect the essence of island charm. Traditional wooden siding painted a sunny yellow color trimmed with bright white creates a perfect backdrop for the lush green tropical landscaping and towering palm trees living around the property.

INTERIOR LAYOUT: (Upstairs) This home was designed with an "upside down floor plan" so we begin our tour on the 2nd floor. Use of this architectural style maximizes the stunning view of the sea which can be enjoyed from the entire great-room (living room / kitchen / dining room) as well as the spacious 2nd floor exterior deck.

The front door entrance for the house leads right to the stair case that connects to the 2nd floor where at the top you immediately step into the spacious great room. Cathedral style ceilings with windows at the roof peak make the room feel even more spacious, and bright white walls bounce the sunlight all around. Sand tone floor tiles, wicker and water hyacinth furnishings and an overstuffed ocean blue sectional sofa further the casual yet elegant "beach house" feeling. A striped version of a captain's wing backed chair in the living room lends a tropical-nautical touch.

An "about-face" from the living area points you to the kitchen / dining area of the house, which also commands a great view of sea so the chef need not miss out on the ever changing water view. The "L-shaped" kitchen is fully equipped and there is plenty of room for inspired cooking. Bright white cabinets and a tiled breakfast bar have been artistically accessorized with beautiful lime-green leather bar stools, adorable matching counter-top appliances, and very unique ocean-theme art work. The open dining area is situated between the living room area and the kitchen, and I love how the interior designer has utilized the water hyacinth dining chairs around the table to create a beautiful transition between the kitchen and lounging area of the great room.

The focal point of the 2nd floor is of course the spacious deck that gazes out over the water. From this vantage point on the island you are gazing at the Gulf of Mexico side of Key West, the water gateway to the island. You'll want to spend as much time as possible relaxing on the upper deck where deck chairs have been conveniently placed to view the ever changing view of the sea. From this vantage point you also have a nice view of the private back yard and dipping pool below.

Another great feature of the 2nd floor is the bedroom adjoining the great room. This bedroom is furnished with a Queen size bed. In addition to being beautiful, this bedroom is also handicap accessible complete with walk-through accessible bathroom with a no-barrier shower. There is also the very unique feature of access to a private elevator which is made available for persons with physical disabilities.*

INTERIOR LAYOUT: (Downstairs) The front entrance to the house has a charming wrap-around porch with a wonderful vantage point of the beautiful front garden. A giant carved sculpture of an "old seafaring captain" holding his spyglass is set to both welcome guests and playfully guard the doorway from any imaginary scalawag bilge rats. A beautiful wooden bench has also been placed on the front porch so you can sit and take in the front garden view and check out any "goings on" of the neighborhood.

Once inside the front door, immediately to the right of the entrance, is the front bedroom which provides a Queen size bed. A little further down the hall to the back of the house is the den which also serves as an additional bedroom. Furnished with a trundle bed and writing desk, this back bedroom can be made up as 2 twin beds or a king size bed. This bedroom also has a set of double French doors that lead to the back yard and small swimming pool. The bathroom for this room and the front bedroom is shared and is easily accessed just off the downstairs hallway.

The master bedroom for this beach-style home is located at the back opposite the den. This spacious bedroom provides a king size bed and full en suite bath. Two sets of double French doors open up the entire back wall to the private fenced garden and dipping pool with waterfall.

Furnishings for all of the downstairs bedrooms carry the simple yet luxurious beach-style theme with the use of fine wicker and bamboo, accessorized with whimsical lamps and nautical and island theme art work. Walls throughout are painted white, with soft goods and bedding done in blue and lime-green tones.

GROUNDS: The open sea view of the Gulf of Mexico is the center stage of this property. This is a rare location for a private home and from the second floor you have your own unobstructed view point from which to enjoy sea gazing, sunning, and to watch the famous sunsets of Key West. Multiple sets of double French doors open to the back on both the 2nd and 1st floors.

The back of the 1st floor of the property offers a private dipping pool and sunning patio made private with tall fences and lush landscaping. A variety of tropical landscaping and palm trees grace the property all the way around. The front of the property has an alluring beach-style appeal and is outlined with quintessential Key West white picket fences.

Grounds throughout the gated "Truman Annex" complex are park-like, exquisitely landscaped and manicured to picturesque perfection, making it a delightful neighborhood to walk and bicycle. Just out the gate towards the ocean is Fort Zachary Taylor, now a State Park with one of the nicest beaches on Key West. You are also just a few minutes walk to Duval St. and the center of downtown Old Town Key West. White picket fences, freshly clipped hedges, green grounds and fountains create an impressive back drop for your stroll around this unique neighborhood. Original military officer's homes that display romantic classic Italian and Greek Revival architectural styles have been renovated into large private luxury mansions.

This property is offered as an exclusive vacation rental in Old Town Key West. The property will not tolerate smoking inside. The property is located in a private gated residential complex and is definitely not suitable for staging loud parties. Only well behaved children are welcome. This property is not "child-proof." We do not accept guests less than 25 years of age unless accompanied by a family group or guardian.

Sleeping Configuration:

• 1st Floor - 1 King size bed; 1 Queen size bed; 1 Trundle bed (can be made as 2 Twin beds or 1 King bed)
• 2nd Floor - 1 Queen size bed

Amenities: Stunning open water view of Gulf of Mexico with large private sunning deck. Private back yard, small swimming pool with waterfall, lush tropical landscaping. Master bedroom opens to pool patio. Designer furnished, fully equipped kitchen, Central air conditioning, washer / dryer, Audio Visual Systems, DSL Internet, HD TV.

Activities: Truman Annex neighborhood. Short walk to all old town features, no need for a car. Just a few short streets from Duval St. (remember - it takes 3 to 4 Key West streets to make a city block). Short walk to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach. Close to boutique shopping, art galleries, and a variety of national and international restaurants, coffee shops. Close to the beach.

Parking: Please ask about the availability of off-street covered parking. From this location you do not need a car. Enjoy walking or biking everywhere-you'll see more that way.

Restrictions: SMOKE FREE. Absolutely No Smoking on the premises! Absolutely no pets please!

Notes: *The private elevator is made available only to guests with physical disabilities that prevent them from using the staircase.