Close your eyes for a moment and take a deep breath. Now imagine yourself on an extraordinary Old Town Key West vacation. Maybe your dream is to stay in a luxury townhome rental, tucked up in a small exclusive setting. Perhaps you wish to stay a short stroll from the nicest beach on the island, but also just a mosey from famous nightlife, dining, and boutique shopping. And possibly your dream is to see a concert at the outdoor Key West Amphitheater, with its intimate seating, grassy lawns, and panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. Truth is, you’ll fulfill all of these desires, right out the gate from this stunning 2BR 2.5BA monthly rental, Serenity Now!

This luxury townhome vacation rental stands on a serene street, in a tiny, gated enclave called Key West Porter Court. A bit of a secret, it’s nicely hidden within the stunning neighborhood of Truman Annex where the gated grounds are park-like and immaculate. It’s as if you’re in a dream.

In this special location, there are only five duplex townhomes, each graced with grand porches, manicured gardens, and private carport parking. The homes are spaciously clustered around a large, shared swimming pool and landscaped garden, reserved for residents and guests only.

Once inside Porter Court, the Serenity Now town home is easily accessed. Pass through the private front garden gate then through a shaded courtyard. The front entrance is accessed through a deep covered front porch, with 9-foot ceilings painted haint, keeping with historic tradition. Two rocking chairs invite you to sit and enjoy the tropical garden scene.

INTERIOR LAYOUT

First Floor – Step through the front door and you’re taken with the impressive modern-classic design. Luxurious dark wood flooring is in striking contrast with light neutral walls and crisp white trim. Hand-crafted wainscoting in the foyer adds a cottage touch to the design. Just beyond the front foyer, the classic wooden staircase  leads to the second floor. But before we go upstairs, notice how the multiple sash windows and French doors wash the entire downstairs with natural light.

Throughout the home, dark plank wood floors set against neutral color walls, bright white wooden baseboards and crown molding make an elegant finish.  All windows and French doors are handsomely dressed in custom wide-slat plantation shutters. The entire interior design is modern-traditional with a tropical twist. For furnishings, the owner selected a few substantial pinewood accessory tables, some painted white, and others varnished to feature the woodgrain. Wicker and seagrass chairs and rugs, plus colorful artwork bring in the island flare.

GREAT ROOM

Kitchen / Dining – The dining set is just beyond the entranceway. A colonial table complimented with woven seagrass chairs inspire a relaxed Caribbean feel. A modern glass lantern style chandelier is suspended above the table, creating an ambience for formal dining. The placement of the dining area makes for a natural division between the kitchen and living room.

The fully equipped modern kitchen is built-out with bright white upper and lower cabinets. Well-lit counter space is designed for the cook to create anything from simple snacks to full-blown feasts. An over-size stainless-steel sink with commercial-style pull-down faucet makes cleanup a cinch. Stainless-steel upscale appliances include a refrigerator with bottom freezer, oven with glass top stove, space-saver overhead microwave, and dishwasher. An elevated breakfast counter connects the kitchen and the dining area.

Across from the kitchen, there is a half-bath right next to the front door. Conveniently tucked off the foyer, this bath is nicely appointed with custom woodwork and decorator grade fixtures.
 

Living Room – The living room is on the opposite side of the dining area. Sophisticated yet relaxed every piece of furniture and accessory is carefully chosen. Nearly the entire righthand wall is dominated by an impressive custom cabinet-bookcase, set with interesting tchotchkes, books, and a 40 inch flat-screen smart TV. Sink into the super comfy white-duck cloth sofa or loveseat and instantly relax. Read, or settle in for a movie or sports match on TV. Then, when you’re ready to go outside, the rear wall of the living room features a pair of French doors which open to the back deck.

Private outdoor living is a top feature of Key West homes. This private deck is set with elegant outdoor furnishings. Colorful tropical flowers, plants, and handsome palms become the natural artistic backdrop this outdoor living room. Shady in the afternoon, this is a perfect spot for cocktails before dinner. Plus, soft landscape lighting and battery-powered candle lanterns are sure to invite you for a nightcap.  

Stepping back into the living room, we retrace our steps toward the front entrance where we started our tour. From here, we take the staircase to the second floor. Staircases in Key West houses often reflect a unique design of artisanship. In this home, clean line wainscotting built with interim moldings adds an distinguished touch. At the top landing, the stairway vault opens into the second-floor hallway which connects the two bedroom suites at opposite ends of the home. Walls are hung with artwork creating a pleasing gallery.

BEDROOM SUITES

Master Bedroom Suite. From the top of the staircase, the master bedroom is to the right. Featured are a white wood cottage-style queen-sized bed with comfy mattress, soft white shag rug and a smart 1950's inspired dressing table. Opposite the bed, on the bureau, a flatscreen smart TV is placed for a late show at bedtime or the morning wake up news. The generous sash windows invite in the natural light into the room. Plantation shutters allow for near darkness if that's your preference.

The en-suite master bath provides a double size walk-in shower with marble grain tile. Frameless glass shower doors and a dual-purpose rainfall showerhead add a touch of luxury. A Caribbean-blue double size vanity, with single sink,  sits smartly in front of the wainscoted walls.

Second Bedroom Suite. Returning to hallway, the second bedroom is on the opposite end. It offers a pillowtop queen size bed. A green-washed wood headboard gives the room a beachy flare. A special feature of this bedroom is the private outdoor balcony adjoined with a set of French doors. From here you can sit and relax and take in a view of the treetops and the swimming pool beyond.

The en-suite bath is designed in timeless black and white. Striking black fixtures and accessories make the perfect contrast to the white walls and single sink vanity. A double size walk-in shower provides the same luxury as the master bath, with fameless glass doors and shower head fixtures.

Laundry. Step back into the hallway from the second bedroom, to find the laundry closet. Conveniently situated before you reach the stairway, it makes it easy to throw in load into the double stacked washer / drier and get on with your day. Returning to the stair landing, our tour leads back downstairs to view the outside back deck and gardens.

 
EXTERIOR LAYOUT

Grounds

At the bottom of the stairs, pass through the living room to the French doors adjoining the back deck. One of the coolest features of this house is its unique access to downtown Key West. Just off the corner of the deck is a back gate that steps directly onto Fleming Street! Then a short distance away, is the private Truman Annex gate. Out the gate, a few short blocks way, (remember it takes 4 Key West blocks to make a city block) you’re in the pulse of downtown Old Town Key West entertainment, shopping, and dining opportunities.

But let’s not leave the property until we tour the swimming pool garden. Step back into house, return to front door, step out onto the front porch, pass through the garden courtyard, and step out the front gate. From here, turn right, and the pool is a few yards down a landscaped walkway.

Swimming Pool – The geometric shaped swimming pool is large and has a 9-foot-deep end. A terra cotta tiled deck surrounds the pool and is equipped with chaise lounges and tables with sun umbrellas. There is a pool house with restrooms and a rinse-off shower for your convenience. It’s also worth noting that since this  pool is exclusively for residents and visitors of Porter Court, it is unlikely to be crowded at any time.

The large swimming pool is heated during cooler months, and cooled when it gets too warm. If you prefer a hot soak, there is an adjacent inground Jacuzzi. Sweeping stairs make it easy to enter and exit the pool and jacuzzi.

Pool rules and regulations are posted outside the restroom building. Please swim and play safely!

Finally - A Word About the Name of this House

As we end our tour, of the Serenity Now monthly rental, you may be curious about how it got its quirky name. There is a lighthearted story behind it. If you’re a diehard fan of the famous Seinfeld TV series, you may have already guessed. The name evolved from the character Frank Costanza, who is famous for his comically angry, neurotic, yet endearing personality..

Frank is known for blowing his stack. And, in a paradoxical effort to calm himself down and lower his blood pressure, he repeatedly shouts “Serenity Now, Serenity Now!”  His sarcastic angst is hilarious, but he misses the point of finding serenity by desperately shouting the mantra at the top of his lungs.

A fan of the Seinfeld series, the property owner chose the name, as a personal proclamation that this property is a serious getaway to actually find serenity now. And we had to agree that it’s a clever name for this calm, quiet sequestered oasis amidst all the excitement and color of the surrounding Key West environs.

Bedding Summary:

• Master bedroom - Queen (pillow top mattress) size bed.
• Second Bedroom - Queen (pillow top mattress) size bed 

Amenities: This charming townhome was recently upgraded and redecorated. Wood laminate and ceramic tile floors with rugs in the living room and both bedrooms. Fully equipped kitchen with upscale appliances including  refrigerator with ice maker, range with ceramic cooktop, and microwave and dishwasher. Countertop appliances include toaster and coffee maker. Dinnerware, flatware, and glassware,  cookware and cooking utensils are provided.

The upstairs laundry closet provides a stackable washer/dryer. Bathrooms have designer-grade fixtures, including dual-purpose rainfall  showerheads in the walk-in tile showers. Bed and bath linens are included. Smart TVs with cable, in the living room and each bedroom. Central AC and Wi-Fi. Back deck features a handsome upscale seating group, outdoor carpet,  tropical landscaping, and soft indirect lighting.

Shared heated/cooled pool with tiled sundeck, Jacuzzi, shower and restroom, chaise lounges, tables with chairs and umbrellas. Beach/pool towels are provided.

 
Activities:  Serenity Now, in its quiet and hidden little Porter Court enclave, is steps away from downtown Old Town Key West. There is so much to experience right around this area, it is unlikely that you could see everything in a month. But there are some high points of interest righ out your door. Immediately abutting Truman Annex on the oceanside, Southard Street leads directly into the Truman Waterfront Park. This phenomenal area, crafted from what was once a US Navy base, is chock full of things to enjoy. Check out NOAA's Eco-Discovery Center to learn about the Marine Sanctuary surrounding the Florida Keys. Visit the US Coast Guard Ingham Maritime Museum where you'll tour a real CG Cutter and absorb tons of maritime history. Stop by the delightful splash park for kids and enjoy a concert beneath the stars at the beautiful new Key West Coffee Butler Amphitheater.  This park leads directly into the Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, home to Key West's finest beach, a shaded nature area and the namesake pre-Civil War moated fort.
 

When you head out of Porter Court in the opposite direction, go one short block ahead and one short block to the right, you'll be at The Green Parrot Bar, Key West's oldest bar, and still the site of live music and rollicking good times nightly. In the next block, you will find yourself on Duval Street, close to shopping, dining, movies, live music, theatres and more.

 
Area: The 43 acre Truman Annex neighborhood sits directly between the Truman Waterfront Park and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park to the West, and Duval Street. The grounds were originally a U.S. Navy base. Many of the original military buildings have been creatively repurposed to become luxury residential buildings. The original weather station, foundry building, and Navy hospital are all now luxury condos. Officer’s homes were redone into grand private residences. in the 1990's, additional homes and condominiums were built in traditional "Conch" style architecture. The entire parcel is handsomely landscaped and meticulously maintained. Only two streets from Porter Court, sits the Truman Little White House, which the 33rd President of the United States visited many times during his years in office. It is currently home to Florida's only Presidential Museum, and is open to the public.

Parking: One private designated parking space in a sheltered carport directly off Porter Lane. It is immediately adjacent to the Porter Court entrance gate.

Restrictions: One month minimum stay, even in off-season. Smoke free house. No pets. We do not accept guests less than 25 years of age unless accompanied by a family group or guardian. The property is in a private residential townhouse complex and is not suitable for staging loud parties. Maximum of 4 guests allowed.