Pet friendlyNo Smoking allowedAsk Suitable for childrenAsk Suitable for the elderlyAsk Wheelchair accessibleAsk
Description from the manager
Grande Dame Key West – (The Watson House) vacation rental estate is an impeccably detailed 3-story Classic Folk Victorian home with 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. An award winning renovation of this stately Victorian mansion has achieved an impressive balance of timeless charm, classic elegance, and modern convenience, making this property both aesthetically alluring and delightfully comfortable.
Originally built by the Watson Family in the 1840's, this mansion has kept the Watson name as homage to the original owners Susan and William Watson. Today this home is one of the most beautiful and unique licensed vacation homes o...f this size and stature on our island. It is the perfect place for the family or small corporate group with discerning tastes. Located right in the heart of Old Town Key West's historic section of beautifully restored 19th century mansion homes, this vacation rental is situated in the 500 block of Simonton Street, just steps away from famous Duval Street. From here you can easily walk to all features in the historic island village.
If you are familiar with this property, or have stayed here before, we are pleased to announce that during 2012, it received new owners who are giving it many new refits and upgrades. During of Fall 2012, the existing 3 bathrooms on the 2nd floor were renovated to modern luxury standards, with a contemporary style that compliments its historic period.
There was one significant change made in the layout of the estate during the first two weeks of December, 2012, in that the cottage next door is no longer included in this property. The next door cottage was divided from the property with an attractive privacy fence, and in its place the large Victorian home has received a 4th bathroom on the 2nd floor, giving the 2nd floor 4 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms. The 3-story house now provides a total of 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. Additional upgrades include new central a/c throughout the home.
Another new feature is an additional bedroom that was added to the 3rd floor. We now recommend the entire 3rd floor, which is set up as a suite complete with kitchen and bathroom with in-tub shower, as an ideal place for a ‘honey moon couple’ traveling with a group who desire a separate private space as described below.
Interior Layout:
The interior of this wooden vernacular Victorian home provides 3 stories of living space. The first floor is comprised of a traditional Victorian parlor style living room, "game-room" style family room, full dining room, and a fully renovated chef’s kitchen styled with granite counter tops, tile floors, and stainless steel appliances.
Ceilings throughout the 1st floor are an impressive 12+ feet height and the original ceiling architectural detail still exists. There are two bedrooms and two full bathrooms on the 1st floor. One bedroom provides an en-suite bathroom, and is done up in a charming New Orleans style, with a fashionable metal queen size 4-poster bed. The 2nd bedroom on the 1st floor, is set in the original mansion ‘sun room,’ a beautiful architectural space complete with Cuban tile floors, and provides a king size bed. The bathroom for the 2nd bedroom is located just steps from the bedroom.
The graceful 1890’s banister staircase topped with elegant chandelier, leads to the 2nd floor to 4 more bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. All bedrooms on the 3rd floor are styled differently. The spacious front bedroom has a queen size bed and French doors that open to a porch that spans the entire width of the home with a beautiful view overlooking historic Simonton Street. The west side bedroom features a queen size pencil-style four poster bed off-set with knotty pine wainscoting, original Dade pine planked wood floors, and large sash windows to let in plenty of sun light.
The east side bedroom is in honor of Susan Watson, and features vintage white wicker furnishings and a queen size white wicker bed. The back bedroom is more modern, offering a king size bed and double sets of French doors leading to a large covered terrace with a dramatic down-look view of the courtyard garden, and swimming pool below.
Moving up to the 3rd floor, we find a beautiful private split-level ‘pent-house style’ suite with lounging sofa, large screen TV, small kitchen, bedroom, an additional sleeping space, and a full bathroom with tub. Since the upper level of the 3rd floor also provides all these amenities on a private floor, it is an ideal place for a couple who are traveling with a group to find a private “love nest.”
The focus of the space is the media area with lounging sofa and large screen TV on the first level. The scene is set with beautiful hardwood floors. It is built-out to feel spacious with soaring ceilings that are set right up next to the roof line. Double sets of French doors lead to a private verandah and the additional height from the 3rd floor captures even a more dramatic view from the terrace outside that overlooks the courtyard garden swimming pool below.
A split-level floor plan inside gives it added character and dimension. It offers an entertainment area with large screen TV and lounging sofa, and a few steps up to the upper level are a cozy bedroom, an additional sleeping area, the kitchen and the bathroom.
The 3rd floor bedroom is neatly tucked into an alcove. It’s cozy, but becomes an adorable little intimate hideaway space when the double set of doors is closed. It offers a trundle bed that can be made as a king size bed or 2 twin beds. Outside the door, on the opposite side of the room, a 2nd trundle bed, that can also be made up as 2 twins or a king size bed, offers a 2nd sleeping space.
Grounds:
An added feature of the house, is the exterior switchback staircase that starts at ground level from the back yard and leads to 2nd and 3rd floors. Both the 2nd and 3rd floor offer a verandah that expands the width of the house in the back.
One of the nicest features of the back yard is the expansive ground level sun deck and swimming pool scene that connects via French doors to the kitchen. This creates an ideal setting to move comfortably between the deck and kitchen for pool- side dining and entertaining. The back yard grounds are completely fenced for private pool-side lounging and sun bathing.
The front of the home has beautiful curb appeal with large front porches on the first and second floor that overlook the estate neighborhood of Simonton Street, expansive brick driveway courtyard, and private off street parking. An historic wrought iron fence graces the front of the property.
Activities: Heart of Key West's designated historic district. Walk to all old town features, no need for a car. Just one short street from Duval St., close to Mallory Square, and a few short streets from Historic Seaport and retailers. Sailing, boating, diving, museums, nightlife, family activities. Conveniently located to gourmet grocery shopping with excellent wine selection, sushi deli, and butcher. Close to shopping, art galleries, a variety of national and international restaurants, coffee shops. Close to the beach.
Area: A residential street in the tiny section of Key West that is the “island urban” area. A beautiful stand of grand residential homes are in this area. When you stay in this tiny district it’s amazing how much there is to see. One street from the mid-point of Duval Street in Old Town Key West that grew up as the central downtown area in the late 1800’s. From this home you can walk to the famous Key West Historic Seaport and the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration in 10 to 15 minutes.
Restrictions: While this property is ideal for families and groups to unite, is 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. Smoking permitted outside only. Absolutely no pets please.
We stayed at the Grande Dame in December for the Key West Film Festival. Our group consisted of three couples and 5 single guys, so we occupied the main house and carriage house. The home is beautiful inside and very true to the photos. There is a full kitchen on every level which came in handy for snacks. The bedrooms vary in size and some of them do not have a closet. There is also a large bedroom on the second floor that requires you to walk through a smaller bedroom unless you are accessing it from the outside porch which is what we did. The third floor is like a bachelor pad with a big screen TV, but the bed is a strange futon and the shower is very small. The pool and extra large hot tub are fabulous, but sun worshippers beware... the back yard got sun for a very small amount of time. Now this may be due to the time of year. I'm not a weatherman.
The location is fantastic!! We walked to all of the hot spots... Hemingway's House, the Southern Most Point, Blue Heaven, and of course Duval St. The guys all rented scooters for the week and they road them once. Once. There is a fantastic breakfast / lunch spot directly across the street called Sarabeth's. We started almost every morning there with omelets and mimosas.
Without question, we would stay here again. Typing this review makes me want to rally the troops very soon. Enjoy your stay!!
I stayed at the Grande Dame in Key West, Florida in mid October with 11 other late 20 something guys for a bachelors weekend. The house exceeded the high expectations we had going into the weekend. Before booking we utilized the Grande Dame's website. The website provided us a virtual tour aided by photos of the massive complex, the pictures were very nice, but after being in the house, the pictures didn't do it justice.
There was a guest house behind the main house adjacent to the pool and hot tub. There were three stories of rooms/bathrooms/kitchens - all of which were clean and spacious. There was a laundry unit in the second floor which was conveient.
The house sits just a block away from the world famous Duval Street. The Bahama village is within walking distance. The southernmost point of the U.S. and Hemingway's house are walkable - but rather far from this location.
If I were to go to Key West again with a large group of people - I would do everything I could to return to this house.
There were a total of 16 people staying in the main house and the cottage. We were there celebrating a friends 50th birthday. The houses were wonderful!! They were clean andthe amenities were great!! The kitchens saved us from having to go out every morning to eat. We put the food in the main house kitchen and had our beer and liquor in the cottage refrigerator. :) The 3 washers and dryers came in handy also. You don't have to bring as many outfits and save on the baggage fees. Loved the pool and the hot tub. Every night after coming home from our adventures, we would all take a dip in the pool or soak our aching bodies. Lol The location is wonderful!! It is one block from Duval Street and only blocks from other attractions, stores and the waterfront. We were there for 8 days and 7 nights and the value was great. You could not get a hotel room for the price it came out per person. While we were there we all talked about definately coming back and renting this property. Also, if you are looking to just come as a couple the cottage is a great place to rent alone. You still have use of the pool and the hot tub. If you do rent the house please remember to think of your neighbors after 11 at night. :)
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Grande Dame Key West - 'The Watson House'
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Vacation Homes of Key West
Professional manager Listed since May 2010
Office location in: Key West, FL
Call: (305) 600-1392
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Grande Dame Key West - 'The Watson House'
Vacation Rental in Key West, Florida
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