Beautiful Location, a Few Hiccups

I'll share some information about the Casey Key home that would have helped me prepare for the visit. In a nutshell, the home has a lot to recommend it, but won't be for everyone. What was great: - The location is lovely. I had never been to Casey Key before, and it has lots of grand homes and estates (including Stephen King's residence). The home has a fun screened pool and patio, and a small near-private beach where we found shark's teeth and small shells. - The house itself is spacious for a 3BR beachfront home. The AC worked great, the layout is nice for families, and it's easy to keep an eye on the kids playing in the pool while cooking dinner. What didn't work for us: - The owner entered the home on the first morning of our stay. We had gotten in late and were sleeping in at 9:30ish, when the owner entered the home. He went into my kids' room and scared my mother, who had just woken up, then proceeded to look in the fridge and install a new toilet seat. We had no prior warning of this visit and nobody answered the door (we were asleep). I immediately alerted the owner and ThirdHome that this behavior is unacceptable, and he did not repeat the incident, although he did ask me to measure a window so he could order a new blind. The owner seems like a nice person, but - at least with us - did not respect the defined boundaries of a home exchange. - Similarly, the house is filled with stuff. Unlike standard VRBO or Airbnb rental homes that you may be used to in your travels with ThirdHome, this stay feels much more like the previous residents just left the house and will be moving back in when you leave. The fridge was full of random food (an open jar of pickles, a pork loin, etc), dirty kids' clothes were in some drawers and a closet, and detritus from previous guests (I presume) is around the house. The floors and countertops seemed clean; there was just a lot of flotsam and jetsam everywhere. Some people may like inheriting a cupboard full of half-eaten jars of peanut butter, partial loaves of bread, and sprinkles from a bygone birthday cake. If that's you, you've found your place! If not, look elsewhere. - It is dated. This really isn't a major issue in general. The furniture is old and worn and a bit stained, which isn't that big of a deal in a beach house. The main problem was with the bed in one bedroom. My back is still killing me from sleeping on a mattress that has such a big hole in it. My wife started sleeping on a couch in the living area midway through the trip to escape sinking into the mattress. - Finally, and again this isn't the biggest deal in the world but it is something that I wish I had known: the beach is significantly smaller than in the pictures. This is not a walking beach. Because of some huge storms that have blown through Casey Key, you can no longer walk down the beach. The only accessible beach from the house is maybe 50-75 meters long. If you want to walk down a beach, you can either walk down the street in the neighborhood for 15 minutes or so and then take a walkway by the nearest motel to a walking beach, or you can get in the car and go to any number of gorgeous beaches in the area. This is clearly not the owners' or ThirdHome's fault, but it's something I wish I had known since we ended up traveling to beaches rather than being able to have the all-in-one beach vacation I had envisioned based on the pictures and description posted on ThirdHome when I made the booking. All this to say, I probably would not stay at this house again, but it does have an incredible location in a beautiful part of the country. We were lucky with great weather. If you're someone who likes having a bunch of stuff in your vacation houses (say, plenty of pool noodles and 5 open bottles of olive oil in the kitchen, which could cut down on vacation grocery shopping), likes looking at a beach more than spending time on one, and isn't put off by a highly involved owner or a shot mattress, then this home could work. There's a lovely pool, a beautiful location, and a family-friendly layout.”

Casey Key Beach House Delight

Everything about this stay was absolutely wonderful! The hosts Frank and Carla go up and beyond to make you feel right at home. From the minute you turn the key you get an amazing ocean view and a feeling of relaxation. The hosts even baked us bread and left a full stock of groceries for us to use. They extremely responsive to any concerns that we had and gave us great insight into things to do around the area. We would highly recommend a stay here. We can’t wait to go back!”

WONDERFUL all the way around- 6 stars if I could

I have been trading houses for over 27 years, and I can honestly say these hosts and this house is in my top two of all time. In my experience, a chunk of the time hosts can often treat traders as "second class citizens" and not "real" guests. NOT THIS TIME. This host cares for each person as a treasured friend and values the guest experience to the nth degree, as it should be- s I treat guests who stay in my homes as well. This host made me feel welcome, cared for, and the property and Casey Key itself were just magical. I am a VERY PERSNICKETY - and I can not speak highly enough about these owners and their property- and their care. THANK YOU ”

great week!

Our stay on Casey Key was very enjoyable and relaxed. We were very private with our own swimming pool and beach access. This was the perfect place to go and especially during Covid-19. Very few houses have access to the beach at the house. There was no concern for being in a crowd at all. The owners of the house are extremely hospitable and helpful They provided a well stocked updated kitchen. A fresh seafood restaurant is within walking distance. From the restaurant dock we also enjoyed a sunset dolphin cruise with Captain Charley. It was a great week! ”

Like home but with great Casey Key beach

This was our third consecutive summer visit. With so many fantastic possibilities within 3rdhome, that says it all. The owners are gracious hosts and staying at their home has the feeling coming to visit close friends. Casey Key is a few hundred feet from mainland Florida and all its resources, but yet is quiet and secluded, with virtually unoccupied beach and calming vista.”

Gem Hidden In Plain Sight

Mission: find a secluded high quality beach location on short notice in competition with 10's of millions of east coast vacation goers, Must be easily reachable by air, with my friends at Southwest Airlines, preferred. We weren't familiar with Casey Key before, and the host describes it well, but this secluded bit of paradise is a few hundred yards from mainland, A little over an hour from Tampa or Fort Myers airport and less from Sarasota, Day 1: saw a couple walking on the small main road No one recognizable on the beach, left or right. Days 2-6: pretty much the same. Probably why the well known celebrities have their marvelous mansions here. Seems they get grander the further north you go, until sadly, the public is no more welcome to continue to gawk. We know it is "location, location, location", but the owners make this stay just like a a friend's home without requisite small talk. The home is emmaculate and well maintained. The common areas are large and comfortably appointed. In the heart of the floor plan is a very well equipped and designed kitchen. Has a very inviting feel. We don't bring pets but the owners seem to be animal lovers. The lovely travertine floors are pet friendly. Also the home is very accommodating to those with limited mobility: one step from the street and one down to the deck overlooking the beach. Two main bedrooms are large and the third best enjoyed by children. For the sake of balance, I would say that the bedrooms could use a bit of pizzazz and a ceiling fan. Owners aren't slaves to electronic devices: there are no clocks or Tv's in the bedrooms which I am sure was not an oversight. The grounds is a mini botanical garden, and seem designed to give subtle, even flirtacious views of the gulf from the home. A short path wends through the sea grapes to the small but well-situated deck. The landscape barrier provides both protection from sea surges but also absolute privacy and security. Hannibal and his mount couldn't get through. The beach is first rate: clean, sandy, gradual and deserted. Sand is not as white or water as clear and emerald green as the panhandle, but mesmerizingly beautiful. The home has all sorts of sport and game equipment. Location is a few hundred feet from the bridge and an eccentric and delicious fish restaurant.. The street is pitch black at night, to be friendly to the sea turtles...one of whom visited last night. We hope visiting will be a custom for many years to come. Mark and Jan Wise ”