TL;DR

Unique vibe: Antique-heavy, whimsical, and full of character.
Historic lore: Home of the infamous Robert the Doll.
Relaxed comfort: Cozy stay with island flair.
Prime location: Right in the heart of Key West.
Check prices here

This unique stay in the center of Key West is a little bit Room With a View, a little bit 50 First Dates and a little bit M3gan (how’s that for intergenerational?).

The accommodation is intimate, antique-heavy, and elegant in a way that appeals to ingénues and aging chaperones alike.

There’s a level of island-like whimsy in the landscaping and the maximalism approach to decor.

And, there’s the entire mythology of Robert the Doll, an objectively creepy humanesque object prized by the original owner of the house.

He kept it as a companion during time working at his studio in the Turret. On his death, the doll was thankfully confined to a local museum by his wife.

Rest assured, the notorious wanderings of a faceless straw doll are no longer part of the experience of the house.

Yet, the personality continues to thrive.

It’s a dependable level of ease, comfort and relaxation with a unique backdrop inseparable from the charm of Key West.

What are the rooms like?

Intimate size: Only 7 rooms and suites.
Historic charm: Unique décor, fireplaces, and bathtubs.
Turret Suite: Sleeps up to four, spacious and quirky.
Modern touches: Coffee machines, mini-fridges, and TVs in every room.
See each room in detail here

As a historic property, accommodation is one-of-a-kind throughout.

There are a few rooms, and several suites, generally best for groups of two.

Rooms are Queen Singles, one with a private entrance, another with a balcony, and other with a bathtub, fireplace and private deck.

The decor is not uniform, but it has a general historical flair with touches of contemporary design that keep things feeling friendly and welcoming.

Suites do the same, offering some truly lovely furniture nestled in with effortless touches like floral glasswork and chic tiled bathrooms brimming with houseplants.

The Turret Suite will sleep up to four, with queen and double beds, and plenty of room to hang.

All but one of the suites feature bathtubs, and half of them have fireplaces.

All rooms include Keurig machines, a selection of teas, mini fridges, TVs and individual A/C units.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

Note: The Artist House is listed in our Family Friendly Category, though only children over the age of 10 are welcome to stay.

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Breakfast: Fresh daily with changing dishes.
Courtyard dining: Or request in-room service.
Extras: Small pool, lily pond, light airy décor.

We love a good bed and breakfast, and we’re happy to report that The Artist House lives up to its name.

Each morning will see a changing main dish alongside a gorgeous variety of hot and cold breakfast treats.

Traditionally, you’ll enjoy breakfast in the super-cute courtyard, but you can always request your morning meal to your room.

With almost every room featuring a private balcony, it can be a dreamy way to start the day.

Though, if you see anyone who looks like Julian Sands or Adam Sandler, we recommend eating in the common area. They’re probably a total catch.

There’s a small pool for a refreshing dip, and a lily pond just for looking.

The rest of the house is pure house, with a decorator keen on macramé and other airy touches that give the place its light, cheerful atmosphere.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Central spot: Steps from Duval Street.
Walkable: Mallory Square, Aquarium, and Fort Zachary Taylor.
Water fun: Snorkeling, fishing, or sandbar trips.
Day trips: Marathon and Bahia Honda just an hour’s drive.

Minutes from the seaside and minutes from Duval Street, this is an excellent place to get a real taste of Key West, Florida.

The street is the center for fun and revelry, lined with bars, cafés, boutiques, and more.

It ends right by the sea, near Mallory Square and the Aquarium, a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Keep walking alongside the Gulf, and you’ll hit the Maritime Museum, the Key West Amphitheater, and end at Fort Zachary Taylor Park.

It’s one of the best places in the Keys to enjoy the seaside from land, just 20 minutes from the hotel if you take the direct route.

The keys aren’t known for their plush beaches, so expect some rocks and some waves with your superb views.

Boat charters can be found all around the Key; check with the hotel for recommended companies.

A trip to the sandbar, to the fishing area, or out snorkeling are other good ways to experience the water.

If you prefer to experience the Keys via car, both Marathon or Bahia Honda Beach are a truly gorgeous hour’s drive along the beaches and bridges.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“The place is INCREDIBLE! Charming, beautiful, interesting, fun and so much more. I have been to Key West dozens of times and this is the best place I stayed by far, I would take it over any fancy hotel I have stayed in the area. Sophia and Shawn (or Sean?) are perfect hosts. The breakfast is great, with fruit, mimosas, great coffee and much more. They also hace a charming Happy Hour that they serve cheese and crackers and good wine….”

“AMAZING! WOW – this place was so nice and the staff was so kind and friendly. We had the most beautiful room with fridge, coffee & tea. A very nice breakfast and snacks available in the kitchen. A nice and cozy court yard with spa….”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”Unfortunately with these Older Victorian homes, there are no sound barriers. We were awakened at night by the couple and their dog above us. The next night the people next to us. And the trash pickup, motorcycles etc on the street in front of us. They did have a sound machine in the room and I’m sure they are aware of the noise issue and have tried to accommodate as much as possible….”

”Not very sound proof as we were woke up a couple times from fire reduce driving by the house in middle of night. Also we were lucky to park in front of the house but parking spaces are not available at the house! All in all it was still an awesome stay!…”

> Read all the reviews right here