Within a short walk of Crane Point Museum and Nature Center, this vacation home is within a mile (2 km) of Boot Key Harbor. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a furnished lanai, and a refrigerator.
Crane Point Museum and Nature Center - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
Florida Keys Country Club - 3 min drive - 1.3 miles
The Turtle Hospital - 4 min drive - 2.2 miles
Sombrero Beach - 6 min drive - 2.3 miles
Vaca Key - 7 min drive - 3.7 miles
Getting around
Marathon, FL (MTH-Florida Keys Marathon) - 2 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 9 min walk
Wendy's - 17 min walk
Keys Fisheries - 3 min drive
Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House - 3 min drive
Taco Bell - 6 min walk
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl. Keys Specials
****Hi Y’all, Connie here your owner/ hostess at Carpe’Diem Marathon Florida Keys. I are still accepting weekly reservations for summer/winter 2024/25 Seasons with some great specials throughout the year with reduced limited acceptance of no more than 4 guests at any time. My decision to do so after being one of the very first licensed vacation homes over 20 years ago was made not only as an extra safety measure but to ensure our guests have ample room to relax and enjoy our home during your stay. Please remember the number of guests you list at time of booking are the number of guests we are expecting upon your arrival, no exception without contacting us before your arrival date once your stay has been confirmed. As all our past guest know we will always try to accommodate that last minute requests when Grandma or your Grandchild decides to join in the fun. Please just contact us in advance so arrangements can be made. We would like to thank all our guests that have traveled down to visit our home and taking the time to leave your fantastic reviews in the past , summer season 2023 We are so happy y’all were able to enjoy not only our home but our beautiful island chain.**** Thank You All Again!
Carpe'Diem is located in the Heart of the Fl.Keys on the Ocean Side. Mile Marker 50.3 on the island of Marathon. The style of our home is a ground level classic Conch home featuring just a couple steps both in the front entrance and out to the deck/dock area. This is a feature that has all but disappeared on our islands due to building codes therefore it is one of the few making it great for both children and seniors not to mention not having to carry everything up and down a flight of stairs. That was one of our primary reasons for opening our vacation rental at this location and speaking of locations we are located in in the middle of everything. A direct access canal to the Great Atlantic and minutes to the beach, transit service, shopping and fine dining. Being in the middle of our island chain makes easy to take advantage of exploring all our beautiful islands from a central location. Our home has been extensively updated and is absolutely beautiful and we look forward to welcoming back both old and new friends that suffer from the need to enjoy all the many beauties, relaxations, and warmth the Fl. Keys has to offer for all ages. As you can see we are already booking for the winter seasons and we have some wonderful weeks open plus once again they are calling for a early long cold winter so we hope to hear from you all soon if you are thinking of coming down to play by the sea in the sun. Our rates as you can see are very competitive for our amenities and we do have an insurance policy included in your final cost to protect against any unforeseen accidents that may occur during your stay however if not needed upon your departure it is refunded. .We do offer a really deep hurricane gamblers dicounts we offer starting in Sept and running through November for those of you with a brave heart. Please remember if we all have to evacuate or we are already gone on your Hurricane reserved week we all lose and there are NO REFUNDS. As always we have your keys to the Keys awaiting your arrival and thanks once again to all our many friends for your continued visits to our hide away in Marathon over the past 20 some years. Remember to always contact us or book your dates early as island time openings are here today and booked tomorrow! We always keep the sun shinning and the drinks cold down here by the sea side!
For all who are thinking of visiting our island home let us tell you alittle about it. We love to welcome our guests with our lovely island decore! Our island hide away is a 3 bedroom, 2 full bath, ground level duplex home that features 50 foot of furnished dock which includes a six person spa tub and gas grill. Our dock also has the convienance of a step down feature for easy loading and unloading of your boat and is on a direct access canal to the Great Atlantic. We invite one and all to enjoy the beautiful water of the Keys when coming to boat fish and dive however please keep in mind that neither the Atlantic or Gulf waters are like any lakes you may be an accomplished sportsman on. They both require an experienced and safety minded boater to navigate it’s many obstacles, sand bars and remember a free online open water ocean safe boater courses are available and recommended for both old and new boaters before venturing out on what we call “The Big Water”
Our home features tile floors throughout the living room,lanai and kitchen areas with carpeted bedrooms. Our bedrooms have a king bed in the master, queen bed in one guest room and full bed in the other. Our master bedroom has a beautiful screened in furnished lanai to relax on over looking the canal and it's bath features a seated shower encloser. The guest bath has both shower and tub which is located off main living room area. You will love our kitchen which features a extra large refrigerator freezer,dishwasher,micro wave, electric stove with oven, coffee pot, 4 slice toaster, air fryer and instapot/slow cooker along with Rachel Ray cookware, fully stocked spice rake and round dining table with rectangular dining out on the deck. Enjoy setting the table either in the house or on the dock with our beautiful island tableware even if you did just call one of our many fine dining establishments for carry out. However, if you do choose to cook it's all there for you to use.
There are so many ways to arrive on our islands so may we just suggest a few: You may want to fly into Ft. Myers and consider taking the four hour cruise across the beautiful Gulf of Mexico on the Fast Cat which runs out of Ft. Myers Beach to Key West. Everyone agrees this is a wonderful way to arrive and the view is breath taking as you zip along with the dolphins where the water meets the sky. However you may also choose to fly into either Miami or Key West where rental cars are available or if you choose not to do the driving you may catch the Keys shuttle or coach service to our lovely island hide away. Once you are on our island chain, we now have our new public shuttle service which allows you to island hop in both direction for as little as $3.00 round trip. This allows you to relax and enjoy all the islands of the fabulous Flordia Keys and Yes, we do still have our local cab service that will take you and your guest anywhere on our island of Marathon for the small fee of $10.00 a trip per car load. The Flordia Keys are one of America's most beautiful gifts to all mankind and a life style experiance we hope to share with all of you. Come on down and take a relaxing break on island time at our much loved Carpe’Diem in Marathon hideaway. So take advantage our always low prices and all the amenities our home and island chain have to offer you as our guests! Don't just go down South to visit, Go All The Way Down South and be our guests at Carpe’Diem in the Fabulous Fl. Keys. See Ya Soon! Until than: Remember to Seize The Day wherever you may be!
NOTICE***** Saturday to Saturday Arrivals Only
Thank you for stopping by and your interest. Carpe'Diem Vacation Rental Owner / Agents - Constance Merando PBR 2011-00081
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a furnished lanai, and there's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a coffee maker, and a phone.
Property manager
Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl.Keys
Languages
English
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If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Wheelchair accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Phone
Location highlights
Near a hospital
Near the marina
On the waterfront
Things to do
Optional golf privileges
Basketball nearby
Birdwatching nearby
Casino nearby
Cycling nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Parasailing nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkeling nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Water tubing nearby
Windsurfing nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
Garden
Unit size: 1,400 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
This property welcomes pets
Dogs and cats only
3 total (50 lbs is the maximum weight per pet)
Service animals exempt from fees
Note from host: Owner contact required before booking .
Children and extra beds
Note from host: Perfect for supervised children over 5
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Check-in: 2:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 21
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock.
Property is also known as
Carpe' Diem Heart Fl. Keys Specials House Marathon
Carpe' Diem Heart Fl. Keys Specials House
Carpe' Diem Heart Fl. Keys Specials Marathon
Carpe' Diem Heart Fl. Keys Specials
Carpe' Diem Heart Fl Keys Spe
Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl. Keys Specials Marathon
Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl. Keys Specials Private vacation home
Frequently asked questions
What can I see close to this vacation home?
This vacation home is located in Marathon within a short 10-minute walk of Crane Point Museum and Nature Center. You'll also find Sombrero Beach and Vaca Key within a short drive.
Is parking available on site at this vacation home?
No, there isn't parking at this vacation home.
Is this vacation home adjacent to a casino?
No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.
Will I find an indoor pool at this vacation home?
No, this vacation home doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is a hot tub.
Is Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl. Keys Specials a good place to stay for couples?
Amenities that appeal to couples at this historic vacation home include a kitchen and a smart TV along with a garden.
Does Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl. Keys Specials have a hot tub?
Yes, this vacation home has a spa tub.
Does this vacation home offer breakfast?
No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.
Will this vacation home allow pets to stay for free?
Although cats and dogs can't stay for free, they are welcome at this vacation home.
Are there connecting rooms at this vacation home?
No, this vacation home doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.
How far is the airport from this vacation home?
The closest major airport to this vacation home is Marathon, FL (MTH-Florida Keys Marathon), which is 1.4 mi away (2 minutes by car).
Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl. Keys Specials?
Yes, every accommodation at Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl. Keys Specials comes with a furnished lanai.
Carpe' Diem Heart of the Fl. Keys Specials Reviews
Reviews
8.8
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 96 out of 141 reviews
10 - Excellent
96
Rating 8 - Good. 25 out of 141 reviews
8 - Good
25
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 141 reviews
6 - Okay
4
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 141 reviews
4 - Poor
7
Rating 2 - Terrible. 9 out of 141 reviews
2 - Terrible
9
8.4/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Amenities
8.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
10/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Lisa H., Albany NY
Apr 9, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
March 2025
This home is in a very private setting on one of the canals in Marathon. The grocery stores are very close. The beaches, restaurants, attractions are all within a few minutes from the home. The dock is very nice. We even saw a a family of manatees in the canal. We had a very good time and appreciated that the owner did not charge us for our little dog. Nice place to visit!
Lisa H.
Stayed 30 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Marc W., Ann Arbor, Michigan
Apr 7, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great location!
Nice little cottage on a canal! Perfect for boaters!!
Marc W.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025
8/10 Good
Barbara W., Ogden UT, USA
Mar 1, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Keys Holiday
Good location. Eclectic property
Barbara W.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Susan S., Addison, NY
Feb 28, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Keys visit
Our stay was very nice. We appreciated the owner, Connie's, timely response to any concerns or questions we had. We also appreciated the fact that the home is dog friendly! The home was very well appointed in both the kitchen and the bathrooms. (I needed a large Band-Aid, and found one in one of the bathroom cabinets!) Marathon is in the center of the Keys, so made a good base spot, for touring all of the Keys. There are many nice restaurants on Marathon, and most have water views. We especially liked Havana Jacks on Key colony. There are also many nice city parks. Not crowded and free parking. Overall, a good place to stay!Marathon is in the center of the ke same thing
Susan S.
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2025
8/10 Good
john f.
Feb 10, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Nice Times
Really enjoyed our stay. Nice home, great location good times...
john f.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
David F.
Jan 29, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay in the Florida Keys
We enjoyed our visit in the Carpe' Diem home in Marathon, Florida. Wish we could've had some better weather but who cares when you're in the Florida Keys. Connie, the owner and host, was always there when we needed local advice or to solve or answer a question. Would love to stay at Carpe' Diem again in the future. in the futuin the futurto stawwhen we
David F.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
2/10 Terrible
Lynn G.
Jan 25, 2025
Terrible!
We had a week long reservation and had to leave after one night as there was an extreme musty odor throughout the duplex and it triggered my asthma horribly. I have lived in Florida all my life and had asthma since I was 2 years old and it hardly ever bothers me. The lock did not work on the sliding door leading from the dining room to the small screen enclosure. Both my friend and I worked with it for a long time night one with no success. We know how screen door locks work. No rod to put in the door well either. There also were small flying bugs coming out of the master bathroom sink. Very old place. Sadly, the host did not offer, or pay, any sort of refund for the six nights we could not stay. Very poor practice for a host, since the departure could not be helped.
Lynn G.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Cynthia B.
Jan 20, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing
If you are tired of the corporate renting (with the box with a code on the door) look no further. This little house is charming being on the channel in a very quiet neighborhood. You may be able to enjoy watching the iguanas, fish jumping or a surprise visit from a manatee. The house is located at the halfway point between Miami and Key West, you can find plenty to do.... turtle hospital, aquarium encounter and the many beaches. But remember, you're on island time so just relax and enjoy the area while staying in this little house. The owner is very good at communicating with you and giving suggestions of things to do and places to eat. I will rent again.
Cynthia B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
joe h.
Jan 7, 2025
joe h.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Angela G.
Jan 5, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent House in the Heart of the Keys!
This home is in an excellent, central location of Marathon and the Florida Keys. Connie, the host, has excellent communication and frequently checked-in to make sure we had everything we needed. She even brought us sweet NYE treats upon check-in. The house is beautiful and well-equipped. The outside space has a lovely deck on a canal that leads to the ocean. The house has everything you may need, from plentiful towels, to fishing poles, to beach chairs and more! The rooms are spacious and the beds are very comfortable. My husband had to work during our time there, and the wifi worked great. I would recommend this home to anyone traveling to Marathon and we would return. Thank you Connie!
Angela G.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
4/10 Poor
Faye B., Fleming Island, Florida
Dec 31, 2024
Disliked: Cleanliness
Don’t be “lured” in by this VRBO
Fishing cabin at best
Faye B.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
2/10 Terrible
Sandy M.
Dec 28, 2024
Disliked: Cleanliness
Unkempt and dirty
Ad doesn't represent condition of house today. Very old and tired. Patio didn't lock, screens broken. Not safe. Uncomfortable sofas. No yard for dog. House was filty.
Sandy M.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
4/10 Poor
Terry S.
Nov 2, 2024
Terry S.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Claudia B.
Sep 16, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Fun week in Marathon
House was conviently located to all fun places and great food on land as well as In the water. Great place to visit.
Claudia B.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Cassandra C.
Aug 13, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Had a great time!
We had a great time! The house was close to two grocery stores which is super convenient. We cooked most of our meals to save money! About anything you could need was there for cooking purposes. I loved the fridge! Also everyone told us the groceries at the keys were insanely priced but really they weren’t as bad as we were told! We packed coolers full of food and it really wasn’t necessary lol! The canal at the dock was about 18’ deep but the water does get skinny on your way out of the channel- about 2’ of water. The owners give great instructions and directions on how to navigate that. We brought our 22’ bay boat and had plenty of water and room. Just be careful and listen to the hosts instructions on the channel. It was the perfect size house for us! The owners are very friendly and easy to communicate with. The house felt private and safe! We especially enjoyed drinking coffee on the dock every morning and winding down in the evenings there! The bait freezer was a huge plus for us as well.
Home felt private and safe. Very quiet neighborhood. Owner/hostess was very prompt with answers to texts and prompt, on-time check-in. Owner showed us around property, made suggestions and offered assistance if needed. A few iguanas were there on the dock to greet us also. Home is on good sized canal with dockage. Perfect sized rental for family of four. The home is an older home, but has been updated and remodeled. Pricing was very reasonable for a 3 bed/2 bath rental. Lots of space to have privacy within the home after a long day sightseeing and doing outdoor activities. We liked that it was centrally located in the Keys island chain, making exploring other islands easy and accessible within minutes. Quite a few nearby Florida state parks and other nature oriented, outdoor activities or excursions to go on. Marathon’s vibe is laidback and family friendly with lots of options for things to do. Plenty of nearby chain restaurants (fast food, etc) and local seafood restaurants with interesting options. We really enjoyed our time in the Keys! You’ll never want to leave! Can’t wait for a return trip soon! Thank you so much, Miss Connie for welcoming us to paradise and for being a great hostess!
Laura
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
10/10 Excellent
Bill C.
Jun 16, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Family getaway
Well kept property, creative decor comfortable rooms. Saw manatees in the channel, caught a 34" tarpon in channel. Gathered for conversation in living room. Center location in town for checking out local stores restaurants. Several places with excellent food. Did fishing charter , grilled our catch on deck/dock delicious! Fun interacting with local Iquanas. Great trip, great place to stay!
Bill C.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
8/10 Good
Carol c.
May 21, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Our vacation
Nice big eat in kitchen, family room was comfortable. The patio was on the canal and had plenty of room. Close to grocery stores and the beach. When we visited it was extremely warm and the air conditioner could not keep up. I have asthma and we needed to cut our trip short due to the heat.
Carol c.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
10/10 Excellent
Teresa R.
May 3, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
29th Wedding Anniversary
Our host was the best by far. She went out of her way to make sure that our special occasion was extra! From the moment we arrived, a beautiful anniversary card, bottle of wine (which sadly we were at the house long enough to drink), fresh fruit, meat, cheese and chocolate such an amazing welcome to the islands! We enjoyed our time there so much and can’t wait to come back for another visit…we will be back 💯 amazing host!!
Teresa R.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024
10/10 Excellent
Linda C.
Apr 7, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Stay!
We had a great time at Carpe' Diem. In the morning we would have coffee on the patio and watch a mama manatee and her baby swim. The house was quaint and comfortable. The kitchen has everything you need. The location was perfect, quite neighborhood close to Sombrero Beach, shopping and restaurants. We look forward to coming back.
Linda C.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Rick D.
Mar 26, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
A little getaway
It was a nice place to relax and enjoy the great weather we had!
Rick D.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
William M.
Mar 12, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise in Marathon
This property is a great place to stay. It is convenient to everything in Marathon. The property is well kept and clean with excellent beds. Plus there's a canal right out the back door with fish, manatees, and of course iguanas. We highly recommend this property!
William M.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Pat F.
Mar 3, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Great week with friends!
We really enjoyed our week and Connie is an amazing owner! Great check-in and is available for any questions or needs. We love the Keys and this was a good central location for biking and enjoying the area. Great to sit outside for our meals and the grill was in good condition. Manatees were hanging out in the canal and lots of fish jumping around. Great fridge, stove, and dishwasher and very good cookware. We were very comfortable!
Pat F.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024
10/10 Excellent
John G., Amherst, MA
Feb 24, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Convenient Location and Great Host
The house is convenient to restaurants and beaches. Connie was very welcoming and most important for me, she welcomed my dog.
John G.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024
10/10 Excellent
Bill C.
Feb 20, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Centrally located
House was very clean. Host was exceptional. She took care of a couple of minor issues promptly. Great communication.
Would book again.