As much as we admire those travelers who always seem to have it all together, planning their vacations to the tiniest detail, choosing their vacation rentals months before the trip begins, even packing an entire week before their plane is about to take off, it is the procrastinators in life that we at RentTheKeys identify with. We too know the pain of putting things off to the last minutes, leaving the house just an hour before we are supposed to be boarding and discovering that our ride share won’t be at the house for another 14 minutes. These last-minute adventures can be off putting to the planners in our lives, but when your last-minute journey takes you to the Florida Keys, we celebrate you and offer a plethora of benefits that may surprise you on your Florida Keys vacation, many of which can be found below.
Same Space, Lower Cost
Our goal is to get all our homes rented every night of the year, but there may be circumstances that keep this from happening and our open beds can be your prime opportunity as last-minute deals may be the way we cover our bases. Call it bribe to get our way, but do you really want to complain when your last minute getaway offers up the opportunity to live in the lap of luxury at a price that may seem more suited to a smaller home? Whether you forgot to plan or you simply decided on the spur of the moment that a journey to Florida was what your soul needs, you may notice that the closer available dates are the cheaper dates and although the jump in price may not be that noticeable, every little bit counts when it comes to saving money.
No Sacrifices for Our Florida Keys Vacation
If you have ever had an unplanned or last-minute stay in a hotel, you already know that all hotel rooms are not created equal and the availability of the best rooms, the ones that look out to the sea, that offer two queen beds, and a balcony, may be slim to none. Chances are the last-minute room booked is the one that is closest to the elevators, where loud guests and the dinging of the bell that announces more are coming can keep you awake late into the night. With RentTheKeys, however, that will never be an issue as ALL of our properties are designed to be an integral part of your vacation experience. Offering a complex blend of comfort and modern amenities, the spaces, even the one that are available at the 11th hour of your vacation planning session, are the best of what we can offer, ensuring that this vacation will be one that will bring you pleasure from the first moment you step inside the door.
Want to Save More? Skip the Generic Vacation Rental Websites!
Here’s a little known secret in the travel world, one that we don’t mind sharing with our guests. Those vacation rental websites don’t just charge you for the privilege of using them, they charge the homeowners when you rent one of their properties! We don’t want to pay those fees anymore than you do, so if we can pass on the savings, encouraging you to choose Rent the Keys for a journey in comfort that you have to experience to believe, we don’t think anyone will have anything negative to say about that. So go ahead, browse our page and get the best costs for every property we offer, and this deal isn’t limited to those who wait till the last minute to book, it’s available to everyone!
What Can You Do With Little Notice? (Outdoor Edition)
Now that you have an idea of the benefits of booking at the last minute, why don’t we put some of the savings you have just incurred to good use? The activities listed below can add fun and wonder to your Florida vacation and do not require any advance notice or reservations!
Bird Watching at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota
Home to over 100 species of birds (more during winter migration) the beauty of Myakka River State Park is something that will be best enjoyed with your smart phone taking pictures and marking off all the different species you catch sight of on a variety of bird watching apps. Even if you aren’t an avid bird watcher, the trails that run through this park provides clear views of the river, the landscape, and some of the most stunning sunsets in town and is open every day of the year from 8 AM until sunset.
A Day at Siesta Beach on Siesta Key
You guessed it. There’s no need for any pre-planning to enjoy a day at Siesta Beach and many of our summer sanctuaries will offer a selection of beach gear so you won’t even need to worry about purchasing chairs, umbrellas, or coolers. Pack some sandwiches, snacks, and your favorite beverage, slip into that new swimsuit you bought as you rolled into town, and prepare for a day of carefree sun worshipping and serene adventures.
Visit Iguanaland in Punta Gorda
Located just a few miles away from your Port Charlotte home sweet vacation home, Iguanaland is open every day of the year from 10 AM until 6 PM and offers a wild selection of reptiles for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy personal encounters with the reptiles that make Iguanaland their home when you sign up for their animal encounter which could include snuggling a safe but slithery snake for those who like to live life on the wild side. Home to over 230 types of reptiles, you may never forget your first sighting of a rhinoceros iguana, which is quite honestly one of the largest we have ever seen, and although not particularly handsome, will be the star of your photo show when you arrive back home.
Last-Minute Adventures in the Keys (Indoor Edition)
There are a few things you can expect from your last-minute Florida journey, including the realization that winter is just an abstract concept that we don’t really understand, that white sand beaches are softer than normal sand beaches and cast quite a glare making sunglasses a requirement, and that rain will fall at least once (if not once a day!) during your vacation in paradise. Most often it blows out as fast as it blew in, but if you are wanting to avoid the damp, these indoor adventures require no advance planning!
Sip & Savor at the Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery in Cape Coral
Open every day except Sunday, the wonderful staff at the Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery don’t care if you have planned this getaway for months or if you hopped on a plane yesterday and when the rain started, thought, wouldn’t some delicious rum be a good choice right now? Offering tours of the distillery, something you will need to reserve in advance, the rum made at this wonderful spot is made in small batches, using Florida sugar, local ingredients, in an American copper pot that is actually the largest one in South Florida.
Step into the Past at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum
Located at 402 Pine Avenue on Anna Maria Island, the AMI Historical Museum is open year-round but closed on Sundays and Mondays, and not only do you not have to worry about making advanced reservations, but you also won’t spend any of your last-minute savings because admission is free. (Donations are always accepted though) Pine Avenue is a historic street on the island, reflecting the history of Florida’s architecture with cottages that were built in the 1900s, recently restored, and currently holding local businesses, including this museum. Offering exhibits regarding our island home’s history, the gift shop is perfect for picking up some last-minute gifts for friends and family back home.
Search for Treasures at the Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton
Closed on Mondays and located at 1707 1st Street in Bradenton, every visit to the Red Barn Flea Market promises to bring something new to your life. More than a flea market as it offers retail shops selling new merchandise, food courts, and an open-air farmers market that does not fit into this indoor category, there are over 600 shops and booths in this air-conditioned establishment. Popular year round, the air conditioning makes it a cool spot during the hottest days of summer!
A Taste of the Keys
The best vacations revolve around the meals we enjoy during our journeys and even as your Rent the Keys last minute escape offers a fully equipped kitchen, you really shouldn’t miss these local favorite restaurants. Don’t you think mom (or whoever is the chef in your family) deserves a break on vacation?
Breakfast at the Blue Dolphin Café in Longboat Key
Open every day of the week at 8 AM, there is no need to rise early to enjoy the delicious breakfast dishes served at this local hot spot. Serving traditional breakfast foods, including egg dishes, pancakes, and waffles, every bite will be your favorite; we just suggest that you arrive before 10 on weekends as that is when it is busiest. The rest of the week we only advise our guests to make sure they get there before closing time at 2 PM.
Enjoy an International Flair for Lunch at the Cuban Taste Restaurant in Port Charlotte
The Cuban Taste Restaurant not only doesn’t care if you made the decision to join them for lunch 5 minutes ago, but they also don’t accept reservations, so no pre-planning is involved. Closed on Sundays and open at 7 AM every other day of the week, this taste of Cuba is destined to be your newest obsession.
Devour a Taste of the Sea for Dinner at Shark’s Fish House Restaurant in North Port
Closed on Sundays and Mondays, Shark’s Fish House Restaurant is the only seafood restaurant on our list (ANY seafood restaurant is destined to be ideal!) offering the freshest seafood in the area for your Florida Keys Vacation. Family owned and operated and serving meals made from locally sourced ingredients, it is inexpensive, not fancy, and will make you fall in love with the fruits of the sea. For those unsure of seafood, they do offer chicken and burger options, but we encourage you to step outside your box of normal and try their specialties, discovering a passion for seafood that will stay with you forevermore.
Comfort Happens with RentTheKeys
Our homes are designed to make guests feel instantly at home, even as they are thousands of miles away from their own residences, and the difference between RentTheKeys and other vacation homes will immediately be apparent upon your first steps inside.
Plush sofas, chairs, and cloud soft beds ensure that everywhere you sit and lounge will be your favorite. Take a nap on a lazy Tuesday afternoon, sleep in late every day of your stay, and relax in all the ways you never seem to be able to do during real life. Our bedrooms will be your favorite retreat, our living rooms will be your favorite hangouts, and our dining rooms will be the center of all your favorite activities.
Offering state-of-the-art televisions, high-speed internet, and appliances that will make amateur chefs shed a tear of delight. Whether you use every modern convenience we offer or pick and choose the ones that fit your idea of vacation life best, if we have made your life easier by the end of your stay, we can consider that we have done our jobs well.
Crystal-clear pools, community hot tubs, and grilling areas (community in our condos, private in our standalone homes) will ensure that your minutes spent at home will be as fun and fulfilling as your explorations of our Florida towns, islands, and Keys. Reserve your favorite escape today!
