534 Eaton St, Key West, Florida, United States | (888) 635-3814
Central location on a quiet street, within a five-minute walk to Duval Street, shops, and restaurants
Rich, historic ambiance created by a front porch and tropical garden
Free daily happy hour
Fresh pastries and poached eggs served at European-style breakfast
On-site bike rentals
Rooms have 12-foot ceilings, and each has its own Victorian character
Small outdoor dipping pool surrounded by palm trees
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
Parking comes with a fee and must be booked in advance
Some guests complain about uncomfortable mattresses
Few amenities; no full restaurant or gym
Some guests might steer clear of the home of the haunted stuffed doll that inspired the movie "Chuckie," but Artist House, one of the most photographed houses in Key West, is immaculate, bright, colorful, and welcoming, with nothing spooky about it. This restored Victorian mansion serves European pastries at breakfast and hosts a free daily happy hour. It's located within a few minutes' walk of Duval Street and the heartbeat of Key West.
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Scene
Colorful mix of old Victorian and new shine
The Artist House was built between 1890 and 1898, and lavender is this Victorian property's standout exterior color, giving its window shutters and rocking chairs on its beautiful terraces a sort of comic-book charm. Although the interior maintains many of its original details, including a polished wooden banister, antique nightstands, headboards, and wallpaper, and ornate chandeliers and lamps, the Artist House has been extensively renovated and doesn't skimp on modern amenities. Large flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers come with every room, and there's Wi-Fi available throughout the property. Plush red armchairs and sofas, and a series of colorful, contemporary oil paintings line the walls. The House’s most famous artifact, Robert the Doll, is no longer among the home’s original treasures but can be viewed at the East Martello Museum.
Location
On a quiet street, but only steps away from the action
The Artist House is two blocks from Duval Street, Key West’s main drag, and the area’s best restaurants, bars, and shops, and Mallory Square, are within a five-minute walk. The harbor and waterfront are about 10 minutes away, as are the Truman Little White House and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. It’s about a 10- to 15-minute drive to Key West International Airport, and a two-and-a half-hour drive to Miami International Airport.
Rooms
Six classic Victorian rooms, each chock-full of antiques
There are six rooms at Artist House, and each is chock-full of Victorian antiques. Many of the headboards, nightstands, dressers, lamps, chairs, and wallpaper are original. Along with the Victoriana, each room has such modern amenities as a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, ironing facilities, coffeemaker, alarm clock, toiletries, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms have decorative fireplaces and small private balconies. The en-suite bathrooms have been updated with shiny tiling, rainfall showers, and hairdryers. The two-floor Turret Suite has two bathrooms, one with a claw-foot tub.
Features
Free daily happy hour and a small dipping pool
The room price includes a help-yourself-style continental breakfast of fresh fruit, fresh pastries, cereal, yogurt, and hard-boiled or poached eggs. Artist House hosts a daily happy hour with free beer and wine served on the patio. Staff is happy to help with restaurant reservations, tours, and recommendations, and parking is available in a nearby lot for a fee. Artist House rents bicycles, and has a small outdoor dipping pool. However, there's no full restaurant or gym.
