Conch Key Cottages

We had our small wedding ceremony on one of the property’s docks and stayed the week. They even included a bottle of champagne. We were in the Queen Conch, one of the cottages right on the beach. The place is beautiful, the rooms were very clean, and the maids came in daily to freshen things up, including washing dishes. The beach is small but nice and well maintained, with plenty of lounge chairs and hammocks. It was our best vacation yet, and we’re already looking forward to coming back for more.

The location is great and the area is beautiful, and the accommodations were clean. But the place has potential that’s being wasted by poor maintenance and repairs that feel unsafe. The railings are broken and pieced together. I’m fairly handy, and the repairs all look as though they were done as cheaply as possible, without much skill. I knew beforehand this wasn’t a four-star place, but for the price of three stars I got 1.5. Don’t go.

The location, boat slip, and kayaks are great, and these cottages could be good if they were updated, professionally cleaned, maintained, and pest controlled. That’s what I’d expect for the price. There are also two incredible multistory homes on the island, though I’m not sure if they’re for rent. The three small cottages are in poor condition and aren’t properly maintained or cleaned. Doors barely work and handles look ready to fall off. The blinds for the beach view are broken. There’s mold on ceilings and vents, popcorn texture falling off, bugs, a soft bathroom floor, and ceilings that are only partly painted. The grill had no spatula or brush, and the dishes in the drawers were dirty. Hot water was only available at the kitchen sink, where it could burn you. The downstairs exterior lights didn’t work, the pool stayed green all week, and the trash wasn’t picked up.

We stayed in the Cowrie cottage, which could use more upkeep. It was mostly clean, but there was a lot of mold buildup in the air conditioners, and it looked like they needed replacing. There was mold inside the shower's glass blocks, too. The employees were all very nice. The setting is cute and quiet, with lovely sunsets, and it's close to Marathon. They also provide a list of nearby restaurants. Great atmosphere if you're after somewhere peaceful.