Wonderful guest house located just a few blocks from Douval Street Private setting in walled gardens Children up to 12 years of age are free of charge

Facilities

But Heron House is more than bricks and mortar. It really is a living philosophy of what constitutes service. Owners Fred Geibelt and Robert Framarin wanted Heron House to reflect what makes them - and in turn guests - happy. "We live here, and want to enjoy what we look at every day. When we are comfortable with what we have built and the service we provide, then we believe that guests will want and appreciate that too," they said. This attention to detail is what makes Heron House different. Take the courtyard for example. Instead of using standard brick, Geibelt and Framarin insisted on Chicago brick. They took it one step further (at considerable cost) by creating distinctive patterns and designs. To accomplish the best possible result, they often did the gruelling work themselves, from cutting the brick into intricate designs to sanding the wood work. In the case of the brick, it took as long as three months to finish, instead of a week if they had selected more conventional designs. That's really the story of Heron House. No shortcuts. Nothing less than the best. Granite and eye-catching tile highlight the bathrooms. Original Florida Keys watercolor adorn each room. Tastefully designed bedspreads and draperies compliment the furniture. Even the transoms are stained glass. But the word "room" is really an understatement, because each one is oversize and different. They are far more than rooms. They really reflect the comfort and taste found in an upscale home. Some have walls crafted into unique patterns by woodworking artisans. Others have private decks and balconies, laden with tropical plants, which bring the outside in. Indoor lighting is customized in each room. Heron House's history dates back to 1850 when it opened as a private residence. Geibelt and Framarin bought it in 1983, and began the painstaking restoration. About six months later they welcomed their first guest. Two years later they bought the adjacent home, and in 1989 built a third one on land behind the main house. It took them nearly 17 years to blend the three buildings into what is today Heron House. The result is what they call a "presentation to our guests." While Fred and Robert have completed construction, they add that "Heron House will always be evolving. The evolution may include such minor details as some new and exotic plants, or a miniature rain forest, with waterfall and tropical fish which is in the process of being completed." It may include a different breakfast presentation (breakfast is included in the room rate), or some modifications to the interior design. Once visitors stay at Heron House, they usually want to return. Repeat business is close to 50 per cent, probably the highest in Key West, and certainly one of the highest at any resort world-wide. Those figures speak for themselves. The words "attention to detail," "luxury" and "unique" have been overused in our society today, but at Heron House they are alive and well. Fred Geibelt, Robert Framarin and the staff wouldn't have it any other way.