vacation rentals in Marathon

Question

Hello, we are two couples looking for week long vacation rentals in Marathon in late April. We need two bedrooms on a canal, a private pool, and a boat slip for a 24' fishing boat. Clean and nice. I've been doing a lot of research on places, mostly on VRBO and reading all the reviews, which is time consuming but informative. There's also another site I found called Keysrentalonline.com. Do all of the rental sites usually have the same pricing or can they be different? And also, are there certain areas in Marathon that we should try to stay in? I've seen Key Colony Beach, Coco Plum Beach, Marathon Shores, Sombrero Beach, etc. The list goes on. KCB seems to have the club access which can be nice. It would also be nice to have activities close by, restaurants , grocery, etc. We plan to do a day trip to Key West as well. thank you!

Answer

Marathon is a fantastic choice for a week-long vacation in the Florida Keys, especially for couples who want a relaxing canal-side experience with easy access to boating, fishing, and local attractions. Since you are looking for a rental with two bedrooms, a private pool, and a boat slip suitable for a 24' fishing boat, there are several factors to consider regarding location, pricing, and amenities.

Regarding vacation rental sites:

Prices can vary between platforms like VRBO, Airbnb, and Keysrentalonline.com. Even for the same property, some sites may include different fees (cleaning, service, booking fees), which can make the total cost slightly higher or lower depending on the platform.
It’s worth checking multiple sites for the same property to see if any special promotions or last-minute discounts are offered.
Reading reviews is crucial, as they provide insights on cleanliness, maintenance, and how responsive the host is—especially for properties with boat slips and pools.

Regarding areas to stay in Marathon:

Key Colony Beach (KCB): Small, quiet, and very charming. Many rentals here include club access with pools and tennis courts, plus a relaxed island feel. Close enough to Marathon’s grocery stores and restaurants, but still private.
Coco Plum Beach: Slightly less developed and quieter, great if you prefer a more secluded canal-side experience. Restaurants and shops are a short drive away.
Marathon Shores: Offers many canal-front homes with boat access and pools. Centrally located for easy access to Marathon’s restaurants, groceries, and marinas. Good area if you want to balance privacy with convenience.
Sombrero Beach area: Ideal if you want proximity to public beaches for swimming or walking. Not all properties have boat slips, so double-check.

Other considerations:

Make sure the boat slip can accommodate a 24' fishing boat, and check if the property allows your type of vessel.
Proximity to groceries and restaurants can be important if you plan to cook or dine out frequently. Marathon has a number of casual and seafood-focused options along US-1 and near Boot Key Harbor.
For day trips to Key West, staying in central Marathon is best as it minimizes driving time (roughly 1 hour each way) while still giving easy access to other Keys activities.

In summary, Key Colony Beach and Marathon Shores are likely your top picks for canal-front rentals with private pools and boat slips. Pricing varies by site, so checking multiple sources and reading recent reviews is the best approach. Look for properties that are centrally located enough to allow for quick trips to restaurants, groceries, and marinas, but still offer privacy and a scenic waterfront experience.

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