Since the 1950’s visitors have enjoyed relaxed accommodations, fresh air off the Gulf of Mexico, incredible seafood (much of which they caught themselves), excellent recreational possibilities––from hiking to fishing to kayaking or canoeing––all under blues skies and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Cedar Key is all about family and fun in a unique working waterfront town. It is all around your from this coastal property located four miles into the Gulf about half a mile from downtown. A set of cracker-style cottages, some only a foot above the ground offered guests rudimentary lodging to the intentional and accidental tourist to Florida’s Nature Coast.
The new owners are transforming these humble lodgings into Firefly Resort Cottages: 1950’s style and hospitality with modern appointments and some little luxuries.
In the 1970s, Miss BettyRose Cooke purchased the original Bon Air Cottages, and began an energetic renovation on the by-then dilapidated cottages. She also began working the gardens, and some of her plantings remain to this day. She named the property ‘Mermaid’s Landing,’ a name that remained with the cottages for 45 years. Ms. Kathy Carver took over the property in the mid-1990’s and operated them until July 2018, when the current owners, Darrin Newell and Ian Maki, purchased them and gave the property its current name: Firefly Resort Cottages.
Except for Cottage 1, ‘The Dreamers’ Cottage”, and 2, ‘The Writer’s Cottage’, which are nearly indestructible single-story cinder block structures and the first to be built in 1950-1951, the remainder are traditional “cracker-style” buildings made from local softwoods and resting loosely on cinder block foundations. Practical for an area that often sees high water––built from old heart pine, loose to be able to take on and release water, these cottages had tongue-and-groove pine plank floors, lots of windows for air, wood interior and exterior siding––they could withstand the test of time. When they got wet––which was frequently––they are hosed off, dried out and returned to service. Over time the floors were repaired with sheetgood floors painted, sometimes, quite decoratively, only to be pulled out and replaced after a flood. Over the past seventy years, the cottages have sagged and settled, lifted and listed, and are now a little cockeyed, just like our beloved little town. We are working to preserve and restore the buildings and bring them back to their original states and get them out of the way of what are becoming increasingly common storm surges.
We are designing the property and cottages for casual luxury and relaxation with a tropical and exotic flair. Most of the cottages have new appliances, new floors, keyless entry locks, new TVs with satellite, new hybrid mattresses and platform beds, all-cotton linens and towels and top of the line American-made toiletries by William Roam of Indianapolis. We provide guest wi-fi and a broad entertainment selection, and stock the cottages with flatware and dishes, useful utensils and sharp knives, functional glassware and new pots and pans.
We provide exquisite coffee sourced and roasted by Sweetwater Organic Coffee ground fresh for you each evening (and tea), bottled purified water (on-site sediment, carbon-block, reverse osmosis, pH+, remineralization, UV sterilization), and ice for you throughout your stay.
The gardens are being rejuvenated. Native species are being moved, thinned and replaced and invasive plants contained and removed. We are adding trees in the 30-year plan to replace shade that time will certainly take away. The mild Gulf climate allows us to add tropical plants to add to the lush foliage we enjoy in Central Florida
In the interest of extending the life of the cottages, all cottages are single or double occupancy. Please inquire about discounts for multiple cottage rentals to accommodate larger parties. We no longer allow pets and do not think the property is suitable for children due to the age and fragility of the cottages. We are happy to recommend accommodations in town that can accommodate children. We do require a two night minimum stay for visits including Friday or Saturday nights, and single night stays carry a $10.00 surcharge.
All cottages, but not the grounds, are non-smoking.
Room rates are subject to change, and are published ahead of a scheduled increase on January 1, 2019.
Historical Photo Gallery
Do you have pictures of the old Bon Air or Mermaid’s Landing Cottages? We’d love to see them and include them on this website. Please contact Ian Maki via email.