About the cottage:
When we left Seattle, we left behind our precious goddaughter, Penelope Naranjo. We promised her we’d always keep her close and, when we bought the property, name a cottage after her. Besides, “Penelope” seemed like a great name for a cottage; especially fitting for one that is authentic, pure and beautiful, like her!
Originally the bait shop and charter office for the fishing camp that started here in 1950, then the owner’s home, and at one time even the office of the visiting veterinarian; Penelope’s been added onto, burned down, rebuilt and added onto again. Our work didn’t alter the structure or footprint of the original house, but refined the space and added some modern touches to an authentic crackerbox house with a screened porch.
A queen bed, adorned in a colorful tropical print cotton quilt and acres of cotton linens, graces the front bedroom over a fresh new floor and clean white paint. Original art and tropical imagery abounds and an oversized air-conditioner and catalytic propane heater regulates temperature while a standing Vornado fan moves air throughout the cottage.
Designed for the vacation-cook, the kitchen has been fully redone and updated with a 4-burner induction cooktop on an acacia wood butcher block counter, French door convection toaster oven, standard microwave and fridge. We recommissioned the old pine baking cabinet to serve as the wash station and added a 30 inch hammered copper sink with an antique replica brass faucet. A new coffee brew station with Cuisinart automatic drip coffee maker sits upon an airy wire baking cabinet storing dishes and cookware.
This cottage has a new bathroom with a large walk-in shower and the other essentials.
The focal point of this cottage, though, is the festive screened porch overlooking the back lawn and the bay beyond with two Adirondack rockers facing the water invite you to watch the never-ceasing mullet ballet and the osprey and pelican as they hunt. A giant wall fan cools the large acacia wood dining table and benches perfect for outdoor dining or game nights. Just off the porch, a ceramic chiminea for those rare chilly nights with two massive cedar adirondack chairs made by Cedar Key’s own wood craftsman, Howard Wells,
Like all Firefly Cottages, we provide our guests some of the finest fresh ground coffees from our favorite local roaster in Gainesville, Sweetwater Organic Coffee Company. Each evening, before retiring for the night, we deliver packets of freshly ground coffee beans for the next morning’s brew. We supply cottages with unlimited purified drinking water and water and can also bring ice throughout your visit.
This cottage can be the base of operations for your Cedar Key getaway or family retreat as it is in the center of the property and the screen porch provides an ideal gathering/dining space.
Details/Restrictions:
- Check in after 3:00 pm. Checkout is noon.
- Single or double occupancy (2 person/cottage maximum).
- Minimum guest age is 12.
- 2 night minimum stay; our Covid-19 mitigation strategy does not allow us to offer single night stays.
- 72-hour, penalty-free cancellation (for stays of less than 1 week)
- We regret we cannot accommodate pets.
- All cottages are no smoking. Smoking is permitted in outdoor spaces, including decks and porches.
- Penelope’s Cottage is not fully wheelchair accessible.
Rates:
- Penelope Cottage rents for between $149.00-$209.00/night depending on day of the week, demand, and season (Festivals excluded)
- Actual rates for specific dates will be quoted at the time of reservation or we can email a link with rates.
- A weekly rate (7 nights) is available for $915.00 (low season)/$1155.00 (2023 high season) and is displayed when booking.
- Inquire about rates and policies for longer stays.
Photo Gallery:
