Celebrate Book Direct Day with a Vacation to Key West

Have you thought about planning your travel for 2025 yet? A trip to Key West is the perfect way to add excitement to your year. Now is the perfect time; February 5th is National Book Direct Day in 2025! 

Let’s explore why you should visit Key West and the benefits of booking your trip directly.

What is National Book Direct Day?

National Book Direct Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday of February every year, landing on February 5th in 2025. This holiday originated in 2018 as a social media movement featuring the hashtag #BookDirect. Its primary purpose? To inspire travelers (like you) to reserve vacations directly through vacation rental providers (like us!) rather than using third-party platforms. In the next section, we’ll dive into the benefits of booking directly.

What are the Benefits of Booking Direct?

Booking your trip directly instead of using a third-party service has several benefits. Let’s review them now!

No Hidden Fees

One great advantage to booking your vacation directly with a vacation rental company is the transparency in pricing! When you book with OTAs, you run into hidden fees—cleaning fees and more—that don’t show up in the original pricing.

When you book directly, you know what you’re paying upfront, and the money goes directly to the vacation rental company (a small business like ours!) and the vacation rental owner. That way, money goes back into the community in Key West instead of going to major corporations like Airbnb and VRBO. You won’t run into any unnecessary fees, and it’s all included in one price when you book directly.

Devoted Local Team On the Ground

Another great perk to booking directly is having access to a local team here in Key West. Our maintenance staff is always nearby to help should any issue arise! Plus, we’re resident Key West experts—if you have any questions about the area, we’re more than happy to help. We want you to fall in love with Key West just like we have!

Why Should You Visit Key West?

Photo of Ernest Hemingway House

Speaking of falling in love with Key West, you may be wondering: Why should I visit Key West? Allow us to share some of our favorite parts of this wonderful city!

Key West is a vibrant city. There’s no shortage of exciting events and things to do happening all the time! Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure or want to find some amazing seafood, there’s something for everyone here.

Explore the waters by going snorkeling, or see the city from a whole new perspective by parasailing or skydiving! Dry Tortugas National Park is a great place to go snorkeling or just spend the day exploring the island with your family. The park is an island, so you have to get there by ferry or even seaplane—just traveling there is already an adventure! Fort Zachary Taylor is another popular historical place to visit in Key West.  

Key West is home to several historical sites and landmarks you’ll want to see during your trip! Key West is rich in history, and some of America’s most famous figures, like Harry Truman and Ernest Hemingway, once called it home. While visiting, you can step into the past by exploring their former residences and other noteworthy landmarks around the city.

Both Hemingway’s and Truman’s homes have been transformed into museums open to visitors. At the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, you’ll discover where he penned classics like The Old Man and the Sea and many other literary masterpieces.

Harry Truman spent an impressive 175 days of his presidency at his Key West retreat. Touring Truman’s "Little White House" offers a glimpse into the 1940s and 50s, with its original furnishings—including festive Christmas décor during the holidays—preserved as they were. Guided tours take you through the spaces where Truman worked, relaxed, and even hosted pivotal government meetings, giving you a unique insight into his time in office.

Finally, for a quintessential Key West experience, stop by the Southernmost Point for that must-have photo op. This iconic buoy marks the southernmost tip of the continental United States and has become a beloved spot for visitors. Capture your own piece of Key West history!

For even more to explore in Key West, check out our Key West Traveler’s Guide.

Book Your Vacation to Key West Directly with Dwell Key West!

Now that you know all the benefits of booking directly, it’s time to book that trip to Key West! Dwell Key West is the best boutique vacation rental company in the area, and you’ll enjoy all the benefits mentioned above when you book directly with us.

We have several inns here at Dwell Key West that each provide their own unique perks for your Key West vacation. Check out the Azul mansion, built in 1899 for a truly historical stay; it’s on the National Register of Historic Places. Stay in the adults-only Scarlet Mango Inn to appreciate authentic Bahamian-style design—this architectural gem was built during the Lincoln era.

The Travelers Palm Boutique Hotel near Duval Street is another Key West gem with a gorgeous pool and a commitment to eco-friendly travel. Our newest addition, the Inn on Fleming, is known as a tropical refuge, located just minutes away from the Historic Seaport and the lure of Duval Street.

With so many wonderful options at Dwell Key West, you really can’t go wrong. You can also search by amenity if you want to be sure your rental has exactly what you need for your trip. Browse our entire catalog of available rentals now and book your Key West vacation directly with Dwell!