Big Sunsets and Big Dreams in Texas.
Kick off your boots and relax in Abilene,
the Key City to Big Country West Texas.
Big Sunsets and Big Dreams in Texas.
Kick off your boots and relax in Abilene,
the Key City to Big Country West Texas.
About Key City Cottage Short Term Rental
Our mission is to provide a sparkling clean, comfortable home away from home with special touches around each corner to delight every guest.
You and your guests will feel right at home in this new three bedroom, two bath cottage that sleeps up to six. Fully stocked kitchen, complimentary coffee bar, open concept living with 65" smart TV, king primary with ensuite bath, crisp linens, plush bath towels, scented soaps, washer/dryer plus two car garage. Minutes from ACU and Hardin Simmons, a short drive to the West Texas Fair and Rodeo and McMurry University.
Things to do and see around Abilene, The Key City.
About Abilene
Known as The Key City and Friendly Frontier, Abilene is key to supporting economic stability of surrounding areas in West Texas known as Big Country. Established by cattlemen in 1881, Abilene is home to roughly 176,000 along with three Christian Universities: Abilene Christian University, McMurry University and Hardin-Simmons University, the Dyess Air Force Base and first home of recently announced Stargate. Abilene is rich in history, cultural experiences and family-friendly attractions!
Things to do in Abilene
Historic Downtown - Download a self guided tour of this historic downtown that is more than a century old. Enjoy restaurants and shopping.
Frontier Texas - an interactive history museum with holographic story-telling, multimedia exhibits and a focus on history.
Abilene Zoo - enjoy this 16 acre zoo with over 800 animals representing over 175 species.
Jacob's Dream Sculpture - a 40 foot tall sculpture on ACU's campus, commissioned and dedicated as part of the university's Centennial celebration in 2006. The sculpture features four eight foot angels ascending and descending a ladder illustrating the biblical dream of Jacob.
Fort Phantom Hill - One of the second line of forts laid out in the early 1850's to protect westward moving frontier settlements.
Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden - free garden located on the grounds of the Abilene Convention Center where storybook characters are brought to life.
Swenson House Historical Society - enjoy a guided tour of the historic museum.
National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature - located throughout downtown, print a self guided tour before you go.
The Grace Museum - Originally built in 1909 as a hotel, the museum is a hub of culture, community and art in the historic downtown.
12th Armored Division Memorial Museum - Enjoy three floors of exhibits through the life and times of the 12th Armored Divisision.
The Winery at Willow Creek - enjoy good wine, friendly ownersand seating outside near a creek or indoors.
Dyess AFB Memorial Museum - Explore the largest air park in the USAF.
The Discovery Center - a creation museum that has served the area for nearly 20 years.
Coffee & Dining
So many coffee shops but Monk's has emerged as one of our favorites! Located at 233 Cypress St., you can't go wrong with a honey latte (hot or iced!) or a Hibiscus iced tea on a warm West Texas day!
Cordell's gourmet food shop, cafe and coffee shop is a great place for a delicious salad/lunch, serving Tues-Sat from 11-2. The food store and coffee/tea shop are open Tues-Fri 10-6 and Sat 10-4. Peruse their broad selection of vinegars and oils along with other artisan and gourmet items!
Salty Roan is an upscale coffee shop and bakery that offers sweet and savory pastries and breads. Go early if you want a loaf of their delicious fresh baked sourdough!
We love the zucchini bread at Hickory Street Cafe, a great place for lunch with home cooked soups, salads and sandwiches.
Sweet Thyme is another great lunch cafe right around the corner from Hickory Street. It has a little different vibe with homemade focaccia bread, pastries, cookies and quiche.
Vagabond Pizza is a must try! Specialty wood fired pizzas, craft beers and fine wine selection. Go early and put your name in. They don't take reservations and the wait can be an hour.
Cypress Street Cafe is great for lunch but a favorite for dinner. Try their burgers, salmon or quesadillas. We like to sit in the bar area which has a more casual dining vibe.
The Bee Hive is another great place for dinner, a little pricier, good steaks, seafood and they have awesome specials.
Lots of good things at Allen Ridge close to ACU including the Cork & Pig, Biscuit Bar, Fuzzy's, Twisted Root, Summer Moon and Phoenix Pho!
Meet Your Hosts
About the Gregson Family
Susan and Shannon Gregson live in Frisco, Texas. They are the parents of two grown children - JD is a college graduate and coaches baseball after playing five years of college ball. Katy is a redshirt sophomore at ACU and is a member of the women's soccer team. Shannon works as a territory manager for a dental company in Texas and Louisiana. Susan was a thirty year retail executive with JCPenney but left the corporate world and pursued a real estate career in 2017. That, combined with a love of traveling to watch their kids' sports teams and needing a place to stay while in town, led them to the short term rental business. Susan is a Super Host and has managed other properties. Her passion is home decor and providing a safe, stylish yet comfortable place for guests to enjoy along with special touches like a complimentary coffee bar and scented soaps. Susan also provides safety features in addition to smoke detectors including a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector. We hope you love your time at Key City Cottage! Please let us know if there is anything we could have done to make your stay more enjoyable.
Special Touches
Authentic Old West
Authentic Old West
Authentic Old West
Find authentic, vintage West Texas items throughout our home from hats worn working in the fields to Horseshoes that could tell a story (where must they have been?!) to a child's spurs, pieces of an old fence post, antique lanterns and milk bottles. Decor has been chosen carefully to represent the history of Big Country West Texas.
Local Craftsmen
Authentic Old West
Authentic Old West
Susan supports local businesses when furnishing her spaces. Many of the items in Key City Cottage are vintage antique pieces that have been refurbished by local craftsmen who sell in one of the many Abilene Antique stores or run small businesses on Facebook marketplace. Our dining table, all the nightstands, entry table and primary bedroom dresser are from local craftsmen.
Pieces from Family
Authentic Old West
Pieces from Family
Susan has also included items from her past in memory of those close to her. The painting of the little black horse, entitled "A Cold Lunch" was painted by her grandmother, Fanny Dell Merchant DeLong (1891-1974). The silverware is from her childhood. Her mother's crystal lamp is in the blue bedroom. Susan loves her family being part of their adventure in W Texas.
What Guests are Saying About Us (Key City Cottage Est 2025)
Our Reviews
Key City Cottage was the perfect place to stay while I was playing in a local golf tournament. Close to the venue, quiet, convenient with a stocked kitchen, coffee and living area/patio to relax when I got done for the day. I did have one request for the owner during my stay. She was responsive, had good communication and took care of me right away. I would stay here again! - Andrew, Austin TX
Loved my stay here! It is in pristine condition and has everything you need. Highly recommend this home, it is for sure a 5 star listing! - Lisa, Airbnb Guest
The Host is awesome! Susan made our stay wonderful. The house is beautiful. I would totally recommend it. It is peaceful ❤️. Love everything about it. Thank you ❤️🥳 - Jonabel, Airbnb Guest
Our Reviews in Other Established Rentals
Clean, luxurious, fully stocked in an unbeatable location! We felt right at home from the moment we walked in! - Sarah, Dallas GA
Susan’s place was just right for us. It was beautiful inside and had everything that we needed to make our stay nice. The beds were comfortable, the bathrooms were spotless, it was very spacious for all 4 of us to enjoy ourselves. Loved the fireplace and the layout of the place. We would stay there again. - Diane, Winchester VA
Susan was phenomenal to deal with. she was so friendly and helpful. Her place was awesome. We loved staying at her place, and will definitely be staying again. We loved how neat and clean it was. Thank You Susan! - Bobbi Jean, Cherry Tree PA
This was a great find in the area. Would 100% recommend and book again. First time an Airbnb host has provided extra bedding and toiletries. Thank you again, Susan. - Seth, Highland Springs VA
Beautiful place to stay! One of the best bnb’s we have stayed at. Everything about the space was well thought out and made for an amazing stay! Would highy recommend and will be checking if place is available every time we come to town. - Aaron, Gilbert AZ
OMG!!! Susan was an amazing host. The home was beautiful, clean, and extremely peaceful. I have never stayed at a place that was stocked and have everything to make your stay feel like home. - Candied