Key West

[SDGT3]

We're thinking about going down to Key West in May after a few days in Miami. We've never been so any suggestions on where to stay? Should we avoid the weekend due to crowds? All opinions welcomed.

[scarlet knight]

Se stayed at a place called the Southernmost Mansion. That was about five years ago. Just check that it has the same name. Fun town for a few day stay.

[crew]

I’ve been there a few times and as recently as 2 weeks ago.
I stayed at the Pier House Resort which is at 1 Duval Street and on the water. Nice place.
I’ve also stayed at Southernmost which is at the opposite end of Duval, a little away from the "action". That may or may not be a good thing, depending on your idea of fun.
I had dinner one night at Latitudes which I’d highly recommend. It’s on a private island only a few hundred yards off of Key West. You need to make reservations there way ahead of time as it books up fast and the reservation is what they use to secure your spot on the small ferry boat that shuttles you over.
On our return home (Naples FL) we had lunch at another private island called Little Palm Island. Again, reservations are a must (but more easily obtained) due to having to take a launch to get to the island. Here’s a link to Little Palm. If your budget allows, it’s a great place to spend a couple of nights. Unfortunately my budget didn’t allow.
https://www.littlepalmisland.com/

I drove out on a Monday to avoid some of the weekend traffic. It’s a busy road in-season everyday. I’d guess that weekends are worse.
It’s a very long and boring ride from Miami to Key West. It helps to break it up a little bit with stops along the way.

[MrGoat]

I’ve stayed at pier house and it was good. Their conch fritters were some of the best I had ever had. There is a little bar and restaurant on Stock Island called the Hogfish. It was a great place to get away from all the tourist things on Duval street.


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[HHIslander]

All above are good choices. My favorite hotel is The Gardens. It's a little off the beaten path and quiet, no kids allowed. Green Parrot bar is my favorite place to sip. I used to live down there.

The crowds really depend on how many cruise ships are docked at any moment in time. They passed a law banning the large mega ships but I don't think it has taken effect yet.

Key West is kind of like Vegas, it's fun for 3 days or less but after that it's a little too much. I prefer Islamorada and stay at the Cheeca Lodge for some nice R&R time with unbelievable fishing.

[cm10005]

Been 3 or 4 times and always stayed at The Pier House. Great place near everything and about one of the only places that has a small sand beach. Also agree about the Hogfish, great place with good food off the beaten path.

[Watch This]

I have been too many times. You're 40 years too late for what once was a real Bohemia. Ask Mr. Buffet.

Key West is the tourist trap (rookie mistake) of the beautiful Florida Keys.
Islamorada is but one example of a much better choice and much closer to Miami.
Other Keys spots are equally magnificent, pristine, and not over-run.

When our cruise ship vacations would stop at Key West I wouldn't even get off the ship. Shame, really. I live in South Florida.

[SDGT3]

So I’m sensing that this is more of a Bourbon Street/ New Orleans vibe which should be experienced at least once in life. Also with Covid, I don’t think that cruise ships are operating at this time. In researching places to say, Old Town north of Truman is the place to be, correct?

[crew]

Originally Posted by SDGT3

So I’m sensing that this is more of a Bourbon Street/ New Orleans vibe which should be experienced at least once in life. Also with Covid, I don’t think that cruise ships are operating at this time. In researching places to say, Old Town north of Truman is the place to be, correct?

Key West is a very walkable town. The "strip" is Duval and you should probably stay within a comfortable walk of that area.
Although I stayed at Pier House recently, I also stayed at Eden House on another visit a few years ago. Eden House is a boutique hotel and within a 10-15 minute walk of Duval. Check it out if it sounds interesting to you.
There are no cruise ships at this time so that won’t be a problem.
Truman is almost to the end of Duval, the quiet end. Since Duval is only just over a mile long it’s never a long walk to anyplace on that street.
My only suggestion would be to look at a map and pick a place within about 3-10 blocks of Duval. Or, even better, at Pier House or Southernmost which are located at the extreme, opposite ends of Duval. Much of where you stay depends on your budget.

[HogwldFLTR]

We went down to the Keys the October before the pandemic hit for our anniversary. We stayed in Marathon and took frequent trips to Key West. We went probably once a day. It gave us a central location to explore the Keys. There are many great things to do in Key West.

We really liked El Meson de Pepe with amazing mojitos. Also worth stopping at is the Better Than Sex dessert restaurant. Of course there are the standards like the Hemingway house and the Southern Most Point in the USA. Have a great time. For me there’s a lot more to do than just Key West.

[thedak]

Down there several times a year.

The Palms Hotel

[LazySumday]

Great info. Going down this summer myself.


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[DonRickles]

Damn chickens running loose everywhere, I tell ya!

St Thomas, the same....Who let the Hen out of the Hen house? And who little noise makin bastages go in the first place?

Mr Perdue would be furious!

[Knappo 1307]

Stayed here many years ago and loved it.

http://www.simontoncourt.com/rooms.html

[m j b]

I went a long time ago and stayed at a dump far from the noise of the bars and such.

I strongly suggest renting a car to drive there from Miami. There was (not sure if it is running with the lockdown) a speedboat ferry available as well, that would probably be fun.

[crew]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

Stayed here many years ago and loved it.

http://www.simontoncourt.com/rooms.html

Looks very nice!

[Andy0331]

If you want to be close to Duval, without being in the thick of it, I'd recommend H2O Suites on Simonton. It's a 5-30 min walk pretty much to any point on Duval and pretty low key.

Depending on how long you'll be there, it's worth going to the Dry Tortugas/Fort Jefferson. Although expensive, I'd recommend taking a seaplane trip there to maximize your time, as well as having a nice tour from the air.

[bayerische]

Really enjoyed Parrot Key, had a magnificent two storey room.

[Brew]

Originally Posted by HHIslander

I prefer Islamorada and stay at the Cheeca Lodge for some nice R&R time with unbelievable fishing.

This has been the right answer in the Keys for a long time. I'm glad to read it is still well-regarded.

[DonRickles]

We really enjoyed this quick stop!

https://www.keywestbutterfly.com/

One of our visits, we had a view from our room at the Southernmost Inn, where we were able to look down into the conservancy.

Hey, I like butterflies....

[pjaffe]

I found Key West to be grotesquely hot and trashy but to each his own. Taking the sea plane to Dry Tortugas was a cool experience though.

[tadbart]

The Saint Hotel is my favorite on the Island.

Would also recommend the seaplane ride to Dry Tortugas, the ropa vieja at either El Siboney restaurant locations (Stock Island is a lot less crowded).

[SDGT3]

It's been over a month since the last post. I took some of the advise of others here and will stay away from Duval. We're only staying 2 nights and the other's want to stay at the Kimpton Key West Winslow Bungalow's on Truman - walking distance from Duval.

Any recommendations for snorkeling on Key West? What else should we see while in the area aside from the obligatory Southern Most Point pics etc.?

[thedak]

Lighthouse

Hemmingway House

Butterfly Museum

Little White House