View Full Version : Places to Stay in Keys
Hi Everyone,
I have posted only a couple of times in the past, but still keep up with the reading....... great forum.......
We are spending the entire summer in Orlando from June to September, how lucky are we !!!!!! We intend to take a few trips during that time. Miami and the Keys are first on the list and i wonder if anyone can recommend hotels/motels/etc in both those places. Also, Is it a 'must' to do the whole of the Keys?
Much appreciated
SheilaF
We have stayed at Amy Slates "Amoray" Dive Resort in Key Largo a few times and love it there. I will see if I can find you their website:)
It is http://www.amoray.com/ :)
Ray&Sarah
19-04-2004, 21:10
Hi Sheila,
We are green with envy!:D
We stayed at the Howard Johnson in Key Largo, pretty standard accomodation, one good point was we had rooms over looking the pool so could keep an eye on the kids from our patio. It was also right on the beach which was nice and we saw manatees a few times, they came in to drink from a hose pipe.
We wouldn't recommend the Thunderbird Resort in Miami, although it was right on the beach it was a bit too basic and needed a great deal of TLC.
Have a wonderful holiday.[msnsmile2]
Also stayed in Key Largo. Just the Holiday Inn but very nice place. Not as busy as Key West.
Wouldn't recommend the Surfcomber Inn on Collins, South Beach, Miami even though it's art deco and was right on the beach!
Parking is a nightmare in Miami with hotels charging for valet parking as there are no car parks. I'd recommend somewhere like Coconut Grove to stay which is close enough to get into Miami but far enough away to relax.
Doubletree is a good location in Key West.
Doubletree Grand Key Resort
3990 South Roosevelt Boulevard
Key West, Florida United States 33040
866-823-9330
Must do at Key West is to watch the sunset ceremony at Mallory Square, take a conch train ride, have a stroll around the art and craft stores, visit Duval Street for shopping and don't forget Ernest Hemingway's house.
At Key Largo, check out the boat used in the African Queen film.
Don't stay at the Fairwinds on Collins Ave and South Beach either - in fact, go for one of the modern hotels slighly further away from South Beach which is a madhouse - unless that is what you want!
We've stayed at the Travelodge just as you enter Key West (basic but cheap and cheerful) and this year we'll be at the Courtyard by Marriott.
We stayed at the Courtyard a few years ago when it was Howard Johnson and although its a bit more expensive, decided to go for it again.
Will you pre-booking a hotel or just turning up ? We've done both and found that you actually get better rates when pre-booking (unless you have discount coupons). But the main Key West entrance is awash with Motel/Hotel chains such as Quality Inn, Howard Johnson etc.
The good thing about the Courtyard is that its opposite a good bike rental shop that we always use. Cycling is THE way to get the most out of Key West as it gives you much more freedom to explore than with a car.
Blott has covered the main Key West attractions. As far as the other Keys are concerned, if you're not into fishing or watersports, then there isn't that much to offer.
What are people's experiences of the weather at various times of the year? I've heard that the best time to go is the Spring.
We've been in June when the weather ranged from hot and sunny to torrential rain over a three day trip, and November when it rained all of the time.
Hi Ruth, Ray and Sarah, Julie, Blott, Fiona, and Mikewj (and anyone else i have missed out)
Thank you all so much for that information, i am printing it all out as we speak and will be checking online all the places you recommended. Your advice is much appreciated and no doubt i will be back in touch before we leave in June (counting the days).
SheilaF
We have just come back from a trip to the keys and Miami stayed in the new circa39 hotel in Miami -very new and modern
http://www.circa39.com/gallery
the glass bottom boat at Key Largo at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is worth doing
Key west is great and thoroughly recommend the conch tour and the conch fritters !
By the way did you know Key Largo wasn't called Key Largo until after the film was made -even though most of it was filmed in Hollywood
Hi Sheila,
We visited Key West in November and loved it. We stayed at the Southernmost Hotel, on Duval St. It is within walking distance of all the attractions and was very reasonably priced. Their website is http://www.southernmosthotel.com/.
Terry
Dave5118
22-04-2004, 15:39
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by janny
We have just come back from a trip to the keys and Miami stayed in the new circa39 hotel in Miami -very new and modern
http://www.circa39.com/gallery
[/quote]
Hi, Janny, we are also thinking about spending a night in miami beach, was that hotel ok and was there any parking available. It looks good on the website( and cheap :D )
TIA,
Dave.
If you have taken the time to drive down to the Keys, Do the extra hour and go to Key West.
As you enter the island turn left just around the first bend you will see on your left the ocean and on your right the Best western key ambassador hotel, very large nice rooms and a reasonable price,....dont be affaid to barter,dont be emmbarrased it will become cheaper.
Leave your car at the hotel for you stay as carparking on this key is expensive.A shuttle bus service circles the island constantly.
Dont forget to go to Mallery square at sun down for the best sun set you will find, a graet place to visit.
Hi Sheila,
We visited Key West over Christmas. I can definitely recomend it. We had such a great relaxed time, it's totally different to the madness of Orlando (although I love that too!) The sunset is simply awesome. We stayed in the Radisson with our 3 children, and had the penthouse suite which overlooks the sea and from our room (at the back of the penthouse) we could see across the Island. The accommodation was very comfortable and the staff were very helpful. I would consider staying there again as we plan to go back in April next year and would like to spend a little more time relaxing down there. I say that is our time to the kids, as it is 'their' time when we go up to Orlando and visit the parks!
Miami was also good and is a great place from which to visit the everglades.
Sheila,
We stayed at Ocean Key House which is number 1 duval street, the most prestigous address on the key (apparently).
It was great, rooms have jacuzzi tubs, large walk-in showers with double headed shower. Great decor, overlooking the ocean and Malory Sq which comes alive every evening at sunset.
Not the cheapest of hotels but well worth every penny.
Matt
Sheila,
Best advice i can give you is dont stay in MIami, just visit, stay in Fort Lauderdale its much nicer.
When on the keys we like to stay in Marathon key, its the centre f the keys, you can go explore both ways from there.
Neil
Hello Sheila
We stayed in Key Largo 2 years ago and rented a house there for the week. Beautiful garden leading down to a small man-made beach with a fishing jetty. There was a kayak provided which the kids loved. The garden was really lovely and they had volleyball net on the samll beach. It was off season during the summer so the accommodation was reasonable. We swam with the dolphins on another trip there - well worth it. The kids still talk about it now and it must be 6 years ago now.
Enjoy the summer!
Linda R
Cruella DeVilla
27-05-2004, 06:42
Stayed at a Beach Motel in Key West because we could not get in anywhere when we arrived! It is expensive, book early! My friend if getting married in Key V in September. Miami is also fantastic and the Everglades are a must. We would like to sell up one day and move there once our Villa in Orlando hads paid the way.
CDV
We did the 'Keys' a couple of years back, and stayed in the place that was on the TV ' a house in Florida' the family from UK bought a Motel in Conch Key. It was Sept and there was terrible storms, and the place was a tip ! we left after one night even though we booked for two. We also stayed in the Bayside at Key Largo that was wonderful, we also did the swim with dolphins there instead of discovery cove, you had a whole half an hour in with the dolphins and just two people and two dolphins, it was the best thing ever !!!! We did the trip from Orlando with the swimdolphins trip, a couple of Essex boys, it included a trip to Miami, bar-b-que on the beach, air boat ride and swim with the dolphins all for $199.
Jean
Floridalover
28-05-2004, 01:06
Hi, La Concha Crowne Plaza on Duval is a great place. Not the cheapest but it is the highest structure in Key West and has a rooftop bar (with hosted sunset celebration from the top).
Also nice rooms with balconies onto Duval Street
[8D]
Hi Jean,
Blottie put me onto this thread as I was looking for my brother and family for info on Miami, but now I am also looking for info on the Keys swim with Dolphins for a guest.
Did the Essex boys have a website I can put my guest onto,please?
Many thanks[msnsmile2]
diverdrew
27-11-2004, 05:01
Hi
Learn to SCUBA dive....swim with wild dolphins.....for FREE !;)
Amy Slates is a Great Place and Good Dive Operator !
Drew
The trip we did was brilliant Karen have sent you the web site. They pack such a lot in , great value for money.
florida4sun
27-11-2004, 13:07
Cant help you with the keys, but can recommend a wonderful hotel for Miami. Its call the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Wonderful setting and the hotel; has some nice history (Jonny Wiesmuller was a life guard there). Would not recommend staying in Miami, it really is the pits, could not finds one nice part. Marina is OK, south beach is a dump.
If you really want a wonderful time visit the Breakers at Palm Beach, I ahve somke tayed in some of the best hotelks going, this one is right up there. Expensive but worth every single cent, hotel, food and service is exceptional.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by SheilaF
Hi Everyone,
I have posted only a couple of times in the past, but still keep up with the reading....... great forum.......
We are spending the entire summer in Orlando from June to September, how lucky are we !!!!!! We intend to take a few trips during that time. Miami and the Keys are first on the list and i wonder if anyone can recommend hotels/motels/etc in both those places. Also, Is it a "must" to do the whole of the Keys?
Much appreciated
SheilaF
[/quote]
Thanks for the info Martin,Jean and Drew[beer]
I will pass you recommendations on[clap]
flyrr100
27-11-2004, 17:55
When we do layovers in Key West we use the Hampton Inn. It's clean, free breakfast, tons to do at the hotel attraction booking store, great pool, free high speed internet, good eating places all around, short bus ride from Duval St.(downtown).
Have fun
andrew haseley
01-12-2004, 03:39
as you enter key west turn right ,water to your right,take first on your right and pull into motel on corner.ask them availability of there houseboats. Sorry dont have contact no,s but just wonderful.dont miss duval st or mallory sq.
enjoy A&J
Cruella DeVilla
01-12-2004, 22:29
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
Cant help you with the keys, but can recommend a wonderful hotel for Miami. Its call the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Wonderful setting and the hotel; has some nice history (Jonny Wiesmuller was a life guard there). Would not recommend staying in Miami, it really is the pits, could not finds one nice part. Marina is OK, south beach is a dump.
If you really want a wonderful time visit the Breakers at Palm Beach, I ahve somke tayed in some of the best hotelks going, this one is right up there. Expensive but worth every single cent, hotel, food and service is exceptional.
Have to disagree that Miami and in particular South Beach is a dump! (It was good enough for Giannia Versace)! There are some fantastic places to sta and visit, we spent 10 days there a couple of years ago and had a great time. Like any city it has its dodgy and not so nice areas. It is such a mixng pot, definately worth a visit. Each to their own of course, it would be boring and busy if we all liked the same places.:D
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by SheilaF
Hi Everyone,
I have posted only a couple of times in the past, but still keep up with the reading....... great forum.......
We are spending the entire summer in Orlando from June to September, how lucky are we !!!!!! We intend to take a few trips during that time. Miami and the Keys are first on the list and i wonder if anyone can recommend hotels/motels/etc in both those places. Also, Is it a "must" to do the whole of the Keys?
Much appreciated
SheilaF
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