Florida Keys 1st timer

Old Jul 31st, 2006, 12:43 PM
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Florida Keys 1st timer

My girlfriend and I are flying into Ft.Lauderdale and visiting the Keys for the 1st time in October (before Fantasy Fest)and I'm also going to propose. We're going for 8 nights and planning on spending at least 3 in Key West and I would love to get suggestions on places to stay at a reasonable cost (90-150/night if possible). Thanks for your help.
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Old Aug 1st, 2006, 05:49 AM
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Key West beb & breakfast is wonderful.
I highly recommend it. Have stayed there for years.
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Old Aug 1st, 2006, 05:56 AM
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Hi,
Key West is a fun town. The beaches are not what I would call great, not by typical FL, CA or islands definition.

I went for the first time a number of years ago and did not realize that many of the accomodations were geared specifically for same sex couples. It made no difference as far as I was concerned{ I hope I stated this in a non-offensive, non-judgemental way.} but thought I would give you this info if you were not aware of it.
Hope this helps...
Debi
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Old Aug 1st, 2006, 06:04 AM
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I would suggest checking out www.keywest.com - there's lots of suggestions on hotels there. There are a lot of older houses renovated into B&B which are really cool. We were there last year & drove down from Miami without reservations and stayed at the Southernmost Hotel. It's at the end of Duvall Street (the main drag) - nice, typical hotel, clean pool. If you want somethign with more character though I would recommend a B&B.
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Old Aug 1st, 2006, 07:19 AM
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also check out www.flakeys.com.
and do a search here. there have been numerous posts on the Keys and Key West.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2006, 05:14 PM
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Thank you for the suggestions. I would like to make the trip down through the Keys w/o reservations, not knowing exactly where we want to stay or for how long but was worried that we would have few options. I've heard good things about the Holiday Isle.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2006, 05:59 PM
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I used to stay at the HI years ago and loved it.
This last trip in May I drove down from FLL and stopped by to see how it was now. It was recently sold and is going condo. Personally I would not stay there anymore. It was depressing. All of the little shops were closed, lots of the fishing fleet has left. I really think that you would be disappointed.
It looked like they could start demolishing it any day.
There are a few other places in that area...Morada Bay in Islamorada, Pelican Cove also. These are much nicer and not as run down.

Having taken this trip many times (tho now I usually fly into KW directly) depending on what you want to do, you might find that once you pass Marathon, there is not as much to do as in the Upper Keys or Key West.
Since you are flying into FLL you might want to take advantage of that. I highly suggest a night there.
The beach is wonderful (KW is not known for the beaches...KW is a coral rock) and a trip on the water taxi along all of the huge mansions etc is very cool and relaxing. You can take the water taxi to many great places to eat and drink.
My advise to you is a night in FLL, drive leisurely to Islamorada, (take Card Sound Rd...stop at Alabama Jacks) stay at Morada Bay and check out that area for the afternoon and night. Get up the next day and head to KW. W/O reservations can be risky...lots of the best places w/in walking distance to Duval book up. (note...w/in walking distance is important. Do not drink and drive there.....and there is hardly any parking to be found. Plan on parking your car and leaving it until you leave.

You might want to call a few places now and as you get closer to your trip to see if they are booking up.


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Old Aug 3rd, 2006, 01:09 AM
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I would like to know the difference on how someone treats homosexuals vs. heterosexuals when they go to hotels. I've never experienced a "gay hotel" before.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2006, 06:05 AM
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I don't think that in Key West innkeepers treat same sex couples differently. The hotels simply cater to same sex couples and as a result the clientele at these inns are exactly that. When I went to KW for the first time MANY years ago and was calling different inns, a number of them actually told me that they catered to all males or all females.

This was my experience and like I said, it could be different now. Also, as I said in earlier post, makes no matter to me...a couple is a couple.

Hope this helps...
Debi
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Old Aug 3rd, 2006, 07:19 PM
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Key West has the motto of One Human Family.
Inn keepers really do not treat any couple different than another in my experience. I think in KW the area that you stay in more so determines gay or straight.
The area on Duval near the Atlantic has a larger gay population and gay Inn's.
I am a straight female and have stayed in B&B's that had both gay and straight couples and everyone was treated the same.
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 03:06 AM
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Do not, repeat, do not stay at Holiday Isle. The rooms are all run down. Speaking of catering to a clientele, HI over the years has made a specialty of catering to the partying crowd...and that takes a toll on the rooms over time. However, don't let that stop you from staying in Islamorada a couple of days; Holiday Isle has the attitude "You don't hace to stay here to play here" so you can still go there during the day to get your watersport fix, use the pool, etc, and at night visit the Tiki Bar.
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 06:51 AM
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We have stayed at some of the 'gay hotels' in Key West & have enjoyed it w/no problems (we're straight BTW). Just be careful or ask some questions, there are a few that are clothing optional which may be a little more than you bargain for...There is a place next to the Light House like that...Book now, I just had difficulty finding a place over Thanksgiving...
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Old Aug 7th, 2006, 01:37 PM
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topping for n007
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Old Sep 1st, 2006, 11:25 AM
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ttt
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Old Sep 1st, 2006, 06:13 PM
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You definitely don't want to go to KW without a reservation at that time of year. Plus, I don't think you'll find many nice places in your price range. $100 will get you a chain hotel on Roosevelt Blvd and it certainly won't feel like you're staying in Key West! You might be able to find a B&B starting at $150, but that's prime time due to Fantasy Fest.

I agree Southernmost Hotel is worth a look as it's very nice and its rates are usually reasonable since it's at the "quiet" end of Duval. But whatever you do, don't go without a reservation or you'll be sleeping in your car! (It happened to me once!)
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Old Sep 1st, 2006, 06:42 PM
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As one of the resident lesbians here on the board, I can tell you that a hotel that is geared toward same-sex couples is one that isn't going to freak out if I decide to hold hands with my g/f at the pool, or kiss her at dinner. They may also have gay/lesbian literature featured in the lobby (about upcoming parties/events/clubs/etc). Pretty simple & boring. That's about it.

I mean, that's all that I'm allowed to tell you without getting in trouble...
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