Kari

Getting married May 26, 2002 and flying into Miami (w/frequent flyer miles)about noon the next day for about a week in the Keys. We are renting a convertible and driving to Islamorada for 3 days, then staying in Key West for 3 days, then driving back to Miami South Beach for the last day/night before flying back home. We're looking for hotel recommendations. We figure for one of the Keys, we'll stay at a nicer ($) place than the other. We have looked at Chesapeake Bay, Cheeca Lodge, Moorings in Islamorada and Ocean Key, Pier House, Marquesa in Key West. We are also looking at fishing, snorkeling and heading to Jefferson Fort. Any recommendations or tips? (We are 29 and 26 and want fun things, but not college-partyesque things.)

J T Kirk

As much as I like Islamorada, it's hard to drop a real bundle on lodging there. The upper and middle Keys are generally much cheaper than what you'll find in Key West. So, I'd save up and splurge in Key West. My two favorite places in Key West are the Gardens Hotel (my personal favorite) and the Marquesa. Either one of those can make your trip memorable. Both are run by experienced and helpful people. the Marquesa has the added advantage of having a restaurant, but I find one meal there and that's all you need. There are so many fine and in-expensive places to eat in Key West.
Defintaely do the trip to Fort Jefferson. I prefer the seaplane. A) it's quicker so you'll have more time to snorkel and B) there's nothing quite landing on the water.
As to Islamorda, I prefer the Moorings.
As you know, it's MUCH quieter in Islamorda than in Key West. But the snorkeling is much better in the Upper Keys than in Key West, so plan on snorkeling at John Pennekamp State Park.
Have fun.

jam

I second the Marquesa-beautiful,comfortable, great location, great resturant.Must do b'fast @ Pepe's, happy hour @ Hog's Breath, and maybe a boat ride to Little Palm Island for brunch-amazing! Have a hootinanny! Key West is really fun...

susan

Although the Cheeca is nice and the Moorings next door looks wonderful (we didn't stay there), my preference is Key West. My husband and I go there a couple of times a year to rest. It's a perfect place to be if you want great restaurants, great places to stay and interesting things to do, but want to retain the option of total privacy and quiet. I haven't stayed at the Marquesa, but it gets absolutely fabulous reviews. I have stayed at the Ocean Key House, but unfortunately we had a suite overlooking an outside bathroom and couldn't enjoy our balcony for feeling the need to avert our eyes! The Pier House has been undergoing renovations for a very long time and I'm not sure I'd book a room there without finding out if the construction is over. Since you'll be honeymooning, you might want to consider which places cater to children and families. I'd put the Cheeca Lodge in that category, and the Ocean Key House had lots of kids, too.

Kari

Thanks for the info! I took notes! We are thinking about spending the extra $ and getting a room at our hotel in either Key West or Islamorada with an ocean/gulf view. We lean towards Islamorada, but not sure. We want one or the other to have it. Any recommendations there? Also, we are planning to do a fishing trip in Islamorada of some sort, whether its a group thing or not. Any thoughts? We also want to do a boat cruise in Key West I think. We have been saving every possible penny since getting engaged, so don't want to spend it on poor service by any means. Also, a friend of my parents mentioned the Banana Bay Resort or something like that in Key West. Anyone stayed there?
Thanks!!

susan

We stayed at the Cheeca several years ago and paid dearly for a water view...perhaps close to $400 a night. Since then I've checked costs at the Moorings and they're equally high. In Key West, you would want to get a view of the Gulf rather the Atlantic because that's the part of town where all the restaurants and activities are. In general, that would mean anything on Front Street including the Ocean Key House, the Hilton, the Pier House, the Hyatt, and the Galleon. With any of those places, you'd need to specify a water view, especially with the Pier House, which has lots of rooms overlooking a parking lot. The Banana Bay Resort in Key West is in a very inconvenient location, but I've heard the one in Marathon is better.

Don

We stayed at the Heron House earlier this year and relly loved the place. It is right across the street from the Marquesa. It is a very nice B&B though a bit smaller, but very tropical and lovely. You might compare prices and se where you can get the best deal.

B. Bowman

We stayed at Chesapeake Resort last spring and loved it. Grounds are beautifully maintained. Large area of beach for # rooms-A precious commodity in the Keys. Beautiful view (Worth going for a room with a view) Private lagoon for swimming, fishing. Also there are some charter boats there that will accomodate your wishes. No restaurant on site, continental breakfast. Generally quiet, some kids

Kari

Thank you for all your great ideas! I appreciate them.

Bob

Don't stay in some big hotel in Key West no matter how fancy it is. Stay at a nice guest house! Wander out of your room in the morning and hve breakfast by the pool wearing nothing but a bathing suit. If you stay at a big hotel you might as well be anywhere else. Guest houses in KW is what it's all about and you'll remember it forever. There are alot of really nice ones...the mermaid and the alligator. or Marrero's. Trust me on this one!

ssurp

I have to agree with Bob. Stay at a B&B in Kew West. Hotels are to antiseptic down there (Marquesa being the exception). A B&B is the way to go.

Stephanie P.

Kari:

I believe the Marlin Motel is across the street from the ocean and costs about $90/night. I was thinking of the keys, but it is a AAA motel.

rhonda

kari, I just got married (We are 29 and 30)at the Cheeca lodge on the beach on June 30th and It was incredible. Great service, beautiful accomadations. There is another great but secret place next door that you should surely check out. www.thecaribbeanresort.com (might be an s on the end of resorts?). The place is called the sea isle. it is beautiful and very secluded.
In Key west I recommend Simonton Court, impecable service and beautiful grounds, also secluded. Must eat at Louie's backyard.(restaurant)
best wishes.

buttercup

Call the Key West Innkeepers Association or go to thier web site - not sure of address, but you can search for it. You can make reservations for many Key West B&B's through them.

The woman who helped me when I called was extremely helpful. You can tell them what you are looking for and they will help you find it.

Kari

Thank you for the great tips! I have researched B&Bs on keywestparadise.com and found some great ones. Does anyone have any experience with the Seascape Tropical Inn? That had some great pics, but you never know. Thanks again for the help!!!!

J.D.

hi Kari!

We're doing the same thing as you guys - only we'll be there in mid January. We're flying into MIA, spending 2 nights in South Beach (I've got reservations for The Park Central - anyone have any 1st-hand comments?), then we plan on heading south.

I have a question for the group here: there's so much to see on the Keys. Should we:

1) pick a base of operations (namely Key West) and head out on day trips?

or

2) spend a night here and a night there and sort of work our way down?

any thoughts would be helpful. thanks in advance.

XX

I would spend time in Islamorada at the Moorings Village Resort to get the real feel of the laid back Keys. After that, you can drive on down to Key West & do the Duval crawl & many other things there as Key West has a lot of attractions & restaurants. Sunset cruises & sunset activities at Mallory Square is every night. On the way back, stop by Pelican Cove Resort & spend some time recoperating. Islamorada has some great restaurants too as well as sunset cruises. Regardless, enjoy your time in tropical paradise.

sue

The Wicker Guest house in Key West is right on Duval and has a great variety of rooms and a nice breakfast by the pool. Room number one has a great balcony right over Duval where you can people watch. Be sure to eat breakfast or lunch at Blue Heaven -- great food and wonderful tables outside. If you are looking to do a boat trip that is not "party" oriented I suggest danger Cruises from down near the Hilton. It is a small sailing boat and they don't take huge crowds. The owners and crew are friendly and knowledgeable. You sail to the mangroves and then take a guided kayak tour. After that they take you snorkeling and then on the way in they have wonderful fruit, chips and local salsa and beer or wine. Remember that the best snorkeling is in the upper keys. Our favorite snorkel operation is SunDivers in Key Largo. They keys are really fun -- good luck!

james

We like the peace and quiet of the Casa Marina - it has it's own beach. Duval St is a 10 minute walk - or the hotel bus will drop you off. Definitely take the seaplane to Fort Jefferson, it's a great experience. We thought the half day trip was enough. I agree with the posting about eating at Louis' Backyard - a great restaurant, but book ahead. Overall. I think you would enjoy a day more in EYW and a day less in Islamorada. Happy Honeymoon!

Kari

Thanks for all the great info! Honeymoon planning has definitely become less stressful. (I think we've decided to spend a little extra in Islamorada and get a ocean view room and then a B&B in Key West.)