polaris1492

I've read all the Key West posts about B&B's and small inns, but I haven't seen anything about the Coco Plum Inn, which got great reviews on tripadvisor.com. Any recommendations or warnings? We'll be in town June 17th, checking out Saturday, June 19th. It's part of a delayed honeymoon, so we're looking for something nice, quiet, and a little luxurious, but preferably for less than $300 a night (unless it was really spectacular).

If not there, then where?

garyt22

I would think that you cou easily stay at one of the premier properties for well under $300 during the off-season... Try Marquesa hotel, the Gardens or Ocean Key... I've been to KW over 20 times and I can't recall seeing the Coco Plum... all of the above are proven winners...

polaris1492

In case it jogs anyone's memory, here's the web site, with pictures.
http://www.cocopluminn.com/home.html
It's at 611-613-615 Whitehead St, and the site says: "We are conveniently located just 1 block from legendary Duval Street, and just 3 blocks from the historic home of Ernest Hemingway and the Key West Lighthouse."

The things that are appealing are the location, the jacuzzi tubs (for tired legs after so much walking!), and the gourmet breakfast.

Here's the trip advisor link:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...s_Florida.html

sigh... I know I should probably stick to the safe recommendations, but this does sound quite lovely...

help

Duval is a long street and it can be a 20 minute walk or more from there to Mallory SQ,where the action is...MSQ is on the gulf side and the ones you mention are ocean side

polaris1492

Ah, that must be it. I see from this map:
http://www.cocopluminn.com/KeyWestOldTown1.PNG
that Coco Plum Inn is next to Jackson Square, nearer the center of the island. It's about 3 blocks from the Hemingway House, and about 5 blocks from Mallory Square.

buckeyemom

I've never heard of it either. Have you checked on epinions.com or go to Travel Talk Home here and check in the rants and raves section at the bottom. Be careful of judging a place by the pictures on the web. Sometimes the internet can make a dump look like a palace.

polaris1492

Thanks for the additional research tips. I don't see anything in either epinions or in rants & raves. In fact, the only place I've seen it mentioned were the glowing reviews on tripadvisor.com, and google found a few references to it on individual people's blogs/sites, all positive.

I'm just curious why it's got such good reviews on tripadvisor.com, but very little mention elsewhere... I wonder if it's a feedback loop (people read about it on tripadvisor.com, go, and give more positive feedback, but people on Fodors never go because they don't know about it, and so nobody on Fodors reads positive reviews), or if it's something else, like friends of the family salting the reviews. How reliable IS tripadvisor.com for this sort of thing?

buckeyemom

polaris-My dh and I went to Mexico in April and I looked on tripadvisor to check on the hotel and most of the replies were negative. Noise problems, dirty rooms, staff problems, food was horrible etc. Since the trip, including hotel was won by my dh in an incentive contest at work we did not have the option of switching. I was dreading staying in this particular hotel. When we got there, I was surprised. The hotel was very nice, staff friendly and none of the problems the reviewers had mentioned were evident. Perhaps it was because we were there off-season I don't know.

As for the Coco Plum, maybe the reviewers on tripadvisor don't stay in upscale properties and are more of the Motel 6 types. I think here, you have people who travel quite a bit and are used to staying in nicer properties. JMHO.

polaris1492

Well, here's the listing of Key West hotels, in order, from tripadvisor. They seem pretty high end, as far as comparisons to what's advised on Fodors, so I don't think that's it. According to this, Coco Plum got higher ratings than Marquesa, which seems strange, unless it really is a "lock-in" phenomena.

Eden House
Nassau House
Coco Plum Inn Bed and Breakfast
Marquesa Hotel
Ocean Key House Suite Resort and Marina

But, point taken that everyone's mileage will vary. Since the Coco Plum Inn is about as far away from the square as the Marquesa (both about 5 blocks away), my husband is currently voting for Simonton Court. Less luxurious, but closer to the action. Sigh... too many options!

SusanCS

I spend at least a month a year in Key West and am not familiar with the Coco Plum Inn. Nor have I heard it recommended by Key West locals.

Although I think tripadviser can occasionally be very helpful, in this case I'd be wary. I've walked by Eden House (and apparently Nassau House is next door, perhaps they're connected) many times and have not been particularly impressed with the exterior. I have seen a message board post by someone who stayed there and really loved it, though.

I can't imagine ANYONE recommending it above the Marquesa Hotel, the Heron House, the Gardens, the Ocean Key Resort and probably at least 10 or 12 other places.

We met a couple from England last month who were staying at Simonton Court and really loved it. Center Court Cottages are also given very favorable reviews.

I think if the Coco Plum Inn were in the luxury category, some of us who frequent Key West would have at least heard of it. Unless I'm mistaken, the section of Whitehead where it's located is primarily commercial.

SpriggGal

We stayed at the "Southern Most Inn" right on the beach last July. It was very clean, a nice room and we liked the location. Scooter around town, it's lots of fun!

alex

We stayed at Simonton Court last August and really loved it. Friendly staff, great location.

goodgriff

check out Center Court Hideaways. They have very nice, private cottages that are beautifully decorated and quiet. We loved it. I think they have a cute honeymoon cottage with private hot tub and hammock...

polaris1492

Well, the last room at the Marquesa disappeared just as I went to make reservations, and Simonton Court was also booked up. We called the Innkeeper reservation info at the recommendation of Simonton Court, and they found that last few rooms available at the Paradise Hotel or Weatherstation Inn. Since I had to make the choice on the fly, we went with the Weatherstation Inn... hopefully it will be nice as well.

(That'll teach me to do too much research at the last minute!)

Now that I've got that solved, we'll be driving down from Sarasota and stopping on the way at either the Everglades or somewhere in the mid or upper keys overnight. Any recommendations for that? We want to snorkel, probably at John Pennekamp Thursday, so perhaps staying closer to the park would make it easier to hit morning trips with good weather... any specific suggestions?

JeanH

Too late to be of any help, but Coco Plum Inn is on my 'short list' of places to stay for upcoming trips to Key West. It looks great from the outside, and the reviews on Trip Advisor sound good as well. That being said we're staying at Cypress House for our next trip. Taking my two adult children, and finding a two bedroom unit, one bedroom having two beds was tough. Anyone know anything about Cypress House?

I've stayed at Paradise Inn. It was very nice, but we didn't have a private balcony/veranda since we stayed in one of the cheaper rooms. My favorite room remains the room on the third floor of the Island City House, facing the back. Huge mostly private veranda, right at coconut level.

Jean

alex

The Weatherstation is on my "short list" of places to stay. We walked by it the last time we were there and it looks beautiful. And I really like that location (quiet but short walking distance to everything). Please post a trip report when you return!

Leslie_S

I know polaris1492 has already come & gone -- but I thought I'd chime in about the Coco Plum Inn. I was in KW last weekend and biked past it. I've seen it mentioned before, with good reviews, and had it in the back of my mind as a possible place to stay. Anyway, it was next to the Green Parrot bar which is pretty darn loud & rowdy and not anywhere I'd want to be trying to sleep. Just my opinion...