Key West Trip
Feb 13th, 2007, 10:53 AM
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Key West Trip
Just back from a short trip to Key West. Stayed at the Pier House. Not overly pleased. The staff was not very friendly. Left two messages for concierge and never received a response. IMO hotel is also looking a little run down. Any suggestions on a place to stay in the future. We like the beach and beach bar atmosphere at the Pier House but I don't think it's worth the money anymore.
Feb 13th, 2007, 11:05 AM
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That's too bad and not at all what I've experienced at the Pier House.
I've been a guest at the Pier House several times and always enjoyed it -- excellent service & fine rooms (I stay in the same "beachfront" building every time).
(It's a beach/ocean hotel, obviously, so the rooms ain't the Ritz, but I've always found them to be MUCH nicer than average for Key West.)
www.pierhouse.com
I've been a guest at the Pier House several times and always enjoyed it -- excellent service & fine rooms (I stay in the same "beachfront" building every time).
(It's a beach/ocean hotel, obviously, so the rooms ain't the Ritz, but I've always found them to be MUCH nicer than average for Key West.)
www.pierhouse.com
Feb 13th, 2007, 11:17 AM
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This was our fourth time staying there. IMO it just seems to be going downhill. We stayed in the Havana Suite and the room accomodations were adequate. It was just everything that we weren't pleased with. There was no music at the beach bar...it felt like a retirement village. And again, the staff was unfriendly and not very accomodating. We always enjoyed the Pier House and were disappointed to see the changes.
Feb 13th, 2007, 11:44 AM
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We stayed at the Island City Hotel last year and LOVED IT. Beautiful gardens; nice pool; close enough to Duval without being too close. The management was wonderful and they have cool cats that hang around!
Feb 13th, 2007, 05:48 PM
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The Hyatt next door to the Pier House has recently undergone renovations and is apparently very nice. The Gardens is getting fabulous reviews, but I'm partial to places with water views. Our one stay at the Ocean Key Resort was great - we had a junior suite with a full kitchen - but we're absolutely hooked on the Galleon.
Feb 14th, 2007, 03:45 AM
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NOT having music at the beach bar would be a plus for me. They always seem to have that crazy guy with a guitar who tries to sing with a Jamaican accent. He's not too loud, fortunately. But the times I've been there, if there is no-one playing, they tune into Jimmy Buffett's Margueritaville satelite radio staion.
Is the Havana suite one of the harbor view rooms?
I have to say this...I've been going there for a long time and have always chatted with the people who work there. On the first day at the beach I wave to Gregory and he brings a small beach chair and two towels over near the pier where I like to sit. Nate used to do this but he has left. Diane at the bar knows I like a welcome Bloody Mary and so at about noon sends one over. There is a black man who tends the gate and patrols the parking area. We chat a little when I go out in the morning and he prints out for me the weather forecast. And IIRC Dave at the activities desk always helps if I'm too lazy to book something.
Pjk
Is the Havana suite one of the harbor view rooms?
I have to say this...I've been going there for a long time and have always chatted with the people who work there. On the first day at the beach I wave to Gregory and he brings a small beach chair and two towels over near the pier where I like to sit. Nate used to do this but he has left. Diane at the bar knows I like a welcome Bloody Mary and so at about noon sends one over. There is a black man who tends the gate and patrols the parking area. We chat a little when I go out in the morning and he prints out for me the weather forecast. And IIRC Dave at the activities desk always helps if I'm too lazy to book something.
Pjk
Feb 14th, 2007, 09:54 AM
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If you walk two blocks west on Petronia past Thomas where Blue Heaven is you will come to Chapman Lane. It is named after one of the older families in Key West, the Chapmans. The oldest living Chapman, James, is still there and if you are outgoing enough to strike up a conversation he will tell you that he was friends with "Shine" Phelps who is famous for being coached by Hemingway to inprove his boxing technigue in the 30's. James will invite you into his house to meet his mom and tell you how Shine lost the use of his right eye. He did so to me because I showed an interest in him.
If you have ever gone to Key West on Saint Patrick's Day you will have met, but not noticed, James. He and some of his friends hand out green bead necklaces and ditty bags of goodies at the airport.
When he was younger James and his friends would sneak into the grounds on Whitehead Street and swim in Hemingway's pool untill Hemingway would come out and tell them to leave. (James' words were "Get your Black asses out of the pool.") They would laugh and yell "You're not so tough," to which Hemingway would rely "Mayby you're right. You've got an hour. Then you have to leave." They would do this all summer long.
This is much more interesting.
Pjk
If you have ever gone to Key West on Saint Patrick's Day you will have met, but not noticed, James. He and some of his friends hand out green bead necklaces and ditty bags of goodies at the airport.
When he was younger James and his friends would sneak into the grounds on Whitehead Street and swim in Hemingway's pool untill Hemingway would come out and tell them to leave. (James' words were "Get your Black asses out of the pool.") They would laugh and yell "You're not so tough," to which Hemingway would rely "Mayby you're right. You've got an hour. Then you have to leave." They would do this all summer long.
This is much more interesting.
Pjk
Feb 14th, 2007, 11:05 AM
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PJK:
The Havanna Suite is a two bedroom, two floor suite facing the gulf and Sunset Key. The room accomodations weren't the problem. It was the lack of atmosphere and the unfriendly staff mainly. My husband and I are friendly, laid back people who enjoy meeting and talking with people. We are not highly demanding. In fact, we have gotten to know a number of the bartenders at the beach bar (Patty, Diane, Joan) and still exchange emails with one of them. We weren't even looking for LIVE music at the bar...we would have been happy with satellite radio but there was nothing. We just got an overall feeling that something was missing this time and the staff was not willing to go out of their way for their guests.
The Havanna Suite is a two bedroom, two floor suite facing the gulf and Sunset Key. The room accomodations weren't the problem. It was the lack of atmosphere and the unfriendly staff mainly. My husband and I are friendly, laid back people who enjoy meeting and talking with people. We are not highly demanding. In fact, we have gotten to know a number of the bartenders at the beach bar (Patty, Diane, Joan) and still exchange emails with one of them. We weren't even looking for LIVE music at the bar...we would have been happy with satellite radio but there was nothing. We just got an overall feeling that something was missing this time and the staff was not willing to go out of their way for their guests.
Feb 15th, 2007, 02:47 AM
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Chrissy - Thanks. I'm booked for middle May and will see if I feel the way you did or if anything has changed. Those suites look really nice with a great view of everything on the north side, but really expensive (I asked) They must be one of the most expensive accomodations in Key West (Wanna adopt?)
Feb 22nd, 2007, 09:44 AM
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I have been down a few times and have stayed most often at La Concha.... Some people badmouth the place, but it has a great location smak dab in the middle of Duval and about 22 steps from Irish Kevins.... And.... we walk to the Pier House and sit at the Tiki Bar by the beach there every year and they treat us like we are staying there..... Plus... who really stays in their rooms in Key West anyways!! Ha ha ha...
Have also stayed at The Coco Plum Inn and love it. The Innkeepers are very nice people and their sons cook up a fantastic breakfast daily that is included in the price.
To get there, go to the Green Parrot. Stand outside the Green Parrot on Whitehead and look to your immediate right.... Ha ha ha... Its right next door.... Could one ask for a better location!!?? I think not.... Rooms are quiet too.....
J
Have also stayed at The Coco Plum Inn and love it. The Innkeepers are very nice people and their sons cook up a fantastic breakfast daily that is included in the price.
To get there, go to the Green Parrot. Stand outside the Green Parrot on Whitehead and look to your immediate right.... Ha ha ha... Its right next door.... Could one ask for a better location!!?? I think not.... Rooms are quiet too.....
J
Feb 23rd, 2007, 06:21 AM
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If you go to the Green Parrot take a look at the map of Key West just outside the door. It has the distance form the Parrot to various places...in glasses of beer.
For example, it is one beer to Hemingway's House, but two beers to the Bight.
Pjk
For example, it is one beer to Hemingway's House, but two beers to the Bight.
Pjk
