Please help with Key West...
Sep 6th, 2004, 08:11 AM
#1
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Please help with Key West...
We are thinking about going to Key West for a special birthday celebration - just my husband and myself.
We have limited time and will stay in south Miami for 2 nights, and hopefully 2 nights in Key West.
First and foremost - is it worth it to drive to Key West for only 2 nights? We do want to go somewhere new, other than Miami for some fun and r&r - should we do one of the closer Keys instead?
Second - where to stay - The Gardens Hotel, the Marquesa, the Mermaid and the Alligator, or somewhere else?
Third - any help with dining would be appreciated.
Thanks!
We have limited time and will stay in south Miami for 2 nights, and hopefully 2 nights in Key West.
First and foremost - is it worth it to drive to Key West for only 2 nights? We do want to go somewhere new, other than Miami for some fun and r&r - should we do one of the closer Keys instead?
Second - where to stay - The Gardens Hotel, the Marquesa, the Mermaid and the Alligator, or somewhere else?
Third - any help with dining would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Sep 6th, 2004, 09:05 AM
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Two nights in Key West will be plenty.
In my opinion, it's worth the drive. We had a great time. We stayed at the Courtyard but wouldn't stay there again. I'd go to Key West again in a minute. One word of advice: avoid weekends and holidays if possible. The road down is a small road, and the traffic backs up terribly on weekends and holidays.
In my opinion, it's worth the drive. We had a great time. We stayed at the Courtyard but wouldn't stay there again. I'd go to Key West again in a minute. One word of advice: avoid weekends and holidays if possible. The road down is a small road, and the traffic backs up terribly on weekends and holidays.
Sep 7th, 2004, 04:41 AM
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I just returned yesterday from a long (ended up being longer than planned, thanks to Frances) weekend in Key West. We had a great time, as usual. I think as long as you aren't heading down on Friday or Saturday or back to Miami on Sunday, you should be fine. Are you flying into Miami? If so, you could look at flying home from Key West.
We stayed at Coco Plum Inn on Whitehead this trip. It was fine, but certainly not as fancy (or expensive) as Marquesa or the Gardens. Purely from walking by, I'd stay at the Gardens. It just looks lovely.
My personal favorite small hotel/B&B in Key West is Island City House. But only if I can get one of the rooms in the main house with the huge verandas. The one in the back on the third floor puts you right at coconut level. It does have a very small bathroom though.
As far as dining, we're mostly eat at cheaper places. Our two favorite more expensive places are Alice's and Seven Fish. For some reason, we never made it to either this trip. We had better food than we usually get at Half Shell Raw Bar down at the docks. Although very touristy Conch Republic Seafood Company makes one of the best mojitos in the area. The food there is ok if you stick to appetizers or the shrimp baskets, wouldn't really recommend the entrees much.
We also at ate Mangoe's on Duval. Pretty expensive, my shrimp was very good, husband's paella less so. We also had very good pizza at Upper Crust our last night in town. And although not a typical meal in the Keys, the barbeque at Meteor is very good. Almost forgot, had an excellent Cuban mix sandwich at El Siboney. Very good Cuban food, lots of locals, they don't take credit cards.
Jean
We stayed at Coco Plum Inn on Whitehead this trip. It was fine, but certainly not as fancy (or expensive) as Marquesa or the Gardens. Purely from walking by, I'd stay at the Gardens. It just looks lovely.
My personal favorite small hotel/B&B in Key West is Island City House. But only if I can get one of the rooms in the main house with the huge verandas. The one in the back on the third floor puts you right at coconut level. It does have a very small bathroom though.
As far as dining, we're mostly eat at cheaper places. Our two favorite more expensive places are Alice's and Seven Fish. For some reason, we never made it to either this trip. We had better food than we usually get at Half Shell Raw Bar down at the docks. Although very touristy Conch Republic Seafood Company makes one of the best mojitos in the area. The food there is ok if you stick to appetizers or the shrimp baskets, wouldn't really recommend the entrees much.
We also at ate Mangoe's on Duval. Pretty expensive, my shrimp was very good, husband's paella less so. We also had very good pizza at Upper Crust our last night in town. And although not a typical meal in the Keys, the barbeque at Meteor is very good. Almost forgot, had an excellent Cuban mix sandwich at El Siboney. Very good Cuban food, lots of locals, they don't take credit cards.
Jean
Sep 8th, 2004, 06:17 AM
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I don't know about the Gardens, Marquesa, or the others, but we stayed at the Hilton which was an excellent resort hotel right on the water adjacent to Mallory Square (where the nightly sunset festival is held) and a quick walk to Duval Street. The Hilton has a private Island with the best beach I saw in Key West and a lovely outdoor restaurant. It was all pricey, but I'd go to the Hilton again in a heartbeat.
Sep 8th, 2004, 11:28 AM
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My husband & I go to KW every year for our anniversary. We have always stayed at a B&B...or guesthouse. The last place we stayed was Center Court Key West. I booked a 2 br condo (we had others with us) that had a fully equipped kitchen...basically all the comforts of home. It was a nice change from the guesthouse, and from the hotels. Their website is www.centercourtkw.com.
As for food, forget Margaritaville....nothing but a big tourist trap. We like to go to The Half Shell Raw Bar for Happy hour. We dined at Louie's Backyard this time for our anniversary dinner, and all I can say is awesome! The view, the food and the wait staff was excellent. We've also dined at Ricky's Blue Heaven, and La Tratoria (sp?) on Duval, and the Key West Food & Beer Garden...all can be recommended. It will depend on how much you are willing to spend, and what you are in the mood for.
If you stop by Sloppy Joes in the evening....please say Hello to Mark the bartender from Monica & John in NJ....he tends the small bar that backs up to Duval between the 2 entrances. He has given us a couple of good restaurant suggestions. Have Fun!
As for food, forget Margaritaville....nothing but a big tourist trap. We like to go to The Half Shell Raw Bar for Happy hour. We dined at Louie's Backyard this time for our anniversary dinner, and all I can say is awesome! The view, the food and the wait staff was excellent. We've also dined at Ricky's Blue Heaven, and La Tratoria (sp?) on Duval, and the Key West Food & Beer Garden...all can be recommended. It will depend on how much you are willing to spend, and what you are in the mood for.
If you stop by Sloppy Joes in the evening....please say Hello to Mark the bartender from Monica & John in NJ....he tends the small bar that backs up to Duval between the 2 entrances. He has given us a couple of good restaurant suggestions. Have Fun!
