64 Best Hotels in The Florida Keys, Florida

A private garden with brick walkways, tropical plants, and a canopy of palms sets this convivial guesthouse apart from the pack. The vintage-1880s property has wraparound verandas, pine floors, and charm to spare. Arch House, a former carriage house, has a dramatic entry that opens into a lush courtyard. Although all suites front busy Eaton Street, only Suites 5 and 6 face it. A reconstructed cigar factory has become the poolside Cigar House, with spacious rooms, porches, decks, and plantation-style teak and wicker furnishings. The private tropical garden wraps around a spacious pool area. Children are welcome—a rarity in Old Town guesthouses.

Brilliantly colored bougainvillea, coconut palm, and guava trees—and a botanical garden of other rare species—make this 2-acre adult hideaway one of the prettiest places to stay in the Keys. Each of the intimate cottages has furnishings that add to the tropical feel. Spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom suites—with full kitchens and original art—are filled with natural light. Outside, kick back in a lounge chair or hammock, soak in the hot tub, or contemplate sunset from the deck. The resort also has an art gallery and an orchid house with more than 225 plants. At the pool, help yourself to complimentary bottled water and fruit.

Haute tropicale best describes this wildly luxurious private-island retreat, and "second mortgage" might explain how some can afford the extravagant prices, but for those who can, it's worth the price. This property sits on a private 5½-acre palm-fringed island inhabited by Key deer, 3 miles offshore from Little Torch Key. The 15 oceanfront thatch-roofed bungalows house 30 suites with copper soaking tubs, mosquito-netting-draped king-size beds, and British colonial–style furnishings. Other comforts include an indoor and outdoor shower, private veranda, separate living room, and comfy robes and slippers. Two Island Grand Suites are twice the size of the others and offer his-and-hers bathrooms, an outdoor copper tub, and uncompromising ocean views. To preserve the quiet atmosphere, there are no TVs in the bungalows, and cell phones are highly discouraged in public areas.

Nestled within a “hardwood hammock” (localese for uplands habitat where hardwood trees such as live oak grow) near the southern border of Everglades National Park, this sprawling, 13-acre resort is not to be missed. There are plenty of reasons to stay on property including three dining outlets; a family activities center with on-site programs; state-of-the-art water sports; charter services and perks like outdoor movie nights, free use of fishing poles and complimentary bikes. Guest rooms, with a color palette that reflects the natural serenity of the grounds, are spacious, modern, and all have a balcony. The deluxe Baker's Cay suite with a kitchen and two bedrooms will make you want to quit your job and move to the Keys. Follow the trails to the white-sand beach for a nightly sunset celebration.

This 12-acre, adults-only hideaway has charming freestanding bungalows (some of which are waterfront) that are outfitted with a front porch with Adirondack chairs, a sitting area with a couch, and a private patio with an outdoor soaking tub, shower, and seating area. Each bungalow comes with two bikes, and there are yoga classes, paddleboards, an outdoor exercise hut equipped with a Peloton bike, and boats and floating tiki cruises available for hire from the resort's waterfront. This being an all-inclusive resort means all meals and drinks are included, with the option to dine at three sit-down restaurants: Fish Tales, Bogie & Bacall’s, and Sea Señor. There's also a cozy "living room" and swanky cocktail bar Hemingway's inspired by the author's home in Key West.

One of the most storied and luxurious resorts in the Keys, this legendary property still packs in more amenities than any other we can think of. In the main lodge, sand-and-sea-inspired rooms boast luxurious touches like elegant outdoor soaking tubs that fill in a stream from the ceiling. The main building also holds three oceanfront restaurants including a sushi bar, two outdoor swimming pools, and two tiki bars to keep the party going. The resort's other buildings hold more styles of accommodations and a spa with a bevy of signature treatments, including hot-lava shell massages, as well as an adults-only lap pool with a bar, and a fitness center. In addition, 10 stand-alone "casitas" offer an ultra-private experience, with each one featuring furnished porches, fully equipped kitchens, and personal butlers. For the outdoorsy types, there's a 1,100-foot private beach, kayaks, bikes, fishing rods (to fish off the 525-foot pier), a walking trail, 9 holes of golf (designed by Jack Nicklaus), tennis, and water sports galore. For families, Camp Cheeca is the ideal place to drop off your kids ages 5 to 12; you get alone time, and they get a fun and educational program. Like shopping? The resort's signature store is open every day. At night, tiki torches light up paths and add even more ambience, if that's possible. 

Built in 1875, this gloriously shaded property was a labor of love from the get-go, and it covers a third of a city block in Old Town. Winding brick pathways lead past rare orchids, ponytail palms, black bamboo, fountains, a gazebo, and earthenware jars (called tinajones) imported from Cuba, each of which weighs a ton. Stone ostriches stand guard, close to the live tortoises. The romantic inn offers several types of accommodations, from standard rooms with garden and courtyard views to a two-bedroom carriage-house suite. Decorated with Bahamian plantation-style furnishings, the quiet and elegant rooms are a luxurious tropical retreat. All have private verandas. The wine bar draws locals and guests, as does free jazz on Sunday. What's more, its sister property, The Garden Cottages, immediately adjacent to the hotel, offers several luxurious apartments with full kitchens. A lagoon pool adds to the serenity.

Owned by retired professional kiteboarder Matt Sexton, this relaxed, eco-friendly resort and beach club is popular with water-sports enthusiasts, who make regular visits to its sibling property, The Lagoon, for wakeboarding sessions. Ideal for families, the Conch House has two- and three-bedroom suites with private verandas and full kitchens. An adults-only section of the property has its own pool area and the Humidor House, where oceanfront accommodations include rooms and king suites with four-poster mahogany beds and private balconies. Suites in the Wrecker’s House have claw-foot tubs and private wraparound balconies. The resort's sustainability initiatives include using plant-based detergents, not using pesticides and herbicides in on-site gardens, and both in-house recycling and seaweed-composting programs.

The 60-acre, Caribbean-style retreat with a full-service spa and six restaurants has plenty to keep the kids occupied (and adults happy). Activities at the sprawling resort  include fishing charters, snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, tennis, pickleball and mini-golf.  A pirate ship with water cannons delights at the family activity center, where there are two family pools and sports fields. Kids can also swim at one of the pools at the main lodge (the other is adults only) or in the protected saltwater lagoon. An in-the-water program lets guests get up close and personal with dolphins. When the older generation wants to head to the spa or out to dinner at fine-dining restaurant Sixty-One Prime, there are supervised programs for kids up to age 12. The spacious rooms and villas have a coastal look. The room rate does not include a hefty daily resort fee, which covers the resort-wide tram and other costs. 

Combining Caribbean luxury with Keys charm, this glamorous 24-acre resort is a destination unto itself with five pools, rooms along a sandy waterfront, toes-in-the-sand dining, and amenities like kids activities, resort bikes, and morning yoga. The one- and two-bed rooms and a handful of suites with kitchenettes have white and dark-blue color schemes and bathrooms outfitted with walk-in rainfall showers. The bottom-floor rooms feature large patios that lead directly out to the sand, while the upper floors boast spacious balconies with breathtaking views. A full-service spa, fitness center, and marina with charter fishing boats round out the ample offerings.

Situated right on the Atlantic, this luxury club resort has waterfront villas and hotel suites, all nestled along 600 feet of private shoreline. The spacious villas include en suite king-bed bedrooms and twin or bunk rooms, a full kitchen, dining room, laundry room, and waterfront balconies. Guests rave about the saltwater pool, cabanas, beachside fire pit, and complimentary Friday yoga classes.

This property, which definitely has a modern-beach-house feel, features a lagoon-style pool with a waterfall; lush landscaping with pathways, hammocks, and lawn games; and Jimmy Buffet–inspired flair with poolside entertainment and colorful artwork. Rooms—handsomely outfitted with whitewashed accents and reclaimed wood—have kitchenettes with microwaves and mini-refrigerators. Although the hotel is a bit removed from Duval Street, there's a complimentary shuttle bus to all the action, and Smathers Beach is a two-minute walk away. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served on an elevated, covered patio overlooking the pool at the Tin Cup Chalice restaurant, where dishes are often classics with a twist (perhaps pineapple beet salad or curry shrimp). Daily lobby refreshments include LaVazza coffee in the morning and fresh-baked cookies in the afternoon.

In a town that prides itself on its laid-back luxury, this complex of four restored 1884 houses stands out. Guests—typically shoeless—relax among two richly landscaped pools, rock waterfalls, and peaceful gardens. Elegant rooms surround a courtyard and have antique and reproduction furnishings, earthy tones with black-and-white accents, marble baths, and outdoor sitting areas. The lobby has several outstanding works by local artists. The clientele varies from mature and affluent to baby boomers who've discovered its romance.

This full resort—relatively rare in Key West—has large, tropical-look rooms and excellent on-site amenities, including a pool and bar overlooking Sunset Pier and a Thai-inspired spa. Toast the day's end at the waterfront bar or from the private balconies that extend from the stylish and homey rooms. High ceilings, hand-painted furnishings, wooden chests, and lavish whirlpool tubs create a personally designed look. The spa is small and without locker rooms, but it's the best in Key West, and three (of six) treatment rooms come with a Japanese-style tub on the balcony. The second floor's elegant restaurant is cleverly named Hot Tin Roof, a reference to its construction as well as to Tennessee Williams's Key West connection.

At this luxurious, 14-acre, bayfront retreat, you'll find one of the nicest beaches in the Keys, as well as water sports galore, bocce, tennis, basketball, and a fitness center with inspiring pool views. Step into your room and bask in the modern beachy design—muted whites, sea-foam accents, and wood flooring are elegant accebts. Perks like in-room Nespresso machines and Molton Brown toiletries add to the upscale vibe. On-site restaurants include Las Olas, a Peruvian ceviche and sushi bar; Sand Bar poolside seafood café; and Sol by the Sea, a waterfront open-air dining experience (book the "water table" for a dining experience that features seating and a table in the shallow lagoon). There are plenty of complimentary perks to keep guests engaged and happy, from the welcome mojito cocktails to the nightly live music to the complimentary fishing poles and bait and bookshelves lined with free books in the public spaces.

It's odd to call this a hidden gem when it sits on a prominent corner just one block off Duval, but a concrete facade keeps this luxurious find well secluded from the outside world. Six two-story buildings completely surround the courtyard filled with towering date palms and free-form swimming pools. And the suites offer as much inside as the courtyard does outside. Hello, gorgeous. Modern, spacious, with a touch of tropical verve and an overload of high-end style, the units have a chef's kitchen with a Jenn-Air cooktop, Cuisinart pans, and stainless fridge and freezer drawers (filled with ice-cream bars). Bathrooms are sleek with dual shower heads and vessel sinks. The long list of extras includes in-unit washer and dryer, umbrellas, toiletries, free poolside smoothies, a daily happy hour, and a nightly delivery of muffins. There's beach-chair setup at nearby South Beach, too.

Rooms at this hotel on the quiet end of Duval—a 20-minute walk from downtown—are modern and sophisticated, and although the area around it gets some car and foot traffic, the property is far enough from the hubbub that you can relax but close enough that you can participate if you wish. Each room has a sophisticated color palette of blues and browns, which is a nice change from the standard bright, tropical colors found in other hotels. Many of the accommodations in the property's Guesthouses section—which encompasses 50 units in the adjacent Avalon and Duval Gardens properties—are adults only, and all include complimentary Continental breakfast. Grab a cold drink and light snack from the pool bar and join the crowd around the pool, or venture across the street to the beach, where there's a restaurant and other amenities.

This luxurious private island retreat with its own sandy beach feels completely cut off from the world, yet you're just minutes away from the action: a 10-minute ride from Mallory Square on the 24-hour free ferry. On idyllic, 27-acre Sunset Key you'll find swaying palms, flowering gardens, and a delicious sense of privacy. The comforts are first-class at the cluster of one- to four-bedroom cottages at the water's edge, some with garden or ocean views. Baked goods, freshly squeezed juice, fresh fruit, and a newspaper are delivered each morning. Each of the accommodations has a kitchen, and the resort offers a grocery shopping service (for a fee, of course). The spacious four-bedroom cottages also feature private plunge pools and washers/dryers.

Ralph Lauren could have designed the rooms at this stylish, luxurious resort on a nice beach. The 87 two- and three-bedroom town houses have gingerbread trim, white-picket fences, and open-floor-plan interiors decorated in trendy cottage style. The picture-perfect theme continues with the palm-fringed pool and the sandy beach edged with a ribbon of blue bay (and echoed in the blue-and-white stripes of the poolside umbrellas). Guests look like models on a photo shoot: attractive young families enjoying themselves on the sunny decks, or at the casual outdoor bar and elegant restaurant. Small, single-level guest rooms are ideal for couples looking to save money.

At this simple yet chic resort, spacious rooms evoke well-to-do bachelor pads, complete with a counter and stools, wine chiller, minimalistic furniture, and artwork. Try to score a room with an ocean view. Hang out in the lobby (literally) in one of the hanging wicker chairs and admire the award-winning decor, or call dibs on a beach hammock or a seat at the oceanfront poolside bar. Guests can use the kayaks and paddleboards (included in the resort fee) or book a dive trip right on-site, as well as enjoy a casual bite to eat at the on-site restaurant, ReelCatch, which also serves breakfast.

If you desire personal attention, a casual atmosphere, and a dollop of style, stay at these twin inns spread out on nearly 2 acres. Ambrosia is more intimate, with themed rooms such as the Treetop, Sailfish Suite, and Havana Cabana. Ambrosia Too is a delightful art-filled hideaway. Rooms and suites have original work by local artists, wicker or wood furniture, and spacious bathrooms. Each has a private entrance and deck, patio, or porch. A poolside full breakfast is included, and children are welcome.

The dock points the way to beautiful sunsets at this adults-only boutique hotel, which has been transformed from a run-down mom-and-pop place into a waterfront gem. As the innkeepers have backgrounds in the image business, the property offers great visuals, from marble floors and granite countertops to yellow-leather sofas and ice-blue bathroom tiles. Kayaks, paddleboards, barbecue grills, and a movie library are available for guest use, and two chickee huts on the beach are equipped with comfortable seating.

The ultramodern, nearly minimalistic redo of this classic, circa-1903 Queen Anne mansion—an adults-only property—offers a break from the sensory overload of Key West's other abundant Victorian guesthouses. The boutique hotel, 3½ blocks from Duval Street, combines original trim, high ceilings, and shiny wood floors with sleek furnishings, including a curved frosted-glass-and-chrome check-in desk and leather loungers. Some of the spacious, serene rooms have private verandas, flat-screen TVs, and remote-controlled fans and lights.

Elsewhere you'd pay big bucks for the wonderful views available at these three cabins, each of which has two two-bedroom units with full kitchens and baths, as well as air-conditioning (but no television, radio, or phone). All but one unit accommodate up to six (the other sleeps up to four and is accessible). The park also has popular campsites ($36 per night) suitable for either tents or motor homes. Some are directly on the beach—talk about a tent with a view! Cabins and campsites book up early, so reserve up to 11 months before your planned visit.

Some 200 feet of waterfront is the main attraction at these side-by-side sister properties that offer a choice between smaller rooms and larger freestanding cottages. Coconut palms whisper in the breeze and gumbo-limbo trees shade the 2½-acre grounds. Nice features abound, like well-placed lounge chairs for gazing out over the water and kayaks and paddleboats (for when you want to get closer). Everybody shows up on the sun deck or the 16-foot dock to watch the sun slip into Davy Jones's locker. The rooms are a bit tight but not without island character. Pale-yellow cottages are simply furnished. Ask for Units 25 and 26, a two-bedroom villa that will give you extra space and a water view.

There's a congenial atmosphere at this lively, family-owned lodge-campground-marina—a happy mix of tent campers (who have the fabulous waterfront real estate), RVers (who look pretty permanent), and motel dwellers who like to mingle at the rooftop pool and play poker. Rooms have tile floors, wicker furniture, and doors that allow sea breezes to waft through. A skywalk joins the upper-story rooms with the pool and deck. Campsites range from rustic to full hookups. Everything is spotless—even the campground's bathhouse—and the service is good-natured and efficient. Satellite wireless means you can pick up a signal most places on the property, depending on the weather. The staff will book you a room, sell you bait, or hook you up with a fishing charter. There are plenty of family-oriented activities, so the youngsters will never complain about being bored. Discounts are available for week-long or longer stays.

This luxurious property is on the largest private beach in Key West, and it has the same richly appointed lobby with beamed ceilings, polished pine floor, and original art as it did when it opened in 1920 on New Year's Eve. Guest rooms are stylishly decorated in neutral colors that evoke a certain comfortable crispness. Fluffy bathrobes, Nespresso machines, and luxurious designer toiletries make it feel like a boutique hotel. Two-bedroom loft suites with balconies face the ocean. Many of the main building's rooms open onto large outdoor living rooms, and the two pools (one adult, one family) have a view of the Atlantic. For the utmost in pampering, pay a visit to Spa al Mare. You can even enjoy a treatment right on the resort's beach (the only resort in Key West to offer this indulgence). Guests also have privileges at its nearby sister property, The Reach.

This relic from the 1950s has been restyled into a suave, design-forward, all-suites property with outdoor showers and whirlpool tubs in some of the suites. Each unit claims its own design personality, with custom furnishings. Lush landscaping, a pool surrounded by a sandy area on its own island accessible by a bridge, and lounge chairs at the water's edge lend a spa-like vibe; complimentary adult yoga classes, a Zen garden, and gardens designed by Raymond Jungles complete the scene. Cool tile-and-terrazzo floors invite you to kick off your shoes and step out onto your private patio overlooking the gardens and the bay. Breakfast is served on the waterside terrace.

Modern conveniences and a retro look are among the hallmarks of this boutique hotel on the beach. Rooms have a turquoise and sandstone color scheme and dark wood accents; each also has a porch or a balcony along with a mini-refrigerator and coffee maker. Most units are lined up along the long stretch of sand that all but encircles a lagoon; others overlook the tennis court. Thirteen oceanfront villas (including two stand-alones), a new tiki bar, and a boat ramp and dock round out the list of accommodations and amenities.

This waterfront haven is tucked into a residential neighborhood beneath towering palms and native gumbo-limbos. No wonder it's a favorite of travel magazines. Each unit overlooks part of the 400-foot beach, where draping hammocks beckon you to nap. Prefer to paddleboard or kayak? Just slide one off the sand and go. Or take a dip in the pool. Less adventurous types can head for the Adirondack chairs along the shoreline or to those placed at the far end of the docks that jet into the bay. Units are comfortable and spacious and could be the backdrop for a Tommy Bahama ad with their upscale tropical decor and hand-carved furniture. Small patios give you your own slice of paradise. Breakfast is served beneath the bayfront chickee.