Just wondering what you thought of it.Any good? Looks like it's nice with lots of choices of activities:boating,beach,pool,etc. Please let me know if you've stayed there and what it was like. Thank you

It's a dump. Try Parmers Place in Grassy Key.

I just checked out the web site and video for Rainbow Bend and it sure doesn't look like a dump! Looks a lot nicer than Parmers Place. What is so great about Parmers? Rainbow even lets you use a motor boat for free!

Lin: I too, am curious about Rainbow Bend. Why don't you stay there and give us a trip report?

Incidentally, Parmer's IS a nice place. Rates are reasonable and nice ambiance. However, it's about MM25 or so, and it can book up pretty rapidly, because there's not much in that neck of the woods.

I am always skeptical of people who say "it's a dump" with no further backup. I suspect they are just trying to damage someone's reputation. God knows it's happened on this board before.

Sandy-There are a lot of motels in the Keys that are the classic roach motel or either they are right next to the Overseas Highway and you hear the roar of trucks all night long. Another consideration is does the air conditioning work etc. I stayed in a place the first time we went down and the air conditioner barely worked, the bathroom was not cleaned thoroughly and the traffic noise was horrendous. I would be very leery of staying in something down there no one has stayed in or no one recommends. And, web sites can air brush their properties to make them look wonderful. As to Rainbow Bend letting you use a boat, read the fine print on that. If you mess up their boat you end up being charged...

I was just wondering if anybody had stayed there. Apparantly not. Thanks for your help anyway. By the way, you're responsible for the boat you use no matter where you rent it from...Maine, Florida, etc. I was just eager to find out what people thought about the resort if they stayed there. Sometimes I wonder if other resorts(like Parmers) tells people misinformation just to try to get the business. Thanks for your help. If we decide to stay there , I'll give a report when we return.

Why would Parmers Place give out misinformation? I think you are way off base here lin. I have stayed there and I have recommended the place to friends, it is clean, quiet and the owner's are very accomodating. And the place is reasonable. There are other people here who have stayed there and agree with me as well. Where is the "misinformation?" Personal recommendations can hardly be called misinformation!

As to Rainbows End, someone posted about the place a while ago. Do a text search above on Marathon or Rainbows End. I seem to recall he said the place hasn't been remodedled since the 40's or 50's. I don't know if I would want to stay in a place they haven't refurbished in a long time. Every hotel needs refurbishing periodically even the big luxury ones do. The wear and tear on rooms is incredible and as the other poster pointed out do the mechanicals work that great? Hot water, air etc. If they haven't bothered to update the place, maybe they haven't bothered to maintain the electrical, plumbing etc.

lin-I am puzzled by your comments on Parmers Place giving misinformation. A lot of people on this board travel to the Keys regularily. Myself included. Out of all the people who post here and are familiar with the Keys, not one has stayed at Rainbow Bend. There are a lot of hotels down there, some good, some not so good. IMO, Rainbow Bend must fall into the latter category or someone here would have stayed there. As to Parmers Place, do a text search. It gets good reviews from a number of people. One poster even said she recommended it to a lawyer friend who was use to staying in more luxurious surroundings and he liked it. Don't see where the misinformation is on the part of Parmers Place. People here like it and have recommended it. That is their personl opinion.

As to Rainbow Bend-Looks like you are hell bent on staying there. That's your perogative. Post a trip report when you get back so the next person who asks about the place will have an accurate picture.

BTW-Any hotel can look wonderful on the internet and in brochures. Airbrushing. lighting and different camera angles does wonders....

Listen to Jon.

Not only are places like these next to the highway but usually they are right next door to a trailer/Rv park which will keep you up all hours of the night.

Yep? Where you talking about? Obviously not Parmers.

The motels along the highway are the ones I am refering to.

George, you certainly have a lot of knowledge about the Keys. Would you have a recommendation for a good hotel for a family of 4 for June? We were considering the Blackfin, but can't find much info... Most people seem to recommend Parmer's Place. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Where in the Keys are you wanting to visit?

Rose-Some suggestions for families: Cheeca Lodge, Hawks Cay, Chesapeake Resort, CocoPlum Resort. Never heard of Black Fin and I have been going down there for years. You can't miss with any of the suggestions above.

We would like to stay in the middle or lower keys. I thank you for the info.
I had benn in contact with another traveler who clued me in to the fact that a pool is a much better amenitiy than a beach in the Keys, especially in June.

Rainbow Bend's a great place! Don't listen to the negative guy-sounds like he has "issues" or maybe he likes the big cookie cutter hotels. Rainbow Bend is charming & well kept-clean, spacious well furnished rooms, real breakfast and 4 hours of boat use included every day (which as with any rental, of course if you damage it you'd pay for repairs). Nice beach, good pool & hot tub, very good restaurant, EXCELLENT location only 5 minutes outside Marathon so you're far enough out yet close to everything. We just spent a week there and we'd go back in a heartbeat. Low key & relaxed, just as the Keys should be. If you go, be sure to go to the Dolphin Research Center just down the road. A wonderful experience.

Chris-Why did you resurrect a post from Feb? The original poster has been and gone from wherever. Next time why don't you actually READ the date the original question was asked?