Hello-wife and i traveling to the keys for up to a week in mid to late april. I would like one to two days of flats fishing. wife would like cocktails, a beach, a pool, clean rooms, cocktails, food, did i mention cocktails? she badly needs a corona moment. family member has a tarpon trip planned out of bahia park which i may hook up with. really looking for a place my wife can relax while i fish a little. anywhere between islamorada and key west ok, but emphasis on some sort of relaxed beachfront for her and decent chance at bonefish for me. oh and little palm island is a bit out of my range. anything on marathon? any suggestions appreciated. flying in from virginia to (marathon? key west?) rent a car etc. thx!

I am mainly replying to top your message, but beaches are rare in the Keys.

Lots of good places for cocktails in Key West!

Keith

We just returned from our first trip to Key West last night. It was fabulous. It is really hard to grasp that there really are not nice beaches in Key West but once you get past that it is all good. It is definitely the place for a Corona moment.

thx for the top keith--hotels anyone?

Prices of accommodations in Key West are all over the place. The current darling seems to be the Gardens Hotel, which looks lovely and gets rave reviews. If your wife would settle for a tiny beach but a very nice place, Pier House is on the Gulf in a wonderful location and is near everything you and your wife will want to see, and drink, and eat, and drink. It's also steps away from Key West Bight, where you can find fishing guides and trips.

If Little Palm is only a little out of your price range, you might want to check out its Noble House sister in Key West - the Ocean Key Resort. It's also on the Gulf and the rooms are great. We stayed in a Junior Suite several years ago and were really pleased. It has no beach, but does have a great bar with music, and a nice restaurant.

Still a third choice on the Gulf is the Hyatt Resort and Marina. I've stayed there several times and think it's nice, too. The "beach" is about the size of a postage stamp.

Fly into Key West!

I always stay at the Pier House. It is located at 1 Duval Street, at most 5 minutes walk from whereever I want to go. It has a small beach which allows me to swim in the ocean, and a pool that is deep enough to dive into, and an outdoor hottub. There is a good beach-side restaurant and you can have eggs Benedict under an umbrella in the morning.

The good rooms, the garden view, are apporx 250.00 / night plus tax, but there is an AARP and a AAA discount. The problem is that they may be booked for April, but I've noticed if you can stay mid-week it is easier to get a room. Another alternative is the Ocean Key, across Duval, but there is no beach.

If you walk along the Key West Bight you will see at least 1/2 dozen ads for flats fishing.

IMO fly into Key West, cab to the hotel (7.50 / person) unpack and relax.

Pjk