bride_2004

Thanks! I've been looking at keywest.com, but if anyone has personal advice on places to stay for under $200 that accomodate 4 people, I'd love to hear from you!

Pappy

Keep in mind that if you "dump" the car, it will be a one way rental, and you'll get hit with a hefty fee. Two one way rentals will likely be much higher than a one week rental fee.

SusanCS

You might check out the Best Western Hibiscus. It's a standard motel, but in a much more convenient location and it gets good reviews for the value.

There are a number of reviews on tripadvisor.com

miguelgcuadra

The Hampton Inn is too far away from the action. Look for hotels or BB on Duval or Flemming Street. It is such a pain to be far from dowtown, you will need a car and not enough places to park. Staying in dowtown will give you 4 more freedom and independence from one another. Search for KW, I once posted a list of centrally located hotels that I have stayed and very please with all of them...

miguelgcuadra

check these two hotels

www.blueparrotinn.com
www.chelseahousekw.com

sunbabe

Depending on the exact dates of your trip, the Southernmost Hotel may be within your price range. This hotel is at the southern end of Duval, but within walking distance of all the action close to Mallory Square.

Have a drink at the Green Parrot--it's claim to fame is being the first bar on U.S. 1

Have a great time!

bride_2004

Thanks again! Anyone stay here or know anything about it?

http://www.caribbeanhousekeywest.com/

GoTravel

I second the recommendation for the Southernmost Hotel. Wonderful place, great pool, reasonably priced.

There are no drop off fees for one way rentals in the state of Florida.

bride_2004

Another question. I hope you're not sick of me yet... What are the beackes of Key West like? We found a new hotel (thanks for the advice!) closer to Duval, but it doesn't have a pool and 1 of my friends is concerned that the beaches are too coral-ly to hang out on. To me it seems better to be near the action without a pool, but that's only if we could swim and sun bath on the beaches. Thoughts?

bride_2004

Unfortunately, the Southernmost and the other specific hotels you guys recommended are full for our dates. Thanks though!

Miramar

I stayed at the Key West Garden House last year. It is a B&B and some (1 or 2) of the rooms can sleep 4 (but you would have to share beds). The rooms are small though but they were around that price range. I can't say it was one of the better places I've stayed (it was okay- clean etc, but had zero water pressure in our room etc), but it is very close to everything- about 2 blocks from Duval.

cd

Key West is not known for it's beaches. What ones there are, are small and man-made. If sunbathing is important to you, I would recommend a facility with pool. We stayed near the Marina (which is also near Mallory Square) and went sailing one day. You can also rent a boat to go to Fort Jefferson which we did not do but others on this board have done it and say the snorkeling is good.

Larry1

After doing some quick "travelocity" calculations, renting an intermediate car will for two one-way rentals will cost about $75. A one week rental for the same car is approx $192. Dividing the difference by 4, for an extra $30 per person you could have a car. Some thoughts:
1) If you end up at a hotel on Roosevelt, GET THE CAR. Waiting for a shuttle for what will probably be 2 trips a day into Old Town doesn't sound like my idea of a fun vacation. Plus the car gives you the ability to head up to Bahia Honda state park for a really nice beach experience. Parking in Key West can be difficult on weekends, holidays, and special festivals, but during the week you shouldn't have much problem finding parking a block or two off of Duval Street.
2) If you end up in an Old Town are hotel, you won't need the car really, but if you get a place with no pool near the "action" you will have to rely on the shuttle to get you to and from Key West's Beachs.
No matter what you decide, I am sure you will have a good time. Remember that at this time of year a "cold snap" is possible, so bring a light jacket at least.

SusanCS

bride - Though there are two wonderful restaurants in Bahama Village (Blue Heaven and Santiago's Bodega), I would not recommend staying at the Caribbean House, which is located there.

The general area is on the upswing, and lots of houses are being reburbished, but it's still a neighborhood known for drug problems and it has more crime than Old Town.

Since you're having so much trouble finding accommodations other than the Hampton Inn, I suggest you stay there and keep the car. February is one of the most popular months of the year in Key West, so it might not be possible for you to find anything in your price range in a better location. My guess is that you and your friends will have a great time no matter where you stay

cd

Author: cindyrob
Date: 11/28/2004, 05:24 pm
Message: My husband and I are planning to take a short trip to Key West in January. We're looking for a place to stay -- and we're on a budget. We don't have a preference for type (hotel, B&B, Inn, etc.) It just need to be clean and comfortable!!

Any suggestions are apprecitated!!

Cindy



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Author: SusanCS
Date: 11/28/2004, 05:35 pm
Message: For a general idea of what's available, check out keywestinns.com Generally speaking the two least expensive hotels in Old Town Key West (which is the most desirable location) are the Best Western Hibiscus and the Southernmost Hotel.





Check out: KEY WEST HARBOR INN
219 Elizabeth Street - Key West, Florida 33040
Phone: 305.296.2978 - 1.800.608.6569
Fax: 305.294.5858
Email: [email protected]

The location is terrific. Just around the corner from the marina and a 5min walk to Malory Square for the sunset celebrations. The rooms are clean, the pool and grounds wonderful where they offer a terrific breakfast each morning and a cocktail hour every day 5 to 6.

cd

Sorry, I meant to just copy the name and address of the place where we stayed and send it to you but now I notice I copied more then I thought.

bride_2004

Thanks all! Anyone have more info on the Bahama area of KW? Is it dangerous, or just not as wealthy as the rest of the island? I ask because the Carriage House hotel I posted about is only 2 blocks from Duval, so I figured it couldn't be too bad a neighborhood since it's close to the main action. Thoughts? We will mostly be together as a 4-some at night, but we value feeling safe and having the option to go home to the hotel in groups of 2 or even alone if need be.

GoTravel

I don't think Bahama Village is 'dangerous' but I have heard that there is some minor ganja dealings there at times.

While I probably wouldn't walk through Bahama Village by myself at night, I would walk through there at night with another person.

bride_2004

Thanks to you all. For anyone who cares about this bride's mini-saga, we took the advice of the Fodorites who recommended the Best Western. It's not as cheap as the Hampton, but it will save us money in travel costs, and stress in going back and forth. Thanks again!

bride_2004

Thanks to you all. For anyone who cares about this bride's mini-saga, we took the advice of the Fodorites who recommended the Best Western. It's not as cheap as the Hampton, but it will save us money in travel costs, and stress in going back and forth. And though we definitely wouldn't be afraid of ganja dealers, as a woman traveler, I tend to err on the safe side. Thanks again!