I am planning a trip to the Keys with my husband and 12 y/o daughter. I am looking for recommendations for Key West and Islamodora.

Has anyone stayed at the Cheeca Lodge and Hawks Cay? Trying to decide between the two.

Thank you!

I just answered your other post, but I know lots about Key West and can recommend things to do there. Key West is filled with tourist activities, restaurants, and water sports that you and your daughter would enjoy. In addition, Key West is very much a walking town...if you stay in Old Town, everything you want to do (including sunset celebrations) will be within walking distance.

I'm about to sign off, so I'll just throw out a couple of suggestions. Casa Marina (a Waldorf Astoria property) is on the Atlantic side of the island and is very family-friendly. The disadvantage of that side of the island is that it's a pretty long hike to the bay side, which is where the sunset celebrations and most of the water sports originate.

If someone else doesn't chime in here, try tripadvisor.com

Thank you! Any recommendations for hotels near Old Town?

For a family with kids, try Ocean Key Resort as top choice non-chain... Westin Key West and Hyatt Sunset harbor for chains... they are all right on Mallory square where the action is for Sunset Celebration....

The small Inns and B&Bs dont allow for kids so you have to get a Hotel or Condo type accomodation... good luck

Gary's suggestions of the Ocean Key and the Hyatt are great. The Westin gets some complaints because cruise ships dock in front of it and block the water views, but that might not be an issue for you. I personally prefer that side of the island over the Atlantic side, but just as an FYI, the Casa Marina is in Old Town, as are these others.

Here's a map of New and Old Town lodging.

http://www.keywesttravelguide.com/ke...hotel-map.html

The Casa Marina is at the bottom of the map to the left of Higgs Beach.

The Ocean Key, Westin, and Hyatt are at the top left of the map on the water.

Conch House is nice.

http://www.conchhouse.com/

Thank you to everyone!

Key West--Southernmost on the Beach and the Southernmost Hotel are good options for families. They are on the other end of the island from all the bars, but within walking distance. They have pools and a small beach area.

Not stayed in any one you mentioned.

However there are many B&Bs you can choose from in Key West. Some of them are very unique with reasonable prices.

I lived in a B&B near cemenary when I was in Key West many years ago. The room was nice and quiet and the rate was reasonable. If I would visit Key West again, I certanily choose one of the B&Bs.

Having lived in Islamorada for many years, I favor Cheeca Lodge over Hawks Cay. In Islamorada, you can walk to many excellent restaurants, not so at Hawks Cay. It's outside Marathon with no other restaurants within walking distance.