Florida Keys accommodations - Help!
 

We are heading to the Keys this winter for a long weekend (5 nights) and need help from the experts who have visited the Keys. Traveling with 2 teens. Thinking of Chesapeake Resort, Islander Resort, Coconut Cay Resort, or Limetree Resort and would appreciate any help anyone might be able to give us. Hawk's Cay is a possibility - but very pricey. Also thinking of splitting this time between one of the above resorts and possibly heading to Key West for 2 nights. Thanks!

I think your teens would enjoy Key West more than other keys. If the weather is too cool for water sports, there are LOTS of things to keep them occupied in Key West.

Thanks, Susan. We definately want to see Key West, but some of the other posts make this town seem as though there isn't much to do for teens. Can you recommend an area to stay in so that we would be close to 'activity?' Also, I think hubby wants to stay a few nights in one of the above mentioned places, just to sit and do nothing. Teens can find things (kayaks, pier fishing, pools, bikes) etc. for a day or two. Appreciate the help, these forums always have great advice!

Fairway - I certainly understand the desire to do nothing; that's the basis of all our trips to Key West! It's NOT, however, because there's nothing to do there - including things to entertain teens. Here are a few examples: the Conch Train Tour, Mallory Square sunset celebrations (which are held nightly), Ghost Tours of Key West, Ripley's Believe it or Not,
glass bottom boat rides, snorkeling, snuba, scuba, kayaking, the Southernmost Scavenger Hunt, Mel Fisher Museum, and the Butterfly Conservatory. That's only a partial list, so you get the idea...there's a lot to do.

In Key West, you'll be near the "activity" if you stay anyplace in Old Town. That way, all tourist activities and great restaurants will be within walking distance.

One caveat while I'm thinking of it...depending on when you go to the keys, it might be too cool for water sports or swimming. Average temps are in the mid-70s but I've been in Key West in January when it was 55!

Are the teens boys? When I was a teenager my family went on a yearly summer vacation to a town that had similar charms to Key West- and frankly I couldn't have cared less about museums, shopping, street performers, and the former residences of long dead famous people. I spent the entire vacation hangning out on the local pier fishing, rowing a little boat around, and exploring the beach and coastline. I do think that with 5 days in the Keys you should plan on at least one day and night in Key West.
Anyway, of the resorts you have mentioned the Chesapeak and Limetree get good comments- but I would make sure that they allow fishing on their property (some resorts advertise "fishing" as an activity, but they mean chartering a boat, not off their dock) and at some resorts kayaks, canoes, paddleboats might be complimentary use on a first come first serve basis while be avaialble for a fee at others. Another small resort perfect for doing nothing is the Coconut Palm Inn in Tavernier (I think they have a website). Have fun!

Thanks for all the advice! Yes, the teens are boys and I think they will enjoy some of the mentioned activites listed above. They do enjoy biking and beach/water activities so boats will be fun for them. Can anyone comment on the resorts I asked about? I am not familiar with any of them, but websites look good.

Check with the Hilton in Key West. The main hotel is in a fun location for your teens. The hotel also has cottages on a private island a few minutes ferry ride from Key West. Your husband would enjoy the quiet & doing nothing at the cottages (beautiful beach) and your teens could take a ferry to Key West to walk or bike around.

Fairway - You don't seem to be getting much information about the resorts you mention in your original post. Until you do, you might consider using this website's search engine. I tried out the Chesapeake Resort and there was a fair amount of information about it - from good to awful!

Sorry I have no personal information about any of these but I do know - and was reminded again after having read the search engine posts - that the Hampton Inn in Islamorada gets very good reviews.

Susan-If memory serves me correct, Chesapeake Resort is the complex right next to or behind the Whaler Restaurant in Islamorada. The Whaler has the all you can eat seafood buffet which IMO is just terrible.

Hawk's Cay gets good reviews. I have heard Pine and Palms (Go Travel recommends it) in Islamorad mentioned here as well as Palmer's Place down near Key West. Do a text search above on Florida Keys and you may find more info. I have also heard that Rainbow Bend near Marathon, is clean, not fancy and rentals include use of a small boat. You might want to check tripadvisor.com for more reviews.

I do love the Pines and Palms in Islamorada. I also like Cheeca Lodge, Casa Morada, The Moorings, and The Hampton Inn.

Just my opinion but unless you are into water sports, Islamorada may bore your teens silly. I prefer Islamorada myself but Key West is a lot more active.

I'm not a fan of Hawks Cay just because of the location which is a little isolation but that is its charm to some.

One of the best deals in Key West is the Southernmost Motel. It is one of the fairest priced hotels I've ever stayed at. In Key West, I think that is saying a lot because some hotels are overpriced.

Thanks again from all the well-traveled folks to the Keys. I will check out the ones that mentioned, and perhaps we will spend most of the time in KW. I would love to just have 'nothing' to do for once so still looking forward to at least one night in the middle or upper keys.

Hi Fairway, I happen to like Hawk's Cay Resort and will be down there again in February for a week. I'm definitely no Keys expert, but I've stayed at Hawk's Cay a few times and it really fits the bill: relaxing, plenty to do (or not) and comfortable. I would recommend a rental car to go to off site restaurants, maybe a day trip to Key West, which i haven't been to since the early 80's....
Kids and Hawk's Cay seem to really go together. It's a very family and kid oriented place. There are pools, a swimming lagoon, a dolphin program, a fitness center and full service spa, tennis, snorkeling, kayaking and sailing. I can't think of a reason that you're teenagers wouldn't like it. They won't be bored, that's for sure!

We stayed at the Limetree in March 2003 and loved it. I wrote about the hotel and the area in general in this trip report: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34410787

There's not much going on in the middle keys in terms of nightlife, but water activities are plentiful. We spent a day at Bahia Honda State Park, which is gorgeous and offers lots of activities and crystal clear water and white sand beaches (around MM 37).

We only had dinner one night in Key West, and the place was on fire, like something from a movie, with people hanging off of balconies and going wild. So I can't really comment, especially with regards to stuff for teens.

But, read the trip report and let me know if you have any questions...the Limetree is very quiet and relaxing, with pretty, rustic grounds, a boat hut, pier, and raised swimming pool that overlooks the water. There's a convenience store across the street and the adjacent Little Italy restaurant that serves B/L/D.

love
roxy