My wife and I are going to Key West during the first part of January. We would like some suggestions on staying at either the Hilton or the Hyatt. I understand that one goes to Key West for the ambiance and not beaches but we like to be "pampered and spoiled" during our short breaks from the hustle and bustle of New England and do not mind paying for it. The Hilton and Hyatt seem quite close in room prices and having never been to Key West, it is difficult to picture what these hotels have. I have searched the history of the rants and raves and would appreciate some good input. Will some of you who know the area please tell me more? Fodors has nothing on these hotels.

The Hilton has been described as a very sterile, cold feeling type place. It is very large and covers a large area. They also have cottages on a small island across the water from the main hotel (it is also where the beach is located). It is one of the newer hotels on the island. One of the biggest problems is the cruise ships that dock in front of it during the day. For a long time I would hear all kinds of complaints - a lot about service and food. I still hear the food is not good. Once in a while I still hear that people think it is over priced - but we have very few hotel rooms on the water so it is pricey but it is your average Hilton. The Hyatt has much more of a "Key Westey" feel to it. It is not nearly as large or as spread out as the Hilton is. It is also a little more private in the common areas. There is a boardwalk that goes right between the Hilton and the water so some of the rooms face that. The locations for both are great - you could wlak just about everywhere. The rooms are also nice at either place.

I've stayed at the Hyatt several times and like it a lot. As the above post mentions both locations are great - just down the street from each other - so in that regard you won't go wrong with either. If I were interested in spending any time at all on a beach (even a Key West beach, which isn't much) I don't think I'd want to stay at the Hilton and be forced to wait for a ferry to take me to the Sunset Key beach. Another option would be to stay in one of the Sunset Key cottages (owned by the Hilton) if price is no object and you REALLY want peace and quiet. Again, it wouldn't be my choice because I like being so close to restaurants and tourist activities.

My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt several years ago. We loved it. As someone else said, it seems very much "Key Westy". The rooms were nicely decorated. The staff was very friendly from those at the front desk to the bartender and everyone else we encountered. Very close walking distance to shopping and restaurants etc. One thing I will always remember is the day we checked out and were driving out the driveway. We noticed in the rearview mirrow someone was waving and frantically running after our car. We realized it was the room maid. I had left a drawer FULL of clothes and she was carrying them all with her and running as fast as she could. How nice that was of her! Caren

If you're willing to give up some of the control, I would recommend putting a bid in on Priceline for a resort level hotel in Key West. From the board at http://pub4.ezboard.com/bpricelineandexpediabidding (see South Florida) it looks like you could get a resort (most likely the Wyndham) for around $80/night, or even less due to the slowdown in traveling. You could pay less and get more!