Holiday Isle in December?
 

Is a week in December at Holiday Isle too long? We are then going to Island City House in Key West for 3 nights. Reservations are made, but after reading all the reviews of all the great places I'm wondering if we've overbooked at Holiday Isle. This is our first trip to the keys. Thanks for any opinions.

I think you've WAY overbooked Holiday Isle, which doesn't have a great reputation. I haven't heard anything real recently about the Island City House, but my recollection is that it's great. If you can extend there and eliminate time at Holiday Isle I think you'd be pleased.

I agree with Susan about Holiday Isle. The only thing I can add about the Island City House, which might not be a problem, is it is one of the few B&B's that except children.

Accepts children. lol! I guess I wasn't too awake this morning. <BR> <BR>

Where would anyone recommend for a week's stay in the upper or middle keys? We usually spend Christmas break in Fort Myers, but decided to do something different this year? Thanks in advance!

Pat - it's hard to recommend a place in the middle or upper keys (or lower, for that matter) without more information. Do you have children? The Cheeca Lodge in Ilamorada is great for families; the Moorings next door would be great for couples or others who want total peace and quiet. I can give lots of recommendations if you want to go south to Key West.

Pat- As noted above, we really do need to know more about you. Are you a family or a young couple? Yes Holiday Isle certainly doesn't have a good reputation with the wine and cheese set, but it has a GREAT reputation among the 20-something, lie in the sun all day and drink and dance all night crowd. <BR> If you are going to the Keys to play quietly at the water's edge with your kids, eat at fine restaurants, and take snapshots of Hemmingway's house, yes, Holiday Isle will not be for you. If you want to party and be around those who feel as you do, Holiday Isle will be fine. <BR> Holiday Isle has been one of the most money-making operations in the Upper Keys in the last few decades. Seems they do quite well, in spite of their bad reputation.

I definitely think 1 week is about 6 too many in Holiday Isle. Typically when I go there it is for one full day/one night and that is plenty and then head on south to Key West. If you have a full week to spend in the upper/middle Keys would you think about spreading them out? Perhaps a couple in Key Largo, couple @ Holiday Isle, and same for Marathon. If you ask me, they're all about the same until you hit Key West. If I were you I'd just enjoy the beautiful drive, stop for a night and relish a the full time in Key West! Definitely booze & snooze is about all the upper/mid Keys have to offer unless you like to fish...

Cheeca Lodge, the Moorings in Islamorada, Hawk's Cay in Marathon, Sheraton Key Largo are great family places with children's programs. Holiday Isle is a party place and attracts young singles looking to party. In Key West,<BR>Wydham Casa Marina, Best Western Key Ambassador Resort, the Hyatt, Center Court Inn & Cottages allow children in the cottages, Duval Gardens, b&b, Fleming Street Inn, Island City House Hotel, Palms Hotel, Southernmost Point Guesthouse all allow children. Check Key West's site for futher info and web sites for these establishments.<BR><BR>http://www.fla-keys.com/

IMO, Cheeca Lodge would be your best bet for the upper Keys. They have a good kid's program and are running deals right now. I would call them direct for the best rate. I would spend about 3 days in KW. See the Shipwreck Museum, rent bikes, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum. KW Lighthouse, Aquarium, visit Mallory Square at Sunset. Have fun!

Spend one long afternoon/night partying and lounging at Holiday Isle and then head out to the rest of the Keys. I spent the better part of the last five years driving to the Keys once a month on the weekends out of Miami and never felt the urge to stay any longer at Holiday Isle. Get me to Key West for fun and the Marathon area to relax. Marathon would be a far better choice than all that time at Holiday Isle, IMHO.

TTT