We have a couple of days to explore the Keys in early January while we are visiting family in Miami.

We want to find a romantic place, with good restaurants nearby.

I have never been to Key West and have always wanted to go. The problem is that we only have a couple of days, and I am wondering if the 4 hour drive each way will be too much for just a short getaway.

Therefore, I am inquiring if Islamorada is a nice alternative. I know that it is in no way the same in terms of action, activity and dining as Key West.

If we do Islamorada, I was thinking of either Cheeca Lodge or Casa Morada.

With regards to Key West, the choice is harder. I am hoping that there are those on this forum that will give their opinions on the top places, in terms of romance, room quality, location, etc. Another problem with Key West is that a lot of the places need a 3 night minimum (eg. The Gardens Hotel, which looks great).

Thanks.

Try this link. There is a lot of info.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...s_Florida.html

jaimierin,

I never made it to Key West, but LOVED Islamorada! Husband and I went in 2000, and will definitely go back some day. We stayed at a place called Bay Breeze which is actually in Key Largo -- righ next door, I guess. Here's the link: http://www.baybreezemotel.com/
They have little private cottages. Very clean, with a full-sized fridge, microwave, etc. and very cute. The most important thing though is the beach. They have the largest private beach in the area. You can stretch out in a hammock or snorkel right off the beach and the underwater view is amazing. We geared up at a Scuba Outlet just down the road. Bought really good equipment for a fraction of the price.

During one day we went to Theater of the Seas and swam with dolphins.

At night -- Old Tavernier Restaurant. Still on my Top 5 list of all the restaurants in the U.S. I've been to!! It is run by a Greek family, and the seafood is outstanding. We even got the chef to come to our table and divulge his secret recipe to us!

Have a great time!

If you decide to stay in Islamorada, Cheeca Lodge is nice, and right next door is the Moorings (mooringsvillage.com) Both are great.

I'm a huge fan of Key West. Exactly what is a couple of days? If you could spend two nights, I'd go for it.

We stayed at the Marquesa in Key West and loved it - close enough to Duval to walk, but without all the noise. It's a charming, boutique hotel with a nice pool. Check out Mangoes for dinner.

We have 2 nights, and the more I think about it, the more I want to go to KW, because I don't know when I'll have the chance again (I have 2 little kids who would be staying with our family for the 2 days).

Having said that, all of the "top" places in KW are outrageously expensive! It is like NYC for Pete's sake!! So, I am wondering what you experts think about NOT making a reservation until last minute, and seeing if there are any places with space and of course, better deals. The only downside is that this os for the second week in January - not sure about too many vacancies at that time.

KW is a great place for a romantic getaway. We just spent two days (left the kids, too!) at the Island City House (www.islandcityhouse.com)and it is a wonderful place. It's in a great location and it was recently renovated to sell them as upscale apartments, but it didn't work as planned, so they are still a hotel. Full kitchens with granite countertops, beautiful wood floors, very nice bathrooms. Some of the rooms have semi-private porches and the grounds and pool are tropical. Never tried in January, but we've never stayed 3 nights.

We've stayed before at Simonton Court www.simontoncourt.com but they required 3 nights the last time we tried. Love it, though. My friend loved Almond Tree Inn, although it's not my preferred end of Duval Street, she highly recommends it.

To eat we like Bo's Fish Wagon for very, very casual. We tried Seven Fish and were not impressed, although it does get good reviews. We wished we had visited Blue Heaven again - very Key West atmosphere with good food.

On the way down, we like to stop at Morada Bay right next to the Islamorada fish Company for a postcard perfect setting on the water. Have fun - it's a great, grown-up getaway.

We went to Key West in February a couple of years ago with no reservations . . Drove around a while and then checked in to Conch House . . a little B&B just off Duvall St. There seemed to be plenty of rooms in town then,

That time of the year, it's less than a hours drive from Key Largo to Key West.

jamierin,

Friends of mine went to KW last year on the spur of the moment for 2 nights. They had no reservations, so they stopped in at the Chamber of Commerce (I think -- might have been a Visitor's Center). They had the opportunity to rent a room at a beautiful place that normally only takes a minimum of 5 days! The Chamber apprently has the ability to check for options like that, so I'd check there.

Rich, how fast are you driving to make it from Key Largo to Key West in less than an hour, at ANY time of year? It is roughly 85 miles between the two, which means (assuming the laws of physics still apply, which they do, even in the Keys) that you would have to be averaging 85 MPH to make the drive in less than an hour. But the speed limit on US 1 is at most 55, and on many stretches much less. The actual drive time, without traffic, driving legally, is about 1.5 hours.

Personally, I like the Grassy Key because all the places there are low key and fishing right out the back door. my husband and I stayed at the YellowtailInn, awesome little cottage right on the water fishing off the pier. If you are looking for a big pool resort kind of place this is not for u. However, if you are looking for romatic low key and wine drinking while swing in the hammocock then you have found the place. We go every other year to the keys.
As far a key west, I love that place as well as there is much to do.
We stayed at LA DEE DA. Didnt realize when I booked it that it was a gay hotel, however it was so far the BEST place to stay, the suite had a huge jazzucci and the suite was decorated in a Tommy Bahama style. the guys were SOOOOO nice and accomodating. CLEAN and breakfast there was awesome!!!!
www.lateda.com (recommend luxury suite king bed with spa tub,awesome) you will never want to leave. Pampering at its best.
www.yellowtailinn.com
let me know if you need any more help
resturants, fishing, shopping etc

Go to Key West. It has lots of historical charm and tropical ambiance. Plus the cast of characters who live and frequent there make for very interesting people watching.

I guess it was 1.5 hours . . didn't seem that long . . . but it was not 4 hours

Chilepepper:

I wonder if your friends stopped at the welcome center on the way into Key West, on US1, or in the Old Town, at the Visitor's Center on Duval Street. If they are in touch , would you cj=heck? Thanks so much.


I think that we will wait because most of the nicer places look like they are (a) very expensive and (b) take only 3 night or more reservations.

amcc:

Simonton Court looks like our kind of place. Thanks for the lead.

Key West - its worth the drive.

jamierin,

I put a call in to my friends, and left a messae. I will let you know as soon as they call me back!

I stayed in Islamorada last weekend at the Lime Tree Bay. Beautiful rooms if you upgrade to the deluxe ones. Right on the bay. Unfortunately, we had rain the whole time. I would say stay in Islamorada, then you are in the middle keys, can travel north to John Pennekamp, south to Bahia Honda, farther south to Key West.
Only down side to Islamorada, not many restaurants, you really have to drive to Marathon to find much to eat. But the peacefulness of the place is well worth it.

Jamierin,
I talked to my friends last night about their visit to the Keys. They said on their way into Key West you will see the Chamber of Commerce. That is where they found out that the resorts that generally book by the Month ONLY will let the Chamber know when they have some unexpected availability. They ended up getting a beautiful resort for 2 nights at a very reasonable price. She only remembers that the word "Marina" was in the name.

Good luck!

jamierin,

Just checked again with my friend about specific directions, and this is what she wrote: "It was when we first started going into the keys. Maybe it’s call the Visitor’s Center. But the chamber of commerce at the visitor center had the information about the Marina condo place. We were not all the way down to Key West, we were at the top of the keys."

The "official" web site for Florida Keys' visits is fla-keys.com . Each main location is covered, along with instructions as to how to find the appropriate Visitor's Center.

I've found those Centers, over the years, to be extremely helpful. And if there are any last-minute deals to be found, those folks know about it.