I am looking for a cottage with 2BR and a kitchen, views of the water, comfy places to hang out and read. I like the bayside for the sunsets. Beaches don't matter (or I wouldn't be going!) and we are willing to drive up to JPSP to snorkel and down to Key West to see the scene for a day (more than enough for us). We've spent time in the Keys, but on our own boat.

We want a place to hang out and really veg for five or six days. It will be a Thursday to Tuesday stay, so VRBO probably won't work (assuming they're Sat-Sat.) I like that there is a smattering of things to do in Islamorada and wonder if we should find a place there or head further south to Limetree, which looks lovely. My budget is between 200-300/night. I do not want to be someplace chi-chi like Cheeca and a chain hotel is not even in the running. Any thoughts? Thx!

A few years ago we stayed at the Islander Resort in Islamorada (oceanside) after researching using this website. There were individual cottages, and I'm wondering if they were the 2 bedroom options. They looked nice.

It was on the beach - had a nice pool and cafe/bar nearby. The rooms and property were clean.

Good luck.
http://www.islanderfloridakeys.com/

Stayed at Limetree Bay Resort back in September. Very nice, if you upgrade to the upstairs rooms. Even with that, there are many palm trees that block the sunset view.
There are however, many hammocks, chaise lounge chairs, dock, to view the sunset.
We had a microwave, small fridge, coffeemaker. No other cooking implements. There is a restaurant next door, an Italian place, just make sure it is open before you reserve. They were closed the 5 days were there.

We just got back from the Keys! LOVED IT !!!
We stayed at Cocoplum Beach and Tennis Club in Marathon,although not the most Ritzy place it was ther perfect spot for us. 2 bedrooms, full (although small) kitchen, and each villa had their own laundry rooms, which is perfect now that some airlines have luggage restrictions. here is their website
http://cocoplum.com/

Amy we used this place and it was just perfect for us. We booked one of the two bedroom units as there were two couples together. It actually has a pretty nice little beach and the BBQ area is nice. It has a nice pool as well. It is well located.

http://www.marathonresort.com/

I really love Islamorada. I've tried to stay in other places but it just doesn't do it for me the way Islamorada does.

I like the Pines and Palms http://www.pinesandpalms.com/ and they have built their own beach and have an oceanfront pool and a marina. Location is fabulous.

When you stay further south, you find yourself driving further to get to good restaurants etc that are in Islamorada.

Depending upon the time of year, I'm certain you can get something on www.VRBO.com. Peak season are the lobster seasons, any fishing tournamemts, Fantasy Fest, Christmas through April so try and book outside peak season.

Thanks everyone!

I have booked at Pines and Palms. It doesn't get the sunsets like I wanted, but they will do a five day, Thursday to Wednesday stay.

I have reserved Cottage Room #7. It looks like it has a bit more privacy and better air and light, being at the end of the row. It's not at all what I thought I wanted...one room only, not two bedrooms. But, I think my budget expectations for a 2BR were not realistic.

I'll keep looking and remain open to any further suggestions.

Unfortunately, we can't go in the off season since we're going with DD on her school vacation. I love her dearly and will miss her when she goes to college, but I look forward to being free to travel when I want to, rather than when school says we can!

Try a site called condodirect.com you can pick up 1 and 2bed units kitchens for a decent price.

Glad to hear that Pines and Palms worked out for you.

I've stayed there and also at Lime Tree Bay. I really enjoyed LTB - all those hammocks under shady tree to relax in were great, and yes, those sunsets are beautiful.

You know, since I posted my last reply, I have been digging around some more. Lime Tree is more of what I wanted...2BR and gulf view. But the reviews on Trip Advisor are horrible scary. Then I found White Gate Court, back up in Islamorada. First page or two of reviews were great. After that it gets scary again.

Pines and Palms is consistently well-rated, but we'd be in a one room studio with a pull-out sofa for the same price as the other two.

I just don't know what to do...clean and nice but cramped OR lots of room but maybe icky.

Amy40 - Watch those reviews carefully and consider what people are calling good or bad. Sometimes it's just sour grapes with the management so they take it out on the facilities also. Maybe you should try a couple other review sites. Try Googling the name of the hotel with ", reviews" (not in quotes) and check other sites. Good luck - and let us know how your vacation goes, please.

ccolor, that's so true! I read a review on Tripadvisor once where the reviewer was absolutely furious and wrote a scathing review of a hotel for .... having a slow elevator. Not on my top ten list of things that send me through the roof with fury, but apparently it was for that guy.

Amy40, it's not uncommon for people to write bad reviews about hotels in the Keys because they saw bugs while they were there or because the beach was not what they were expecting. So much of whether someone enjoys or loathes a hotel or restaurant depends on what their expectation was. So try to read between the lines and follow ccolor's advice of looking at reviews on more than one site.

Good luck!

I understand that people's expectations can be off. I've been using Trip Advisor for years and I often have a hunch when someone is jut ridiculously demanding. When I see a few bad reviews sprinkled here and there, I figure "they can't be pleased!" But a whole rash of them, one after another, it makes me nervous.

My latest thinking is to stay at Lookout Lodge. I didn't consider it at first because they only offered a one-bedroom overlooking the water. But, compared to P&P, where we'd all be in one room, sleeping, cooking, eating...the 1BR at LL looks pretty good. The guy on the phone was really nice and they are becoming a certified "green" hotel. Hey, at least they're trying! I really want to be bayside, too.

Still waiting to hear from White Gate, but some of the reviews are unsettling. Even if only half of what was said is true, I think I'd be better off at Lookout Lodge.

Amy40, I can give you a recent review for Lookout Lodge - DH was there just two weeks ago. He found the management to be very friendly and helpful. The room (well, apartment, really) was huge. Not fancy, but quite comfortable. No pool, but nice waterfront. It (like many places in the Keys) is close to the road, so the closer you are to the bay, the better.

I hope this helps!

Thank you so much 321go! That's just what I wanted to hear.

We'll be in the second story room furthest from the road. I sleep with earplugs anyway because of DH. He snores loudly enough he won't hear the road noise at all. (What cars?) DD will just have to tough it out!

Any further thoughts from your DH would be most appreciated!

Amy40, he says there were plenty of picnic tables and chairs and places to relax on the grounds.

He had an excellent lunch at Islamorada Fish Company while he was there.

Here's another good place to eat - a few years ago when we were in Key Largo we went a couple times during vacation because the food was very good and reasonably priced:

http://www.hogheavensportsbar.com/

Don't let the name fool you (after all that I hope it hasn't changed much since we were there before!).

Another good place to eat is the Lorelei Restaurant in Islamorada..look for the Giant Mermaid sign...

Amy, I don't know how many times you've been to the keys but in Islamorada, I much prefer the Atlantic side to the back country even tho the sunsets are gorgeous.

We just go to Zane Gray's or The Lorelei for the sunset.

Depending upon time of year, the bugs can be horrible on the bay side.

JMO.

I know you said you didn't want chains but the Hampton Inn in Islamorada is truly spectacular. It is more like a resort than a Hampton Inn and even has its own Outback Steakhouse. Not bad to have your pool cocktail waitress also bring you an order of cheese fries!

GoTravel, we'll be there in March. I have experienced bugs in the Keys. I think we were at Elliott Key and we took a hike through a hammock on a trail. We basically ran the back half of the trail because we were being bitten so badly. It was probably December.

What do you think about March? Will we be eaten alive or will the Northerlies of winter persist?

The only issue I have with P&P is the one room situation.Me, DH and teenage daughter in one small room with no place to go...I just think we'll be better off with a bedroom where someone can go to take a nap or be alone for a while.

I could get a bigger place at P&P, further back from the beach with more space, but my dream for this trip is to sit on my own porch and read books and look at the water. Lookout Lodge has a screened porch if the bugs get bad!

As for the Hampton Inn, it does look nice, but we're trying to keep this relatively laid back, inexpensive and a bit more authentic. But thanks!