Islamorada - suggestions
 

The Maui Kai has a honeymoon/anniversary special for seven nights. It includes a studio (with kithen) or one bedroom with kitchen), convertible rental car, and your choice of a Hawaiian Luau or dinner cruise for rates as low as $1535, depending on the time of year. Check out their website www.mauikai.com and you can read posts about this property by doing a search on Mauikai. This is a start!

Hi jwnismo

I agree with everyone above especially with the gal who said put it in you budget. We travel with our 5 kids and 4000.00 is about what we paid last time we went. I would also join a airlines club like Hawaiian and see if you get any special deals there. As far as the sunset cruise, we took one (without the kids) and I found it less then desirable. I wish now we had doen the helicopter tour instead.

If is just you and your hubby I think you will be able to find great deals. My friend took her and her 3 kids and did a lot of stuff on Priceline for cheap. The condo route is the best but remember food over there is sooo expensive. Good luck!

Please - any suggestions for places to stay, eat and dive for a two day stay in Islamorada. Read a message that Chesapeake Resort was good. Family vacation with 2 college kids. <BR> <BR> Then on to Key West for 3 days- suggestions for there too. Thanks!

I stayed in Islamorada for about 5 nights (me and 3 other 20-something yr olds) before heading off to Key West a couple of years ago. I don't know about other places to stay, but I highly recommend Holiday Isle Resort in Islamorada..rooms were more than big enough for the 4 of us and had kitchenette. The resort itself had multiple bars (as well as the famous "Tiki Bar")and restaurants. It is also right next to Theatre of the Sea, which we just walked over to and swam with the dolphins...I could go on and on about everything it had, but I think you get the idea! <BR> In Key West we stayed at the Hilton (and another time I stayed at the Hyatt)...both HIGHLY recommended...pricey compared to other places there, but SO worth it...both are in the middle of everything...Mallory Square, Duval St., etc. gotta be careful in Key West because a lot of the hotels are a good drive from the attractions.

A few years ago we stayed at the Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada.It was wonderful. <BR>This is a four star rating w/AAA.It's a <BR>little bit pricey but they do offer discounts w/AAA. <BR>Last year we went to Key West& stayed <BR>at the Marriott Casa Marina.It was pricey & stuffy but the room & grounds were beautiful. Enjoy your vacation

I have read favorable things about the Chesapeke Lodge in several guide books. Holiday Isle is also a good place with college kids. It is a partying place. In Key West the Marriott Casa Marina has been purchased by Wyndham and they are refurbishing the rooms. The Hilton and Pier House are nice, but $$$.

Be sure to try Isamorada Fish Company, eat outside right on the pier where boats are always docking. Food is great, try stone crab claws is you can get them. There is also a very big outdoors (think it is a fly fishing) store you can browse in. Good Luck & enjoy.

Eat at the Green Turtle, right on Hwy 1. Check out www.keywest.com for places to stay in Key West-most have prices. And there is a map available to see where you will be staying.

Hi, <BR> <BR>We just stayed at the Chesapeake Resort for 3 nights last week. It is decent, nothing spectacular. We had a nice room with a screened-in balcony and fridge over-looking the tennis court. It has 2 pools (very warm) and a hot tub (not so hot...). No beach, but there was a manmade lagoon thing where people could swim if desired (no one was...). No restaurant or bar on premises (but in walking distance) and the Continental breakfast was really lame. We stayed here as part of a dive package with Lady Cyana (http://www.ladycyana.com). I highly recommend the dive shop, however the diving was not so great. Don't know when you are going, but conditions were about 20-30 feet visablity, waves different every day from flat to 5-7 one day (no diving then). People were getting sick all over the place with 3-5 feet waves. We also dove 2 days in Key Largo which was a bit better, but not much. We are spoiled by Cayman and Cozumel I quess... <BR> <BR>Have fun, <BR>Kelly