realphoebes

This will be our virgin voyage to Key West. I am travelling with my husband and we are in our 50's. We are considering staying at 1 of the Wyndham Properties.......Casia Marina Resort or Wyndham Reach Resort. I would appreciate hearing some pros and cons on each place. If you have any other suggestions I'd love to hear them. I am all ears.

JeanH

My husband and I (also in our 50's) leave a week from tomorrow for what has become our annual trip to Key West.

To my way of thinking, Key West is best experienced by staying at one of the many small hotels/guest houses/B&B's that are all over Old Town. If you go to KeyWestParadise.com and click on accomodations, that site has links to many of the guest houses.

If you stay at either of the Wyndham's, you've got a pretty good hike to Mallory Square for sunset, and to the Key West Bight, which has lots of fun restaurants and bars.

Are you going to have a car? We decided to drive from Miami this trip since we have another couple with us who has never been to the Keys. We'll turn the car in as soon as we arrive. (We're flying home from Key West.) Absolutely no need for it if you stay in Old Town.

Jean

Patrick

I agree with JeanH. Key West is not about staying at a beach resort like Hawaii or somewhere. It is all about the Old Town. I'd want to stay in town. Is Wyndham because of using points or a special deal? Is there a reason you are committing to these two?

realphoebes

Thanks so much for replying to my questions! I had narrowed it down to the Wyndham properites because I found a good deal....but 1 night.... stay 1 night free. I am very open to suggestions though. I haven't made any reservations yet. We will be driving from Ft. Lauderdale. We will be gone 12 days total and haven't decided how to maximize our time.

JeanH

I enjoy Key West so much that I have to confess that I haven't spent much time in the other keys. We did spend a night in Islamorada, it seemed like it would be a nice place to spend a couple of days.

Usually our stays in Key West are about four nights. We leave this Thursday for five nights, we're driving down from Miami this trip.

How soon are you making your trip? It is hard to give up a stay one/get one free room rate. Unless the rates are inflated to just make it appear to be a deal.

buckeyemom

I would stay in Old Town. Parking in Key West is a problem and unless you like to walk that is a long walk from the Wyndham especially going back after a few cocktails. ;-) Some recommendations in Old Town, The Gardens, Marquessa, Island City House.

SusanCS

I'm soon to be sixty and my husband and I have been going to Key West regularly for several years. I really enjoy walking, but frankly I can't imagine staying at either Wyndham property because they're just SO far away from the hub of Key West activity - not to mention our favorite restaurants! I know there are lots of people who don't think a visit to Key West is legit without staying at a smaller inn or B&B but I'm not one of them! We've only stayed on the Gulf...the Ocean Key Resort, the Hyatt, and now our home away from home, the Galleon. They're all expensive, but there are lots of places that are much more reasonably priced in better locations than the Wyndham properties. I think I'd look around a little more before you book accommodations.

GoTravel

If you are a Wyndham by Request Member, their 72 hour sale is the Wyndham Casa Marina until January 11th for $79 per night.

BarbaraS

We stayed at the Reach last year and had a great time. The hotel has a shuttle service. If you can get a great deal, I say go for it.

jd

Just called Wyndham, and unfortunately their 72 hr. sale has ended.

realphoebes

Thanks so much for your suggestions re the Wyndham properties. I crossed the 2 off my list.
I am driving from Ft Lauderdale area and I have some time to play with. What would be your suggestions for some other Keys to stop and stay in......any favourite hotels, motels, b+b or eateries??????

muffin

I loove Key West so much! I would say stay at the Hyatt or Hilton don't bother with a stupid car. Who needs the hassle it is so much fun to walk on Duval, have a drink, pop in for a piece of Key Lime pie etc. Have a super trip!

buckeyemom

I would stop in Islamorada on the way down. Some recommendations on accomodations: Cheeca Lodge, The Moorings. The Hampton Inn there is nice and has more of a resort feel than your typical Hampton Inn. For dinner, try Lorelei's, Manny & Isa's for great key lime pie. Islamorada Fish Company has a nice outdoor deck for drinks but I have found their food inconsitent. You might try their for lunch and get a fish sandwich.

dsr13

We went last May and are returning again this May. Stay at the Wyndam Casa Marina. It was a beautiful property and yes it's not located central to town, but that's what attracted us to it. We rented bikes and walked alot. Key West is after all a walking town. THe accomodations were very nice and the pool area great. I had a massage on the beach and we were sprayed with water while relaxing by the pool. They also give out great ice pops to cool you down. The hotel has a very spanish feel to it and I can tell you that I have no interest in staying anywhere else. Have a wonderful time!!!

dolciani

We were in Key West about a year ago, did key largo too. In our travels we stayed at the Casa Marina (Wyndham), the Cheeca Lodge, Little Palm Island, and the Marquesa. Of the 2 in Key West, the Marquesa was by far our favorite. Even thought Casa Marina is on the "beach", the beach area was "smelly" and rocky and just not at all what a beach should be (this is true of most of the Key West beaches). Our room was great and nicely decorated, but lots of kids there running and screaming around the pool. (We are also in our 50's and our children are grown, so we were looking for something not quite so noisy). It was a long long walk down to the "sights" of key west. We stayed at the Marquesa toward the end of our trip and much preferred it.
The room was decorated somewhat "Ralph Lauren" and the garden and pool area was gorgeous - I'd highly recommend it (their restaurant was fantastic also) - it was much more "in the midst of old town Key West". We were very disappointed in the Cheeca Lodge - we had an Ocean Front room and the decor and cleanliness left a lot to be desired - in fact there were stains on the bedspread (which is the ultimate turnoff) - after SEVERAL complaints, they replaced the bedspread and comped us one night but I still cannot recommend it - the Moorings had a much more beautiful setting w/ palm trees and hammocks on their beach - their property and "rooms" would be my choice in that area. If you can afford $600 per night (even for one night) it is an experience of a lifetime to stay at Little Palm Island - it is by far the best service and establishment we have ever experienced w/ a lovely beach area and pool. Excellent cuisine (you can go there for brunch w/o staying on the island. Have a great time!