Key Largo- Sheraton or Marriott?
 

Which of these resorts offer the best location and activities? Can you swim off the beach at either of these resorts?

The Mariott is a short walk to a few dining options, at the Sheraton you will need to get in the car to go anywhere (although frankly the car ride will be short). Don't know about the beach at the Sheraton; there is a small man-made one at the Marriott that you can swim off of but most "resort" man-made beaches in the Keys are more designed for sunning and drink sipping in a beach chair than actually getting in the water!

I have read horrible reviews and great reviews on both hotels. Any recent comments on either?

I was hoping SusanCS would comment on these 2 properties because she seems to know alot about the Keys!! If you see this please reply! Thanks.

are you set on key largo?? there are nice resorts in islamorada *Cheeca Lodge full service resort in walking distance to great restaurants and shopping * Hampton Inn, nice pool, beach activities, dive shop * La Siesta cottage style rooms --all these are oceanside and islamorada is happening..

We picked Key Largo because we are flying into Fort Lauderdale at 5 o'clock and thought that would be about all the further we would want to drive. How much further is Islamorada?

I stayed at the Marriott Key Largo with my family last year. We really enjoyed it. There is a small man-made beach at the hotel that's just okay, but I don't think that people go to that section of the Keys for the beach, anyway. The pool is large and fun and has apool bar. The place has a family-friendly atmosphere. It was close to the underwater state park if you like snorkeling (my family loved that). We took a day trip down to Key West - it was about 2 hours away. If you can, rent a two-bedroom room. It's spacious and well appointed.

Islamorada is only another 20-30 minutes but the location is completely another destination. In my opinion islamorda has location location location. The restaurants are awesome, the activities abundant and the hotels/resorts are plentiful. Islamorada is the happening place. Who's going ie. kids or just adults and how much you are willing to spend needs to be considered. Since you are flying into ft. lauderdale at 5:00 pm, you will encounter traffic on the fl. turnpike south until approx. 7:00 pm in Miami. Theres no way around it. I've been going to the key all my life and hands down Islamorda is my choice. Enjoy..

For what it's worth, rough population figures are: Key Largo (MM100) 12,000; Islamorada (MM87) 6,000; Marathon (MM50) 10,000.

Islamorada does indeed have charm. And if you're a fisherman, it's perhaps the major Keys destination. But the location is a bit out-of-the-way.

We spend 3-4 days every year driving from Miami to Key West. And the overnight stops tend to be Key Largo, Marathon and Key West. Another place worth checking is Hawks Cay, which is about MM66

To answer some questions, it is just my husband and I going to Key West. Price isn't an issue , the issue is more of getting settled somewhere at a decent hour on Thursday night. I read that Gus's at the Marriott is very good and thought that this would be a good stop so we could have a good dinner when we rolled in at ~8 o'clock. Any more suggestions

bookhall,
i don't tend to disagree often but islamorada is halfway between key largo and key west so i don't understand how it's out of the way considering theres only one road to travel on in the keys.there are also many other things to do besides fish in islamorada and it's by far more of a resort atmosphere than key largo or marathon. i have spent alot of time over the last 35 years in the keys and have watched areas grow and islamorada still has a key's charm to it. as for other things to do: hang out at the sand bar, go to Robbys feed the tarpon, take a shuttle to Indian Key or Lignam Vitae,check out World Wide Sportsman, eat at Great restaurants (Morada Bay,Islamorada Fish Co. Lazy Days Pierre's), get a drink at the world famous Tiki Bar...I do agree with you that Hawk's Cay is also an option..

Hi, Katy! I'm just reading this post for the first time because - you guessed it - I know nothing about Key Largo. Though we spend lots of time in Key West, we've never spent but one night in the middle or upper keys and that was at the Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada. Sorry I can't be of any help on this one...

Thanks SusanCS I don't check this as much as I should. We are probably staying at the Marriott for 2 nights and going to Ocean Key resort for the week. If anyone has things that we must do, please feel free to post as this is our first time to the keys. What are the sandals called that are made in the keys????

Just read this post... You will love the Marriott - I have stayed there numerous times. Also - The Fish House is a good restaurant there also... not much to look at from the outside but the food is great although no water view. You might want to check out John Pennecamp Park in Key Largo also... espcially if you enjoy snorkeling.

We just booked the Marriot for five nights in October. We are staying there because we have points. The reviews appear mixed, but I know we will not be disappointed. I don't expect Seven Mile Beach in the Caymens...just want some sun, warmth and nice sunsets. We plan to snorkel at the John Pennecamp Park...I have heard quite a bit about it. We too plan to drive up to Key West for a day, and want to spend another day at Everglades National Park. Can't wait to go...I have looked up a lot of info, but am always thrilled to hear others' suggestions and recommendations.Thanks, NannyJan

Now we are having second thoughts about spending all six nights at the Marriott in Key Largo. Other posters have told me that one day in Key West is not enough and that the drive back from Key West to Key Largo after sunset can be hazardous, so now I am thinking we should spend 4 nights in Key Largo and two nights in Key West. Now I need to check out the where to stay posts in Key West. Here I go again....NannyJan

The problem I have is that the Marriott and Sheraton advertise these properties as big time resorts. Both are located on the back side (gulf side)and have minimal man made beaches. Check out the pictures on their web sites for proof. I support both hotel chains in my travels but I don't like how they market these properties to unsuspecting guest.

Kayhotr - if you are concerned with the drive on the night of arrival, another suggestion would be to stop in South Beach, Key Biscayne. You could save a few hours of driving and get the beach you won't get in th upper keys. Otherwise, agree witht the suggestions of Islmorada or Hawks Cay.

Just a note- almost ALL resorts in the Keys ("Big time" or not) have minimal man-made beachs, regardless of whether they are oceanside or bayside. Actually, in the upper Keys I would suggest a bayside resort is a superior location because you get a better sunset view every night and the water is more sheltered for watersports like waverunners, kayaks, etc.

We stayed at the Marriott in Key Largo for 2 nights and it was just fine. The sunsets were prettier there than in Key West. The drive would be alittle too long for a day trip to Key west and I would recommend staying in Key West for a few nights. We did drive from Key West to Fort Lauderdale when we were leaving and it took ~4 hours plus an hour stop for lunch.

katyhotr~~Thanks for giving an update on the Marriott. We're going to Ft. Lauderdale, but going to Key Largo just for a few days to dive. I assume the rooms were clean and pool was ok?