I am looking for a budget accomodation in key west. If you had an option of staying in the following which one will you select? and why?
1) holiday inn hotel (intersection of 5 and 1)
2)B&B in Duval street(The Wicker Guesthouse)
3)B&B in 1 mile range of Duval street

No question -- #2. Why go to Key West and stay away from the action?

Agreed -- definitely Duval. I always stay at the Pier House, 1 Duval.

www.pierhouse.com

The private (and small) beach is a lot of fun, and the location is perfect.

Depending on the time of year, it can be reasonable too.

Thanks for the reply. Should I take a B&B in duval street even if I get one for lesser price with same quality in less than a mile from duval street? What are the advantages of stying in duval street?

For many people, Duval Street is Key West.

It is the "main drag," the location of many/most of Key West's famous bars & restaurants. Tourists wander Duval like they wander Bourbon Street (pre-Katrina, perhaps).

The reason why a B&B of the "same quality" that is "less than a mile from Duval" is cheaper is because of the distance. Visitors will obviously pay more for the superior location.

Bottom line, you get what you pay for. If you don't mind walking "less than a mile" to the action, then get the cheaper option.

I have stayed at that Holiday Inn. It was nicer than expected. We did not really want to be right on Duval. It was very peaceful looking out our balcony over the bay; not much boat traffic or noise. We watched a gorgeous thunderstorm from there one night. If you are just going to Party the entire visit, then probably being able to walk to the bars & restaurants would be worth it for you.

For us as well, it would be too much to be right on Duval. We stayed at the Blue Parrot Inn a couple years ago and loved it. The rooms are quite nice and reasonably priced. The proprietors are wonderful and host a nightly happy hour for guests. The inn is surrounded by beautiful gardens with a small pool and hot tub. Great location a couple blocks off Duval and very close to the water. We had originally booked a much more expensive inn, and had to cancel because of a change in plans. We are so happy we found the Blue Parrot and would go back in a heartbeat. Here is the url:
http://blueparrotinn.com/

IIRC The Wicker Guest may be on Duval but it is not particularly near the action. It is close enough so that you can walk to the other end of the island to visit the Mallory Docks, but far enough away that it will not be noisy there. This would be better than staying a mile away from Duval and a lot cheaper than the Pier House.

If you stay here you can visit the Southernmost House and the Duval Beach Club at the corners of Duval and South, and walk to the Banana Cafe for breakfast and Blue Heaven at Petronia and Thomas.

Pjk

Thanks for all your replies. I have norrowed down to two B&Bs. one in Duval street and one in 0.8 miles. I am leaning more towards the one in duval street even though it is $30/night more than the off-duval street one.

Just curious - how is the parking in mallory square or restraunts or any where in the duval street?

We have always had a very difficult (and expensive) time parking. We were just down there a few months ago and the meters were .25 for 10 minutes and I think Mallory Square was $3 an hour but they were full so we couldn't park there.

Duval Street is 1.25 miles in length and you are about .25 in from the south. Are you unable to walk the mile or so to the northern end and back? It is best to just park at the hotel and walk to everything.

If no, there is a Park-N-Ride garage at 300 Grinnell Street.

Pjk

Parking can be a nightmare in Key West. That's why it's nice to have a place where you can leave your car and walk.

Then there's the time the coconut fell on our rental car and put a big dent in the roof. . .

and there is even a law that you cannot park at out of order meters. And SOOOOO many are out of ORDER!

Thanks for your replies This forum is Great!

I am considering staying @ The Wicker Guesthouse B&B in duval street. Anybody have experience styaing in this B&B that you can share?

saroy - also consider the Chelsea House... the rates are good, the place is clean and it has a great location on Duval and 1... It is a small inn... check the website... it may be the best place for all of your concerns...