Key West B&B help..first timers
 

Hi

Need help with where to stay for 2 nights in March. Close to town, 250-300 night price range. Also we will be driving from Key West to Miami and will stop along the way for 1 night. Any ideas? nice beach and a tiki bar is all we need. Thanks !

Hi
En route we have stayed at a place at Tavenier, although it's a few years now .it's on the Gulf side of the road , we think has parrot in its name, but you can have your own bungalow with kitchen, verandah, BBQ, dock

Has anyone stayed at Eden House? Reviews?

I have not stayed at Eden House but have heard from people staying there that it is nice. I believe at least one airline uses it as part of their package tours, which suggests that it must be consistent. I'm in KW at the moment and while we are lucky and stay at our friends home whenever we come down, there are a lot of very nice guest houses. Some cater to gay patrons and you will want to ask (be direct). I assume Eden does not.

Easter week? You may have a tough time.

Try The Eden House, The Marquesa, The Banyon Tree, and The Gardens.

On the way down, The Moorings or Casa Morada in Islamorada.

Both of those hotels in Islamorada are full. We are trying to decide between Marathon and Islamorada. We want to be able to walk to pubs/bars and perhaps go boating. Any ideas on which place? I know the Islander has rooms. Has anyone stayed there? Or maybe we are overlooking another great place on the keys. We are open to suggestions. Thanks everyone.

The only place I can think of which is within walking distance to a cool bar is The Key Lantern Motel to the Lorelei. However, you probably do not want to stay there. Also, Holiday Isle but I'd give that a pass also.

That said, I can't think of decent places to stay within walking distance to good bars (The Lorelei in Islamorada is my very favorite along with Zane Gray's at The World Wide Sportsman).

Did you try the Pines and Palms? Cheeca Lodge?

Marathon is the ickyest key. I'd skip it.

I have also heard that the blue parrot is Ok on KW

Thanks for all the advice. We decided to stay in Key West for 3 nights at The Gardens. Looking forward to it, my first time in KW. Any ideas on a don't miss bar/ restaraunt. Is it worth it to go on a snorkeling trip or some type of boat trip? sunset cruise?

Yes. You definitely need to get out over the water at least once while you are in the Keys. Take a snorkeling trip.

Normally I'd suggest Dry Tortugas but that makes for a really long day unless you fly.

Happy Hours...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g3...ppy.Hours.html

Pjk

Snorkeling trips...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g3...ing.Trips.html

Pjk

Breakfast!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g3....Key.West.html

Pjk

In the breakfast link that peter krynicki posted, Croissants de France is listed and I can vouch that it was a fabulous breakfast! In addition to the bakery they have a really nice courtyard in back that is a sit-down restaurant, and that is where we ate.

I had the crepe with blueberries, loganberries and brie. My husband had plain crepes. We will make a point of going back here every time we are in Key West!

We really enjoyed staying at the Jasmine House. Had the suite with the deck and hot tub. It also had a full kitchen, dinning room, washer & dryer, two TVs, DVD, and built in stereo.

In early December it was below your budget. Not so sure about high season.

One block off Duval.

Keith

I have to update the breakfast list to indicate that the Rooftop Cafe on Front Street suffered a fire last week. They are planning on a May re-opening.

Pjk

Croissants de France it is. You got me on the crepes. As for dinner any ideas ? How casual is the dress for dinner?

They have other kinds of crepes too-it was hard to decide which to get!

I wrote a thread a few days/a week (?) ago about our trip to Key West in January. I had a good bit of information about restaurants. I'm not sure how to post the link here, but it was titled Key West Trip Report-really original, I know!

We ate at Bagatelle, Antonias and some other places. If you can't find it, let me know and I can post some information here as well.

I also posted a trip report "Key West and Miami" within the last ten dasys. A search should turn it up. Lots of restaurant and lodging info.

If I may ask, why are you interested in eating breakfast out when you are staying at a bed-and-breakfast? The Gardens is a beautiful property but it was booked up two weeks ago when we were there. Lucky you.

This is what I usually have at Croissants de France

BRIOCHE

Two poached Eggs with Mustard Sauce nestled in a Sweet Butter Egg Bread, dusted with Paprika & Scallions

Plain, Swiss Cheese, or Spinach

and a real cafe au lait.

Pjk

My favorite benedict at Croissants de France is the salmon benedict - it's to die for. Also, a great breakfast can be had at Blue Heaven! Sometimes there is a wait, but it is worth it. They also do a great dinner. Make reservations. if you go have Bannanas Heaven for desert (split it). Their fish specials are always good as is the pork tenderloin and steak. Other great dinner spots include; Square One (excellent Bison), Martins and Alice's (have the duck).

I have not been to the Tortugas since the hurricane and I have heard the snorkeling area is somewhat beat up, but they have a nice beach and the fort is interesting. It is a full day by fast boat. Many of the snorkeling trips go to the Great East Reef. They stop in about 25 feet of water and you swim in to the reef. You get about an hour or so of snorkeling time. It can be tiring if the water is rough, so you need to keep in mind that it is just the water and the boat. Ask around, there are many options, I am sure you will find one for you....beware of spring breakers drinking endlessly on many of the boats.

There was a breach in the wall that forms a moat around the fort but that was fixed, and snorkeling and the small beaches are OK, now.

The irreputable damage was to the spit of sand that connected the island to the small key (Bush Key) which is a bird sanctuary. You used to be able to walk over there but no more.

Pjk

Peter - thanks for the update!1

All 0 just had dinner at Cafe Sole for the first time (an I now seriously question why we waited all these years. Their specialty,Hog Snapper was the best fish I have ever had in my entire life....no kidding!!!!

I just spoke with someone who just stayed at the Eden House a few weeks ago.She said it was nice,clean, but very simple.Nothing fancy.Its an older place,so of its simple.:)