My boyfriend and I are planning our first trip to Key West, and we'll be there from Dec 13-18. We're having trouble figuring out which would be the better option: B&B or a larger hotel/resort. I've narrowed it down to the Island City House, the Heron House, The Gardens Hotel for the B&B option and the Ocean Key Resort or the Hilton Marina Resort for the hotel option. PLEASE HELP! Also, if someone has any suggestions for a less expensive place that is just as nice, i'd appreciate those suggestions as well.

I can help with your hotel choices. Definitely go with the Ocean Key over the Hilton. Both have great locations, but the Ocean Key is SO much nicer. We have stayed in both a jr. suite and an oceanfront king room and both are great! I didn't like the Hilton at all- staff was rude and the rooms were nice but plain.

If you chose the Ocean Key as we did (for the 1st week of Dec.), they have a special that includes a full breakfast, and 2 tropical cocktails each,each day you stay there. The special is called Incommunicado in the Keys. With this you can chose an oceanview jr. suite, an oceanfront room with jacuzzi, or a 1 bedroom island view suite with jacuzzi.(all for the same price.) I had a hard time choosing, but have reserved the oceanview jr. suite. From what I've read on this board you can't go wrong with any of them. If anyone feels the smaller oceanfront room with jacuzzi is a better choice, please let me know. Thanks.

I would skip all the ones you have mentioned and go with the Marquesa. It is an Inn but has a resort feel. I can safely say it is probably the nicest place to stay in Key West.

We have always opted for B & B's in our trips to KW. Heron House & Marquesa are our two favorites. Marquesa also houses one of the best restaurants on the island as well. Most of the B & B's offer a full or @ least Cont.+ breakfast so unless you have rec'v'd some kind of great deal (not likely this time of year), I would opt for the B & B.

A couple years ago we stayed at the Ocean Key with a view of the sunset over Mallory Square (ask for a room no lower than the 3rd floor for a good view.) The decor is tropical, the living area was great, and the kitchen was a nice size. I don't know if we had the Jr. Suite, or what they called it. I would describe it as a 1 BR suite with the jacuzzi in the bedroom and you can look past the bed to the ocean. One morning we awoke to a huge cruise ship right outside our room, but by early afternoon it was gone. I don't believe as many ships dock in the area of the Ocean Key.

We walked through the Marquesa earlier this year when we were there for a week. I thought it appeared to be an upscale B&B with a beautiful pool area and a high price. I don't care for those types of places.

We also checked out the Ambrosia and fell in love with it. They only have a lap pool, but the staff was down to earth and very accommodating to our inquiries. They have some smaller rooms off the pool, and a larger suite located at the end of the pool. We saw the rooms and loved them. Even spoke to some of the guests and they loved this B&B.

All I can tell you is that we stayed at the Eaton Lodge and hated it (that's the reason we looked at other B&B's in the hopes of finding an opening and getting out of our other room earlier due to the condition of the place.)

From the looks of your list, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the accommodations you are looking at. I always get the Hilton and the Hyatt mixed up. The one that is NOT connected to Mallory Square was very nice with a great pool and spa (we had a massage there.)

Have fun!

Thanks for all of your help. I found really good prices for the Ocean Key & the Heron House on Travelocity. The Heron House is available during that time for $149/night, and the Ocean Key Jr. Suite (Islandview) is available for $179/night. I booked both and am in the process of deciding which to go with. I think that based on what everyone has said, both will be nice. I thought about the Marquesa since everyone has said that it is THE place to stay in KW, but the lowest rate I could find was $230/night, and I just don'w know if it's worth paying that much more for. Anyway, thanks again, and if anyone has any more advice, let me know! Otherwise, I'll post my trip report when I return.

cp-I'll be back from the Ocean Key on Dec.6-I'll post a report. We too got a much better deal here than at the Marquesa, and I also like being right on the water. I'll check out the Heron House and Marquesa when I'm there. By the way, Ocean Keys own website has the jr. suite island view for $179, plus they have other specials there that include breakfast and drinks that you may want to check out.

I would opt for the Heron House. IMHO, you get the real Key West experience staying in a b&b rather than a hotel. And, the Heron House is very nice.

Staying at the Gardens Hotel is a great experience. It's not a traditional B&B; it's really a small "boutique" hotel. Lovely rooms, nice gardens. You pay for it, though.

We just returned yesterday from Key West. Stayed at Merlin Guesthouse, which I'm sure isn't in the same league as either Heron House or Marquesa. However, we had our own small cottage, living room, separate bedroom and kitchen for $129.00 a night. Also a small front porch, which faced a side street. One of the neighbor's cats 'adopted' us, and would hang out with us while we were at our cottage. Small pool and a decent continental breakfast. We've also stayed at Ambrosia House and Island City House. All of these places feel like they belong in Key West.

It seems to me that your decision on relatively large/full service hotel vs. smaller B&B types boils down to what you expect of the place. If you feel you need room service and a full service resort, stay in a hotel. I'm sure they're great places. But much les personal, and I'm guessing it will be harder to get the feel of Key West.

We stayed at Ocean Key Resort last January and loved it! I loved being able to sit on the balcony and people watch and enjoy the sights at Mallory Square. We lucked up on our package which was being offered on Luxury Link.com and got a great deal.

Enjoy your trip!