Trying to help my parents find a room in Key West. They would like to stay near Duval. They would like a bit of beach. My dad can only walk short distances, and only with a walker, so they need a full service type hotel, not a B&B or anything like that. Would rather spend $300 a night than $500, but I realize that might not be a possibility, so a budget somewhere in that range. I haven't been there, so can you give me a couple of hotels that fit the bill, and I'll check them out. Thanks, annieladd PS They're not committed to Key West (or even Florida), so if you have idea for other location/hotel in January/February, bring it on. Just want someplace warm and near the water!

If you (or they) are not familiar with the beaches in Key West, that'd be a good place to begin. The keys are coral and all the beaches are man-made. Most are tiny. On the Gulf side of the island, the Pier House has a very small beach, the Hyatt Resort and Marina has a postage stamp sized beach and the Galleon has a little beach with a much larger boardwalk.

Also on the Gulf: The Ocean Key Resort has wonderful waterfront suites, but no beach at all. The Sunset Key Cottages (currently managed by the Westin) have manmade beaches, but they're very expensive and you have to rely on the water ferry.

On the Atlantic side, La Mer and Dewey House have very good reputations and also a "bit a beach" but they're a fairly long walk from the other end of Duval, which is where the sunset celebrations and most restaurants and tourist activities are.

Honestly, I don't think Key West is the place for your parents. I think if they want a beach [where they can go in the water] they would do much better in Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach etc.

If they want warm, FL is pretty much it in Jan/Feb [and even that can be iffy]. Are they willing to go to Carribbean?

Where are they coming from and how are they getting to where ever they end up staying? Will they fly or drive? How long will they stay?

With a bit more info, more suggestions from Fodor Folks.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Thanks, Susan and Debi. I should have provided a little more info. They have been to Key West, and like it, I can't remember where they stayed last, but they mentioned last night they hotel they were at would be about $500 a night this year, and were thinking about another locale, maybe Sarasota. I'm just trying to help them find another spot in Key West, if there is one (though, what the hec, I say, spend the $$, they're both in their 80's). Dad could never get to the beach, too frail, but step mom likes one, it doesn't have to be any bigger than a postage stamp. Due to some family circumstances, they would prefer to be on the mainland this winter. annieladd

annie:

go to Lauderdale by the Sea, FL - very affordable properties to stay at. I drove briefly through Hollywood, very nice beachtown too. actually the 1st one i mentioned has pretty beaches and a small walking area w/souvenir shops and restaurants. over the drawbridge there are additional restaurants which is considered Ft. Lauderdale. Most of the place in LBTS have a small kitchen in their rooms and Publix grocery store (big one) is not exactly walking distance for the elderly (although it was a piece of cake for me - 15 minutes) but doable in a car (3-5 min). Even going to the northern keys is quite a drive from Miami and wouldn't be too comfortable for older folks.

The Pier House has 1st floor Garden View rooms for $255.00 / night plus tax. They have a large sliding glass door that opens to a small patio are and from which he can get to the gronds very easily. It has a small beach and a restraunt just off of it with no steps in between, and they can get out to Duval Street without steps.

There are three steps up to the pool area but the pool itself has a good-sized set of steps down into the water. I doubt he would have any trouble staying at the Pier House in one of those rooms. They have either a king or two queen-sized beds and a large bathroom.

Pjk