My daughter and friend are thinking of going to Key West for a couple of days this summer after graduating from high school. They are trying not to spend much but they are 2 girls who have never traveled without parents. Any suggestions? Thanks!

You'll never find a hotel in Key West they would be safe in that would let them stay if they are under 25 years old.

You pretty much have to be 21-25 to check into a hotel in Key West.

You can thank out of control spring breakers for that.

Thanks for the heads up! Maybe we should tag along. I really appreciate the info!

I can only speak for myself, but I would suggest that Key West is NOT a good destination for girls, aged 17/18 traveling alone. Sorry, that is just the way it is.

OMG. Wait till all the people over on the Miley thread get hold of you, haleyjoy!!!!

I love Key West and go there regularly, but I don't think teens can rent there under any circumstances.

I have to agree w/the others. Not a great place for teens + they probably can't rent themselves anyway w/out a monsterous deposit at the very least, if at all.

Key West youth hostel...

http://www.keywesthostel.com/info.html

Pjk

I don't think it's just the potential for damage -- I think it's also the potential for liability to the innkeeper if anything bad happens.

Thank you for all the information! Do you really think its not safe for 2 teenage girls? We live in Clearwater and hoped it would be an easy trip for the girls on the ferry from Ft. Myers. Any thoughts on the youth hostel? I stayed there 25 years ago but I was much less protected. Thanks again!

I think it's perfectly safe enough for the girls, if they're sensible. But finding any hotel anywhere that will let rooms to teenagers is tough.

"Teenage" is 16 - 19 which seems to me like a big difference. A lot of the people I know who go to Key West go primaruly to drink and listen to live music. When I go I bring a bunch of books and sit on the beach and read and go snorkeling...*then* I go have a drink and seafood.

What are your and their expectations about what they will do during the day and part of the night in Key West?

Pjk

I was worried about them not having enough to do at night. They are 18 and very responsible. I thought they could snorkel and hang at the beach during the day. See the sunset and the people in the evening at the pier. Then go to dinner and walk around the shops at night. They would be going for 2 nights. We do alot of traveling with them, but they have not traveled much without us. Is it safe for them to walk around at night.

For nighttime, there is El Meson de Pepe which is on a small street (I usually write alleyway but I didn't want to worry you) between Front Street and the Mallory Docks. There is a live band there and they can sit near the bar and have soft drinks and listen and no-one will bother them. They might even get asked to Samba.

And under-aged people walk along the Key West bight at night and watch the ships come in from the sunset sails and hang out near the entrances of the Schooner Wharf Bar and listen to the band. They could even hit the turtle races early in the evening (Friday?) at Turtle Kraals.

Pjk

Thank you for all the info! I have always loved Key West!

Key West is perfectly safe for the girls... they can go to the Sunset pier, visit the restaurants like anyone else, and rent scooters and run around town... there are day tours for snorkling, sunset sails for all ages and a hundred fun little shops, galleries, and t-shirt places... they can ride the Conch Train around the island and stop at a dozen attractions... the Hostel may be a cheap sleep, but I have to believe that an 18 year old could go into any number of hotels in KW and stay there... good luck, and don't let the Scare Mongers keep them from going.... I know this because my daughter and her friends did the same trip from Ft.Myers and came back alive!!!!

Thank you! They are so excited.

Please don't be grateful until you try and book reservations. I'd be shocked if any good hotel in Key West would rent to teens.

When we book online they dont ask ages. They have credit cards. Do you think there will be a problem when they arrive?

Yes, all hotels ask for ID and credit cards.

You risk having the two turned away from the hotel and not given a refund.

This practice is industry standard. I've had to do this at several hotels I managed.

DO NOT attempt to book your daughter and a friend in a room unless the hotel specifically allows 18 year olds to check in.

My suggestion would be to call the higher end hotels.

Key West has a lot of vagrants and homeless. I certainly would not let my stapdaughters stay in anything less than The Hyatt or The Casa Marina.

I'd even check The Marquesa.