Key West lodging for a a group
 

Hello. Your travel tips are great. We are a group of 8 married couples (40s & 50s) that would like to spend a week in March 2004 in Key West. We'd like to stay within walking distance of Duval, and want to find a place up to $200/night per couple, with a pool and outdoor hot tub, plus a place to hang out in case of rain. Would Ambrosia House be a good choice? The cottage looks like a good place to hang out with a group. Someone recommended Key Lime Inn, but it doesn't appear that they have a hot tub or a "gathering area" Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

I've stayed at Ambrosia House, and it was very nice. Another couple of suggestions would be Island City House, 'our' room on the third floor at the back of the main house has a huge veranda, great for hanging out. Paradise Inn is also lovely, but, I think more expensive. A place we've never stayed, but has a variety of different sized accomodations is Simonton Court. Jean

I suggest the Galleon Resort. It is a timeshare resort that rents its condos out. Perfect for a group. Here is the website: http://galleonresort.com

I love the Galleon, but it's very difficult to book and it's more than $200 a night. In addition, March is still high season, so you'll be paying premium prices no matter where you stay. I've heard great things about Ambrosia, Island City House and Simonton Court. If you haven't done a search on this board, you probably should give it a try...there are probably lots of good options for you.

you might want to check out the Curry Mansion. in addition to the main house and rooms, they own the house acoss the street (the James house?) that has 8 rooms, deck in the back with hot tub and large front porch. less that half a block from Duval on Caroline in the heart of old town.

Michigangal, which ever hotel you decide to use, call the Group Sales Department at that hotel. You will get a discount and according to how many total nights the group stays, you may get a free room night out of it. The comp night varies but it is usually 40-50 nights cumulative.

The Hyatt is nice. Not sure of the cost (we used points) but easy walk to Duval, nice pool and huge hot tub that can easily hold 8 people. We went with another couple and got connecting rooms with a view of the sunset that put Mallory Square to shame.

Have you considered rental of a condo. In years past we have rented condos from the Truman Annex that accomdated 4-6 adults easily. They were not cheap, but I think they were close to your target. They have units within walking distance to Duval and out of time on the golf course.

A group of 8 of us stayed at the Pier House resort last March. It has all the requirements you mentioned, plus very good food (expensive, but good) in its restaurant.

Unfortunately, due to a newly enforced ordinance, the condos in Truman Annex are no longer available for rentals less than a month.