Key West/Ocean Key/Other Advice
 

My husband and I are going to Key West January 16 for 4 days to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. We have a room booked at the Ocean Key Resort which I booked through LuxuryLink.com<BR><BR>I want to be sure we get a great room with a wonderful view. I read one post that suggested room 318 was the best. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Does this resort let you book specific rooms?<BR><BR>Also, we like to sail, but the weather looks like it has been chilly this winter and windy so now I am rethinking this. Maybe the plane ride to the Dry Tortugas would be a better idea. What would be another activity that would be fun?<BR><BR>What about the rooftop bar above the Bull and Whistle complex? Can someone tell me about this place? I have read it is a &quot;must see&quot;. <BR><BR>Thanks for any help you can give me. This is our first trip to Key West and we are very excited about going. I have gotten wonderful advice from this forum on eating establishments so I know I will not go hungry!

I have stayed at Ocean Key several times, back when it was &quot;House&quot; and not &quot;resort.&quot; I don't remember the room numbers, but only about two or three suites on each floor directly face the water. The rest are slanted to the northwest so that every room has a view of the water when looking to the right, with Mallory Square parking lot directly below.<BR><BR>Seeing Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas from the air is an incredible sight and I highly recommend that trip.<BR><BR>The rooftop bar at Bull &amp; Whistle used to be somewhat &quot;clothing optional&quot; but I haven't been there in years.

still clothing optional.<BR><BR>caught an eyeful of some middle aged, beer bellied, naked men. sexy.

Thanks for the replys. I think I will leave the clothing optional bar alone! <BR><BR>I have also checked into the Dry Tortuga trip and it will be too expensive. I think we will wait until we get down there to see what the weather is like and decide from there.<BR><BR>Thanks for your responses. If there is anything you would recommend doing please let me know!

Doris-Did you get a good rate with luxury link? Just curious.<BR><BR>Try Floridays for a nice, relaxing cruise.<BR><BR>Have fun.<BR><BR>

Jackie - I think I did. I did a lot of research before hand and had reservations at the Marquesa because it was more affordable than Ocean Key. I really wanted an water view and as my husband and I love to people watch Ocean Key was our first choice. I found Luxury Link and bid on a &quot;Best Shot&quot; auction. I called them before hand to get a feel for what a good bidding amount would be. I bid $50 over the asking price and won. I think I could have bid $20 and won as well. This package ending up being less expensive than Marquesa plus it includes breakfast in bed every morning which is an additional savings! I have not seen this &quot;Best Shot&quot; on Luxury Link lately, but they were running it one after the other for several weeks last September.

Oh - one more thing. We are watching our pennies on this trip and plan one nice meal out one night to celebrate our anniversary. There are wonderful suggestions in this forum regarding restaurants but it is a little overwhelming. Question to anyone reading this: If you could only have one really great romantic meal on Key West where would you go?<BR><BR>Jackie - the concierge at Ocean Key recommended Floridays as well. Which is better - snorkel trip or sunset cruise?

A&amp;B Lobster House on the 2nd floor, outside, overlooking the water.

It depends on what you want to do, snorkel or relax and watch the sunset. Both trips are ideal.

January may be too cold to snorkel, but a sunset cruise with Floridays would be great at any time. With only one night for a good meal I'd suggest Square One. Michael&quot;s is probably my favorite place but it specializes in red meat and it&quot;d be a shame not to have fish in Key West if you're only having one special dining experience.

Thanks for the responses! Maybe we will do two meals . . . We both LOVE seafood and steak! Does anyone know anything about the Key West Ghost Tours? Would this be fun?

I would think Jan would be a bit too could unless you had wet suits. A&amp;B Lobster House is Fab! The Lobster Bisque is incredable!

Doris-I have seen the ghost tour never did it. It looked like a lot of fun. There are numerous places in KW that are haunted including one b&amp;b (name escapes me) that guests swear they have seen ghosts. You must try Blue Heaven for lunch.

Thanks for the information! I know we are going to have a great time even though they are calling for cooler weather!

Alice's at La Te Da's on upper Duval Street gets my vote for the place to eat.

Doris--There is a really wonderful little restaurant on Duval and it has Jamaican food. I honestly can't remember the name but the sign says &quot;Jamaica&quot; on it. The owners are really great people and the food terrific. Also, Louie's Backyard is good although pricey. Have a great time.

I would also suggest A &amp; B. Although it will probably be too chilly to dine outside it still has a good atmosphere &amp; great food. Let them know you are celebrating your 20th as well.

Just back from Key West few weeks ago - for food, you cannot beat Seven Fish, Alice's and Mangoes. Avoid Louie's Backporch like the plague - pricey and bad! El Siboney is good. Blue Heaven is okay - go by noon to avoid lines. Avoid Banana Cafe on Duval.

For romantic, stay off Duval St. Mangoes is as overpriced at Louie's. Also, A &amp; B is pretty touristy &amp; pricey. You might try the Rooftop Cafe...quiet, romantic with great food.

We found Roof Top Cafe to be just horrible. We loved A&amp;B Lobster House. The deck outside is very romantic and the bisque is out of this world.

A&amp;B had deck heaters. They weren't on the night we were there but the server said they use them when it gets cool.

Thanks everyone! So many choices too little time!!!! Does A &amp; B have a web site? What about Michael's for steaks? The concierge at the hotel recommended them. I read in one post earlier that room 318 had a great view, but unfortunately that would be an upgrade from the room we have booked. We have a Caribbean Junior Suite booked(?). Hopefully Ocean Key will give us a good room. Three more days!! I can't wait!

I forgot to ask about shopping on Key West. Any suggestions? Any I shops I should avoid?

For T-shirts, Last Flight Out, Key West Aloe for aloe products, Kino Sandals.

Doris-We want a trip report when you come back. :-)

Thanks Jackie! I have been dieting and going to the gym religiously (for a week) preparing for all the food I plan on eating!

http://keywestmenu.com/<BR><BR>For menus and descriptions.

Yum. Great website! Has anyone eaten at &quot;Hot Tim Roof&quot; - new place at Ocean Key Resort?

It received some bad reviews on another board.

I &quot;googled&quot; and found this. I think it is the site you are looking for.<BR>http://www.ab-lobsterhouse.com/<BR><BR>

I'd forget the new restaurant at the Ocean Key House. While the location and view are great, and we had very attentive service, the food was mediocre at best. Michael's is wonderful for steak! And I was glad to be reminded by another poster of Alice's, which is another of my favorites!

Another great place is Conch Republic. They have excellent seafood &amp; steaks. Their bar area is also large &amp; many of the younger locals that work on the snorkel, parasail etc.. boats come there after work....very lively! Blue Heaven is a must for lunch. I missed it the first time in Key West &amp; now we make sure to stop each visit!

We had a horrible meal at Conch Republic. My fish was very overcooked and the conch was soooo chewy and tough you could not cut it with a knife.

Thanks for the help! I think Michael's is a must and probably Alice's or the Lobster house. We arrive Thursday afternoon about 4:30 so we will probably be ready to eat around 6 or 6:30pm. What would be a good first nights restaurant? Something not too expensive but with great Key West atmosphere!

The Half Shell Raw Bar is a must. Do it your first night.