Key West - Pier House
 

I'll be staying at the <b>Pier House</b>, One Duval Street, next week and am seeking comments. From the photos, it looks like snorkeling is a possibility? Any suggestions or tips regarding rooms etc.?

Thanks

Snorkeling is not a possibility as in walking into the water where you're staying, but there are plenty of snorkeling trips available. The Pier House has a tiny little &quot;beach&quot; but it's basically on the harbor which has about a 6&quot; visibility. In fact, I took the compass navigation part of my advanced scuba diving course there because you can't see a thing!

Snorkeling trips are very reasonable on the boats (maybe $25) and it's an easy ride out to the reef.

Try a snorkel trip with Floridays...they dock next door at the Hyatt and limit passengers to 20 or 30.

Thanks. I was wondering if I could just enter the water at the small beach and see anything worthwhile. My group definitely plans to book a snorkeling trip, to I appreciate the suggestion.

Gekko
What is the price range for the Pier House?
Thanks

Honestly I have no idea. I didn't make the reservations and didn't ask my friend who did, but I know there is a website.

www.pierhouse.com

Any suggestions on best rooms to request?

Try the Conch Airport for bi-plane rides that really show you an unusual perspective of Key West.
Can also take a sea plane to the Dry Tortugas National Park. Snorkeling was part of the deal.
Very unique!

I've got friends who stayed at the Pier House twice: the first time they loved it, the second time they hated it. Most rooms overlook the parking lot and there was construction going on at the Pier House last week. If you have a room option, I'd strongly advise you to get something overlooking the water.

Report: The Pier House was fantastic! The small beach area is great, and I did see some parrotfish, grunts and other fish along the rocks to the right of the beach (but the best snorkeling is 6-7 miles offshore along the reef).

We stayed in the waterfront building next to the beach, and the rooms were large, clean, and comfortable.

Given its perfect location &amp; unique private beach, I'll definitely return to the Pier House.

We are thinking about booking a Caribbean Spa room at the Pier House, Key West in July but I have read so many negative reviews of the hotel. Some suggest that there is work going on there and others that some of the rooms are shabby. Has anyone seen how good or bad the Caribbean Spa rooms are recently and what do they look out on to? Thanks

I have no idea about the &quot;Caribbean Spa&quot; rooms, but I stayed at the Pier House for 4 nights a few weeks ago and it was great. I didn't see any construction, and my room (in the beachfront building to the right if one is facing the water) was certainly not &quot;shabby.&quot;

It is Key West, however, with sand &amp; salt &amp; wet clothes, so the rooms are designed for such abuse.

Gekko - I probably should've used the word &quot;deconstruction&quot; rather than construction! When we were in Key West in May, the deli on Front Street that was part of the Pier House resort was demolished and it was difficult to tell what - if anything - was going to replace it.

The last time I stayed at the Pier House was probably 1998 in a suite overlooking the small beach. At that time it was a topless beach and we paid about $300 per night. The room rate on the back of the door showed $450.

I stayed at the Pier House over Memorial Day Weekend and did not see any construction/deconstruction.

And the beach has only a very small portion, off the water to the right, that is now designated as topless. Over the course of 4 days, however, I didn't see anyone taking advantage of it. And I looked.

Gekko what things are around Pier House? I am trying to put together a family vacation.

The Pier House is at 1 Duval Street -- basically <i>everything</i> is close by, including Mallory Square.

If you look at a map, Pier House is at the end of Duval next to Mallory.

I'll say it again -- I and my group loved the Pier House and it's small private beach (as well as its incredible location).

Enjoy!

Is there a boat or yacht near by that does the sunset cruises? I keep doing searches but can't find a good company. I want something nice.

Gekko thanks for the info. I'm going to book asap.

Floridays is next door at the Hyatt and they do evening sails. We love it.

Gekko is correct , you are in the middle of everything. So, it you want some peace &amp; quiet but to still be close to the action, there are a number of places on Simonton that I would suggest. Many of those are more guesthouses or B &amp; B's, not hotels. But that is our preference &amp; requirement really now that we have two small children.

Pier House is a little compound and most of the buildings are set back from the action. I found it to be very relaxing &amp; quiet, a little oasis on Duval.

It is NOT a single-building hotel fronting Duval .. not even close.

The best of both worlds .. peace &amp; quiet <i>and </i> in the middle of everything.

Gekko - I think I was thinking of the place on the other side of Duval, what is it called. We actually used the Pier House 'beach' when we stayed @ the Curry Mansion.

Sine I have the attention of Key Westers :)

What boats would be nice for a wedding ceremony? There would be about 25 to 30 ppl.

Floridays. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/floridays/

If you stay at the Pier House ask for a 2nd floor garden view room. These are the best for the money IMO. They have either one king or two queen-sized beds and a large bathroom and a usable veranda (for drying your cloths.) Being on the 2nd floor you can shut off the AC at night and leave the door to the veranda open and the ceiling fan on. It is very pleasant this way. Anything from 420 - 440 will do. The first floor garen views are the same and I've read good reviews of these. If you stay here you can put on sandles and a cover-up and go out for lunch or a drink at El Meson de Pepe, e.g., then come back for a swim.

If you get up early, they put a pot of fresh coffee on the bar, beach-side, in the morning. Go down and get a good cupa, rather than making the stuff in the room.

The Floridays is nice, but with 25 people you won't be able to move around, hardly at all. Rather try to book the Sebago 3cubed. This way everyone will be able to move fore and aft and side to side. It will be much more comfortable.

What's the date? I'll be down soon. I tell funny stories.

Pjk

Peter,
With all due respect, we have been on Floridays many times and sometimes they were full and sometimes they were not but we never had a problem finding room to groove. Once there was a line to a restroom that seemed to go on forever but that was about it. Sebago is a fine 2nd choice but it doesn't have that elegance that the sailing boats have.

They say &quot;...for groups up to 30&quot; so maybe it'd be OK. It still seems small to me but that's what this forum is for I guess. (But I'm not telling you any funny stories, though)

Pjk