I thought we (4 girlfriends) had it all settled to stay at Hyatt early March, but after doing a bit more research I looked into the newly renovated Pier House primarily because of the wide range of suite offerings. Hyatt only offers one suite, the King salon. We can get a 2 bdrm, 2 bath w/ living room for the same price of what we were giving for 2 rooms at the Hyatt. Also, the beach looks larger at PH.
Please help guide me in making the right decision. I only have a couple days to decide.
BTW, PH assures me ALL renovations have been completed.

The Pier House is very nice, right next door to the Hyatt, it does have it's own beach, where I'm not sure if the Hyatt does and you're closer to Duval Street (one block). I'd go for it...sounds like a better deal.

Back in my "poor" days, we used to hang out at the Pier House beach, order drinks and pretend we were staying there

Did you walk over to PH hile you were at the Hyatt? If so, could you compare the atmosphere. Atmosphere (for 25-30 yr olds) is most important. Not looking for crazy, wild atmosphere, just relaxing time that would attract other young adults.

Neither. You shd go to Ft. Lauderdale & stay @ Lago Mar(www.lagomar.com) or Pelican Beach Resort ( www.pelicanbeach.com) or places like that where they have real beaches & lots of things for you to do. KW does not have a good beach.

Katie - the beach at the Hyatt is roughly the size of a postage stamp. The Pier House beach is much nicer, but you need to be aware that virtually every beach in Key West (or the entire keys, for that matter) is man-made and small. For a true "beach" destination you'd need to look outside the keys.

As for age ranges, you'll find both very young and very old in most Key West hotels. Since there's a top-optional beach at the Pier House, you're less likely to see as many children there as you would at the Hyatt.

In addition, the swimming area is much nicer at the Pier House.

Pier house!

Actually, KW is a done deal, already have air tickets, so destination can't be changed at this time. When we chose KW we didn't fully understand the beach situation, but we figure we'll find plenty to do otherwise. Now we are just focusing on the best choice for the hotel. We just want to make sure "everything is good" at PH since we can get such a wonderful, HUGE suite vs. 2 reg rooms at Hyatt. No one in our group has been to KW so we are relying on your valuable knowledge. Thank you so much!

When did you buy your tickets?

Katie - I wonder if you're looking at the brand new waterfront suites that were just completed a few months ago? If so, jump all over one. They spent an absolute fortune on them and I'm pretty confidant a suite at the Pier House would be much better than two rooms at the Hyatt.

In addition, they have a really nice spa, and a very good restaurant (our experiences at the restaurant have been much better at breakfast and lunch than dinner, though things may've changed).

Yes, the one we've booked, Seabreeze Suite is in the new Dockside Building along with another 2 bd. suite and 4 (I think) Dockside suites. All right on the water above the Dockside restaurant. Or, at least, that was how it was explained to me. Supposedly, they are currently updating their website. Can't wait to see more photos of the entire renovations.

Lucky you! Please come back with a trip report and let us know how your suite was!

I have a few photos of one of the Dockside suites as well as the grounds, garden and beach if you'd like to see 'em.

Pjk

Peter,
Absolutely! Would love to see the photos.

There are two levels of Dockside suites with three rooms / level, and two end rooms / level and two center rooms. The end rooms are best because the veranda wraps around and has two sides and two views.

There is a main bedroom, a hallway, and a "den" which has a pull-out sofa bed, and windows on two sides. This is the view from the hall towards the den and out the front...

http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/336555921_Anc25-M.jpg

The bed in the main bedroom, bathroom, and, roll-out sofa in the "den."

http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/336556018_rX52P-M.jpg
http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/336556024_GcG97-M-2.jpg
http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/336556034_SamKB-M.jpg

That 2nd floor room was the one, with a wrap-around veranda. Sailboats would sail underneath you...

http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/337363976_wQA2f-M-1.jpg
http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/336556152_P4SS9-M-2.jpg

These are shots of the beach area from the veranda

http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/337363976_wQA2f-M-1.jpg
http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/336556102_UCNkK-M.jpg

This is from about three feet in the water facing the beach. Beach-side bar is to the right and the pool is behind the greenery...

http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/336556162_SSdgv-M.jpg

And this is *MY* spot under the palm tree. Keep away...

http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/302305164_SNqDC-M.jpg

hth
Pjk

Just a suggestion: if you're looking for a great beach to go to while in Key West, take the ferry to Fort Jefferson on the Dry Tortugas. Beach is small but GORGEOUS. The ferry provides breakfast & lunch but take a cooler & snacks. It's an all-day outting; they provide snorkel gear. We took the Yankee Freedom.

Thank you so much for the great photos, Peter. Definitely gives us a better perspective. We can hardly wait!
Did you happen to see the Seabreeze Suite? I think it's also in the dockside building.

Before the new Dockside suites were built the Pier House's pier ended with these two Suites, the Seabreeze and the Havana. They are multi-bedroom and multi-level rooms which are old but have been well maintianed and are filled with more Caribbean-style furniture, bamboo and such. I peaked into one of them once and would have loved to stay in one but they are too expensive for me. I think they are laid out left and right with the left suite looking over to the Ocean Key and the Mallory Docks and the right one back towards the beach at the Pier House and the Hyatt.

hth
Pjk

Katiekate -- so which one did you stay at? and how was it? how did you like your stay in KW overall?

Bookmarking.