planning a long weekend in key west...would appreciate advice regarding the resorts there (not the b&b type) looking for beach (topless is ok) and pool, nice rooms with view...upscale. ive looked at wyndham, casa marina, hilton sonesta key cottages & hilton key west, pierhouse, and the hyatt...im finding it hard to contrast them so any help would be appreciated.

Hi Debra:

We spent 5 days in Key West last July. Stayed at the Casa Marina. I think that it's the only "resort" there. Firstly, don't go to Key West expecting good beaches. The Casa Marina has a beach (it's one of the only ones that does) but it's coral and most swimming takes place off the pier. We loved Key West, the rooms at the Casa Marina were fine, it's about a 30 minute walk from downtown (we were looking for a location that was a bit more quiet). The sister hotel to the Casa Marina seems to attract a bit of a younger crowd and had a lot of music blasting and motorized water sports. I'd probably stay at a B&B if we went back ... there are some great ones there with a bit more "sophisticated" feel than the hotels.

Hope this helps.
P.S. GREAT restaurants -- definitely recommend Caribe Soul and Seven Sisters (funky, reasonable and great food)

thanks heather...the lack of good beaches was the main attraction of sonesta key (its apparently a ten minute launch ride away from key west)

the bonus of restaurant recommendations is greatly appreciated!

Debra,

The previous poster is correct about the beaches in the keys! They are all man-made & have the sand shipped-in from other beaches & of course they are all coral reefs. The Casa Marina is not the only "Resort" in Key West. Their are a lot of them especially The Marquesa Hotel " a B&B" & you have mention some others! The Hilton Sunset Key island is located right off Key West. A very nice place & very expensive. I don't know if you are looking to stay in Old Town where all the action is. The B&B's down here are very beautiful, romanic & tastfully done! I have some recommendations if you would like to have them. Here are some websites other than the Pier House for topless sun bathing. Also, here is my list of restaurants!

Breakfast:

Rick's Blue Heaven - The place is neat -superb lobster Benedict - http://www.blueheavenkw.com/

Martins - Sundays only for brunch - great Benedict's

Harpoon Harry's - Local hangout

Banana Cafe - Great Crepes

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Excellent, but expect to wait - our favorite

The Deli - Cheap, but good

Camilles - Nice place - http://www.camilleskeywest.com/

Lunch:

Alonzo's Oyster Bar - Try the lobster sandwich -
http://www.alonzos-oysterbar.com/

Mangoes - Great people watching place

The Deli - Cheap, but good

Half Shell Raw Bar - Locals favorite

Turtle Kraals - Locals favorite - superb fried lobster sandwich -
http://www.turtlekraals.com/

Banana Cafe - Good salads & crepes

B's Restaurant - Cuban, locals favorite

B.O.'s Fish Wagon - Great grouper sandwich

Rusty Anchor - Stock Island

7 Fish - Locals favorite - our pick

Louie's Backyard - a favorite for lunch only - www.louiesbackyard.com

Dinner:

Cafe Des Artiste - Reservations - fine dining, very pricey, but worth it

Cafe Marquesa - Reservations - fine dining - http://www.marquesa.com/

A & B Lobster House - Fine dining, worth the $$$ -
http://www.ab-lobsterhouse.com/

Alonzo's Oyster Bar - outside for sunset - white claim chile -
http://www.alonzos-oysterbar.com/

Antonia's - Italian - capellini & lasagna -http://www.antoniaskeywest.com/

Mangia Mangia - Great cheap Italian -
http://www.mangia-mangia.com/

Ambrosia - Sushi

Michaels - Superb steaks

Alice's at La Te Da - Great place

Mangoes - Great specials & pizza -
http://www.mangoeskeywest.com/

Rick's Blue Heaven - Yellowtail & save room for Banana Foster desert -
http://www.blueheavenkw.com/

El Siboney - Cuban - Paella for 2, make
reservations 3 hours in advance to order - our favorite

Martins - Great specials

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Porkchops or steaks - expect to wait - our favorite

Rusty Anchor - Stock Island - seafood specials

Square One Restaurant - Located in Duval Square - http://www.squareonerestaurant.com/

Meteor - Barbecue - located beside Green Parrot Bar

Rooftop Cafe - Key Lime pie & after dinner drinks - very romantic

CoCo Palms - Jamaica man

Turtle Kraals - Great sunset - great menu - our pick - http://www.turtlekraals.com/

New York Pizza & Deli - Located in Duval Square

Take-out or Order for Delivery

Damn Good Food To-Go -
http://www.damngoodfoodtogo.com/

Romeo's Downtown Deli - Great Cuban Sandwiches - Free Delivery - Just off Duval St. on Southard St.

I loved the Pier House. It's on a small beach. It does have a topless section. It's tropical with the nice pool with a bar next to it. It's secluded even though it's located near Mallory Square. The room I stayed in didn't really have a view. I've also stayed at the Hilton which is in Mallory Square also. Views are excellent from here of the sunset. They have a nice deck with a bar to watch the sunset. The pool and hotel in general is beautiful. There is no beach here. Either one I'd recommend. Both are great locations if you're looking to go to Duval Street to the restaurants, bars and attractions.

Hi,I am looking at a timeshare called the Galleon resort in the Old Town section of the city.Is anyone familiar with it?What is the best time of the year to visit the keys. We were planning on May.Any advice greatly appriciated.

Donna,

Usually Susan replies to this message about the Galleon. It is located right in the heart of Old Town. They are all condos & pretty much have a teriffic view. Its' location for everything you want to do. Here is the website & some recommendations:

http://galleonresort.com/

http://www.mallorysquare.com/

http://www.sunsetcelebration.org/

http://www.conchtourtrain.com/

http://www.oldtowntrolley.com/

http://www.historictours.com/keywest/Default.htm

http://www.forttaylor.com/

http://www.floridays.org/

http://www.sunnydayskeywest.com/

PierHouse is beautiful " new construction" on the gulf. -The Marquesa is a more secluded renovated compound of 4 Victorian homes with fine restaurant and pools cobbled together to make a large and very beautiful tropical property.The two places could not be more different.... Casa marina is "old money" on the Atlantic on the opposite side of the island and is within a wooded grove...has always been a "resort" on the sea and has quaint "older" surroundings. in a residential neighborhood. Pier house is VERY touristy , on a crowded tourist dock, and reminiscent of Disney World. ...the CHEAPEST time to visit the keys is July- August-Sept..it is also when there are the fewest tourists..rates are lowest and it can rain every day for about an hour around 5 or 6 pm...the best weather is in March and April or October & November. The rates go up in Nov and stay up till easter...then they go back down a little and drop drasticly around Memorial day. Don't come to Florida in the summer (june-sept) unless you really like heat and humidity.-and LOTS of both. High temps will not exceed 98 degrees in the keys, but humidity will be steadily above 80% all summer long. There is always a breeze.many of the locals go to Bahia Honda to snorkel. or to Fort Jeff to the beach.A great secluded "guesthouse" compound is Simonton Court on Simonton St. It has old tropical landscaping and flowers and small pools everywhere.

Okay, I've tried to focus on the original question which asked about the Casa Marina, Hilton, Pier House, Hyatt, and Hilton (sonesta? must be sunset)Sunset Key cottages. If by "resort" you mean the size of the property, the Casa Marina would win. It's got the biggest beach - though in Key West they're ALL man-made - and I think it has tennis courts too. In my opinion, the location of the Casa Marina eliminates it from consideration because there are so many other places to stay that are closer to the main tourist attractions and most of the great restaurants. The Hilton, Pier House and Hyatt are all on Front Street very close to each other. Also on Front Street are the Ocean Key House and the Galleon (as Ron mentioned, my favorite). The location of all of these places is excellent. I've stayed at the Hyatt several times and all rooms have a good view. The hotel has a nice pool area with an outdoor bar/restaurant. The Pier House is next door and has lots of rooms of all sorts. The only negative reviews I've heard about the Pier House is that their rooms wildly differ in sizes, shapes, and views. Most overlook the parking lot, though some have wonderful Gulf views. We've always loved their food, though we got a pretty lame meal there a few days ago. We stayed at the Ocean Key House for the first time last week and though our room was great, we had a balcony view of the outdoor restrooms! All in all, we were happy to get back to the Galleon (next door to the Hyatt) with our own kitchen, washing machine/dryer, and balcony overlooking the marina. The Hilton Sunset Key Cottages are apparently great...I have friends who've stayed there but haven't seen them myself. They're an 8 minute ferry ride from the Key West mainland and would be great for someone who really wanted to get away from everything and everyone.

A very close friend just got back and said that the Hilton Sunset Key was fabulous. It was a good place to stay to get away from all the activity. The boat was very convenient and the cottages were gorgeous. I know they are very expensive--maybe $1000 per night for 3 bedrooms. I heard the pool is gorgeous and the service first class.

thank you ALL!!! i havent decided yet, but i have saved the board postings...thanks again for taking the time (esp the restaurant recommendations!)