We are planning a trip to Key West the first week in September and are staying at the Hyatt Key West Resort and Marina Have been told this is a great place to stay but I am concerned about "hurricane season". Should I change the time of year we are planning to go because of the possibility of a hurricane? Also if anyone can comment on the Hyatt Resort it would be greatly appreciated. Have never been to Key West before but have heard wonderful things about it. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I've been to Key West in September. Yes, it's hurricane season, but odds are, there won't be bad weather when you're there. I guess it depends how much of a chance you want to take. Even if there is a hurricane, your chances of being injured are slim, as long as you evacuate when you're told to. It wouldn't be a fun thing to do on vacation though.

We stay at smaller hotels when in Key West, if you aren't locked into the Hyatt, I would recommend looking into one of them. You will have a lot more of a feel for being in Key West, besides I think the Hyatt that you mention isn't within walking distance to Old Town. If you want a large resort, I'd at least look at the Hyatt which is in Old Town.

Thanks for the info JeanH. We are not really locked into the Hyatt but I did think that this Hyatt is the one that is just one block from Duval Street. I am wrong?? I hope not.

That Hyatt is in a great location, close to all the action with all the anemities. If you aren't locked into the Hyatt, check out the Marquesa or Gardens B&B's. Both are lovely.

The questions on the Hyatt location led me to do a web search. There are apparently 4 Hyatt properties on Key West. The Resort & Marina is at 601 Front St. on the Gulf of Mexico & it is "steps" from Duval St. (at the western end according to their map). The other 3 properties (with no maps available on the Hyatt website!) appear to be residential type accomodations- the Beach House Resort on Overseas Hwy (right near the bridge) The Windward Pointe next to the airport on S Roosevelt Blvd. across from the ocean with 2 bd/2bath condos and Sunset Harbor at 200 Sunset Lane with studio, 1 & 2 bdrms supposedly "in the heart of town 2 blocks from Duval St."
How is the beach in the downtown area? My recollection is there was a trade off between being in town & not having a very good beach or being away from town with a reasonable (small but sandy) beach.

The above post is right. The Hyatt you've booked is in a perfect location, just down Front Street from Mallory Square and within close walking distance of lots of restaurants and tourist activities. I've stayed there several times and like it a lot. I know there are people who prefer B&Bs, but we love being on the Gulf, and there are only a few hotels (and no B&Bs) with Gulf views.

With the exception of the one on Front Street, all the Hyatts in Key West are timeshares. Of the timeshares, only one has a fabulous location, and that's the Sunset Harbor one. As for beaches, well, they're Key West beaches...unlike beaches anywhere! The "beach" at the Hyatt Resort is about the size of a postage stamp.

Thanks for your replies. We will probably keep our reservations at the Hyatt, but does anyone have any info on the weather at that time of year (September) HURRICANE SEASON?????

Oops, sorry for the misinformation on the Hyatt. I just didn't think there was a marina by the Hyatt on Front Street, so figured it was a different property.

Definitely is a good location. If I was going to stay at a larger property, it would be my choice.

Have a great trip, we're hoping to make it down in October.

Hurricane Season is from June 1st through November 30th. The entire East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and West Coast (Typhoons), and Hawaii are at risk. Peak time for hurricanes is September and October. Would I change my vacation? No.

I agree with GoTravel. Do not change your plans because something could happen. Look at it this way, at least hurricanes are somewhat predictable. You will know up to 2 weeks before if there is a good chance of the keys being hit by one. Did you ever travel to California, Oregon, Washington State? Did the knowledge that an earthquake could hit stop you or millions of people from enjoying the west coast? And in this case you don't even know when it's going to happen. I live on a little island in the Gulf of Mexico for 8 years now and came to realize that the chance of a hurricane actually effecting my life are very slim. So the chance of it effecting your 1 or 2 week vacation are even slimmer.
Have a great trip!

Don't worry about it being "hurricane season". I went down to Key West last September and before I left to go down there, the weather channel kept reporting there was going to be a hurricane passing through at the time. I fretted and worried, but you know what happened?
Out of the 4 days I was there the worst that happened was it drizzled for about an hour on my 2nd day. Yes, it can be hurricane season, but I believe the worst of it is more likely in July and August.

I've been to the Keys in each of the Hurricane months, but I've been lucky.

For the last few years, they (the experts - whoever they are) have been saying that this year (2001, 2002, etc.) is going to be the worst for hurricanes. So far, they've been wrong (for the last few years). I have not heard the "predictions" for this hurricane season.

I wouldn't cancel my trip. However, I will tell you this: If a hurricane does come through and you have to evacuate, that is one long, long, long, long drive out of the Keys.

Don't worry. The odds are very slim. The worst months are Sept and Oct. I think the last few that have affected the Keys were in those months as well.

Um, September is when lab is thinking of going to the Keys.

Look, know one knows for sure what's going to happen. I think the odds favor you. I'd go. In a heartbeat.

and , apparently, I don't KNOW how to spell NO.

lab, I have lived in Florida for over 25 years, and I can probably count on one hand the number of hurricanes that have directly hit key west. The chances of a hurricane hitting key west at the same time that you are there are very slim. Enjoy your trip and keep in mind that hurricanes are tracked very closely so you would know if key west were going to be hit.

I understand that Jack. Thats why I mentioned it. He/she should know the which months are worse.

Lab,
I did a quick web search and found this site. It should answer most of your questions. http://thefloridakeys.com/storm/