My wife and I are searching for a good place to stay in Key West. This will be our first visit. Looking forward to the variety of activities but would need a rather quite place to stay providing good service.

Hyatt on the gulf, Heron House, Marquesa.

If you do a search on Key West, you'll come up with several replies on this topic. Rates vary wildly in Key West depending on time of year, so when you're going and how much you want to spend is very important. Personally I've always enjoyed the Ocean Key House.

I agree with everything that's been said. I've stayed at the Hyatt and the Ocean Key House and they're both great. The location is essentially the same...they're both on the Gulf just down the street from each other. The Marquesa Hotel and Heron House aren't on the water but they both have fabulous reputations. You won't go wrong with any of these places, and they're all within walking distance of restaurants and tourist activities.

I also would recommend the Heron House, Ocean Key Resort or The Marquesa. They are probably some of the more pricer places to stay on the island but worth it.

You may want to try The Galleon - its on the Gulf/by the Hyatt - at the end of Front street. It is a timeshare, but they have rooms available. They have a very nice pool, its very clean and there is a marina attached. We just got back from spending the holidays and had a wonderful time.

The Marriott is very nice with nice "island" colored rooms that are very nice. Don't miss touring Ernest Hemingways house and also the sunset celebrations on the pier.

Check out the Shipyard Condos in Truman Annex. Nice, gated community which offers privacy and is within walking distance to all the action downtown. Affordable considering hotel rates which can be really pricey. Have stayed there several times & never disappointed.

Check out Bed and Breakfasts places. Very Quaint, Quiet and romantic. I had a vey nice experience at the William and Anthony House. Nice Sun Deck to lay out in back; tropical courtyard in the back to eat breakfast (FREE breakfast with fresh squeezed juices, all kinds of fruit, cereals and pastries.) there is a whirlpool in the back as well. Folks who run the house are very nice. I think it's 6 rooms, including a honeymoon suite. They can also arrange just about anything including bike rentals. It's QUIET, you wouldn't beleive that you are just two blocks from noisey Duval Street, which parties til 4 a.m.......the only noise was from the Rooster. But if you have ever been to Key West, you would know that the place is overrun with chickens and Roosters.....even in the resturants! Dogs and Cats are common also at many bars, stores, restaurants, etc.
Have a good time.

We enjoyed our stay at the Hampton Inn last Feb. Not within walking distance to the town but easy to reach via shuttles which run frequently. I think it was $5 for unlimited rides for the day. Parking in town was expensive. Loved the history of Key West. Can't wait to return.

What type of budget are you working with? What type of services do you want a hotel to offer?

I was in Key West in December and able to get a great price ($55.00 a night at the Key West Sheraton Suites Resort through priceline.com. If you have a car you can drive into the old town area or use their free shuttle bus that runs every hour on the hour - takes you to within a couple of blocks of Mallory Square.)

Remember that when staying a some of the "quaint" older homes converted to small hotels or bed and breakfasts, you may have a musty smell that you can't quite shake. NOT TRUE OF ALL ESTABLISHMENTS OP THAT TYPE, but I've stayed in some that do. Somehow the odor is the same in every one. It seems true at all humid, ocean areas. Proprietors of the older establishments know about the problem - it's just a hard odor to get rid of.

At priceline you can't specify the hotel but you can specify the grade of the hotel. Always stick to a 4-star, check what the going rate is for the time period you're planning to stay, then bid about one-third of what they're asking. Also check biddingfortravel.com for info on what rates people are getting at the various Key West hotels.

I had a great time. And getting a super hotel at a bargain allows you to spend more money at upscale restaurants and shops.

Have a great time!

We were in Key West in October and stayed at the Holiday Inn La Concha (may be the Crown Plaza La Concha now).
The rooms were very nice, the pool area was small (but we didn't go there to hang out at the pool).
The location was wonderful. It is right on Duval Street and within walking distance of everything! Sunset is right around the corner and all the fun bars are within a stones throw.

You can rent mopeds/scooters right in the hotel parking lot - very convenient. I would definitely stay there again. I don't know the cost of the room...I think we used points but I can't recall. Oh, we did pay, but I don't remember what. Good luck and have fun!!!

My husband and I stayed at two B&Bs during a trip last October- La Pensione (www.lapensione.com) and The Mermaid and the Alligator (www.kwmermaid.com). Both are on Truman Avenue, and are a couple blocks from Duval.
We had not stayed in a B&B before, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Both are in beautiful old well-renovated houses and both have a helpful, friendly and courteous staff. Both include breakfast with your stay. We also liked the location being very close to Duval and all the activity, but just far away enough to be quiet.

We just got back from the Hyatt and loved it. Excellent staff and perfect location. Just walk to where you want to go and don't have to worry about parking not a headache you need while on vacation.

Stay in a Guesthouse,they are wonderful!! Get a scooter, snorkel and go on a sunset cruise!!!