Looking for moderately priced lodging in the Keys
 

I'm flying into Ft Lauderdale Jan. 4 and am planning to rent a car and spend my week exploring the Keys. I've never seen them and am so excited, but have no idea where to begin. I am thinking of Key Largo,maybe Islamorada and for sure Key West. Any suggestions on lodging or places to stay a day or two are appreciated. I enjoy a pretty active night life. Unfortunately--I'm on a bit of a budget. Thanks so much!

As far as Key West goes, pull up keywest.com and look at The Speakeasy, The Key Lime Inn and The Merlin Inn.

Cheri, remember to ask for discounts on all your travels--food, lodging, packages, etc. You should be able to get 15-25% off room rates, for example, at the privately run places as long as you're willing to shop some.

Merlin and key lime Inn are both nice. Have also stayed in Key Harbor Inn. If you are going mid-week you can get better rates than weekends. If you are a risk taker you can walk around and see what B&Bs have openings and barter on price. I have not tried that in Jan though. Works great in the hotter months.<BR><BR>Happy travels.

One more note, merlin inn and key lime inn are sister B&Bs. So the recommendation for those two places may be from someone who has an interest. But there are both very nice. However, I had not thought of them as one of the cheaper B&Bs.

One more note, merlin inn and key lime inn are sister B&Bs. So the recommendation for those two places may be from someone who has an interest. <BR><BR><BR>LOL! I live here and like to help people looking for the "insider info". I have no "interest" in them.

For a week stay I'd go with 2 days in Islamorada to explore the upper Keys, then head down to Key West for the remainder of the trip. In the upper Keys, go snorkeling (if you are coming from up north you might not find it too cold) in Pennekamp, rent a kayak and explore the backcountry. For nightlife, don't miss the Holiday Isle tiki bar in Islamorada. There are plenty of small Mom-and-pop motels in Islamorada, the cheaper ones won't be anything spectacular but will offer a bed and hot shower. You might be able to find something in the 50$ a night range, but I would get on the net now and start looking. The good thing is, you are arriving the weekend AFTER one of the busiest weekends in the Keys (New Year's eve), so there might be more rooms available.

I went out and checked out the Harbour Inn for another poster on another board a while ago and the place is cute. I was there while they had the breakfast out and they do a nice job with that. The rooms have a nice carribean feel to them and seemed spacious. My only concern was how close it was to one of our larger restaurant/bars and if guests would hear the noise. The pool area is nice and overall the area feels very tropical with lots of plants and such.

I stayed at the Southernmost Motel in Key West on one of my visits and I liked it very much. The location is great and they rent bicycles and mopeds.

Parmers Place on Little Torch Key is close to KW and moderately priced. In Key West, there is the Fairfield Inn and Hampton Inn which are moderately priced but out of old town. You will have to drive into Old Town and park a couple of blocks off of Duval. There is also a Hampton Inn in Islamorada.

I can second Merilee's recommendation for The Southernmost. Luxury it ain't, but the location is excellent and the price is right. If Merilee didn't mention it, it's on the east side of the Island, on Duval. An excellent nearby breakfast place is The Banana Cafe.<BR>

Cheri,<BR><BR>Have you tried priceline.com. I have a December trip to Florida and was able to get Sheraton Suites Key West for Dec. 10, 11, and 12 for $55.00 a night. The discount hotels site had them listed as anywhere from $150 - $250 per night.<BR><BR>It's hard to get a 1 or 2 star hotel in Key West for around $50.<BR><BR>Also, if you're new to Priceline, go to biddingfortravel.com to check what others are having success on bidding for in that area. (One of my stops is also Ft. Lauderdale. Through Priceline I got Doubletree Oceanfront for $59 a night Dec. 15, 16).

I stayed in Key Largo at Ocean Pointe Condos. Very nice and includes a continental breakfast.