I am quite to very sure that any early departure fees assessed by hotels apply only to people who are checking out *and* expecting not to pay for the unused night/s. This is not what moxie is expecting.

moxie, if you book your hotel for Thursday through Monday and you check out on Sunday, they'll still charge you for Sunday night.

I am naive since I'm shocked that people would (and others think I am planning to) reserve for 4 nights and pay for 3!

I fully intend to reserve for 4 nights, pay for 4 nights BUT stay for only 3.

This of course is not my ideal of supply and demand working -- seems more like extortion; BUT I am lucky enough to be able to take 5 days in the sun and if I get the place I want at a reasonable price I will not complain :)

Part of my dilemma is that although I want to visit Key West (for the boat to the Dry Tortugas, to see the sunset and have a nice dinner) it does not appeal to me at all, and especially not on new year's eve.

It makes me cringe to think of all the free roaming cats and chickens -- I imagine lots of dead and injured cats and chickens in the road -- plus their normal "mess" -- coupled with loud drunks, and wonder why anyone would want to stay there a week!

No, I don't have a boat, I live in Europe.

It's a good idea to compare weekly rates - thanks for the tip!

I agree that it looks like I will be spending lots of time running up and down US1! That is why I wanted to stay 2 days and then 3 days at different places! I am thinking of a base in the middle (Marathon) to decrease the driving a bit!

Off to do my mass mailing ....

Moxie, I did a search on kayak for hotels in the Keys from 12/29-12/31 and pretty much have your choice.
The lowest rate I saw ( did only look at 5 or 6 ) was $380 anight and they went up from there.

Hey, moxie, I don't blame you for being annoyed! You made it perfectly clear that you did not expect to get out of paying for that 4th night! Some people on here must be either skimming when they read or just not paying attention.

If you are referring to me yes I did read through and I also searched as I said for what Moxie had originally posted two to three nights.
I just did a refreshed searched and once again came up with 8-9 hotels that had no min stay requirement.

Not you.... :)

Thank god I was starting to fear the wife maybe right and then what would do. LOL

maybe social worker is referring to me.... I don't know how the early departure penalties work-- I didn't know if some hotels still hit you up even if you were intending to pay for the last night . I know that sounds silly, but you just never know these days!

Well jake, I have to say that your wife *is* right, but you were not at fault here at Fodor's!

I'm not annoyed at all, just learning that my husband is right -- I am naive!

I have found 2 places without minimum stays and perhaps I will content myself with them and not search for a one night stay in Key West.

It will mean driving very early to Key West for the boat and one of us not drinking at dinner ;)

Thank you again for all your help!

""It makes me cringe to think of all the free roaming cats and chickens -- I imagine lots of dead and injured cats and chickens in the road ""

Where on earth did you get this idea from?

Cats and chickens are treated very very well by the locals and you will not see any dead chickens or cats in the road or anywhere. They aren't a protected species in Key West but they might as well be.

The worst will be the constant crowing by the roosters.

Have you been to the keys before?

I really wish you'd reconsider staying in Key West. The drive up and down US 1 is a pain and if you encounter a wreck, it turns into a parking lot.

We actually only heard roosters at Blue Heaven- we saw quite a few chickens, but weren't bothered by them in the least. I was ready for some coq au vin in Vieques after just one morning, so I was pretty relieved that they weren't that bad.

oo, how's that running coming along? It's so much better than hanging out on a chat site all day long. Ciao, L

Thanks again for all your help.

I took your advice and changed my original plans completely to fit the mold: reserved 5 nights in Key West.

But the minimum stay nightmare is not yet over, I'm now trying to find a room for Friday night but am encountering weekend only stays in South Beach :p

Try the Hampton Inn in Coral Gables. It is much nicer than a standard Hampton Inn and a fairly easy drive to SoBe.

I've seen traffic in Key Weststopped completely at a busy intersection by a rooster who stood in the exact middle to crow. What a hoot.

Avoid Duval Street at the north end (by Mallory Square) on New Years Eve, and you will avoid most of the craziness.