: My wife and I are planning a quick get away for our 10 anniversary. Our 5 year old is not one to stay without us so we are hoping to be able to squeeze out 3 nights. Also I recently became unemployed but did not want to let that stop our trip. To save money we can use frequent flyer miles (USAir/United) and thereby be able to stay at a nicer resort. We like a nice resort (entertainment, nice pools, nice rooms, typically a larger facility..not small like a B&B, on the beach usually with good views, good beaches, property not run-down, drinks by the pool, swim-up pool bar maybe, etc.). We have thought about a Carribbean island destination but it seems with our limited time it is going to be a little tough to get there and back and still have any time. We have done St. John, St. Thomas, the Bahamas and also Cancun. On vacation we like to be active and have a lot of activities to do. Not ones to only hang out at the resort or lay by the pool or on the beach the entire time. We get out and explore and like to do activities. Also, not to sound prejudice but I am a little concerned about what I hear about the population of the tourists there (gays) and curious if what goes on would make me uncomfortable. How blatant/obvious/different is the setting in the Keys. I want a laid back, peaceful good memory for our 10th anniversay. No stress from outside factors. Hope this isn't taken wrong, I just do not know what the area is like or what goes on?? Any information and thoughts on spending an anniversary there given what I have described we like to do and a recommendation of a nice resort would be nice. Also, is any one island of the keys any better than the others or are there a couple that you should take in. I know...a lot of questions. Help!!! Thanks.

I've only been to Key West, Drake. The problem there is lack of good beach. There's a Marriott proprty downtown that people like. (Be careful because there are several Marriotts. I think this one is called something & Marina.) Some of the other keys might also work. My friend says Islamorada is nice.

Longboat Key on the west coast near Sarasota is lovely.

Don't know what time of year you're thinking about or where you're starting from but Bermuda would be nice. Beautiful beaches, water sports & fun exploring on motor bikes.

Drake, the biggest problem with Key West is that on USAir, it is going to take you all day long to fly there (RDU-CLT-ORD-Key West). With only three nights, that really only leaves you two days for Key West.

Have you thought about South Beach, Ft. Lauderdale or Boca?

Marriott has sold their Key West properties. They were being used primarily with reward points.

I'm thinking somewhere other than Key West might be better for you. Long Boat Key fits your requirements. Also some of the bigger resorts on Miami Beach. Eden Roc might be interesting for your requirements. If you have Marriott points you can redeem them there with almost no blackout dates. It is now a renaissance resort.

If you're condsidering Miami/Ft Lauderdale, the Sheraton in Bal Harbor is great.

Check out this website: www.lagomar.com This place is in Ft Lauderdale and looks great. It is definitely on my list of places to stay at in the future.

Drake,
My husband and I vacationed in Key West 2 years ago and stayed at a property with Center Courts (can't remember exact name--but you can find them on the web using Google). They have townhouse/apartment type rentals all over Key West and we stayed in a 1 bedroom townhouse a block off of Duval. We got great rates since we were there in the HOTTEST part of the summer (end of July, 1st of August). We were also celebrating our anniversary. The property had a hot tub in our courtyard area and the pools were down the street (a VERY short walk away). We actually had a pool all to ourselves. It was great.

As someone else mentioned, Key West is not known for beaches. We did go to Ft. Zachary Taylor one day. It's an ok beach--it's rocky so take water shoes, and there are restroom facilities there. You do have to pay a small fee to get into the park, if you are in a car.

We ate at Rick's Blue Heaven for our anniversary dinner. This place has great food, but you are outside and there are chickens running around everywhere. My purse got attacked by one little chicken! Just be warned, if eating around live animals concerns you. It's a great place, though. Actually, I don't think you can find a bad meal in Key West. Try El Siboney for Cuban food and Cuban Brothers Grocery for terrific sandwiches.

There are all kinds of people in Key West. If you have spent time in other large cities, I doubt you'll see anything in Key West that you haven't seen before. It reminds me a lot of New Orleans, just more tropical. I wouldn't be concerned about that. You can have a lot of fun in Key West, and personally, 3 days is good amount of time for a first trip there. As I mentioned before, we were there in the very hot summer, and the heat can get to you after a while--I'm from the South and it still wore me out. If time allowed, you might take a snorkeling trip out to the coral reef. Ours was a 1/2 day and was a great way to get out in that beautiful blue ocean!

Drake- I am going to go out on a limb and suggest you fly into Fort Myers Fla- get a rental car and drive down to NAPLES, FLA--

Stay at the Ritz Carlton- Directly ON Vanderbilt and very ritzy!! They have summer specials of $119 pn ( either using your AX or Visa card!!!)..
The hotel is gorgeous- right on the GULF- very elegant-- and Naples is fabulous!! EVEN in the summer and the heat!!

The other Alternative is SOUTH BEACH in Miami-- right on the beach with tons of nite life RIGHT THERE- within walking distance......you do NOT even need a car! Just cab it from the airport....


Forget worrying about the gay people in ANY environment- NO one will bother you- It is a way of life in both Key West and also you will see some of it in South Beach- but it's live and let live--totally ok and nothing to worry about at all..........

It sounds like you might be happier in Islamorada than Key West. This is the most beautiful part of the Keys. Key West is like New Orleans, a dine and drink destination. Check out Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada. It is a very child friendly resort with a great camp and lots of activities for children and adults. My kids love to fish from the pier and swim in the lagoon.

Drake,

Just to set the record straight, I meant a Hyatt property in Key West NOT Marriott. Still think Long Boat Key, Ft Lauderdale (Sheraton Bal Harbor or Lago Mar), Islamorada or Naples are better options for you in terms of nice beaches.

If you haven't already, I recommend doing a search of this forum - there is a TON of information on Key West. It's one of the most popular topics on this board. But to address some of your questions: Yes, Key West does have a larger than average gay population. The culture seems to be very open, accepting and welcoming to pretty much anyone. For me, that's part of the charm. It's also a big party town. IMO, this is a place for adults to vacation; but I do know families have had successful vacations there, also. There are a few activites that a 5-yr old might enjoy - the sunset celebration, a boat trip, the shipwreck historeum, a meal a Blue Heaven (again, the chickens and cats under your feet at BH are part of its charm to me).

While it's on the other side of the island from most of the hotels Smathers beach is a very good beach. There are tons of taxis so you can get to and from there with little problem.