pegoode

We're landing in Key West around 4 on Thanksgiving Day. I'm thinking we should be making reservations for dinner. Any suggestions for something that doesn't require dressing up (we're the shorts and jeans crowd) are appreciated.
Looking forward to our first trip to Key West.
Thanks,
Pam

pegoode

I forgot to mention, turkey is not required. We actually prefer seafood.

JeanH

We'll be arriving in Key West on Thanksgiving Day as well. Only we're only flying as far as Miami, then driving the rest of the way.

If I were you, I'd just head down to the docks, and check out the menus. Half a dozen decent places to eat, I'm guessing most, if not all, will be open. We'll probably be heading to Half Shell Raw Bar ourselves, after a drink or several at Schooner Wharf.

Did you know the Pirates in Paradise Festival starts on Thanksgiving? Should make for an interesting weekend.

Jean

pegoode

Did you know the Pirates in Paradise Festival starts on Thanksgiving?

What is that?

So you don't think there's a need to make reservations? I ask because where I live we wouldn't be able to find a free table at a restaurant on Thanksgiving.

SusanCS

Alice's is open Thanksgiving...make a reservation!

JeanH

I would agree, if you want to go to Alice's on Thanksgiving, make a reservation. We tend to just wander and find a place that looks good to eat while in Key West. One or two evenings we will make reservations at one of the 'fancier' places, but not on our first night. I have to admit I've not been there on Thanksgiving before, not sure how full the town will be. We've never had reservations anywhere down by the docks.

We did't know the Pirates in Paradise Festival was going on when we booked. So, don't know much more than the web page about it. Here's the URL: http://piratesinparadise.com/

Where are you staying? We're at Cypress House, for the first time. It's hard to find a two bedroom unit with two beds in the second bedroom. This is our first trip down with our (adult) children.

Jean

auntgrapes

Not about food...but where are you staying pegoode and jeanh ?? Am trying to firm up a trip and would like Fodors ideas. Looking at wicker guest house, curry mansion and key west b & b. have reasearched this trip to death and sill undecided about lodging. anyone else care to share ? Thanks

pegoode

This is our first trip so I did a good bit of research. Based on several recommendations, we're staying at the Almond Tree Inn. I liked the price, location and the free beer and wine Happy Hour each day.

OH MY, Pirates in Paradise! I'll pack my saber and eye patch.....

Pam

JeanH

Auntgrapes, My favorite place to stay in Key West is Island City House. It won't work for our upcoming trip since we need a room/suite with three beds. But, if there are just two of you, the suites in the main house at Island City House are very nice. Especially if you can snag one that has its own veranda. Great place to hang out. Bathrooms are pretty small though, if that bothers you.

When we were there in September we stayed at Coco Plum Inn. The place was practically deserted thanks to Hurricane Frances, so we were upgraded to a larger room. It was a nice room, and did have a nicer bathroom. Also had a huge cooked to order breakfast included with the price. But, it was still just a single room, rather than the suite at Island City House.

We've also stayed at Ambrosia House in a room that overlooked one of the pools. White wicker furniture, very pleasant, and a huge porch that was pretty much a living room, since it was enclosed on most of three sides and covered.

Last November we stayed at Merlin Guesthouse. We had a small cottage on the back of the property. Not fancy, but lots of room. Obviously had been redone, and sort of odd floor plan, the kitchen was off the bedroom and the bathroom was off the living room. But, it was fine for us and had a small front porch on a side street where the neighbor's cat would come and visit us each evening. Merlin has a nice pool area.

My husband doesn't think he wants to stay on Duval, so I've never looked very seriously at any properties there. Personally I don't think noise would be a factor, especially towards the Atlantic side.

This trip will be Cypress House. I actually went and looked at our room while we were there in September. Just ok, seemed sort of dark and not tropical enough for my taste. But, it will be fine, and meets our needs for this trip. The kitchen area and the pool look very nice.

Jean

mojitogirl

pegoode,

I think you will be very happy at Almond Tree Inn. We have stayed there several times and already booked again for 2005. The staff is very friendly, the rooms are nice and the heated pool is wonderful.

Enjoy!

pegoode

Mojitogirl - Thanks for supporting my lodging choice. We now have some friends meeting us in Key West (one who has a new found fondness for mojitos so we'll take any tips for where to find the best ones in KW)so I started to second guess myself and wonder if we should be staying elsewhere. None of us require high-end properties - just clean and well run. I checked around again and decided we'll stay with Almond Tree as originally planned.

Any suggestions for dining within a couple of blocks? Looks like Alice's might be close by. Maybe that's a stupid question - I've never been so maybe everything's just so close it doesn't matter.

Thanks,
Pam

JeanH

Pegoode, You're right that Key West is small enough that most every place can be walked to in a matter of a few minutes. I know I've walked by Almond Tree Inn, but can't quite picture which street it's on. It certainly gets good reviews, I am guessing you'll enjoy the place.

As for Mojitos, we've had very good ones at Blue Heaven. Also, good ones at Conch Republic. Some of the bartenders at La Te Da make a good one, others are cluless. They aren't very good at Hogsbreath.

Our favorite hangout is Schooner Wharf. So, if you see two 50 somethings with two mid 20's boys in tow, that will be us. Come say Hi, and we'll buy you a drink. Jean

pegoode

Almond Tree is on Truman. Thanks for the tip about Schooner Wharf. We'll be sure to check it out!
Pam

mojitogirl

Schooner Wharf is one of our favorite places too. Conch Republic has an amazing rum selection and good mojitos. Best mojitos are at Rhumba, 712 Duval Street or Louie's Backyard, 700 Waddell Avenue (a wonderful place to spend an afternoon, can order lunch at the bar, if desired. Evening is lovely also.)

You can walk anywhere in Old Town from Almond Tree Inn. Inn includes breakfast, but if looking for a change, I suggest nearby Blue Heaven, Croissants de France or Banana Cafe.

For a nice dinner, Square One and Alice's are nearby. Louie's is further, but lovely setting and good food.

Let me know if you have more questions, we visit Key West at least once per year.

kb

pegoode

Thanks for the tips. I'm really looking forward to this trip. Just about 3 weeks to go!

doowop

We just made a reservation at Alice's on the 25th!

Yea!

I can't wait. It's been a long year. We need a vacation.

cw

pegoode

Thanks to all who contributed advice for our first time to Key West. We ate Thanksgiving dinner at Alice's and loved it. The food was great as was the service. Alice came around several times to check on everyone. It was a really nice evening. We stayed at The Almond Tree Inn and really enjoyed the location, staff and facility. The pool was very nice and we pretty much had it to ourselves. Or I did anyway - after arriving Thursday we got our bearings Friday, rented bikes to tour around on Saturday, my husband came down with the flu on Sunday and didn't feel well until Thursday, we left for home on Friday. I floated around the pool and shopped Duval St. for four days. Oh well, we'll just have to go back!