Message: We are looking for the best place to stay on the keys in Florida. We love fine dining, relaxing by a pool or beach, sunsets and strolling in quaint towns. We are looking at the Marquesa in Key West. Is this the best place for all these things? Any suggestions would be appreciated. We are planning to go the last week in April.



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The Marquesa is lovely -- very romantic and intimate. The rooms surround a courtyard with two beautiful pools -- an unheated one with a small waterfall going into it, and a heated free-form shaped one. The courtyard is full of orchids and tropical plantings. Guests are requested to turn off their cell phones in the common areas -- and people actually do!! It adds to the relaxing atmosphere. The Marquesa in in Old Town, but just a couple of blocks from all the action on Duval Street -- an ideal location.

The Marquesa is a perfect choice.

Just curious, but I was looking at traveladvisor.com and they rate The Gardens Hotel and the Eden House as the top 2 hotels in Key West with the Marquesa as third. Anyone know anything about these 2 hotels?

katyhotr - You've brought up something that has been puzzling me for a long time. I know that tripadvisor advice can be very sound (hey, I post there too), but occasionally it's just plain weird. The Eden House is a perfect example. I spend a lot of time in Key West and I've never heard the Eden House mentioned either by other tourists or by friends who live in Key West.

For a long while, the Eden House ranked first and Nassau House (next door to Eden House) ranked second as best places to stay in Key West. There seems to have been an absolute deluge of favorable posts about those places in recent months.

I also noticed several weeks ago in the Miami Herald that "Key West's Nassau house won the top B&B ranking in tripadvisor's annual scoring of the world's hotels offering." Frankly, that's pretty outrageous, as the Nassau House isn't remotely as good as many other places to stay in Key West. I hate to be such a cynic, but it IS possible to post more than once on that site - just like it is on this one.

I might add that I checked the posts for hotels and restaurants in my home town and they're so completely wrong it's almost funny. I think you'd be safer considering posts on this website, where nothing is "ranked" and nobody really has much to gain by touting one place over another.

Susan, I agree with you about Trip Advisor. I think their rating system is based totally on numbers, not necessarily on how good the recommendations are. And like you said, it's easy to post more than one recommendation.

Although, I did follow their recommendation last year for a trip to New Orleans, and did thoroughly enjoy La Maison Marigny. It really is an awesome B&B. Jean

Jean - I think we travel in the same circles! What is it about Key West and New Orleans that attract the same people?

I've been recommending La Maison Marigny and B&W Courtyards for several years and I've never seen one single negative thing said about either.

In Key West, though...the advice just seems to be screwy. Hopefully not too many people rely solely on a single source for information.

I'm sure you already know that the Marquesa is not on the water. However, it IS wonderful!

Susan, thanks for the info. In your opinion, where should we stay or where do you stay in Key west?

katy - I think the Marquesa is a perfect choice for you unless you're determined to have a water view. We've recommended it to friends who say they feel totally spoiled after staying there.

My husband and I prefer the Galleon for a couple of reasons: we're there for several weeks at a time and really need the convenience of a full kitchen and washing machine and dryer, and we're absolutely committed to having a water view!

For a shorter stay I don't think there's anything better in Key West than the Marquesa.

Just heard about the Pier House and was wondering if anyone has info good or bad about it. Which would you choose, the Marquesa or Pier House?

katy - Again, no contest. The Pier House gets VERY spotty reviews. I have friends who stayed there once and loved it; they stayed a second time and hated it. Most of the rooms at the Pier House overlook the parking lot, and I've seen lots of complaints about the "view." I've also heard reports of musty smelling rooms.

You honestly won't do any better than the Marquesa

I would choose Marquesa over Pier House any day. Marquesa is elegant, yet casual and relaxing. Location is excellent unless you must be on the water.