Anyone have advice for Florida Keys?

[fan_of_small_world]

Before our next trip to WDW, my DH would like to take a family trip to the Keys (so I'd better get planning, since I've already decided to to back to WDW Nov '08!).

Now, he's been there several times, the last 2 with me (our honeymoon and a couple of years after that). Both times we stayed at Hawks Cay. His parents go down every February and stay at Coral Bay in Islamorada.

I'm not even sure where to begin planning, though, since this will be our first trip there with kids. Hawks Cay is a little pricier than we want to do this time, although I don't know if the rooms are ever discounted. And, I'm just not too sure about Coral Bay. The in-laws love it, but we have different priorities. (I've heard a few too many stories about how the owner walks around drunk half of the time. The in-laws don't have a problem with that )

I'd love to hear where others have stayed and what they liked (or didn't like) about their accomodations. We'll probably want to stay in the Islamorada or Marathon areas. Of course, any other advice is always welcome!

Thanks in advance!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Anyone? (And yes, it will stink being in Florida and not going to Disney.)

 

[Aurora63]

No other advice for you, but I wanted to say that I"ve stayed at Hawks Cay twice! Loved it! I stayed in one of the Sanctuary Villas with a bunch of friends/family. It's so beautiful there. Maybe you should stick with them, they are a bit expensive but I think it's worth it.

 

[lesroi]

We're going to the Keys also in March. We are staying on Sugarloaf Key.
None of my extended family have been to the Keys. I have been once.

I stayed in Marathon and really loved it. I thought it was a nice central location from which you could get just about anywhere in a fairly reasonable amount of time.

Things to definitely see are:

Dolphin Research Center
John Pennekamp State Park
Bahia Honda State Park (Supposedly the best beach in the Keys)
Hemmingway House in Key West
Southernmost Point in Key West

I am trying to think of what else we are doing, I think maybe a ghost tour in Key West.

Well, if I can think of anything else, I'll be back! Hope some other people who have been more than I have will post some good things!


Tracy

 

[jbmom]

I grew up going to the keys every year for about 2 weeks, my parents owned a home in Little Torch Key. Unfortunately, my mom died and my dad didn't have the heart to keep it anymore. Marathon is centrally located, although you may look into Big Pine Key too. Be sure to go and see the Key deer on Big Pine, they are so cute!! Key West has so much to do. Bahia Honda is a definate must see, the beach is great! You used to be able to walk onto the old Bahia Honda bridge there too. If you need more ideas PM me.

 

[mcgypsy]

Even my little ones loved Key West. We went when they were 5/4 and there was just so much more to do than people think. We went right after a Disney trip, and they still thought it was cool - so it couldn't have been too much of a letdown!

 

[Bonnie40]

In 2005 we did a Disney/Florida Keys trip and my kids still talk about it! We stayed in a small 'resort' in Grassy Key (just north of Marathon) but would seriously look into renting a place in Key Colony Beach next trip. Key Colony Beach is a community that juts out from US 1 in Marathon. You would have to do some research to see about renting a house there, but that's what I would recommend if Hawk's Cay is too pricey. Definitely go to Bahia Honda State Park! We took the kids on a party boat fishing charter, went snorkelling and a day trip to Key West. We loved it! You do need to understand that the beaches in the Keys (other than Bahia Honda) are not what you would think of as 'beaches'. Marathon has a grocery store and some very nice restaurants and is a good middle spot to travel up and down the Keys. Have a fabulous time! I'm jealous!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

These are great ideas...thanks (and please keep 'em coming!)!

 

[Amity 3]

Looe Key has the best snorkeling/diving in the Keys in my opinion. trips to the Keys aren't about resorts. we're there for diving, fishing, lobstering, and drinking. Islamorada is my favorite. Bahia Honda, yes please. Key West, everyone should go once in their life. there's a ship we catch out of Ft. Meyers that takes you down to Key West and back for about $80.00 round trip.

 

[denisenh]

Another Hawks Cay past guest here. You can check their website for special rates. http://www.hawkscay.com/

Maybe a private rental would work? There is at least one Hawks cay villa listed
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/keys

One of our favorite sightseeing spots was http://www.cranepoint.org/
Just beautiful.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

The past few years we split our Florida trip in October between Orlando and the Keys.

When we were in the keys we stayed at Key Colony Beach (just N of Marathon). The first year we stayed at the Continental Inn for $85/night and were extremely impressed. The room was closer in size to a small condo than a hotel room, very clean, and most of all quiet. The second year the Continental was undergoing some renovations so we stayed at the Ocean Beach Club for about $140/night (not as nice but was still adequate) then spent one night in Key West just to enjoy the nightlife. We spent the night at La Concha Hotel in Key West for $190 and got a free upgrade to one of their two presidenial suites (the Hemingway Suite).

We found Key Colony Beach to be an ideal location as it was only an hour from Key West and about the same distance from Key Largo so no matter where in the keys you wanted to go you were less than an hour away.

Hope this helps!

 

[Syrreal]

If you don't want to stay towards the upper keys, and are interested in snorkeling/diving, you may want to check out Amoray Dive resort.
http://www.amoray.com/

It's a short drive from there to Islamorada