Help!!! Need advice for the Florida Keys.

[jwhiting]

We have booked a 16 night trip to Florida for 2005, 8 nights in Orlando (of course), 6 nights in the Florida Keys and 2 nights in Bal Harbour area of Miami.

The real concern centres around the Keys part of the trip. We have split the 6 nights between Keys Largo and West but were thinking about maybe changing it to 2 nights in Key Largo and 4 nights in Key West.

We are 31 & 27 with no kids, like a beer and a chill out (something we will need after 8 nights in Orlando). I've heard that Key Largo tends to be more of a resort hotel place i.e. everything is there within the hotel complex and there is no need to venture too far. Key West is more bars/restaurants etc and there is more of a need to get out and explore.

Any advice would be appreciated. Any trip to Florida is special, however deviating (sp) from the usual 2 weeks in Orlando does throw up some concerns that are normally not present.

For your info we are staying at the Sheraton/Westin Beach Resort in Key Largo, and the Ocean Key in Key West.

Thanks in advance

Julian

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

The Florida Keys have had some negative reviews in the past, mainly because it is so laid back, but we visited there October 2002 and had a great time, and we are early 40s with a (then) 10 yr old DD. We stayed in the Cheeca Lodge on Islamorada specifically because they offered snorkelling trips and this was something we all wanted to do. (However, glad to see you're not staying there - wouldn't recommend it to anyone).

We found our three day stay in the Keys very relaxing. We'd had a week in Orlando, another week down on Marco Island and then 3 nights on Islamorada. The drive from Marco to the Keys wasn't too long, some very interesting places we went through. The Everglades are near enough from Key Largo, there are loads of eateries around the area. We just enjoyed driving for a little while and seeing the little bays and beaches. Visit the Tarpon feeding place (can't remember the name but think it was near Marathon) - well worth an hour or two's visit

There are things to do - or not if you want to just sit and laze around.

The thing to remember with the Keys are that there are only a couple of "proper" beaches. Most of the resorts beaches, if any, are man made, but most places offer lovely deckchairs to sit and sip, eat or whatever, fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving, you name it, it's on offer, especially around the Key Largo area.

Only ever been to Key West donkey's years ago and don't remember and awful lot about it

I hope your concerns will be unfounded. We tend to only ever do a week in Orlando - that's enough for us. We then like to chill out on the gulf coast for at least another week to recharge the very drained batteries.

 

[danandjackie]

Your correct and to be honest thats the reason i would keep key west as the main stay as I tend to dislike the resort feel.. We to have no kids and love the freedom of visiting and travelling more as a local than packed in to a resort..unavoidable around Disney property though there are still plenty of adult orientated restaurants and fine food to escape the troughs of buffets..

 

[JohnnySharp]

Have never visited Key Largo but we have spent a couple of days in Key West several years ago before our son was born.
We too liked to explore as many areas of the state as possible then, something that can be more difficult with children.

KW is unlike any other part of Florida we have seen, more like the Caribbean really.
Let's just say that it is 'different' to any place we have been before.
I would say it is a good place for couples but not ideal for children.
Are you driving direct from Orlando? It is obviously a good few hundred miles, although the drive through to Key West personally I found more enjoyable than our stay there, some great places to stop on the way such as Bahia Honda (nice beach there).
The only thing I would say is that 6 days may be too long?

To be perfectly honest we didn't really enjoy our stay , having said that the Hotel we stayed at was dissapointing and we did have a few problems with our room, added to the fact that it was June and about 100 degrees and my wife wasn't feeling too well, you get the picture

 

[jwhiting]

Thanks for all your advice so far everybody.

Johnysharp, yes we are driving down from Orlando to Key Largo and then onto Key West. I appreciate the distance but having driven from San Francisco to Las Vegas this year it doesn't really bother us, in fact we are very much looking forward to it.

I guess its up to us to make our minds up at the end of the day...we especially wanted to do the Keys this time so allowed 6 days to see everything and also to chill a bit as well. We were told elsewhere that 6 days might be a tad too much but hey its a holiday and its better than being at work!!!!!



Julian

 

[JohnnySharp]

Julian, yes that's a good point.
I am sure you will have a great time there - it is all about people making their own minds up.
I know what you mean about driving distances, to be honest we would never even consider it now we have a young son with us but we have toured the likes of the Keys, Naples, Miami and Fort Lauderdale - it is easier when there are just the 2 of you. Don't think our son would appreciate it as much though. Hence we stick to Orlando these days.

Would love to go back to Miami in particular and hope to return there one day.

 

[Stuartpaul]

31 & 27 and no kids? What a brilliant time you can have!!!

We were in Key West July this year (with two kids!) and had such a good time we're hoping to go back next year.

You can party as much as you want (and believe me there's plenty of places to do it) or you can just lie back and enjoy. As you'll have a car day trips aren't a problem and there is pleanty to do nearby. If you're going to do 6 days a guide book may be useful. Also try http://www.fla-keys.com/ found it a useful site for all sorts of info, - particularly accomodation.

We drove down from Orlando and I have to say it was part of the fun (Turnpike's a bit boring) and a unique experience.

If you get the chance go for one of the jet ski trips around the island, - most fun I've had with my clothes on for years!!

Have a great time.

 

[wilkolo]

I've been a few places in Florida and I would have to say that Key West is probably my favourite. The nightlife is great (much better than Orlando).

I'd certainly switch from 3/3 to 4/2.

If you've not got kids and if you're the sort of person like me who gets fed up with the saccharine nature of Disney and Orlando after 3 or 4 days then Key West is the perfect antidote.

 

[LJP]

Hi Julian - -

DH and I arrived home just over 2 weeks ago. We are 2 adults, slightly older with no kids!! We started off in Fort Lauderdale for 2 nights, unfortunately thanks to Jeanne saw absolutely nothing of it!! Hey ho - then drove down past Miami and onto Key West staying at the Doubletree Grand. We did find the drive really long though, due mostly to the low speed limits - interesting place! Very laid back and full of little streets to explore. Loads of restaurants to choose from and plenty of bars and nightlife if you want it. Sitting watching the sun go down was just lovely. Our hotel laid on a shuttle bus to and from the centre and beach which was great. To be honest, i don't know if i would rush back - maybe in a couple of years - i found it quite a sad place in a way, full of life drifters and loners - but a gorgeous drive down, especially going over Seven Mile Bridge. We then headed up through the Everglades and stayed at Naples - very lovely, then finished off with a week in Orlando at WL & AKL - then the long drive all the way back to Miami. Still recovering now!!!
Enjoy

 

[yourwelcome]

key west is great fun! 6 nights