Key West hotel help!

[hydster]

Dh and I are going to Key West the first week in December and we have NO idea where to stay. We've never been there so we have no clue where the best place to stay might be. We are looking at paying around $200 a night for the hotel. We've looked at a few hotels on the net and looked at reviews from trip advisor but we still have no idea where to stay. We've entertained staying up near the airport and we've entertained staying "near" Duval street. We love the beach *coming from Utah so no beach here* but we love to wander around and sightsee. Anyone have a good hotel to stay at??

 

[Miss Jasmine]

We have stayed at the Key Lime Inn and loved it. We will stay there again when we visit sometime in the future.
http://www.keylimeinn.com/

 

[hydster]

Thanks Miss Jasmine! We actually looked at all of those hotels associated with the Key Lime Inn. They all looked really nice!!! We liked that they were small which to us is what Key West should feel like! Is it far to the beach or to Duval or Caroline Street???

 

[Squirlz]

A very nice place is the Curry Mansion www.currymansion.com

They offer rooms in the mansion as well as "hotel" type rooms. We stayed in the Owner's Suite which is fabulous!

 

[bsnyder]

This is our favorite place in Key West. Not sure if it's in the price range you mentioned because we go in the summer months, which is low season.

The location is perfect - Zero Duval Street. The decor is beautiful, very colorful, with a laidback tropical Carribean look. The pool area is great, and the Sunset Pier turns into a wonderful party every evening! Be sure to take a look at the photo tour on the website.

http://www.oceankey.com/default.aspx?pageid=home

It looks like a big resort on the website, but it's actually got a very cozy, intimate feeling.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Thanks Miss Jasmine! We actually looked at all of those hotels associated with the Key Lime Inn. They all looked really nice!!! We liked that they were small which to us is what Key West should feel like! Is it far to the beach or to Duval or Caroline Street???

It's VERY close to Duval street. I want to say it's only a block or two away. We didn't really go to the beaches, so I can't answer that. We spent most of our time on Duval Street. I would like to recommend a restaurant...
http://www.conchrepublicseafood.com/

We had a very nice meal there. We wanted to stop by there when we were in Port from the Magic, but we didn't have time.

 

[brerrabbit]

I have been there only once and someone else was paying and we stayed at the Hyatt which is on the water near Duval street. We also at a resturant that was wonderful but I cannot remember the name. All I remember is that the specialty of the house was Hog snapper. It was a little expensive but one of the best meals I have ever had. Hog snapper is expensive because apparently it cannot be caught on a line or in a net but rather only by spear fishing. Ask a round and I'm sure someone will know the place.

 

[aynt79]

I also second Ocean Key Resort, especially the junior suite with a huge whirlpool in the master bedroom.

We have also stayed at the Hyatt Resort and Marina. It only a block or two from the active part of Duval and it has it's own tiny beach.

http://keywest.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp


I will warn you about the beaches, they aren't all that great in Key West; at least not what most people expect. I would rather stay on Duval and then drive to the other side of the island to visit the slightly better beaches. We figure we like to have a good time on Duval so we'd rather have a short walking distance back to the hotel vs dealing with cabs or shuttles. (Make sure you visit Irish Kevin's )

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Ahhh Irish Kevin's...part of the reason we ran out of time for the restaurant. There was a wonderful singer/guitarist performing and ended up staying longer than we had planned.

 

[bsnyder]

and ended up staying longer than we had planned.

Yep, it has happened to us too! We LOVE Irish Kevin's! All the entertainers are a riot, but Jared is my personal favorite.

http://www.irishkevins.com/key-west-bars-intro.html


And I'd have to agree, about the beaches. They're really not the main attraction in Key West. It's much easier to commute to the beach, rather than commute to Duval St.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Of those mentioned I'd side with Curry Mansion. I'd definately stay near old town and not near the airport/Smathers (unsafe to swim at) Beach. My choice for a hotel would be Pier House. It's upscale, on the water and Duval Street.

Restaurants. Michaels, 7 Fish, Blue Heaven and (an odd choice) Meteor Smokehouse for GREAT BBQ.

 

[got2lovedisney]

http://www.southernmostresorts.com/

If the Hyatt is too expensive (not sure of the rates)...Southernmost is also very nice. It's on Duval but on the opposite end from Mallory Square so it's on the quiet side.

 

[hydster]

Wow thank you all for your input! It seems so overwhelming to me to figure this out. I have Disney *world and land* down pat, Cancun and Vegas down pat but this is throwing a curve at me since I have NO idea about anything down there. I will definitely look into all of the ideas you've given me! I really do appreciate it!