Input on stay in the Keys

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Dh and I will be going to Orlando at the end of October and have been talking about adding a few days in the Keys. Already checked timeshare trades and there is nothing. We've gotten the recommendation to stay in Key West since it's the farthest down in the chain. Now I'm looking for input on how many nights we should stay, and potential places. I'm looking into rentals that can be cancelled, since our plans are still not firm. So I'm most likely looking at hotels. Mostly want to know where would be a good location, beach front? town?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

www.littlepalmisland.com

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Thanks. Sounds gorgeous, but looks to be a bit more than we wanted to spend.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

We lived in SE Florida for 8 years and went to the keys several times. We are not big fans of the keys. The first time we went to Key West was to see it for ourselves. We stayed a couple nights in a hotel in Key West and did the tourist stuff. In my opinion one day is enough time to spend there. We decided we would never go back but we would get visitors that wanted to see the Keys so we ended up going several more times. It is a long drive out to Key West. I have also done it by boat.

We also went several times to John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park at Key Largo for snorkeling. They have a live reef that has the best snorkeling I have seen. It is like snorkeling in a huge salt water aquarium with all the brightly colored many species of fish and sea life. I strongly recommend it. They have very reasonable snorkeling tours and supply all the equipment.

http://pennekamppark.com/

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Thanks John. Dh really wants to see the Keys and we thought this would be a good time to do it. Appreciate the input on other places to see.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I would stay in Key West, in or near Old Town, NOT near the airport by the newer Hyatt timeshares. There is a Hyatt Sunset that is in a superb location. Also the Banyan Resort and the Galleon. I have friends who recently stayed at a hotel there, too, will check and get back to you - Oh... rent a scooter

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

I would stay in Key West, in or near Old Town, NOT near the airport by the newer Hyatt timeshares. There is a Hyatt Sunset that is in a superb location. Also the Banyan Resort and the Galleon. I have friends who recently stayed at a hotel there, too, will check and get back to you

Thanks. I got the recommendation for a B&B called the Avalon that sounds nice, and pretty reasonable.

Oh... rent a scooter

Not happening.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Thanks. I got the recommendation for a B&B called the Avalon that sounds nice, and pretty reasonable.


Not happening.

Looks great. I am a scooter chicken but we rented one there and I was fine. Very low traffic, uncrooked streets with no blind curves. We flew into Key West so didn't have a car, and it's much easier to park a scooter

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Looks great. I am a scooter chicken but we rented one there and I was fine. Very low traffic, uncrooked streets with no blind curves. We flew into Key West so didn't have a car, and it's much easier to park a scooter

We'll have a car. And from what I understand most things are within walking distance.

How many nights do you recommend?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I think three would be plenty assuming you will stop and see a few keys on your way down and back. You could get away with two though it's a long drive down from Miami. Key West has gotten very honky tonk/trash touristy (shops selling crap, not necessarily trashy tourists) in the main part of Duval due to cruise ship overwhelm. I would check to see if there are days that the port doesn't have ships in, it will be more pleasant. I just heard back from my friend, he stayed in a 3 bedroom at the Marriott with four kids so not what you're looking for.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

We will actually be coming from Orlando, which looks like about a 6 hour drive. Maybe we should break that up with a stop one night in between. Any suggestions? West Palm Beach? Ft. Lauderdale? Miami?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

We will actually be coming from Orlando, which looks like about a 6 hour drive. Maybe we should break that up with a stop one night in between. Any suggestions? West Palm Beach? Ft. Lauderdale? Miami?

Miami is the last mainland stopping off point. For one night, stay in South Beach for the experience.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Miami is the last mainland stopping off point. For one night, stay in South Beach for the experience.

And what kind of experience would that be?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

And what kind of experience would that be?

Honestly, it may be indescribable. But an interesting people-watching excursion, at a minimum.

On a serious note, there is some fantastic original art deco architecture there.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Honestly, it may be indescribable. But an interesting people-watching excursion, at a minimum.

On a serious note, there is some fantastic original art deco architecture there.

Recommendations on places to stay? Or general area?