Input on stay in the Keys

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

Appreciate the input on other places to see.

Don't quite understand this. John Pennecamp State Park is in the Keys at Key Largo. You will go past it on your way to Key West.

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

Recommendations on places to stay? Or general area?

Collins in the "teen" streets above 15th-ish, or one block in from Ocean if lower down. The HGVC is in a good location at the "top" of Ocean Drive at 14th street, and the 1 bedrooms are, thankfully, not in the front. Not sure if they do one night rentals. There used to be a Marriott at the bottom of Ocean Drive, around 1st or 2nd street, that was beachfront and should be good - below most of the fray. Not sure if it's still there but worth checking. One of the smaller deco places would be cool, too, and there's also a big Crowne Plaza (I think?) around 17th and Collins, on the beach, abutting Ocean Drive.
There's a place next door to the Delano that should work (the National?) but check reviews.
Plenty to choose from, check reviews and watch the discount sites for deals.

I'm not a Florida expert, though, maybe others might send you to a less decadent place.... depends on what you want - if you just want a relaxing beach day, then the Ft Lauderdale area might be better. There's no beach in Orlando, and not much in Key West.

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

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

I hope the Galleon is nice. My wife and I are staying there in January.

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

I hope the Galleon is nice. My wife and I are staying there in January.

I was very happy there!

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

Don't quite understand this. John Pennecamp State Park is in the Keys at Key Largo. You will go past it on your way to Key West.

I guess I meant places to stop and see as opposed to just driving by.

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

I'm not a Florida expert, though, maybe others might send you to a less decadent place.... depends on what you want - if you just want a relaxing beach day, then the Ft Lauderdale area might be better. There's no beach in Orlando, and not much in Key West.

Thanks again. We're going to Orlando, with dd, to do some Disney. Then we'll take her back to school (in St. Petersburg), probably spend one more night in Orlando since we have the timeshare there, and go south from there. Not too worried about a relaxing beach day on the way down.

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

There are Hyatt points owners who rent on ebay. Check them out for good deals.

It's a 4 hour drive from Miami to Key West and yes it's overrun with Cruise ship passengers many mornings.
I've done several cruises to Mexico with a stop in Key West and just didn't bother to get off the boat most times.
The few that I did was just to take the trolley and chachis shop.
Honestly Key West is small enough to see in one day if it's not overrun with other tourists.

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

I guess I meant places to stop and see as opposed to just driving by.

I assume then you meant Key West in your original post as opposed to the Keys in general.

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

Honestly Key West is small enough to see in one day if it's not overrun with other tourists.

I agree 100%.

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

This guy rents his Hyatt points on ebay pretty reasonably.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hyatt-Key-We...item4ac660d01e

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

I agree 100%.

Yes, could do. I recommended more because I just don't drive 4 hours to do anyplace in a day. A few days there would afford the opportunity to get a feel for the laid back island, the victorian floridian architecture, galleries (are they any left ? ), Hemingway's house, a great sunset or two, and restaurants. Some time to get off of Duval Street and relax, maybe get out on a boat...

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

Thanks for the additional input.

I was thinking two nights in Key West because I'm like Glitter. I don't want to drive all that way just to turn around and head back.

Thanks Chris for the info on the eBay seller. I'm not sure we'll go this route since the last part of the trip is still very fluid. It all depends on how long dd is able to stay with us in Orlando. So I'm better off making reservations that can be cancelled, or changed.

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

You might want to consider doing Dry Tortugas if you are staying in Key West a few days.
I've heard that it is spectacular.
I'm going to do it in November if I feel up to it.

http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm
http://www.yankeefreedom.com/
http://www.drytortugas.com/
http://www.drytortugasinfo.com/

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

You might want to consider doing Dry Tortugas if you are staying in Key West a few days.
I've heard that it is spectacular.
I'm going to do it in November if I feel up to it.

http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm
http://www.yankeefreedom.com/
http://www.drytortugas.com/
http://www.drytortugasinfo.com/

I have heard this as well...you might want to stay 3 nights to fit this in

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

You might want to consider doing Dry Tortugas if you are staying in Key West a few days.
I've heard that it is spectacular.
I'm going to do it in November if I feel up to it.

http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm
http://www.yankeefreedom.com/
http://www.drytortugas.com/
http://www.drytortugasinfo.com/

Looks interesting. I'll show this to dh and see if he wants to try to fit it in.

Pat, we were going to stay in Key West for 3 nights, but the place we're staying only had the room we want for two. That's when I thought about spending a night in Key Largo before heading to Fort Lauderdale to fly home. But all plans can be changed at this point.