Anyone been to Key West in Florida?

SandLake

Have a look here - http://www.centercourtkw.com/rooms-rates.htm#_inns

Scroll down to the section stating with Havana Hideaway

I don't pretend to understand this website but I think that section relates to a place called Duval Square (1075 Duval Street) - it is near the atlantic side of the island so a walk from Mallory Square but not that far.

I am booked to stay there (2 couples) for 5 nights in May

I have been to Key West before, quite a while ago and it is very laid back, beaches are not particularly good but there is plenty to do

saveapenny

We stayed at the Casa Marina on Reynold street and the beach there was very nice. It wasnt a problem for people to come through the hotel and use the facilities as no one took any notice. Snorkeling off the pontoon was good too

Cardew

There used to be a fast ferry running between Fort Myers and a couple of points in the Keys. Some friends took it and said it was much better than driving(which they had also done)

I think there are also some local airlines that fly there cheaply. I stay on the Atlantic coast of Florida and there are certainly flights daily from Melbourne.

That said most people I know have said that it is a long way to go and pretty disappointing.

jayne26

think theres a fast boat from tampa

Weymouth_Man

Weggy wrote:

Will be in Orlando for 3 weeks this April and would like to get down to Key West. What's it like? Any suggestions of somewhere to stay down there for a night?

Thanks

It's a full day's travelling, don't forget even when you get to the start it's about a further 140 Miles to the very end, worth stopping off at the Hilton Hotel, free parking, boat trips etc, there is the original AFRICAN QUEEN boat from the film, well worth a visit, more so for the boat trip's. :beer:

spursman

111 miles from beginning to end we had 10 days in the Keys followed by 11 days in Orlando we flew to Miami with Virgin drove to Key Largo & stayed there for a couple of days(45 miles from Miami 1st Key of the Keys) we then went 50 or so miles down only bout 90 mins drive to Marathon Key stayed there for the day next day we drove onto Key West stayed there for a week Sunsets were out of this world as were the drinks one bar in the harbour has a rickety old walkway rounda natural harbour that has sharks(only nurse sharks) in it drve back to Miami on the 10th day bout a 4 hour drive caught an internal flight to Orlando(only bout $90 for 2ad 1 ch) picked up another car there easy
yep i'd definately reccommend the Keys

Party_Animal

I remember going in a really good bar. I think it was called Sloppy Joe's or something similar.

spursman

when we went there were 2 sloppy joes the real one that Hemingway used which you could only get about 6 people in & a big touristy one opposite which was like a big inner city fun pub(no atmosphere & overpriced drinks) btw Key West is a little bit more expensive than most of tourist Florida.
Me personally i would steer clear of the everglades i've seen Deliverance

where2save

If you have 3 weeks in Florida, I would not want to rush to and from Key West in a day or two. Are you willing to spend at least a week away from Orlando?

If so, then I'd definitely recommend spending some time down in the Keys (in particular making the trip to key West). However, the Keys are a laid back environment and will be best appreciated if you take time, relax and get a proper feel for the islands. With a mad dash there and back, you will definitely miss out on this. The Keys are a world away from Orlando (which I'm not that keen on but that's probably why I'm putting a good case for the Keys!) and also Miami. However, I think they make a great combination with a trip to Orlando.

On a fly-drive to Florida a year or so ago, the Keys were probably my favourite part of the trip. You should probably know that the beaches are not the strong point compared to other Florida areas although the snorkelling and other water sports are excellent. The atmosphere in the bars and restaurants is great although how much of that you go for probably depends whether you will have children with you.

colmil

Please do yourself a favour and do not even think of doing Key West in a day!

Friends of mine tried it once! They were exhausted for the rest of their holiday!

It is a very long drive even from Miami, and, frankly, when we were there we booked through ' Florida Traveller' a free voucher magazine, probably on the web by now, as you have been informed, the rooms were twice the price of the 'Mainland' and Key West was a let-down!

We only stayed three nights because that was the minimum Days Inn would accept!

It is ten years since I was there, but the ageing hippies with long grey hair will be even older now!

I found it scruffy and totally over-rated, but we are all different, and you may think it wonderful!

I hope you will post here when you come back!

Best of luck!