Key West lodging

[randyw]

Not a fishing question, but a question on lodging in or around Key West since the hurricanes. Are places in decent shape yet ? Plannin for a trip in March
thanks

[capt ed]

I was in Key West about three weeks after the hurricane. There was extensive damage, but most of the resorts were up and running. I'm sure everything will be open by March.

[fmw]

I was in Key West in Oct. for a long weekend just before the hurricane. I was with a bunch of friends all celebrating 40th b-days. We originally planned a weekend in New Orleans and were forced to change due to Katrina.

When booking accomodations, be careful. We rented a house, which was great, except we were broken into when we were out and had things like a couple of backpacks and digital cameras stolen. (Somehow they missed the I-pods). Nothing like getting robbed to give one a bad taste about a city. I think theres alot of petty crime in KW by drug addicts/homeless.

[Capt.ChrisLembo]

Amlost everything is back to normal except for replanting of trees. With the Salt Water intrusion into the ground no planting should be done for a very long time so the greenness of the island is not what it used to be.

As far as lodging in Key West the last thing I would recommend is renting a house.

If you are going with your wife or girlfriend I would recommend staying at an Inn. They are a little less expensive and more personal than the big resorts, they all have a pool that you will probably have to yourself and they are all very close to everything. Most run around $175-$225 per night. The big resort thing is not necessary since you are spending most of the time around town anyway. In the caribbean where I would not spend as much time around any town a big resort is necessary but in Key West it is not. If I were spending that amount of $ I would rent a villa on Sunset Key or a condo in Truman Annex. If you do want the big resort the Casa Marina is the one. Old world Florida charm at its best.

The Weatherstation inn is excellent and located in the Truman Annex a block from Duval, it is a gated community so there is no traffic or noise, www.weatherstationinn.com. Also the Conch House Inn at www.conchhouse.com, Mermaid and the Alligator, Heron House, Duval Inn are also good.


As far as hotels go....the Southernmost is good as is the Best Western Hibuscus ($179 per night 2 qn beds), and they are within walking distance to all. Pier House, Galleon, Ocean Key are just off Duval but will be much more expensive. Around $325 and up per night for a single king.

If I were renting I would rent a condo and the only place I would go is the Truman Annex. www.compass-realty.com. $2000 per week for a 2 bed 2 bath that sleeps 4-6. $1000 per week for a 1 bed sleeps 2-4.

I have had too many clients that stayed in private rental houses tell me their tale of woe. One guy did not have return of security deposit and owner claimed damage that later was proven a lie. Another group arrived and the previous renters threw out all the light bulbs and they could not contact the rental agent for 2 days to have it fixed. They had to buy the bulbs themselves and get reimbursed. Others did not get what was promised. Many places are dumps. Bad locations. Can't contact rental agent to lodge complaints was the biggest issue.

The Radisson, Comfort Inn,Grand Key, Fairfield inn and both Marriotts are very far from anything and you will find that the worst part of Key West is when you need to travel by car and find a parking space