Page 1 of 3
Key West Vacation Advice
Posted: November 17, 2003 3:46 pm
by LuvBigFloppers
I would appreciate anyone's input on the best way to vacation in Key West, Florida. What are best and economical places to stay? Is it best to fly into Key West directly? Is a rental car necessary? miscellaneous suggestions welcomed...
Posted: November 17, 2003 4:44 pm
by 12vmanRick
Posted: November 17, 2003 5:03 pm
by Cubbie Bear
You have got to fly in to Miami or Lauderdale and make the drive. If for no other reason than the seven mile bridge. Lauderdale is usually cheaper.
We like to stay cheap (not flea bag) and spend the money on us. Always had great luck at the Best Western Hybiscus (we call it Hi Biscuits) Not fancy, clean comfortable and they don't call a cop if you bring a drink to the hot tub
Re: Key West Vacation Advice
Posted: November 17, 2003 8:17 pm
by Passed-out on Duval
LuvBigFloppers wrote:I would appreciate anyone's input on the best way to vacation in Key West, Florida. What are best and economical places to stay? Is it best to fly into Key West directly? Is a rental car necessary? miscellaneous suggestions welcomed...
Got a great Hotel through Hotwire when I went down there last march for like 80 bucks a night...it was a resort like hotel...but the name is not coming too me right now...something playa maybe?
I have driven down everytime I have gone, I have friends who live in South Florida, but if I were just going to KW, I think I would fly in directly if the price were not too much different...It is a fun ride to do once but when I went down in March there was a head on collision on 7 mile and the traffic was brutal...it was closed for like 4 hours!!!!! Whenever Ive gone its been part of a larger trip to FLA...but if Im just going to KW, I would look for a direct flight.
Posted: November 17, 2003 9:59 pm
by tully mars
I would recomend going in the summer time,the rates are so much cheaper
Posted: November 17, 2003 10:01 pm
by cayman2
If you want, you can fly non-stop into Key West from Atlanta. The Best Western Hibiscus is just fine; stayed there form MOTM and no complaints, plus it is quite cheap. Rent a bike (available at the Hibiscus), not a car. You can walk many places, but you'll wear yourself out.
Posted: November 17, 2003 10:07 pm
by bearphin
Definately have lunch or dinner at the Half Shell!!! The have a killer conch sandwiche!!!
Posted: November 17, 2003 10:15 pm
by mrmiata
Don't limit yourself to just Key West. There are over 100 other mile markers to explore. Lunch at Islamorada Fish Company is a treat. Big Dick and the Extenders at Woody's (MM82) is a hoot. Coconuts (MM100) is across the marina from the real African Queen. Look for Key Deer on Deer Key (MM30). Alabama Jack's on Card Sound Road has some history behind it and is a pretty good stop for open-air Florida-style beers, live music and Dolphin sandwiches.
http://www.fla-keys.com/ for some other stuff to do.
Posted: November 18, 2003 6:18 am
by Sidew13
rent a bike instead of a scooter
. It's cheaper and easier to get around
Posted: November 18, 2003 7:16 am
by Floridaze
Fly into south Florida and do the drive - it is one of the most picturesque drives you will ever take. My parents started taking us their in the 60's and I have been driving down every year since. The sun glistening off the crystal-clear blue water, crossing over all the bridges...it doesn't get any better. And take your time...stop and have a beer and lunch. Alabama Jacks is the first stop as you start your journey on Card Sound Road...key deer viewing, No Name Pub, 7 Mile Grille, Lorelei's...etc...Have fun! I’m ready to go!!!!
Posted: November 18, 2003 11:03 am
by finsupnorth
I myself just booked a cruise leaving Miami, going to Nassau, Cococay, and Key West....any advise on what there is to do near the port in Key West??? Already called Margaritaville to make sure it is within walking distance where the ship stops....
Posted: November 18, 2003 11:34 am
by Passed-out on Duval
Floridaze wrote:Fly into south Florida and do the drive - it is one of the most picturesque drives you will ever take. My parents started taking us their in the 60's and I have been driving down every year since. The sun glistening off the crystal-clear blue water, crossing over all the bridges...it doesn't get any better. And take your time...stop and have a beer and lunch. Alabama Jacks is the first stop as you start your journey on Card Sound Road...key deer viewing, No Name Pub, 7 Mile Grille, Lorelei's...etc...Have fun! I’m ready to go!!!!
When did they build the new bridge? When I look over at the old bridge which is like a lane wide with no guard rail...it is scary just thinking about it...was that open then?
Posted: November 18, 2003 11:56 am
by Desdamona
The old bridges
WERE scarey! Especially when you're
riding shotgun and the driver wants to sightsee!! But
they did have rails... like in
True Lies. Oncoming buses
and semis were always a delight.
If you do the drive, which I highly recommend, start it
early in the day. Driving it at night is a big waste of time,
since you miss the whole effetct of "driving out to sea."
And I, too, recommend the Hibiscus. ETP steered me in
that direction, and we were quite pleased. Must've just
missed you, Cayman2. Maybe next year?
Posted: November 18, 2003 12:35 pm
by citcat
If you wanna be close to the action so you can walk to (and crawl home from) Duval St., these are good-priced: LaTeDa at 1125 Duval, approx. $175.....Merlinn Key West at 811 Simonton, approx. $170...Tropical Inn at 812 Duval, approx. $180...The Garden House at 329 Elizabeth, approx. $170...and the cheapest I found, the L'Habitation at 408 Eaton, approx. $100-$145. These prices are the highest rates, winter rates. All these web sites are helpful: keywest.com, fla-keys.com, keysdirectory.com, keywestonline.com, gotothekeys.com, and for an excellent map of bars and stores on Duval, go to
www.seefloridaonline.com/duval/index.html . I printed this four page map to take with me in February when we go.
Posted: November 18, 2003 1:46 pm
by Cubbie Bear
If I remember right the "High Season " rates start around 12/15 it is still reasonable, other than special weekends. I was just pricing a couple of months ago and the Hibiscus was still under 100. That extra $70 per night can buy a lot of intoxicants
There is/was? a fish "shack" in Key Largo (I think) that the locals told us about. It was a market with 4 or 5 tables and wildly inexpensive. I'll ask Mrs Bear if she remembers the name
Posted: November 18, 2003 1:55 pm
by brettsky
Desdamona wrote:The old bridges
WERE scarey! Especially when you're
riding shotgun and the driver wants to sightsee!! But
they did have rails... like in
True Lies. Oncoming buses
and semis were always a delight.
I remember that bridge. I lost the sun roof on my van when a TT drove by at about 50. Broke the sun roof right off the hinges and scared the living sh!t out of me.
Posted: November 18, 2003 2:56 pm
by Floridaze
The old bridges were definitely scary. I had an old pickup truck with the large side-view mirrors. I could see a semi approaching from the other way and as they would pass I was always waiting for the mirror to get ripped right off the hinges…never did happen though.
Think they completed the new bridges in the early to mid-fabulous eighties.
Just think how it must have been to take a train down from Miami. Must have been awesome.
key west va-k advice
Posted: November 18, 2003 3:09 pm
by trisha
I've been there twice both by cruises so can't help with the hotel but you must do duval street and go down to captain tonys and the blond giraffe has the best key lime pie on a stick dipped in chocolate. hope this helps
Posted: November 18, 2003 3:10 pm
by East Texas Parrothead
I loved the Hibiscus. Am already booked for November 2004.
Got my confirmation today.
I know it prolly sounds corny, but I sure did learn a lot by riding the Conch Train around the island. Our guide was entertaining and I learned stuff I woulda never found in a guide book.
Also, I loved Hogsbreath. They make a good, fresh mint Mojito!
Enjoy!
Posted: November 18, 2003 3:28 pm
by LuvBigFloppers
How long is the drive from Miami (South Florida) to Key West? We are talking about a four day vacation so I don't want to spend alot of time commuting. When do the seasonal rates drop off?