If I hadn’t been in Florida already I would not have gone to the Keys. I met in Miami friends of mine from London that were exploring Florida and Key West was on their list. We drove down and stopped midway for lunch. Will not mention the place as it was just average.
We both checked into different hotels. They were at Casa Marina which was average and very expensive for the look and service at the hotel. In all fairness I think they were going through a change of management. We do not know whether it was run by Waldorf or Hilton.In February all the rates are high because of the demand not their worthiness.
I was looking for a well priced room in a small bed and breakfast hotel but waited too long and ended it up at the 15th hotel I called. I stayed at Pearl’s which before November 2010 was a Lesbian hotel and now they welcome “all”. Yes the majority of guests looked like they were the chosen clientele but many others were not. My room was clean but small and pretty depressing. The rug was something that I avoided at all costs. They accommodated a few requests but the help does not go out of their way to give you that special service feeling. Went to the pool once and saw a 300 pound woman without her top (heard they were bottomless up til Nov) and that did the pool for me. Once went to the bar and another person sitting there loved my watch and had to touch my arm to see it. I was done there too. Breakfast was communal and came with the room and it was good but no one talked to me the 3 mornings I was there. It did not matter as my friends and I were very busy seeing the sights and eating out.
Below are some of the places we went to that I recommend. Would I go back …no…if you deep sea fish or scuba maybe think about it. The place and the buildings were quaint but it is overrun with tourists.
Hotels:
Cayo Hueso Resorts-513 United Street-305 797 1500-www.cayohuesoresorts.com
Apts with full kitchens some with private decks and pools- looked very nice and well located to
Duval Street.
Casa Marina Resort-nice but not great
The Gardens Hotel- 526 Angela St – 800 525 2664- small and wonderful
The Pier House-1 Duval Street- 305 296 7569- the grand dame of the resort type hotels –best!
Dining:
Louie’s Backyard-700 Waddell Avenue- 305 294 1061-lunch and dinner- great dinner
915- 915 Duval Street- 305 296 0669- the best food I had in Key West
Banana Café- 1215 Duval Street- great for breakfast- sit upstairs
Transportation:
Greyhound Bus- leaves only at 8:15 for places north $45
Keys Shuttle- small bus – but they over charged me- no air conditioning- wrote to them when I got back as I believe I was the only person that pd $90 while others pd $55-never answered my letter- avoid!!-will have to deal with Visa
Super Shuttle- 305 871 2000- don’t know
Tourist Things:
Walking around and the Truman House were my favorites
