V-Flyer

Have just managed to secure 2 UC reward flights to Miami next March. We are planning to spend a couple of days in Miami and then drive down to Key West. Prices seem to have significantly increased since the last time we went to Florida and I wondered if anyone has specific recommendations for hotels in Miami and Key West. Although I would like 5-star luxury, I think this will be beyond us this time (unless you know better!), so any suggestions from personal experience would be welcome, although I don't really want to dip below 4-star if possible!

Thanks.

To be honest at the moment I would book a flexible rate somewhere at a Hilton or Hyatt. Hopefully in the new year the pound will start to strengthen against the dollar and then you may be able to get more value for money!

For a good list of hotels in Miami I would checkout Amex travel - I generally use them to book most my hotels.

jayden wrote:To be honest at the moment I would book a flexible rate somewhere at a Hilton or Hyatt. Hopefully in the new year the pound will start to strengthen against the dollar and then you may be able to get more value for money!

For a good list of hotels in Miami I would checkout Amex travel - I generally use them to book most my hotels.

I'd not be holding my breath on the currency in the next year or so at least if this brexit stupidity goes ahead. It won't be going up. If that article triggers, it's likely to get past parity with the dollar.

I've always found hotel prices in Key West stupidly expensive and hence why I usually compromise and stay further up the Keys.

When we stayed 4 years ago we booked the Blue Marlin Motel. Other hotels were really expensive and this one had free parking and a pool. Staff told us about an amazing place for brunch just up the road - Camilles

Key West (and the other Keys to a slightly lesser degree) is very, very expensive. We last stayed there in May two years ago and had to pay over £200 a night for a room at the Southernmost Hotel. Prices have sky rocketed since then. March is high season and you may have trouble even this far out finding places to stay. It is also Spring Break and although KW doesn't get masses of students, we were there one year in March and had a dreadful time every night as our hotel room backed onto the Blue Marlin!!!! I think every student in KW must have been staying there!!! To be honest, very few of the hotels in KW are 5 star or even 4 star but the Southernmost Collection might be worth a look.

I would go onto Trip Advisor and look at the list of hotels in Key West, read some of the reviews and see if you like the look of any of them. It's best to stay in Old Town as you can park up the car and walk everywhere!

When we went we stayed at the Santa Maria suites. Great value and really good location - would definitely stay again.

You could also try AirBNB but a quick look there also shows some high prices and limited availability - I concur though about looking at hotels and a flexible booking, if you find something that you would pay try that and then watch the pound, lots of people think it is undervalued by sentiment more than actuality.

Last time visiting the Keys we stayed on Cudjoe Key in a house rental which was quiet , affordable ( pool, dockside etc) and close enough to the hustle and bustle of Key West- but next time we are going to add to the fun experience of our visit by renting a house boat. VRBO are listing two at Stock Island Marina Village, great for couples, with a minimum stay of 2 nights. $250 / night.

Have used VRBO and Homeaway over 40 times, great selection of 'homes' and very reliable

What's not to like !

Etk. The Santa Maria Suites were way too expensive for us but I guess what is good value to someone is always out of someone else's price range! I would have loved to have stayed there.

Hi,
I can recommend the Doubletree Hotel. Lovely hotel with a free shuttle service down to Mallory square and Duvel street.Have a look at it.

we just returned from a similar trip 2 weeks ago... we had 3 nights in Miami Beach and 2 nights in key west - but wish we had done it the other way round with more time in Key West. We also spend 2 nights in Marathon on the way down (Courtyard Marriott - outstanding). In Key West we stayed at the Marquesa, a fabulous boutique hotel which I would highly recommend. I found that booking directly with hotels you can now sometimes get better deals than when booking through hotels.com etc.

Traveller2 wrote:Etk. The Santa Maria Suites were way too expensive for us but I guess what is good value to someone is always out of someone else's price range! I would have loved to have stayed there.

Just had a look and they are >50% more than when we went two years ago! Shame as they were really nice. Bloody brexit

How much is the OP looking to spend?

I agree with others that Key West isn't the cheapest place in the world for hotels (or quite a few other things in general) so you have to accept that you're going to pay more than you would for equivalent accommodation somewhere on the mainland.

If you want a hotel that sits firmly in the 4-star category I'd take a look at The Reach. I've stayed here twice now and it's a great hotel with its own private beach and in a good location being one block away from the bottom of Duval Street. It's also round the corner from Southernmost Hotel that Traveller2 stayed at. What's more you can also use the facilities at its sister hotel the Casa Marina (which you may also want to look at).

As for Miami, again it depends where you stay and Miami Beach in particular can be pricey. If the OP wants to stay in Miami Beach I've stayed at the Courtyard Miami Beach-South Beach on Washington Avenue. It's close to Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road Mall and was reasonably priced when we stayed there 2 years ago. Again, depends how much you're looking to spend and what's more important.

Thanks for all your advice everyone! Lots of good ideas here. Love the Santa Maria Suites but just a bit too expensive at £500 a night! Also love the Doubletree at Marathon but do want to actually stay in Key West. We are willing to pay up to £400 per night for a 3 night stay in KW so that would be our budget. I have looked at Marriott Beachside and wonder if anyone has a view on this?

Have also looked at Mandarin Oriental in Miami - they are offering a third night free when you book 2 so works out at around £350 a night. Is it worth it??

I did check Spring Break dates before booking and found that most were happening before our holiday - hopefully!

Thanks again.

I think the Beachside Marriott is in New Town and really, Old Town is the best place to stay for walking to all the attractions/bars/restaurants. Have you had a look at the Casa Marina or the Pier House?

Hi Turqouise,
Doubletree is in a Key West.
http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels ... west-EYWDT

For your price range there should be lots of choice, some smaller hotels too for example I love the Marquesa on Fleming Street - a great location and a lovely small hotel with a fabulous restaurant. I think you get a better feel for Key West is a smaller place in the more traditional style too.

Martin5192 wrote:Hi,
I can recommend the Doubletree Hotel. Lovely hotel with a free shuttle service down to Mallory square and Duvel street.Have a look at it.

Seconded
Only checked out a few days ago
Much better than I was expecting

Anybody have experience with self catering in Key West? Looking for a villa or condo for 10 days to 2 weeks but keep getting stuck on minimum terms of 28 days.

Would be interested to hear any others' experiences.

Thanks

What's your budget? Those Santa Maria suites I suggested earlier are great and could definitely be used as fully self catered units. Not the cheapest mind!

As mentioned above by SNORA - VRBO & Homesaway have a vast selection. We have just booked one for a family reunion in Savannah. A lot of my family live in the states & they always book with them.

Have you tried priceline & hotwire?
Dont forget March is Spring Break, so Key West (and the rest of Florida) could be a popular destination for the college folk.

Eggtastico wrote:Dont forget March is Spring Break, so Key West (and the rest of Florida) could be a popular destination for the college folk.

Its not just Spring-break you need to worry about. January, Feb & March are the months when the Snow-bird folk from up North fly down to Florida in their thousands. Any sort of accommodation price will remain high until they return - usually on Easter saturday