Key West

[Tommy-G]

Since moving to Florid 7 years ago I have wanted to take the drop top and drive to the Keys, about 7-8 hours total trip.
I have this grand vision that driving across the Keys will be some magical experience. ANYWAY, my wife doesn't want to sit in sport seats for all that time so I conceded to take the Key West Express.

Any properties you guys really like? I don't want to stay on Duval, I like to sleep by 10-11 at the latest these days.
Honestly, don't have any agenda or even reason to go except to cross it off my bucket list and say been there, done that.

[cmyx6go]

The last time I went to Key West, I stayed at the Ocean Key House at the foot of Duval Street. It was the best of both worlds. You're right there on Duval but yet away from the craziness. They have great rooms, suites, a pool and bar right on the water.

I just checked their website though and it says the oceanfront rooms, suites and pool will be closed from August to November for renovations. Not sure when you're looking to go.

[Run Silent]

We always stay at the Waldorf Astoria Casa Marina. It's at the end of Duval, next to the best restaurant on the island and is really the only hotel on the whole island that has a proper beach. It's about a 30min walk or 10min pedi-cab ride down to Mallory Square.

Another great place we enjoy, which is right on Duval is "La-Di-Da" - just make sure you are open minded, as I believe at least one of the pools is clothing optional and it's a pretty liberal minded atmosphere as it comes to relationships.

https://casamarinaresort.com/

http://lateda.com/

[NYG]

Kanye West > Key West

[other_evolved]

The Southernmost Resort is our go to whenever we go. It's right off of Duval on the south (quiet) end.

[other_evolved]

I wrote this up for a co-worker a few weeks back.....just some tips from someone who has been going down there my whole life. Enjoy! The keys are unlike any other place in America.

There are tons of boat charters down there and we’ve been on a number of them, but these two have been on the repeat list for us.
- Fury Cat – they do a variety of charter types, from half day, full day, snorkel, scuba, kayak, etc. They have a sunset catamaran tour with a live band and all you can drink which is a lot of fun. www.furycat.com
- Danger Charters – Pricey, but their sunset cruise is the best in Key West. They take you out on small, shallow draft sailboats and can go places some of the larger ships can’t. They also do a great eco-tour (both full and half day, I think) where they can get into the back country mangroves.

Bars/restaurants – there are a TON of places to eat and drink down there. You’ll find most of the chain restaurants along Duval. Some of the fun bars are along Duval as well.
- The Conch Shack: This is right on Duval next to the Hog’s Breath Saloon. It’s a walk up/carry out place but they have the BEST conch fritters on the island. They also do a good lobster roll, but the fritters are worth a visit.
- Garbo’s Grill: My absolute favorite place to eat down there. It’s casual and a perfect lunch spot. Their grilled fish tacos are amazing.
- Blue Heaven: Great atmosphere for breakfast/brunch. They have a large back patio area that has live music most of the time during the day. Great bloody mary here.
- Latitudes: This is the fanciest/nicest restaurant in Key West. The thing is, it’s actually not on Key West but on an island called Sunset Key which is to the north and west of Key West, although, it’s a 3 minute ferry ride across the water. You’ll need reservations and on short notice I’m not sure what they have open but if you want great food, great views (overlooks the ocean) this is probably the best spot to do it. Very romantic as Anna has pointed out before.
- Green Parrot Bar: I’ve never eaten here, but its my favorite bar to go to for the atmosphere. Lots of live music, it’s off of Duval (aka, not packed with tourists) and the drinks are solid.
- Dante’s Key West Pool Bar: Another good spot for day drinking by a pool. Food is fine but we go there for the drinks and atmosphere.
- Southernmost Beach Café: Good breakfast spot right on the southernmost beach. It’s on the quiet side of Duval and close to the famous Southernmost Buoy.
- Cuban Coffee Queen: Best place for hangover cup of coffee and something to eat. Great for lunch, too.
- Lagerheads Beach Bar: This is on the north end of the island, and is kind of hidden by a parking lot but it’s a nice, quiet beach between two of the larger properties. It also has a walk up bar which is nice.
- First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery: This is a cool restaurant located in an old PanAm booking office. Great outdoor patio under big banyon trees, they brew their own beer and the food is a solid step up on bar food that you may get at a typical brewery.
- Fausto’s: This is a grocery store about two blocks off of Duval. It’s good for grabbing whatever you may have forgotten at home lol. Also a Walgreens on Duval, but Fausto’s has a lot more options beyond what walgreens does.

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

The last time I went to Key West, I stayed at the Ocean Key House at the foot of Duval Street. It was the best of both worlds. You're right there on Duval but yet away from the craziness. They have great rooms, suites, a pool and bar right on the water.

I just checked their website though and it says the oceanfront rooms, suites and pool will be closed from August to November for renovations. Not sure when you're looking to go.

September of course, or even October if this heat doesn't come down a few notches.

Originally Posted by Run Silent

We always stay at the Waldorf Astoria Casa Marina. It's at the end of Duval, next to the best restaurant on the island and is really the only hotel on the whole island that has a proper beach. It's about a 30min walk or 10min pedi-cab ride down to Mallory Square.

Another great place we enjoy, which is right on Duval is "La-Di-Da" - just make sure you are open minded, as I believe at least one of the pools is clothing optional and it's a pretty liberal minded atmosphere as it comes to relationships.

https://casamarinaresort.com/

http://lateda.com/

I'm very open minded and I have heard the stories of Fantasy Fest, and the Garden of Eden bar etc.

Originally Posted by NYG

Kanye West > Key West

I used to dislike him, however I do think he is a marketing genius. He really can put sleeves on dog poop and people will buy and wear it

Originally Posted by other_evolved

The Southernmost Resort is our go to whenever we go. It's right off of Duval on the south (quiet) end.

This is on of my top picks so far

[DocL]

You either like the Keys, or you don’t. I’ve been a lot of times and find it particularly boring. A weekend every ten years is enough for me. The drive is excruciating, and unless you like to drink, it’s not overly enjoyable for sober people like me. I used to go fishing and diving there a lot, but once again, the drive down is what prevents me from having gone much in the past ten years.

This is just my opinion and don’t put too much weight on it. My tolerance for travel has dwindled in the past few years.

[billnchristy]

I've always wanted to take the drive. I've been to Key West by boat, er, ship, but never via land.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by DocL

The drive is excruciating, and unless you like to drink, it’s not overly enjoyable for sober people like me. I used to go fishing and diving there a lot, but once again, the drive down is what prevents me from having gone much in the past ten years.

There's plenty of those same activities with a much shorter drive in the upper and central keys. I don't drink, and have always done my Key West visits as day trips from Fort Lauderdale. Ernest Hemingway is seriously over-rated.....

[DocL]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

There's plenty of those same activities with a much shorter drive in the upper and central keys. I don't drink, and have always done my Key West visits as day trips from Fort Lauderdale. Ernest Hemingway is seriously over-rated.....

Yep. Now I if I go I stop at Key Largo and call it a day.

[JMcLellan]

Originally Posted by DocL

You either like the Keys, or you don’t. I’ve been a lot of times and find it particularly boring. A weekend every ten years is enough for me. The drive is excruciating, and unless you like to drink, it’s not overly enjoyable for sober people like me. I used to go fishing and diving there a lot, but once again, the drive down is what prevents me from having gone much in the past ten years.

This is just my opinion and don’t put too much weight on it. My tolerance for travel has dwindled in the past few years.

Took the family to the keys this past January. It was a 3 hour flight from Minneapolis to Miami. Then it took 7 hours from getting off the plane to getting to our condo......in Duck Key. Halfway between the start of the keys and Key West. That day made me question if I would ever travel again

[Murf the Surf]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

We always stay at the Waldorf Astoria Casa Marina. It's at the end of Duval, next to the best restaurant on the island and is really the only hotel on the whole island that has a proper beach. It's about a 30min walk or 10min pedi-cab ride down to Mallory Square.

Another great place we enjoy, which is right on Duval is "La-Di-Da" - just make sure you are open minded, as I believe at least one of the pools is clothing optional and it's a pretty liberal minded atmosphere as it comes to relationships.

https://casamarinaresort.com/

http://lateda.com/

Hey, welcome back. Haven't seen you post for quite a while.

[Murf the Surf]

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

Since moving to Florid 7 years ago I have wanted to take the drop top and drive to the Keys, about 7-8 hours total trip.
I have this grand vision that driving across the Keys will be some magical experience. ANYWAY, my wife doesn't want to sit in sport seats for all that time so I conceded to take the Key West Express.

Any properties you guys really like? I don't want to stay on Duval, I like to sleep by 10-11 at the latest these days.
Honestly, don't have any agenda or even reason to go except to cross it off my bucket list and say been there, done that.

Stayed at the Coco Plum Inn a few years back. Just a block from Duval Street. Fantasist breakfast, the owners were from Brooklyn, real characters. I'd recommend it. https://www.cocopluminn.com

[Tyga11]

Aren't there no beaches in the Keys?

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by NYG

Kanye West > Key West

Adam West > Kanye West

“na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na” BM

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Adam West > Kanye West

"na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na" BM

I'll take Honey West over Adam West any day.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I'll take Honey West over Adam West any day.

Wow, you must be an old guy.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Wow, you must be an old guy.

We know who is older, don't we.

That'd be you.

[Kick 6]

I too stayed at the Coco Plum Inn and would recommend it. It may be difficult to sleep late with all the roosters crowing, but it is close to Duval and for the money, it's hard to beat.

We had reservations at somewhere different every night and stumbled upon a restaurant called Kaya Island Eats. After eating there, we cancelled our reservations the last night and went back there. It is by far the best food on the island. It is not even close. It's not pricey or flashy, but the chef is as good as they come. Everything we had was incredible and the chicken wings were from another world. Be sure to try those.

After looking it up, it had a 4.9 star rating out of over 600 reviews. It is difficult for a restaurant to get a 4.9 but it was legit. Whoever didn't give them a 5 star rating must have been having a bad day. You won't be disappointed if you stop by for lunch or dinner.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Esteban

We know who is older, don't we.

That'd be you.

That would be true, young man.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

That would be true, young man.

Thank you. At 67, I'll take that as a compliment.

And I'll still take Honey West over Adam West's Batman.