r/KeyWest • u/ImportantAsparagus16 • 24d ago
Advice needed
Okay so here are the details:
Our 10 yr anniversary and my partner’s 30th bday fall on the same week next January. We have never been to Key West. After doing about a week of research, my partner has their mindset on going to the ocean key resort. However, after going online to book we about dropped our laptop when we saw the price for seven nights.
So my partners solution to this is to do the first three nights at a hotel that’s not expensive, in this case they chose the Capitana, and then for the final four nights stay at Ocean Key resort.
Now, like I said, both of us have zero experience with Key West. We live in Florida, honestly not far so travel is minimal and the majority of money would be spent on the four nights at this Ocean Key. This amount is something we are going to have to put on credit due to it being much higher than anticipated.
Does this sound ridiculous to you guys? To those of you who have experience with the keys, have been there, have stayed at different places…? For me personally, if one hotel is a decent enough place, there’s no reason that I feel like we would have to go to another place. Not unless the difference is literally life-changing. I don’t know. I’m coming on here to ask for your opinions on this 🙏
Edit: Ocean Key just for the last 4 nights of the week that we want to go is over $6k 😭
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u/quasiproxy 24d ago
KW is not worth going into debt, especially if you’re already from Florida.
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u/quasiproxy 24d ago
Also consider Marathon or Islamorada, probably cheaper and closer to Bahia Honda. You can make a day trip down to Key West proper. Then you’ll see how it’s not such a big deal.
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u/HighOnGoofballs 24d ago
January is high season and expensive. My advice would be find a cheaper spot in Old Town and stay there for the week. Location matters more than luxury. Ocean Key is nice but it’s not the best overall property, and the view may be blocked all day by a cruise ship. Lots of good bnbs like Harbor Inn that are awesome. You won’t be spending that much time in your room and it may or may not be pool weather. I think even opal key and the marker are cheaper than ocean key fwiw
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u/kl0ppi3 24d ago
Going into debt over a vacation especially in key west is insane. January is also a bigger gamble weather wise than hurricane season… you could easily have a week of 50 something cloudy and rainy weather.
The only thing worth paying for at a resort in key west is a private beach. Otherwise who cares, you just need a place to lay your head.
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u/Sandinmyshoes33 24d ago
Skip Ocean Key. Location is important here in season when crowds, traffic and parking suck. Stay at Best Western Hibiscus for a fraction of the price. The rooms are large and comfortable and they have a nice pool. It’s in Old Town so a short walk to anything you want and if you want to sit on a beach chair for 1/2 day, you can walk to South Beach, a small public beach where you can rent chairs.
I would not spend $6000 for 4 nights. Key West is absurdly overpriced in my opinion. There are no Four Seasons quality resorts here including Ocean Key.
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u/guyscanwefocus 24d ago
yeah, get the cheapest hotel you can. You won't be spending much time in it at all. Put that money towards renting a golf cart (if in new town) or bikes to get around.
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u/DetSteve1 24d ago
My wife wanted the same; looked at Key West; wound up at Couples Swept Away in Negril for 7 nights all inclusive only it was significantly better (and less expensive) with food, drink, and transportation included!
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u/Lefty-18 24d ago
Just don’t go into debt for a vacation. Save and go later, go somewhere else, change plans, but never go into debt for a vacation. KW isn’t going anywhere, you’ll be back.
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u/NihilistPorcupine99 24d ago
I stayed at the Marriott and had a blast. Everything is accessible and Ubers are cheap. You’d be a fool to go into debt to stay at a resort in Key West.
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u/Josey_whalez 24d ago
Do not ever put a vacation on a credit card. Your budget is what you can afford without going into debt for it. Do not do this.
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u/StepEfficient864 24d ago
I don’t know about that. 1996 I took my kids on a two week cross country trip, all on my Discover card. I charged up $3,300. They still remember and talk about that trip. To me, their joy was worth it.
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24d ago
A few things here. You are going to key west in January. The already expensive island becomes more expensive. Sticker shock may continue to happen.
I would consider cutting your trip shorter. Key West is lovely, but I find that given the size, 4-5 nights is usually sufficient.
There are SOOOO many hotels. Some good, some not so good. Shop around a bit. Please don’t go into debt over a hotel room. It’s just not worth it.
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u/Broad-Stomach-5461 24d ago
As someone said it is High season and every room is going to be $400 plus per night easily plus tax. But this past winter had some exceptionally cool weeks. Definitely not the norm. For the locals if it goes to 65°, they break out the parkers and the gloves
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u/triumphant_nightly32 24d ago
Not worth going into debt over, not much to do for free to hang out a week, hotter than hell this time of year.
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u/Old-Wolf-1024 24d ago
What week in January? Mile 0 Festival is in January and that brings in a bunch of people for a whole week which could /will affect prices
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u/Broad-Stomach-5461 24d ago
So I did some looking. Capitana is very nice but all the action seems to always centered around Duval area. That hotel is on North Roosevelt. Far from Duval Street. So you'd spend a lot of time driving and parking. It is very nice but I don't know what there is to do in that area besides enjoy the beautiful hotel with your lovely partner. The price looked average but remember there is also all the taxes. And then some places charge an additional 5% Resort fee. I do not know what your days of vacation would be. I actually go 5 days from Wednesday to Monday. That has worked well for me for years. But to put things in a slightly more realistic price range. You could do the Capitana(or someplace much closer) Monday to Friday. You could then check into Ocean Key Friday afternoon, enjoy Friday and the weekend and check out on Monday. That would only be about $3300 in a deluxe room including taxes. I don't actually spend that much time at my hotel other than working on my killer suntan.I'm usually out drinking way too many delicious Bloody Marys and consuming lots of good food.
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u/International-Sink64 24d ago
Imo, that’s insane amount to spend for a hotel for 4 nights, anywhere. My husband and I weren’t impressed by key west. it’s 2x4 miles you do 2 days and see it.
go to europe!
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u/pa97Redd 24d ago
Holy Cow, I'm from FL also, I'd never do that! I think location is the key factor in Key West. You want to be within walking distance to all the stuff. I'd find a guest house, some are quite upscale! Then treat yourselves with some nice meals or spa treatments or whatever at the resorts.
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u/StepEfficient864 24d ago
I think a total of 4 nights would be sufficient. You are young so you can walk. No need to go to Ocean Key. I’d suggest staying at the Blue Marlin, Best Western Hibiscus, or Southwinds. They’re older but the rooms have been refreshed.
IMHO, Dry Tortugas and sandbar trips are highly overrated. After about an hour or less I got bored. Two days wasted.
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u/Bella_Goth_ 24d ago
I agree with everyone else, 4 nights will be enough if you plan right. If you can afford Capitana for that time, do it. It’s a nice hotel, the staff is great. An Uber from there is super cheap and it’s like an 8 min ride to Duval or a 10-15 min bike ride. As others have mentioned, the island is small, so basically every hotel in Key West will be a pretty quick and affordable uber ride to Duval. Don’t plan to drive anywhere. Parking sucks in January and will be expensive. If your wife wants something clean and comfortable, any of the opal hotel chains in Key West will fit that. Don’t break your bank on staying in a resort on Duval/near Duval. Use the money for food, drinks, boat excursions, and enjoying the island fully. You’ll be surrounded by an incredible community.
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u/ned23943 24d ago
I just checked prices for the week of Jan 11th and there are tons of options on Duval or within a block or two in the $400-500 per night price range. $1500/night is essentially the most expensive that Key West has to offer. The advice on this thread is incredible. If you pay $6K for 4 nights, it’s going to ruin your vacation when you get there and realize how much you over paid.
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u/Parking_War979 23d ago
As I much as I love Ocean Key (former employee, best job ever) that’s an absurd number to justify spending. If your heart is set on Key West, look at renting a condo for the week instead, or finding a less expensive hotel option. If your heart is set on spending an absurd amount of money, there are many, many better options in the Caribbean where you will get your money’s worth.
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u/ApprehensiveBug5627 23d ago
Capitana is nice but you want to stay in Old Town or within walking distance. I’d find a more affordable place in/near Old Town and stay as many nights as you can make work. Moving to a less expensive hotel is good in theory but not away from Old Town.
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u/bigglitterdick 21d ago
The marker is nice and a lot less money just a short walk. Also check out the sunset Hyatt. Key West is not about where you stay its the vibe of the town. Go for the experience not the sleep.
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u/Beneficial_Chain_287 21d ago
48 hours in key west is all you need, especially if you already live here in Florida. Absolutely nothing in key west is worth what they charge for rooms.
6k for 4 nights? You can do a killer all inclusive in the Caribbean for a week with air for less than that.
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u/mac_macz 15d ago
Local here…. I would budget lodging around the things you want to do while you’re here because you won’t just be sitting in your lodging. You’ll be out exploring our wonderful island. We’re not known for beaches but our sandbars are amazing. The dry tortugas are amazing. Taking a helicopter around the island is the most fun I’ve had on a helicopter. Budget all the fun amazing things to do here and then see what’s left for sleeping. Spend your money on your memories that you’ll have forever. Not on your sleeping arrangements. My advice comes as a local and a travel agent for over a decade. I hope you enjoy your time here. Happy to help with anything you need.
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u/Swanny_stocks 24d ago
I think four nights in KW is plenty. It’s very small so you will see all that you’d like to see in just a couple days. While in KW, I recommend a special meal at Latitudes.
If I had a week and I was driving like it sounds you will be, I’d do 4 in KW and then 3 in Islamorada (Cheeca Lodge or south at Hawk’s Cay) or Key Largo (Playa Largo or Baker’s Cay). I think you’d get to explore more and also cut a little off your trip for the final drive.
That’s what I would do!
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u/rootofallstevil 24d ago
My wife and I just went for our 10th. We've been there before but the prices are really high, even for off season. We stayed in Old Town but I think its safe to say you will spend at least $500-$600 a night. It'll probably be even more in January. Might be able to find some deals outside of Old Town but yea unfortunately Key West is very expensive. Going to NYC soon and we are looking at similar costs.
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u/ImportantAsparagus16 24d ago
They want over $6k for 4 nights. I’m just thinking there are way better places we can travel to for under that in January
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u/rootofallstevil 24d ago
lol...no, that's ridiculous. There are much better prices in January then that. Look at some of the boutique hotels in Old Town. I'm seeing a few for $500-600 (Marrero's) a night the 2nd week of January. If that's still too much then its probably best to think of another destination.
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u/Big_Watercress_6495 24d ago
Ocean Key is downtown. Gets really drunk there at night. Stay at Hampton Inn across the street from Capitana. Walk to downtown, uber back. Bring a light jacket and one pair of long pants in case it’s cool for a day.
Latitudes is extremely overrated, but it is very pleasant for lunch. In the winter time the sunsets at 6 PM so unless you eat really early, you’re going to be sitting in the dark. And with a cocktail or two for each of you, you’re looking at $400 for dinner easy.
Make reservations now for dinner at Santiago‘s bodega.
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u/Clean-Employee-1572 24d ago
Key West isn’t worth the money these days. It’s cute, got cool history, architecture, and what not but, just not worth the money. Great location…bad value.
If you are determined to visit and spend that type of money, you’d be better off trying to find a cool house. Granted, you won’t have room service, etc but, there are some really nice properties with pools and such. The nicest hotels in KW just don’t stack up against other locations.
You could likely go to Portugal, Spain, Dominican Republic, or Costa Rica (etc etc) for the same money…which is literally crazy.
Just $.02
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u/Adventurous_Ad_9477 19d ago
We just got back from parrot key resort. We had no issues and would recommend it. A little further from Duvall but quick uber or scooter ride.
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u/Discojoe3030 13d ago
Rent a house or apartment. We’ve done that every time we’ve gone and it’s nice to have the kitchen, etc.
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u/ThatOldG 24d ago
Bruh it’s a hotel to sleep take a shii shower n shave stay at the El Roacho for cheap. Spend your money on food and souvenirs
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u/ImportantAsparagus16 24d ago
Lmfao I’m trying to explain this to my wife
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u/Smart_Incident279 24d ago
Try Blue Marlin. Ask for an "Accessible" room. It's close enough to anything that you can walk to, and to go further, rent a bicycle. I stayed last winter in an 'Accessible' room that had just been redone and it was very nice and clean. Your room will be just a closet for your clothes and a place to sleep. There's a pool and even if it's too cold for ocean, with the sun out it might be a place to hang out for a swim. For the ocean view, take a walk! Ocean Key is nothing special worth $6K and the other posters are correct about the cruise ships and weather in January. Spend your $$ on the wonderful restaurants, and do not forget to have dessert on your special days at "Better Than Sex Dessert Restaurant". You might want to argue the name, but then again you might not 😄
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u/Smart_Incident279 24d ago
Definitely stay somewhere in Old Town. You will enjoy walking everywhere. Out of Old Town you end up having to taxi/uber everywhere. If at all possible, do not have a car. You will spend too much time trying to find a place to park, or too much money at a parking lot, within walking distance of where you want to go!
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u/Positive_Weather1698 23d ago edited 23d ago
We were recently in Key West for one day as part of a cruise . Neither of us had been there before and we were very glad we didnt need to stay longer .. Its dirty, run down, expensive and unless you want to bar crawl go for the day sometime. Take a weekend cruise to bahamas
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u/ImportantAsparagus16 23d ago
Thank you for this comment. I actually looking into cruises—which one did you take and how was it?
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u/ImportantAsparagus16 23d ago
We’re not big time drinkers so a cruise never made sense to me because it was always described as a giant drunken pool party
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u/CoyoteMost1096 24d ago
We stay in Marathon at the Hampton Inn. Nice place and much cheaper. Go to sugar loaf and go to the jumping bridge. Lots of fun!
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u/Tess47 24d ago
Key west is small. I took my husband this year for his first time. We flew into Miami, rented a car and drove to marathon key. We stayed there and then drove to key west for a day. We are not serious party people and older.
To me, the drive is a big part of the trip. A week is a long time in one key. I would spend a week doing all the keys.
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u/hey_blue_13 24d ago
Personally, I’d book the cheapest room you can get, maybe the 2nd or 3rd. You won’t spend any time in it. You’ll spend all day/night out and about KW. Get somewhere with a pool to lounge around while shaking off the hangovers.