I really need KW hotel suggestions

[mountainbreeze]

Me again! I'm pulling my hair out trying to pick a Key West hotel. I've never been to Key West, so I'm hoping for some inside info from some of you who have been there.

Here is what I'm looking for:

We're getting married on Smathers Beach. We will arrive at the hotel the night before the wedding around dinnertime. We will be staying the night, getting up early, and getting ready for the wedding in the hotel room. We will check out by 9 am. (we will only be at the hotel approx 15 hours)

No bed & breakfasts (too personal)

Location doesn't matter (but has to be in KW)

Has to have room service for breakfast, or restaurant/ buffet IN the hotel.

We have a rental car, we will need parking (pay parking is OK)

Has to have an ironing board.

No sticky floor icky bathroom.

We won't be using the pool, etc.....so we don't care much about what the hotel and grounds look like, but we really want a nice room.

I'm looking for a very nice room to get ready for my wedding in. Maybe a nice bathroom, or place to sit down and do my make-up. I would kind of like a room that is a little nicer than an "average" hotel room.

The next issue is price. Of course I'm on a budget. On one hand, IT'S MY WEDDING why not splurge on a room to get ready in? On the other hand, we will only be in this room for 15 hours and we are spending a ton of $$ on a back to back cruise that leaves from miami the next day. Why not pick a cheap(er) room, and stop being so picky??? (because it's my wedding and I don't want to stay at Comfort Inn or Best Western, although any other time it wouldnt be a problem to stay at a CI or BW)

What is a girl to do???!!!

I can't seem to get Sheraton Suites for any lower than $259.00 ( close to $300.00 after taxes). This is the room I would like, but having a hard time justifying the price, and explaining to fiance.

Doubletree is closer to $200.00 per night. Still pricey and this is a "regular" hotel room, not a suite.



I obviously need some serious advice on this matter. What would you do???

Suggestions, ideas, comments welcome!!!

[Clay Clayton]

Suggestions:
Almond Tree Inn - not sure whether they are within your budget but their rooms are beautiful.


Have you looked at renting a condo? Not sure when you are trying to book a room but if its not a busy time, you might pay the same or less and have lots more room - of course no buffet b'fast. 1800 Atlantic is across the street from the Sheraton Suites and might do one nite rentals, I don't know.

[jaga04]

My first recommendation is to remember that this is only one night in a hotel and you will have a wonderful honeymoon coming up after it. Whatever you decide to do will be fine---if there are a few minor problems along the way, they become funny memories that you can laugh about for years to come (we have a few of those that still entertain us from time to time). You will also have a wedding in a beautiful beach setting. I've "eavesdropped" (from a distance) in on a bunch of them on Smathers Beach and it seems like such a great idea to get married there.

The bottom line, Key West is expensive. It's hard to think that you'd get a suite in any nice KW hotel for less than the price of the Sheraton Suites. I did check on Hotwire for your date and there's a 3* condo for $175, but I have no idea what it would be. If you can do some exploring and figure that out, maybe it would work for you. I am GUESSING that the $156 room in lastminutetravel is the new Marriott, but obviously don't know for sure. I think that would be very nice, but would be only a room. Also, while it's a regular hotel room, the Doubletree is a very nice setting with nice rooms.

Ok, that was my practical side. On the other hand, you can justify any wedding expense by saying something like: it's one of the most special days in our lives, what's $100 more in the long run..... (if it were me, it'd be a toss up about which way I'd go. If I asked my DH, we'd be at low budget motel ).

[Clay Clayton]

one more suggestion...book you a cancelable room now that you can live with and then closer to the date - maybe a week ahead, check on Sheraton's website, see what they are charging and call the hotel directly, tell them you are getting married on the beach and really want to stay at their place, see if they will cut you a deal...it's right at the end of season so they may be willing to deal if they aren't full.
btw, presuming you are getting married on May 2nd, that's my birthday!

[Gangway Style]

Have stayed in both the Sheraton Suites and the DoubleTree multiple times and many seasons and times of the year.

DoubleTree does have a very few larger suites. What we always book, however, is a room with a balcony. I prefer the fourth floor because it is quieter, less parking lot noise and the view is better. If you face the very lovely swimming pool, you will get swimming pool noise and bar noise.
The centrally located balconies are wider and more comfortable. Some of the balconies are so narrow you can barely squueze into your chair. Make sure what balcony you are being offered if you choose to go that route.

Double Tree is a longer drive from Smathers Beach, but it isn't too bad...maybe five minutes, ten minutes absolute max. DoubleTree charges for parking...I think it is ten bucks a day.

Doubletree has a breakfast restaurant. You can do their buffet or order from the menu. I don't even know if there is room service because I have never tried it. I have seen pizza guys making deliveries to the DT.

The closest to Smathers is Sheraton Suites. It has a restaurant that serves breakafast or you can do the buffet. Not all Sheraton Suites have a balcony. If you choose a room with a balcony, it will cost more.

Casa Marina Hotel (a Waldorf-Astoria property now) is also fairly close to Smathers and is a waterfront hotel with a lovely pool facing the water. I don't know their rates and have never stayed there. They have just completed a massive renovation. Not all rooms have balconies.

As has been said here, Key West is expensive all year long, but weekends when big doings are happening (such as Hemingway Days, the speedboat races, Halloween) there will be an even higher cost.

By the way, the town council of Key West, in their infinite wisdom, are considering charging couples to get married on Smathers Beach. I don't know when this revenue raising plan will take effect.

Good luck and best wishes to you on your wedding and b2b cruise. I hope you like Key West as much as we do.

[Gangway Style]

I completely forgot the Best Western Ambassador right on South Roosevelt. It is often far cheaper than the hotels discussed above, but I stayed there once and was not overly thrilled. It is more like a 1960s hotel. The air conditioners are room type and the heat and noise blows out onto the balcony making the balcony uninhabitable if the air con is on. The bathrooms are old fashioned. This is a budget choice. It might do because the room was very large. For myself, I would take DoubleTree or SHeraton over this one, but you can check it out.

[mountainbreeze]

Originally Posted by HeavySurf

I completely forgot the Best Western Ambassador right on South Roosevelt. It is often far cheaper than the hotels discussed above, but I stayed there once and was not overly thrilled. It is more like a 1960s hotel. The air conditioners are room type and the heat and noise blows out onto the balcony making the balcony uninhabitable if the air con is on. The bathrooms are old fashioned. This is a budget choice. It might do because the room was very large. For myself, I would take DoubleTree or SHeraton over this one, but you can check it out.

HeavySurf, Thank you for your wonderful recomendations in KW. I am glad you gave a description of the Best Western. This one might not be the hotel for us, but I will keep this info just in case we need a back-up plan.

Originally Posted by jaga04

My first recommendation is to remember that this is only one night in a hotel and you will have a wonderful honeymoon coming up after it. Whatever you decide to do will be fine---if there are a few minor problems along the way, they become funny memories that you can laugh about for years to come (we have a few of those that still entertain us from time to time). You will also have a wedding in a beautiful beach setting. I've "eavesdropped" (from a distance) in on a bunch of them on Smathers Beach and it seems like such a great idea to get married there.

The bottom line, Key West is expensive. It's hard to think that you'd get a suite in any nice KW hotel for less than the price of the Sheraton Suites. I did check on Hotwire for your date and there's a 3* condo for $175, but I have no idea what it would be. If you can do some exploring and figure that out, maybe it would work for you. I am GUESSING that the $156 room in lastminutetravel is the new Marriott, but obviously don't know for sure. I think that would be very nice, but would be only a room. Also, while it's a regular hotel room, the Doubletree is a very nice setting with nice rooms.

Ok, that was my practical side. On the other hand, you can justify any wedding expense by saying something like: it's one of the most special days in our lives, what's $100 more in the long run..... (if it were me, it'd be a toss up about which way I'd go. If I asked my DH, we'd be at low budget motel ).

Jaga04, WOW.....you seem to know exactly how I feel about this decision! I'm arguing with myself this week over being practical or just doing what I want. As you mentioned, what's $100.00 more in the long run?? It looks like I will choose the Sheraton Suites or something comparable after all, and just try to cut my budget somewhere else. The Sheraton seems to have exactly what we need, good location for us, etc......Thanks for helping me to decide! And yes, you are so right, we will have a wonderful time no matter what we decide in the end. After all, I'M GETTING MARRIED IN KEY WEST AND HONEYMOONING ON THE DESTINY, what could be better than this?!?

Originally Posted by Clay Clayton

Suggestions:
Almond Tree Inn - not sure whether they are within your budget but their rooms are beautiful.


Have you looked at renting a condo? Not sure when you are trying to book a room but if its not a busy time, you might pay the same or less and have lots more room - of course no buffet b'fast. 1800 Atlantic is across the street from the Sheraton Suites and might do one nite rentals, I don't know.

Clay Clayton, I hadn't thought of renting a condo, but I may spend just a few minutes to see if there are any KW condo's that would work for us. Thanks for that suggestion, I hadn't thought of that.

WOW, the Almond Tree looks like a great place! I checked the rate, and it's just a bit more than Sheraton Suites. Since I have now decided to go with the "better" hotels rather than the "budget" ones, I will put Almond Tree Inn at the top of my list with the Sheraton. Thanks so much for that suggestion. I sure do appreciate your help and knowledge about Key West.

[mountainbreeze]

Originally Posted by HeavySurf

Have stayed in both the Sheraton Suites and the DoubleTree multiple times and many seasons and times of the year.

DoubleTree does have a very few larger suites. What we always book, however, is a room with a balcony. I prefer the fourth floor because it is quieter, less parking lot noise and the view is better. If you face the very lovely swimming pool, you will get swimming pool noise and bar noise.
The centrally located balconies are wider and more comfortable. Some of the balconies are so narrow you can barely squueze into your chair. Make sure what balcony you are being offered if you choose to go that route.

Double Tree is a longer drive from Smathers Beach, but it isn't too bad...maybe five minutes, ten minutes absolute max. DoubleTree charges for parking...I think it is ten bucks a day.

Doubletree has a breakfast restaurant. You can do their buffet or order from the menu. I don't even know if there is room service because I have never tried it. I have seen pizza guys making deliveries to the DT.

The closest to Smathers is Sheraton Suites. It has a restaurant that serves breakafast or you can do the buffet. Not all Sheraton Suites have a balcony. If you choose a room with a balcony, it will cost more.

Casa Marina Hotel (a Waldorf-Astoria property now) is also fairly close to Smathers and is a waterfront hotel with a lovely pool facing the water. I don't know their rates and have never stayed there. They have just completed a massive renovation. Not all rooms have balconies.

As has been said here, Key West is expensive all year long, but weekends when big doings are happening (such as Hemingway Days, the speedboat races, Halloween) there will be an even higher cost.

By the way, the town council of Key West, in their infinite wisdom, are considering charging couples to get married on Smathers Beach. I don't know when this revenue raising plan will take effect.

Good luck and best wishes to you on your wedding and b2b cruise. I hope you like Key West as much as we do.

HeavySurf, Thanks so much for your details about Key West! I have considered the Doubletree, and although it's still on my list of possibilities, it keeps falling further down the list.

Casa Marina was one of the first hotels I looked into. A good friend recomended this one. What a gorgeous hotel! The cheapest rate there is approx $500.00 per night, and unless I win the lottery I won't be staying there! That's too bad, because it sure does look like an oasis. Absolutely stunning! If you ever stay there, please post pics and a review!

Hopefully the KW counsel won't charge for Smather's Beach weddings, but I will understand if they decide to (and I would surely pay if I had to!). From pictures, it looks like a beautiful place and I can't wait to see it in person. So far, I am paying approx $650.00 for our officiant and photographer to meet us on the beach. Also the out of state wedding license fee is $225.00. Although these prices/ fees are reasonable, I hope we don't end up with more fees! (My fiance may begin to wonder who he is marrying if I keep adding to our list of things to pay for!)

Thanks again for your insight on these Key West decisions. I am so excited for this to happen!

[mountainbreeze]

Originally Posted by Clay Clayton

Suggestions:
Almond Tree Inn - not sure whether they are within your budget but their rooms are beautiful.


Have you looked at renting a condo? Not sure when you are trying to book a room but if its not a busy time, you might pay the same or less and have lots more room - of course no buffet b'fast. 1800 Atlantic is across the street from the Sheraton Suites and might do one nite rentals, I don't know.

Clay Clayton, I just noticed you are cruising in 3 days! Lucky you! Have fun!

[Clay Clayton]

3 days...just not sure where we will end up...Hurricane Paula may change where we head....no biggie IMHO, its a vacation!

[tribefan]

We are going down to Key West in a month and staying at the Parrot Key Resort. Everything we have read on this place is really nice. I checked the prices for when you are going and it looks to be starting at $200. Might want to check them out!!

[bhopal21]

Parrot Key is nice and gets good reviews. The only drawback is that it is not close to much of anything and you will need transportation to/from old town where the restaurants, activities and shopping are located.

Mike

[Tampacruiser128]

I might make a suggestion of the Hyatt Key West. It's a smaller Hotel (118 rooms) with beautiful views, breakfast available in the hotel as well as Room Service. I have dined here at both the restaurant and room service, and was very nice to eat breakfast on the balcony over looking the water.

[tribefan]

Originally Posted by bhopal21

Parrot Key is nice and gets good reviews. The only drawback is that it is not close to much of anything and you will need transportation to/from old town where the restaurants, activities and shopping are located.

Mike

We will have a mini van. There will be 3 couples and we are flying into Fort Lauderdale, arriving at 10am. Thought it would be a beautiful drive down there and lots cheaper then the flights (which we would have to sit in Miami airport for 4 hours waiting to connect). I knew the resort was on the outskirts of the town, which is no big deal. We figured that if one of the couples wanted to head back can always grab a cab.

I do have a question for you, we are trying to decide on if we should go to Bahia Honda state park. Are the beaches there nice? I was reading that Fort Zackary beach was pretty rocky.

Thanks!

[bhopal21]

Originally Posted by tribefan

We will have a mini van. There will be 3 couples and we are flying into Fort Lauderdale, arriving at 10am. Thought it would be a beautiful drive down there and lots cheaper then the flights (which we would have to sit in Miami airport for 4 hours waiting to connect). I knew the resort was on the outskirts of the town, which is no big deal. We figured that if one of the couples wanted to head back can always grab a cab.

I do have a question for you, we are trying to decide on if we should go to Bahia Honda state park. Are the beaches there nice? I was reading that Fort Zackary beach was pretty rocky.

Thanks!

Good that you will have transportation. And taxis are reasonable in KW, you just would not want to have to use one every time that you wanted to go somewhere.

Keep in mind that all of the beaches in the keys are man-made and not like what you will find on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts at all. Having said that, you might enjoy driving up to Bahia Honda one day for an excursion. It is a little over an hour away usually depending on the traffic.

http://www.bahiahondapark.com/

Since you are staying in Key West go to Fort Zachary Taylor first and you might decide that it will suffice.

Mike

[cruisemom2]

A couple more hotel suggestions -- Southernmost on the Beach or Orchid Key Inn. Orchid Key is a "sister property" to Almond Tree. They have a one bedroom king suite or a junior spa suite for $179 for the night of May 1. Is that the right date? The rooms are beautiful and the hotel has a very "South Beach" atmosphere. They have complimentary breakfast and happy hour each day.

http://www.orchidkeyinn.com/

[cruisemom2]

I just checked Southernmost on the Beach and prices are quite a bit higher there. The least expensive room (new deluxe king balcony) is $249 for the same night. Location is closer to Smathers and the rooms are very nice, but for the price, I think I'd go with Orchid Key over SMOB -- unless you really want to spend the night at the beach. If you're planning on taking in any of the great nightlife Key West has to offer, Orchid Key is the better choice, in my opinion. It's right on Duval, but is actually the "quieter" end of Duval. Still lots of restaurants and bars nearby and within walking distance of LOTS more, but pretty quiet. We stayed at Duval Gardens (next to Orchid Key) a couple weeks ago and LOVED the location. We typically stay at a B&B in Key West on a quieter residential street, but we were surprised that we didn't hear any street noise while in our room at DG. Nor did we hear any roosters crowing -- a first for a visit to Key West! I wish you had more time to spend in Key West -- hopefully you'll get to go back for a longer visit at some point in the future. It really is my favorite place in the world.