Do you have a trip coming up, but aren’t sure where to stay in Key West? Lucky for you, we have the answer all of your travel planning woes!
Key West is a truly a paradise for those who love the ocean life! But it also has something for just about any interest you may have, an luckily in addition to locale and activities there are also some truly iconic places to stay in Key West as well!
Planning your trip to Key West last minute?
Make sure to book ahead! Hotels and tours often sell out the closer you get to your trip. Here are our top picks for Key West!
Top Experiences And Tours In Key West:
- Dolphin Watching And Snorkeling Eco Tour (Top pick!)
- Schooner Sunset Sail (2 hours)
- Reef Snorkel From Key West (Includes breakfast and mimosas)
- Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour (Great way to see the city)
Top Places To Stay In Key West:
- Margaritaville Beach House Key West (Modern mid-range)
- Blue Marlin Motel (Affordable in downtown)
- Hampton Inn Key West (Waterfront with pool)
- Wicker Guesthouse (Great location!)
Being in a new city can definitely be overwhelming, especially if you’re a complete stranger to the layout of where you’re going, but not to worry because we have it all laid out for you – we even have a Full Three Day Itinerary for Key West just in case you want to keep the planning to a minimum!
Do keep in mind that a lot of these accommodations are adults-only, so if you’re looking for where to stay in Key West with kids then keep reading!
Whether it’s your first time in the area, or you’re a seasoned veteran, we have all of the best places to stay in Key West so take a look at our picks!
Before you plan your trip, make sure to check out The Best Times To Visit The Keys where we break down each month and talk all things weather!
Understanding Key West Areas and Neighborhoods
Key west has a little bit of everything: Historic Seaport is the culinary capital, the Truman Annex is perfect for romantic vistas, Casa Marina has amazing beaches, and Duval Street is the perfect place to party the night away!
Where to stay in Key West is best for you? Well it depends on what you want to do while you’re there.
Planning your accommodations accordingly is truly what makes the difference between a good trip and GREAT trip, so check out the different vibes and see which is the best for you!
Historic Old Town is Where To Stay For First Timers
When in key west for the first time, you might be tempted to explore outside of the usual tourist areas, but unless you’re an experienced explorer who NEEDS the road less traveled this spot is the best place to start!
This is truly one of the Best Places To Stay In Florida!
Historic Old Town is very walkable, and honestly, you could spend a whole weekend in just this area alone: it has all of Key West’s greatest hits and is also a great place to pick up one of the many Cool Tours To Take in Key West!
This area is honestly probably the best neighborhood to stay in Key West because it’s near everything you could want within a 20-minute walk!
One of our favorite things to do is climb up the lighthouse for some truly stunning views!
In addition to the lighthouse, this area is home to the former estate of the esteemed American writer Ernest Hemingway! The house is still in impeccable condition, and we have a whole post on Tips For Visiting Hemingway House so check it out to make sure you don’t miss anything!
Best Places to Stay in Old Town Key West
Old Town Manor
Love dogs but could do without kids on your vacation? Then this is where to stay in Key West for you!
Old Town Manor is a pet-friendly, adults-only hotel right in the heart of Old Town – it gives you easy access to all of Key West’s greatest hits, while still being in a part of Key West that doesn’t get to rowdy!
The aesthetic of the hotel is antebellum adjacent with an inviting interior, while still having all the modern comforts of a top-rated hotel which makes it one of the best places to stay in Key West!
In addition to the beautiful amenities, the hotel is a bed and breakfast so there is always a complimentary sweet buffet of goodies!
It’s one of the best hotels in Key West if you’re looking for the classic Key West hotel experience!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
The Gardens Hotel
Love the aesthetic of the Old Town Manor, but prefer more modern furnishings and interiors? This is where to stay in Key West for you then!
The Gardens Hotel is another adults-only hotel, but that’s okay because we have a whole section on great places to stay if you’re traveling with little ones!
The hotel itself has the same charming all-white exterior, a dipping pool, and sleek modern amenities everywhere you look!
If that weren’t enough to sell you, every room comes with a private patio or balcony with a view which makes it one of the best places to stay in Key West for couples!
If you still haven’t found the best places to stay in Key West for your trip, don’t worry we have so many more great options!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
The Mermaid and the Alligator
Sticking with the theme of adults-only charming bed and breakfasts: this is where to stay in Key West if you love the vibe but the others haven’t quite done it for you.
Introducing the Mermaid and the Alligator: it’s one of the best hotels in Key West if you have lots of fun stuff to do during the day but still want a peaceful oasis to come back to when the day is done!
The hotel has the small personalized feel of a bed and breakfast, while still delivering a luxury experience, which makes it one of the best hotels in Key West if you’re not into the big resort hotel vibes!
Located in another GREAT spot for doing literally anything, this is one of the best places to stay in Key West!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
Duval Street is the Best Key West Area for nightlife
While Key West is SO much more than just a party city, it does do the party city thing VERY well.
The hub of this aforementioned partying is the famous Duval Street – and it’s no wonder: the place is basically one long street of pubs, bars, and general establishments for merriment!
Make sure to check out our list of the best Bars And Nightlife In Key West!
The liveliness of Duval Street makes it one of the places to stay in Key West that are less desirable for those of us with an earlier bedtime, however, if you’re okay to stay up then this is perfect for you!
Keep in mind, that this is another area that has mostly adults-only accommodations, and it’s not the most amazing place to be lugging kids around.
Make sure to check out our list of the Best Resorts In The Florida Keys! There are some really epic resorts featured for couples, families, and more.
Best places to Stay in Key West for nightlife
Orchid Key Inn
With a location to die for, and a complimentary happy hour to match – this is where to stay in Key West if you’re looking to have a great time!
Orchid Key Inn really is one of the best places to stay in Key West, especially if you’re planning on enjoying the party vibes!
Snacks are provided throughout the day, as well as one complimentary beverage daily on top of the complimentary happy hour, which makes it one of the best places to stay in Key West for couples!
Duval street is just a three-minute walk away, which makes it the perfect distance to safely navigate back to the hotel while still just having a small bit of adventure on the way.
Click here to check rates on booking.com
H20 Suites
Orchid Key is not quite your vibe, but it’s the right idea? Maybe this is where to stay in Key West for the trip of your dreams!
H20 Suites has all frills you would expect of an adults-only hotel: gorgeous rooftop pool, complimentary happy hour, 24/7 concierge, and some of the rooms even have their OWN private dipping pool!
The dipping pool alone could be argued to make it the best place to stay in Key West for couples!
This is one of the best places to stay in Key West especially if you’re looking for a luxury experience that is literally a stone’s throw from Duval Street!
On top of all the great amenities and proximity to Duval Street, it is still so easy to get to anywhere on Key West that you’d want to go, which is why it’s one of the best hotels in Key West if you wanna both party AND sightsee!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
Key West Villas
Love the h20 suites but want something slightly more low-key? This is where to stay in Key West for you!
Key West Villas is a mere 45-second walk from Duvall street – which is basically as good as it gets in terms of convenient location!
The villas have the personalized touch of a smaller hotel, and they are a great option if you want to stay super close to Duval Street while still being tucked away from the craziness, which makes it one of the best hotels in Key West if you still want a good night’s sleep!
Because of the fantastic location, there is basically no need to rent a car unless you’re planning on going out of town – the area is very walkable, which is why this is one of the best places to stay in Key West!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
New Town is the Best Area in Key West for Families
Have all of these hotels seemed dreamy so far, but are at odds with your child-havingness? Not to worry!
There is a whole town that is actually quite a child-friendly just up the road!
New Town is where most of the locals live and send their children to school etc, so the area is very safe and a great place if you have kids and want to avoid the rowdier crowds.
That being said since it is where the locals live there is a lot less action with only sparse restaurants and not very many activities.
This is one of the areas where having a car on your trip (if it’s more than a few days) is a great idea!
So make sure you have your gummy snacks and sunscreen ready to go, we have some child-related cavorting to do!
Best places to stay in New Town Key West
The Laureate
Looking for something in New Town with the minimum essentials and a great atmosphere?
The Laureate is where to stay in Key West for a great time for all in your party then!
All throughout the hotel, there are tons of shades of blue and teal which really makes for a lovely aquatic vibe! There isn’t anything close to the Lego Hotel around here in terms of decor, but this is a nice understated version of that!
The hotel has a concierge as well as laundry service, and the location is 1.5 miles away from the rowdiness of Duval street, so the best option of where to stay in Key West with kids!
Another plus to this hotel is the fact that the rooms all come with a kitchenette which makes pumping/dealing with pumping or making small snacks a breeze!
It’s worth noting that there is no on-site restaurant, so we do really recommend having a car to get around but aside from that, it’s one of the best hotels in Key West!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
The Capitana Key West
Like the cozy vibes of the Laureate but want something a little more luxurious and resort-y?
You’re in luck, The Capitana Key West is where to stay in Key West if you want something that checks all the boxes!
The hotel has an on-site restaurant, pool, bar, and fitness center, which makes it arguably one of the best places to stay in Key West if you want to have a little bit of everything within arm’s reach!
If you were to forego our suggestions of getting a car to get around, this is really the only place that we could recommend because there is a lot of stuff that you can get to just by walking, which makes it one of the best hotels in Key West for those who want to do a lot of walking!
The hotel itself has a sleek modern feel, and about half of the rooms come with a gorgeous patio that has a pool view!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
Casa Marina is the best place to stay on the beach
And that is just simply due to geography! The gorgeous beaches are on the south-facing side of the Island of Key West, so they make for great sunshine all day as well as stunning sunrises and sunsets!
In terms of places to stay in Key West for easy access to the beach, this is definitely the best area for convenience!
In addition to the accommodations, there are also some great beach-side restaurants so check those out too! This is truly one of the Best Beaches In The Florida Keys and you must check it out!
Best Hotels in Casa Marina
Santa Maria Suites Resort
Are you looking for a gorgeous hotel that’s one block from the ocean, and just a short walk from the beach?
Santa Maria Suites Resort is where to stay in Key West for you then!
The thing that makes this resort so nice is that every single room is a full suite complete with a kitchen, washer dryer, and large screen TV, and on top of that it also has a stellar on-site restaurant!
If that weren’t enough, smoothies, snacks, and beverages are served poolside – hello relaxation!
You can also take advantage of the free turn-down service if you’re really wanting the luxury treatment, which makes it one of the best places to stay in Key West on the beach!
So, if you’re looking for convenient access to the beach and luxury resort vibes then this is one of the best places to stay in Key West for you!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
The Grand Guesthouse Key West
Traveling with family but everyone’s an adult? This place has that cozy family feel while still having that adults-only energy, and one of the best places to stay in Key West if you’re planning on walking a lot!
The Grand Guesthouse Key West Is a 20-minute or less walk from pretty much everything in Key West that you would want to do: The beach, Hemingway house, Duval Street, and more!
The hotel offers bike rentals as well, which are a great way to get around the city, but walking is cool too if that’s your thing!
The competitive pricing and great location make this one of the best places to stay in Key West on a budget!
When you’re okay with staying somewhere adults only, this where to stay in Key West for you!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
Truman Annex: The Historic/Romantic Area in Key West
The Truman Annex is a gated community in Old Town Key West, but it’s just off-limit for cars – not people!
Named after one of the US presidents who spent his winters here, the annex is the site of his former home which is kept in immaculate condition and is fondly known as the “little white house”.
The annex itself leads to Fort Zachary State Park and beach, a splash park, and a waterfront area that is great for a stroll!
The majority of hotels here are adults only, but since this is a gated community for most homeowners it’s one of the more quiet and chill places to be!
Best Truman Annex Hotels
Coco Plum Inn
Are you looking for something really cozy and tucked away in its own little bubble, but still right near all the action?
Coco Plum Inn is one of the best places to stay in Key West for you!
Made-to-order breakfast is served every day, and the breakfast alone is worth going for, which makes it one of the best hotels in Key West!
Keep in mind this is another adults-only establishment so this is not one of the best places to stay in Key West with kids!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
Marreros Guest Mansion
Are you looking for something with a great location, but want something a little more colorful for your stay? This is where to stay in Key West for a splash of color!
Marreros Guest Mansion is one of the best places to stay in Key West if you’re tired of the mostly blue and white scenes that are common in Key West accommodations.
Where there would maybe be a quirky pillow or two in other hotels, the whole property here is decorated thoughtfully and whimsically with lots of oranges and pinks!
The rich color palettes and bucolic setting make this one of the best places to stay in Key West for couples!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
Historic Seaport and Bahama Village Are The Best Neighborhoods For Food
There are two special things about this neighborhood: the gorgeous vintage Florida vibe hotels and the AMAZING restaurants!
Luckily the island isn’t super huge so it’s also really close to the other classics like the Hemingway House and Truman Waterfront Park!
Really the entire island is pretty walkable thankfully, but there isn’t a whole lot of reason to stray outside the touristy areas because that’s the best part!
Best Hotels In Historic Seaport and Bahama Village
Amsterdam Curry Inn
Are you looking for deliciously vintage architecture and heavy cottagecore vibes? This is where to stay in Key West if you want something that checks both boxes!
The Amsterdam Curry Mansion Inn has all of the above and more! It’s also a bed and breakfast!
Everything is ridiculously easy to walk to from this spot, which is another reason it’s one of the best places to stay in Key West!
Seriously, if you love the vintage doily aesthetic you HAVE to stay here, it’s the BEST hotel in Key West if you like doilies!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
The Artist House
Ok, maybe we saved the best for last because this is seriously one of the best places to stay in Key West!
The Artist House is the vintage hotel of your dreams! What’s not to love about a lilac exterior?
If you’re looking for something indie and artsy and totally unique, this is where to stay in Key West!
Of course, this is another B&B so there is complimentary breakfast, as well as a complimentary happy hour as well, which makes it arguably the best place to stay in Key West for couples who like art!
As with most of the hotels in this area, it is a good idea to rent a bike if you’re planning on being out and about, it makes things much easier!
Click here to check rates on booking.com
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