The Gardens Hotel
Adults-Only Boutique — One Block from Duval
Key West's most sophisticated boutique — a hidden walled garden estate in Old Town. Adults-only, with lush tropical grounds, a wine tasting room, and poolside breakfast.
From $400 / night
Key West is the most distinctive city in Florida — a 4-mile island at the end of the Overseas Highway with 19th-century conch houses, an unrivalled nightly sunset ritual, and a hotel scene that ranges from boutique Victorian mansions to waterfront resort suites. This guide covers the best hotels in Key West for every type of traveler.
Quick Picks: Best Hotels in Key West & Lower Florida Keys
Best Value
Best Luxury
Best Boutique / Unique Stay
Best Overall
Best for Families
Where to Base Yourself
Best Areas to Stay
5 areas
Old Town
Historic Heart of Key WestEverything Key West is famous for lives in Old Town — Duval Street, Mallory Square, the Hemingway House, the Southernmost Point, the historic seaport, and the densest concentration of Victorian 'conch houses' in the United States. Walkable, car-free-friendly, and unforgettable at night.
Bahama Village
Caribbean QuarterA small pocket of Old Town west of Whitehead Street settled by Bahamian workers in the 1800s. Small houses painted in Caribbean aqua, yellow, and blue. Home to Blue Heaven restaurant — the premier brunch destination in Key West. More residential and quieter than Duval Street, one block away.
Truman Annex
Upscale Residential EnclaveA gated neighborhood on the former US Naval Air Station grounds. Manicured streets, restored historic buildings, and the Little White House where President Truman spent 175 working days. Quieter than Old Town but close to everything. High-end vacation rentals and the Westin sit here.
Sunset Key
Private Island EscapeA 27-acre private island accessible only by a 10-minute ferry from the Westin dock. Home to Sunset Key Cottages and Latitudes restaurant. No cars. No crowds. Just beach, a pool, and the finest sunset view in the Keys.
Big Pine Key
Key Deer & Natural Quiet30 minutes north of Key West, Big Pine is one of the least developed keys in the chain. Home of the tiny Key deer — an endangered subspecies of white-tailed deer that weighs about 75 lbs and has no fear of humans whatsoever. The National Key Deer Refuge covers much of the island.
Curated Stays
Where to Stay
17 hotels
Getaway Unpacked may earn a commission when you book through selected links, at no additional cost to you. Recommendations remain independently curated.
Luxury
Sunset Key Cottages
Private Island — Opal Collection — 10-Minute Ferry
A private 27-acre island reached by 10-minute ferry — no cars, no noise, Latitudes restaurant, and the Keys' most dramatic sunset view.
From $900 / night
Ocean Key Resort & Spa
Steps from Duval · Sunset Pier Bar
One of the few hotels in Key West with direct sunset-facing waterfront access on the Gulf. Steps from the end of Duval Street and right next to Mallory Square.
From $550 / night
Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton
South Beach · Curio Collection · 311 Rooms · 1,100-Ft Private Beach · $80M Renovation 2025
Key West's grande dame, fully reborn — opened by Henry Flagler on New Year's Day 1920 and returned to peak form in 2025 after an $80 million renovation. The island's largest private beach at 1,100 feet, 311 reimagined rooms with tropical-chic interiors, and the premier full-service resort package in Key West. CNT Readers' Choice 2025.
From $450 / night
Pier House Resort & Spa
Old Town Waterfront · Key West Icon · Dockside Suites · Jimmy Buffett's First Gig · CNT Readers' Choice 2025
A Key West icon since the 1970s — the creative community's waterfront haunt where Jimmy Buffett played his first gig at the legendary Chart Room Bar. Coveted dockside suites with Gulf views, a sprawling spa, small private beach, and Old Florida atmosphere that no new-build can replicate. CNT Readers' Choice 2025.
From $400 / night
Hawks Cay Resort
Duck Key · Middle Keys · 177 Rooms · Full Marina · Dolphin Connection · Best Full-Service Florida Keys Resort
The Florida Keys' premier full-service resort — 177 rooms and villas on a private island in Duck Key (Mile Marker 61), with a full marina, five pools, a saltwater lagoon, the Dolphin Connection program, multiple restaurants, a spa, and an unmatched amenity package in the Keys outside of Key West.
From $380 / night
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa
Little Torch Key · Private Island · 30 Bungalows · No Children · No Phones · No TVs · Most Exclusive Florida Keys Address
The premier private-island address in the Florida Keys — a private 5-acre island off Little Torch Key (Mile Marker 28) accessible only by seaplane or boat, with 30 thatched-roof bungalow suites, no children, no phones, and no TVs. The Florida Keys' only true private island luxury resort and a perennial top-10 US resort.
From $1,800 / night
Mid-Range
La Concha Key West
Autograph Collection · Top of Duval
The tallest building in Key West (7 stories), an Autograph Collection hotel with a rooftop bar and the premier address in Key West — the corner of Duval and Fleming.
From $280 / night
The Marker Key West
Boutique · Historic Seaport
The only newly built hotel in Old Town in over 20 years. 96 rooms on two tropical acres near the Historic Seaport. Three pools, contemporary design, and a top marina-side location in Old Town.
From $320 / night
Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa
Historic Seaport · Hyatt Centric · 120 Rooms · Every Room Has a Balcony · CNT & T+L Readers' Choice
The leading mid-range hotel in Key West — 120 rooms at the Historic Seaport with a balcony on every single room (most with partial ocean view), an ocean-view pool, full spa, and the solid Hyatt Centric formula applied to the American subtropics. World of Hyatt points redeemable. CNT Readers' Choice 2025.
From $280 / night
Southernmost Beach Resort
Upper Duval · 296 Units · 6.5 Acres · 3 Pools · 2 Beach Areas · Near Southernmost Point
Key West's largest tropical resort campus — 296 units across 6.5 acres near the Southernmost Point in the continental US, with three pools (daily live music at the Pineapple Pool), two private beach areas, and Victorian-style guest houses alongside freshly renovated pastel low-rises. CNT Readers' Choice 2017–2019.
From $220 / night
The Saint Hotel Key West, Autograph Collection
Old Town · Autograph Collection · Adults-Only · Bold Design · Marriott Bonvoy
Key West's boldest adults-only boutique — 36 rooms just off Duval Street in a four-building complex where one building was the original Key West hospital and two others were transported by boat from the Bahamas in the 1870s. Moody interiors, red chandeliers, Frette linens, and a heated spa pool. Marriott Bonvoy.
From $250 / night
Budget
Marquesa Hotel
Historic Inn · Old Town
A beautifully restored 1884 Victorian compound in Old Town. Pool, acclaimed Café Marquesa restaurant, and an intimate atmosphere that feels far more expensive than it is.
From $200 / night
Southwinds Motel
South Duval · Budget Beachside
Simple, clean, and unpretentious. A well-run motel at the south end of Duval Street within walking distance of Higgs Beach and the Southernmost Point. The best honest budget option in Key West.
From $130 / night
Eden House
Old Town · Boutique · Est. 1924 · 35 Units · Classic Key West · Oldest Operating Hotel
The oldest operating hotel in Key West — opened in 1924 as the Gibson Hotel, expanded across neighboring conch houses, and still a deeply atmospheric tropical retreat on the island. 35 units ranging from apartment-style suites to semi-private rooms on a palm-shaded residential street. The 1990 Goldie Hawn film Criss Cross was shot here.
From $130 / night
Simonton Court Historic Inn & Cottages
Historic Old Town · Adults-Only · 30 Rooms · No Resort Fee · Historic 1880 Cottages
The best no-resort-fee adults-only inn in Key West — 30 rooms spread across 10 buildings on five properties, including a set of historic cottages dating to 1880, with four outdoor pools with poolside service and lush tropical gardens. Two blocks from Duval Street. T+L pick.
From $150 / night
Winslow's Bungalows
Old Town · Key West Historic Inns · 85 Units · Cottages · Pet-Friendly · 2 Blocks from Duval
A campus of historic Key West cottages two blocks from Duval Street — 85 units in white-washed buildings dating to 1856, with retro-chic décor, several heated pools, hammock-filled relaxation nooks, and a continental breakfast included. Pet-friendly (nightly fee). CNT Readers' Choice 2021.
From $160 / night
Where to Eat
Restaurants
6 picks
01
Blue Heaven
Roosters wandering the tables, a reggae band in the corner, and the lobster Benedict that made this Bahama Village courtyard famous.
Learn MoreBest Casual
02
Latitudes
Fine dining on a private island, reached by a 10-minute ferry. Ranked among the most romantic restaurants in America. The sunset view is part of the reservation.
Learn MoreBest Views
03
Nine One Five
A restored conch house on Duval Street with an upstairs terrace made for people-watching. The Soul Mama Seafood Soup and truffle lobster mac are the signatures.
Learn MoreBest Fine Dining
04
Café Marquesa
Widely considered the best fine dining restaurant in Key West. A small, elegant room in Old Town with an inventive New American menu. Consistently voted the top romantic restaurant in Key West.
Learn MoreFine Dining
05
Pepe's Café
Established in 1909, Pepe's is the oldest restaurant in Key West and still one of the best. Key West shrimp, chowder, and key lime pie. A porch table and a slow morning.
Learn MoreCasual
06
Santiagos Bodega
A historic Duval Street bodega with creative small-plates cooking. Ceviche, empanadas, and Spanish wine. The top mid-range dinner for visitors who want something more inventive than standard Keys seafood.
Learn MoreCasual
Worth Your Time
Things to Do
6 experiences
Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
Every evening before sunset, the waterfront plaza at Mallory Square transforms into a street fair — acrobats, escape artists, musicians, and 1,000 people applauding the sun as it drops into the Gulf.
Learn MoreErnest Hemingway Home & Museum
The Spanish Colonial mansion where Hemingway wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls. Tour the house, meet the 50+ six-toed cats descended from his original polydactyl cats.
Learn MoreDry Tortugas National Park Day Trip
A 70-mile ferry journey to a remote island group anchored by a Civil War–era fort with the clearest water in Florida and snorkeling around the walls of Fort Jefferson.
Learn MoreKey Deer Refuge, Big Pine Key
Meet the tiny endangered Key deer — a subspecies of white-tailed deer that has evolved to the size of a large dog and has no fear of humans.
Learn MoreBike Old Town Key West
Key West is 2 miles by 4 miles and almost entirely flat. A bicycle is the best way to see it — rent one from any hotel or shop and cover the whole island in an afternoon.
The Duval Crawl
A self-guided pub crawl down the one-mile length of Duval Street, from Sloppy Joe's (Hemingway's bar) to the Green Parrot (locals' bar) — taking in everything in between.
Know Before You Go
Travel Facts
Visa
Not applicable — domestic US destination. International visitors should check standard US entry requirements (ESTA where applicable).
Time Zone
Eastern Time (ET) — EST (UTC−5) in winter, EDT (UTC−4) in summer.
Getting There
Key West International Airport (EYW): direct service from Miami (~35 min), Tampa, and Charlotte. Alternatively, fly to Miami (MIA) and drive the Overseas Highway (~3.5–4 hours from MIA, stunning island-hopping drive recommended). The drive is part of the experience — stop in Islamorada and Marathon.
Best Time
November–April for reliably dry weather, lower humidity, and peak season energy. January–April offers the best conditions. Summer (June–September) is hot and humid but remains active — Fantasy Fest (October) is one of the Keys' most celebrated events.
Currency
US Dollar (USD).
Language
English. Spanish widely spoken.
Getting Around
Old Town is entirely walkable and most of the action is within cycling distance — rent a beach cruiser for the most authentic Key West experience. Conch Tour Train for the highlights overview. A car is useful for reaching quieter beaches and the outer islands.
Practical Notes
Key West is 2x4 miles and almost entirely flat. Park your car at the hotel immediately and rent a bike. You won't need a car again until you leave.
Wild chickens are everywhere — roosters will wake you at dawn. They're protected by city ordinance — it's illegal to harm or relocate them. Pack earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
Key lime pie must be yellow, not green, and must have a graham cracker crust. Anything else is an imposter. The meringue vs. whipped cream debate never ends.
The Dry Tortugas ferry books out weeks in advance in peak season. Book the moment your dates are confirmed.
Parking is expensive and scarce in Old Town. Use the Park & Ride at the airport and take the free shuttle — or stay somewhere walkable.
Hurricane season: June–November. Key West sits at the end of a peninsula with one road in/out (US-1). If an evacuation order is issued, leave immediately.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Key West & Lower Florida Keys
What is the best area to stay in Key West?
Old Town is the most convenient — walkable to Duval Street, Mallory Square, and the top restaurants. Sunset Key is the most secluded, accessible only by ferry.
Are hotels in Key West expensive?
Key West is pricey for Florida — budget options from $100/night; boutique hotels run $200–$400; luxury properties like Sunset Key Cottages start from $600+.
Is Key West walkable?
Yes — Old Town Key West is very walkable and bikeable. Most people rent bicycles or use golf carts to get around.
What is the best luxury hotel in Key West?
Sunset Key Cottages — a private island with cottage accommodation, butler service, and ferry access to Key West. The Gardens Hotel is the most refined boutique option in Old Town.
What is the best boutique hotel in Key West?
The Marquesa Hotel — a pair of restored Victorian mansions in Old Town with a celebrated restaurant and exceptional gardens.
When is the best time to visit Key West?
November through April is peak season with the best weather. Fantasy Fest in October draws large crowds. Summer is hot but rates are lower.
Continue Planning
Related Travel Collections
Explore More
You May Also Like
The BahamasA short flight or ferry from Key West — turquoise water, pink sand beaches, and a similarly laid-back island culture.Upper & Middle Florida KeysThe stretch of Keys between Miami and Key West — some of the best diving and fishing in North America.Miami, FloridaThe natural departure point for Key West — a 3.5-hour drive or short flight, with world-class beaches and dining.