Best hotels in Key West and where to stay on the island

Sunset from your own pier

Ocean Key stands where Duval Street ends and the harbour begins, right next to Mallory Square. It has its own pier over the water with a bar and live music, so you can watch the sunset without sharing the spot with the whole town.

This is our pick for a first visit: step outside and you are in the middle of it, with all of Old Town within reach. Evenings are long and loud right outside the door. If you want an early night, ask for a harbour-facing room.

A private beach in town

Pier House is also at the bottom of Duval, but spread across a larger site with its own small beach, pool and pier. That is rare in central Key West, where most hotels have no sand at all.

It suits anyone who wants to be in town and still have somewhere to swim during the day. Buildings vary in age and so do the rooms, so ask for one with a water view.

Modern and central

Hyatt Centric is a short stroll from Mallory Square, with a pool, a narrow strip of beach and rooms that are newer than in many of the surrounding houses. It is a safe choice when you want a familiar standard.

Families and couples who want everything close and no surprises will be comfortable here. The feel is more chain hotel than Key West, so for verandas and clapboard, read on.

The harbour on the doorstep

Opal Key sits on the harbour right by Mallory Square, with its own marina, a pool and rooms looking over the boats. You are two minutes from the sunset celebration and Duval Street, yet slightly removed from the worst of the crowds.

It suits families and couples who want modern rooms, a pool and a short walk to boat trips out to the reef and the Dry Tortugas. The feel is more resort than old Key West.

Restored houses and two pools

The Marquesa is made up of several restored 19th-century wooden houses arranged around gardens and two pools. Its restaurant is one of the most talked about in town, and Duval Street is a block away.

It suits couples who want old Key West with the service of a small hotel. It is not set up for families with young children, and there is no beach.

A botanical garden in the middle of town

The Gardens Hotel is right in Old Town, yet the first thing you notice is green. It is built around a dense garden of paths, orchids and tall trees, with rooms in low buildings among the planting.

Come here for calm and shade between days in town. It is small, so popular dates go early.

Old clapboard houses around the pool

Winslow's Bungalows is a cluster of restored wooden houses in Old Town, with rooms and suites gathered around a pool and garden. It is part of Key West Historic Inns, a group of small hotels in old buildings across town.

It suits couples and friends who want old Key West with space and quiet, and Duval five minutes away. There is no beach, and rooms vary from house to house.

Adults only, a block from Duval

The Saint is an adults-only hotel a block from Duval Street, with a pool, a bar and a darker, more urban style than the clapboard houses around it. It is one of the few hotels in town designed for grown-ups only.

It suits couples and groups of friends who want the town, the bars and a quiet room. There is no beach, and the look is more city than Caribbean.

Verandas and a boat into town

On Sunset Key you stay in your own cottage with a veranda, many looking over the water, and the launch to Key West runs around the clock. The island has a beach, a pool and a restaurant, and in the evening only guests remain.

This is our pick for honeymoons and couples who want comfort and quiet with town ten minutes away. Rates are among the highest in Key West, and spontaneous nights on Duval mean keeping an eye on the boat.

Pools and parking

Parrot Key has several pools, pastel rooms and villas and its own parking, which counts for a lot in Key West. It sits on the water on the north side of the island.

It suits families and groups of friends driving the Overseas Highway who want the car with them. Old Town is too far to walk, but bikes and taxis are quick.

Space and parking on Stock Island

The Hilton resort is on Stock Island, the island just east of Key West, beside a large marina with pools and restaurants. Rooms are bigger and newer than in Old Town, and parking is easy.

It suits families and drivers doing the Overseas Highway who want room to spread out. Old Town is fifteen minutes away by car or taxi, so you stay outside the atmosphere and drive in to it.