[jnieman]

Looking for recommendations for Key West Hotels for the end of October for two nights. I have found a few and want to know if it is best to stay near the action of Duval street or close to the beach in a resort? We have investigated a 2 hour Champagne Sunset Cruise also. Has anyone gone on that? We have just been there once when on a cruise ship and only stayed for a few hours and took the trolley tour.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by jnieman

Looking for recommendations for Key West Hotels for the end of October for two nights. I have found a few and want to know if it is best to stay near the action of Duval street or close to the beach in a resort? We have investigated a 2 hour Champagne Sunset Cruise also. Has anyone gone on that? We have just been there once when on a cruise ship and only stayed for a few hours and took the trolley tour.

We are not beach people, so we always stay on Duval close to Mallory Square. We only go for three days at the most and find that you don't have to go looking for something to do, it comes to you, especially on Duval. Mallory Square at night with free entertainment. Then just Walking Duval day and night is entertaiment in itself. We do rent a golf car and ride around for half a day, get to the beach that way just to watch the shrimp boats. Love riding through the back streets and looking at all the old homes. Love the trolley, especially if you have a good knowledgeable driver. Eat in one of the harbor restaurants - grouper to die for. Just sit in one of the open bars or cafe's and watch life going by. Great place, always love our times there. One thing - there is a nightclub on Duval (Aqua Nightclub) with all male "show girls", very high class and very entertaining and reasonable and not in the least bit sleazy. Last time it was a $15 per person entry.

This may be of no interest, but if you are on Duval heading towards Mallory Square, on the right hand side and on a corner is a Protestant Church. It is St. Paul's Episcopal Church and is one of the prettiest churches I have ever been into. The stained glass windows are just lovely and every window has been donated by a Key West family and most of them were seafaring people. It is so peaceful, cool and inviting; and when I was there the rector came out and was telling me the history of the Church.

There is also a breakfast restaurant (Blue Heaven, 729 Thomas St, Key West), it's on one of the back streets off Duval where all the seating is outside and under huge trees. Great food, great service and worth finding. Also, there is a great Italian Restaurant on Duval - La Trattoria Restaurant, going away from Mallory Square on the right hand side of Duval, very very expensive but excellent food, you have to make a reservation.

Just go and have fun!

[borjo]

That time of year is their big Fantasy Festival, (google it) The big parade, I think down Duval, is the 29th. If you've never seen this, wow, it's a once in a lifetime different event. There are festivities of an adult nature all week. If you're a prude, stay away that week.

[Doro22]

Originally Posted by jnieman

Looking for recommendations for Key West Hotels for the end of October for two nights. I have found a few and want to know if it is best to stay near the action of Duval street or close to the beach in a resort? We have investigated a 2 hour Champagne Sunset Cruise also. Has anyone gone on that? We have just been there once when on a cruise ship and only stayed for a few hours and took the trolley tour.

We like to stay at Pier House, right at end of Duval Street. You can walk to most good places. Definitely any of the champagne cruises are fun, fun fun. The booze and hors dourves just flow...so be careful. The music and dancing go on & on. The A & B restaurant & bar right near where all those sunset cruises sail is very good. We also really enjoyed the catamaran cruise to Fort Jefferson. That is a full day cruise Check it out. We are from Miami/Hollywood/Fort Laudredale area & have been down there many times over the years, most recently in March. Be sure to take some photos as the the sun goes down. Don't miss the action on Mallory Square at sundown on a different evening also.

[Carl in Tampa]

It all depends upon what you find interesting. As a reader of Hemmingway novels, I considered a visit to Hemmingway's home my first priority. It gave an insight into his lifestyle. There is a room over the garage where he wrote one of his novels. There is an admission charge and you are given a guided tour.

If you are interested in history you might want to visit President Truman's Little White House on the Naval Base. Again, a charge for a guided tour.

Mallory Square at Sunset is a great experience.

We stayed at a Bed & Breakfast. There are lots of them around.

[Here2Stay]

Hands down, Sunset Key a minute boat ride off square to really a wonderful stay, this certainly , hands down is a 5 star experience!

[baustgen]

Check out Simonton Court. Run by gays but close to the action and very clean. We like Smathers beach and Little Palm Island for lunch. Expensive but you go to the island by boat. Love Mel Fishers Museum. Treasure hunter. Go to the charter fishing boat pier around 4 pm and watch the boats come in and display their catch. Mallory pier at sunset is crowded but a must see. Have desert at My Blue Heaven. Bananas Foster is superb. On the way down stop at Bahia Honda for lunch. Picnic tables on the beach. Pack a lunch or on site Roach Coach.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

It all depends upon what you find interesting. As a reader of Hemmingway novels, I considered a visit to Hemmingway's home my first priority. It gave an insight into his lifestyle. There is a room over the garage where he wrote one of his novels. There is an admission charge and you are given a guided tour.

If you are interested in history you might want to visit President Truman's Little White House on the Naval Base. Again, a charge for a guided tour.

Mallory Square at Sunset is a great experience.

We stayed at a Bed & Breakfast. There are lots of them around.

I will second a visit to President Truman's Little White House while you are in Key West -- very interesting. Also Mallory Square at sunset is wonderful. My friends and I stayed at a bed and breakfast about 5 blocks from Duval Street -- a little cheaper, we walked everywhere or took a taxi after sunset. I really enjoyed Key West and would love to go back!

[Trish Crocker]

We stayed at La Concha right on Duval. Very nice hotel and walking distance to almost everything. We spent an evening at La Te Da listening to the piano player...GREAT time! As suggested, check out Hemingway and definitely do the tour...you'll learn a lot more. The White House was great and so interesting to see that it was not anything palatial...just a comfortable place for the President to hang out.

[CFrance]

Fantasy Fest is Oct. 21-30 this year. The last week of it is the busiest, and you should make reservations ASAP if you want to be in KW at that time. We used to stay at the Eden House, 1000 block of Fleming St. Key West Hotels | Hotel in Old Town Key West | Eden House Hotel, Key West, Florida, 33040 It's very "old Keysish," has many different types of rooms and covered wraparound porches. Nice pool and gardens. A ten-minute walk to Duval, but it's quiet at night. Other people we know have stayed at Eaton House and The Banyan Resort.

There is a magazine that comes out every month that you can pick up free anywhere. It has a lot of the restaurant's menus listed. I love an outdoor casual place (under cover) on Duval called Willie T's Willie T's Restaurant & Bar 525 Duval Best ever blackened grouper caesar salad.

BTW, the church Madelaine Aimee is talking about, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 400 block of Duval, used to give free music concerts a noon every day but Sunday. I can't find anything about it on their web site, but if you want to get out of the heat, it's quite peaceful in there It's about an hour, but people come and go as they please. Their 9:30 "sung" Sunday service is awesome.