We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Destinations The Best Hotels in Key West of 2024 Stay at these editor-loved hotels and T+L award winning properties. By Katherine Alex Beaven Katherine Alex Beaven Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on April 11, 2024 Photo: The Marquesa The Florida Keys are a chain of over 1,700 islands off the southern tip of Florida known for their gorgeous water, rich marine life, and quirky, fun-loving attitude. They’re broken up into five regions (or “Keys”) — Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, the Lower Keys, and Key West. Of all the Keys, Key West is the most well known. It’s also the farthest south and home to the southernmost point in the United States. In fact, Key West is so far south that it’s actually much closer to Cuba than it is to Miami. It’s no secret that most Floridians don’t consider themselves to be part of the South — but growing up in Florida, I found it amusing that folks in the Florida Keys usually consider themselves separate from mainland Florida, too. However, once I started visiting and learning more about the Keys, particularly Key West, it was obvious that the Florida Keys have a culture all their own. Don’t make the mistake of judging this tiny four-mile island by its size — Key West is a full-fledged destination packed with history, art, food, drink, wildlife, water sports, and culture. Key West is home to the weird and wonderful. This is where you come to sample real key lime pie and conch fritters, where the weather report calls for falling frozen iguanas, and where cats with six toes, life-changing sunsets, and pastel mansions over 150 years old are all in a day’s work. But where to stay while you’re there? The options in Key West can be daunting, but luckily, I, along with Travel + Leisure editors, have been there many times and have scouted some of the best places to stay on the island. We’ve selected a good mix of hotels for every type of traveler, based on our personal experience, recent World’s Best Awards winners, and editor favorites. Read on to find our top picks. Sunset Key Cottages Sunset Key Cottages Book Now Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com What We Like The private island location adds an extra dose of privacy and solitude that’s still close to the action of Old Town. What to Consider The resort fee is one of the heftiest we’ve seen. If you’re looking for an island getaway from your island getaway, Sunset Key Cottages offers 40 upscale beachy cottages with up to four bedrooms, superior service, and a relaxing residential island location just a 7-minute boat journey from Old Town. This hotel earned a spot on our World’s Best Awards list in 2021, 2022, and 2023. While the setting can be quite romantic, Sunset Key Cottages is a family-friendly and dog-friendly property. Cottages range between 700 to 2,500 square feet, so there’s room to spread out, and available activities run the gamut from sports courts and spa treatments to pool time and parasailing. Travelers who take advantage of all the property freebies like daily spirits tastings, fishing off the pier, use of the sports courts, poolside popsicles, and daily room-delivered breakfast (just to name a few) will get the most value out of the hefty daily resort fee. The Details: Neighborhood: Sunset KeyDistance From Airport: 4 milesRates: From $850Resort Fee: $250 per dayParking: Yes; $30 per day self-parking, $40 per day valetPet Policy: $100 per night for up to two dogs weighing 30 pounds or less. The Perry Hotel & Marina Key West The Perry Hotel & Marina Key West Book Now Also available to book at Expedia.com What We Like This hotel features direct waterfront views, outdoor showers, and pet-friendly rooms. What to Consider The marina location is about five miles from the main drag of Duval Street. The Perry Hotel & Marina Key West made our World’s Best Awards list in 2021. We love its Stock Island Marina location, particularly for travelers arriving by boat or looking for a more relaxed Key West experience not centered around the usual Duval Street haunts. This 100-room boutique hotel is somewhat of a Key West outlier, swapping out the island’s common Old Florida colors and aesthetic for an unexpected and sleek modern-industrial look featuring dark wood, grays, and iron accents throughout. Six room types offer options for a glittering marina and pool or lush mangrove view, open-air showers, and ADA accessibility. Flatscreen TVs, coffeemakers, unstocked mini-fridges, and private balconies come standard. The daily resort fee covers expected on-site amenities like the pool, a great concierge service, and use of the fitness room, as well as convenient and fun extras like a very punctual hourly shuttle service to and from Old Town (travel time is about 20 minutes each way), welcome tipple of champagne, a daily drink, an EV charging station, and Saturday group yoga classes. Traveling with your pup? The dog-friendly pet policy has no weight restrictions, and there are two dog parks nearby. The Details: Neighborhood: Stock IslandDistance From Airport: 3 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Stock Island Marina, Key West Golf Course, Robbie's of Key West, Hogfish Bar & GrillAccessibility: Wheelchair-accessible parking, braille signage, assisted listening devices, wheelchair-accessible pathways, accessible roomsRates: From $152Resort Fee: $50Parking: Yes; self-parking $27 per nightPet Policy: $75 per night for one dog, $25 for an additional dog with a maximum of 2 dogs. Santa Maria Suites Santa Maria Suites Resort Book Now Also available to book at Hotels.com What We Like While it doesn’t have all the typical hotel amenities, there are several thoughtful details included in your stay. What to Consider The apartment-hotel style of this property may not be for everyone. Santa Maria Suites is an all-suite boutique property with large two-bedroom suites clocking in at over 900 square feet. The contemporary apartment-style units have gourmet kitchens with high-end appliances and luxe granite countertops, separate bedrooms, and a furnished patio or balcony with pool or garden views. Tropical garden grounds give guests a relaxing place to get away and decompress after a day out sightseeing. We love the attention to detail this small hotel brings to the table. For example, relaxing by the two heated pools is accompanied by ABV-free frozen drinks, chilled towels, cold bottled water, and fresh fruit. There’s also a free nightly happy hour, all-day muffins and ice cream, and access to beach facilities at the Southernmost Beach. This isn’t a typical hotel with multiple public spaces, but there is a restaurant serving Latin cuisine and a workout area with a few machines available for use. The Details: Neighborhood: Upper DuvalDistance From Airport: 3.2 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Duval Street, Mallory Square, Southernmost Point, Hemingway House and Museum, Key West Lighthouse, Higgs Beach, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, South BeachAccessibility: Wheelchair-accessible parking, pathways, and suites; ramps and pool entrance; visual and auditory alarmsRates: From $315Resort Fee: $40 per dayParking: Yes; self-parking $20 per nightPet Policy: Not allowed Gardens Hotel Gardens Hotel Book Now What We Like The hotel has several eco-friendly practices and awards, and there’s no resort fee. What to Consider The colonial-style decor can feel dated and there’s no on-site restaurant. You can’t name your hotel after your gardens and not deliver. The Gardens Hotel may be located smack in the middle of Old Town, but this small, ultra-boutique hotel manages to deliver a beautiful sanctuary space filled with plants, birds, water features, and tranquility. Plus, they go the extra mile with eco-friendly practices from recycling to heating water with solar panels. The atmosphere here is social in public spaces, and guests often chat over drinks at the pool or between songs at the Sunday night jazz performances. Rooms are spacious, but feature colonial-style furniture and decor which can feel dated, especially when compared to nearby competitors. But do those hotels have a self-serve wine gallery featuring over 30 wines from around the world? Probably not. Despite having two pools, free Wi-Fi, a stellar hot breakfast, prime location, and concierge services, Gardens Hotel remains resort fee-free. The Details: Neighborhood: Old Town Historic DistrictDistance From Airport: 3.8 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Duval Street, Mallory Square, Hemingway House and Museum, Key West Lighthouse, Key West Dog Beach, Green Parrot BarAccessibility: One ADA-accessible room with a ramp, wheelchair-accessible parking, pool lift, audio and visual alarmsRates: From $384Parking: Yes; $30 per nightPet Policy: $100 per night for one dog up to 20 pounds Ocean Key Resort & Spa Ocean Key Resort & Spa Book Now What We Like This is the ultimate spot for sunsets and anyone who wants to be at the center of the action on Key West. What to Consider There is no direct beach access. This 2022 World’s Best Award-winning resort has an enviable location right on the water at the tippy-top of Duval Street, giving guests incredible views of the Gulf of Mexico and easy-as-pie access to the vibrancy of Key West’s main action. Ocean Key Resort & Spa has 100 rooms starting out at 300 square feet and features bright and boisterous contemporary decor, tiled floors, teak wood accents, private balconies, minibars, and stone bathrooms. Upgrades to suites will double, triple, and quadruple your room size, but most in-room amenities stay the same. Whether you’re scoping out the sunset from your room, the pool, or the legendary Sunset Pier, you’ll have one of the best views on the island. However, these memorable waterfront views don’t have a beach, only seawall. Instead, guests soak up the sun at the pool. Food, drinks, and entertainment are available at the poolside bar, rooftop restaurant, and the Sunset Pier. The Details: Neighborhood: Old Town Historic DistrictDistance From Airport: 4 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Key West Aquarium, Hemingway House and Museum, Duval Street, Mallory SquareAccessibility: ADA-accessible rooms, pool lift, meeting spaces, public spaces, pathways, and elevators; braille signage in elevators, audio and visual alarms, TTYRates: From $210Resort Fee: $56 per day (plus tax)Parking: Yes; valet parking $45 per nightPet Policy: Not allowed The Marquesa The Marquesa Book Now What We Like It’s a historic property with excellent service, a prime location, and a variety of room and suite options. What to Consider There aren’t a lot of on-property amenities. The Marquesa has lived many lives since it was built in 1884 and is currently listed as an Old Town historic landmark. As a hotel, the 414-room Marquesa now includes one newly-built house and two historic neighboring buildings, a Gothic carpenter-style cottage built in 1878, and a mansion-turned-guesthouse. As you can imagine, the rooms across these buildings range widely in style, size, and design, including open-plan suites, gorgeous slanted ceilings, and hidden alcoves. That said, all rooms and suites have been meticulously renovated and feature contemporary comforts like big beds and Nespresso machines, with options for balconies, kitchenettes, and luxurious bathrooms with soaking tubs. Service here is personal and the staff really goes that extra mile, though the daily resort fee can seem a tad steep considering the on-site amenities are limited to the three lovely pools, Wi-Fi, a daily continental breakfast, and a 24-hour concierge. The Details: Neighborhood: Old Town Historic DistrictDistance From Airport: 3.6 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Key West Lighthouse, Hemingway House and Museum, Duval Street, Mallory Square, Green Parrot Bar, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State ParkAccessibility: ADA-accessible rooms, braille room numbers, TTY, accessible restaurant and parking, audio and visual alarmsRates: From $292Resort Fee: $40 per dayParking: Yes; self-parking $25 (plus tax) per dayPet Policy: Not allowed Oceans Edge Key West Resort & Marina Oceans Edge Resort & Marina Key West Book Now Also available to book at Expedia.com What We Like The resort plays up its seaside location with charming nautical-themed decor. What to Consider Some travelers may prefer to be closer (think: walking distance) to Key West’s main drag. Ocean’s Edge Key West Resort & Spa is a dockside resort on Stock Island. The full-service 165-slip marina makes it easy for you to tie-up and check in. The 175 rooms have a subtle and playful upscale nautical theme featuring bright white paneling, natural wood and navy-colored accents, and views overlooking the marina. While a lot of resorts focus on Key West’s history and main drag, this one encourages visitors to experience the resort’s natural side with activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, outdoor yoga classes, and bike rentals. Boat charters are available through the hotel for private fishing excursions and scenic cruises, all departing straight from their docks. However, our favorite activity is the free one-hour eco-immersion experience where guests learn about the marine ecosystem from a local marine scientist. Guests can also expect their choice of six saltwater pools (with full service), a dock-to-dinner plate restaurant, daily happy hours and live music, and a free hourly shuttle service to Old Town. It’s no wonder this celebrated Key West resort made our World’s Best Awards list in 2022. The Details: Neighborhood: Stock IslandDistance From Airport: 3.5 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Stock Island Marina, Key West Golf Course, Robbie's of Key West, Hogfish Bar & GrillAccessibility: ADA-accessible pathways, rooms, restaurants, and parking; visual and audio alarms, entrance lift, braille signage throughout, TTYRates: From $184Resort Fee: $50 per dayParking: Yes; $27 (plus tax) per nightPet Policy: $70 for each dog up to 60 pounds with 2 maximum. H20 Suites Book Now What We Like It’s an all-suite boutique property with a rooftop pool and nearby beach access. What to Consider The minimum age is 25. H20 Suites is an all-suite hotel located two blocks from the Southernmost Point, just one block from Duval Street, offering an intimate and tranquil respite from the heavy traffic of Old Town. With just 22 suites, the service here feels extremely personal and guests can look forward to private outdoor space, stocked in-room wet bars, and Italian marble bathrooms. Half of the suites feature private pools, and all have cosmopolitan-modern decor that feels a bit more Miami than Florida Keys. The snazzy rooftop pool and bar is a standout with great views and a happy hour to boot, and we appreciate the 24-hour front desk and concierge service. There’s also a small gym on property. The daily resort fee covers amenities like access to Southernmost Beach (plus beach set-up), a welcome drink, a nightly treat and turndown service, and bottled water. This is an adults-only hotel with a minimum age of 25. The Details: Neighborhood: Historic Old TownDistance From Airport: 3.3 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Duval Street, Southernmost Point, Hemingway House and Museum, Mallory Square, Truman Little White HouseAccessibility: Two ADA-accessible rooms; pathways, public spaces, pool lift, audio and visual alarms, communication kits for hearing-impairedRates: From $348Resort Fee: $40 per night (plus tax)Parking: $20 per night with a limit of one car per roomPet Policy: Not allowed The Capitana Key West The Capitana Key West Book Now What We Like It’s one of the few hotels in Key West with direct beach access. What to Consider You can’t swim at the beach and it’s in a slightly industrial part of town that isn’t walkable to Old Town. This waterfront beach boutique hotel has one huge advantage over most of the hotels in Key West — it has its own direct private beach access. The catch? It’s got a rough and rugged coral floor, which means no swimming, just lounging on the sand or in one of the hotel’s comfy cabanas. If you feel like a dip, the next best thing is the hotel’s saltwater pool, complete with ocean views and full service from the poolside tiki bar and restaurant. Rooms are spacious and contemporary with soft, neutral beachy color palettes, comfy beds, and balconies with views of the Gulf of Mexico. Two-bedroom family suites can sleep up to seven, and springing for a cottage will get you over twice the amount of space and add a full kitchen and separate living room lounge area. Although this boutique hotel is family-friendly, it’s a popular spot for couples. Keep in mind that the New Town location is slightly out of the way — ideal if you’re trying to avoid crowds but not if you want to hit all the popular spots. The Details: Neighborhood: New TownDistance From Airport: 2.8 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Smathers Beach, Key West Nature Preserve, Dredgers Key, Garrison BightAccessibility: ADA-accessible rooms, chair lifts, pool lift, public spaces, and parking; visual alarms and TTY availableRates: From $293Resort Fee: $35 per dayParking: Yes; resort fee includes self-parkingPet Policy: $100 per dog per night, maximum of two dogs and 30 pounds Simonton Court Historic Inn & Cottages Simonton Court Book Now What We Like There are some thoughtful freebies and no resort fee. What to Consider This is a garden-set historic property with very limited accessibility. Simonton Court Historic Inn & Cottages offers up a taste of Key West in the island’s Old Florida style. If you’re looking for a cute and quaint bed and breakfast, this is your frontrunner. Here, 30 rooms are spread out across 10 buildings on five properties, including a set of historic cottages built in 1880, giving guests an intimate and secluded feel right in the center of bustling Old Town. A word to the wise: fully investigate all the available rooms before booking — the five different properties have distinct characteristics and room types are very specific when it comes to location, floor level, and amenities. Some of our favorite details are the red brick pathways, painted wood decking, and the abundant tropical gardens that surround the property. Keep in mind that Simonton Court is an adults-only property and because of its historic nature is not very suitable for travelers requiring ramps or other accessible features. A wander through the leafy palms will bring you to the hotel’s four pools with poolside service, bike rental area, and, on Friday and Saturday afternoons, a social happy hour with discounted drinks and free snacks. There’s also a free (albeit light) continental breakfast available, but best of all there’s no resort fee! The Details: Neighborhood: Historic Old TownDistance From Airport: 3.8 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Duval Street, Mallory Square, Hemingway House and Museum, Key West Lighthouse, Key West Dog Beach, Green Parrot BarAccessibility: Very limitedRates: From $309Parking: Yes; reserved self-parking $30 per day (very limited)Pet Policy: Not allowed Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa Hyatt Book Now What We Like Every room has a balcony. What to Consider It’s on the water, but on a seawall without a beach area. The Hyatt Centric Key West has a bullseye location when it comes to being at the heart of the action. Guests at this 120-room hotel can expect the typical Hyatt Centric experience and style that aims to mix the familiarity of a big brand with the feeling of a local boutique hotel. Rooms are comfy with the standard features, and we love that every single one has a balcony that comes with a shade cover so guests can take advantage of sunny days (note that not all have ocean views). Menus at the restaurant and bar add in local flavor and ingredients, the ocean-view pool is heated in chillier months, and there’s a nice on-site spa with tropical-leaning treatments. The daily resort fee includes fun extras like a two-hour bike rental for each guest, pool inflatables and treats, 24-hour gym access (including Peloton bikes), and off-site beach access — but doesn’t include parking. The Details: Neighborhood: Historic SeaportDistance From Airport: 4.1 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Duval Street, Mallory Square, Hemingway House and Museum, Key West Lighthouse, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, Truman Little White HouseAccessibility: ADA-accessible rooms, parking, pool, public areas, pathways, and fitness center; TTYRates: From $270Resort Fee: $55 per day (per room)Parking: Yes; $35 self-parking and $40 premium self-parking per nightPet Policy: $150 per stay for up to 6 nights/$300 per stay for 7 or more nights; two dogs maximum with one dog maximum weight of 50 pounds or two dogs maximum combined weight of 75 pounds. Southernmost Beach Resort Key West Southernmost Beach Resort Book Now What We Like You’ll get front-row ocean views, three pools, and free beach chairs and umbrellas at South Beach. What to Consider The unpredictable Wi-Fi and early-rising resident roosters aren’t for everyone. The Southernmost Beach Resort Key West has a notable location at the end of Duval Street, just a three-minute walk to South Beach and the Southernmost Point buoy. It’s a great family-friendly option for travelers looking for a quieter Key West experience without having to sacrifice walkability. Built in 1948, this 261-room resort underwent a $15-million-dollar update to nearly all of its rooms, the exterior, lobby, and one of its pools and pool bars which was unveiled in 2022. While there are 11 different room types to choose from, they’re on the smaller side, ranging between 220 to 470 square feet. Robes, coffeemakers, welcome waters, and mini-fridges come standard with upgrades snagging extras like balconies, upgraded views, or an oceanfront location. Guests can enjoy three pools with ocean views, full service menus, live music, and adults-only tranquility, and a full-service beach club serving up food, drinks, and free beach set-ups. A note to those who like to sleep in: there are several resident roosters on the property that never take an early morning off from crowing. The Details: Neighborhood: Upper DuvalDistance From Airport: 3.4 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Duval Street, Mallory Square, Southernmost Point, Hemingway House and Museum, Key West Lighthouse, Higgs Beach, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, South Beach, Key West Butterfly and Nature ConservatoryAccessibility: ADA-accessible public spaces, pathways, elevator, parking, and rooms; TTY available, visual alarms, pool lift, braille signage in accessible roomsRates: From $199Resort Fee: $56 per day (plus tax)Parking: Yes; self-parking for one vehicle per room at $42 (plus tax) per nightPet Policy: Not allowed Alexander’s Guest House XXX Book Now What We Like You’ll get free breakfast, an excellent location, and a 24-hour pool with no resort fee. What to Consider There are two clothing-optional upper sundecks on the property which may not appeal to everyone. Alexander’s Guest House is a 17-room guesthouse and one of Key West’s proudly gay-owned and -operated hotels. Originally built in 1902, this three-story conch-style house is now listed on the National List of Historic Places, but don’t let her age fool you — this gorgeous girl has immaculate style and a flawless beauty routine. Natural wood ceilings, bright white trim and paneling, matte black shutters, and loads of large windows bringing in natural light showcase architectural highlights, while stark white furniture, well-placed animal print rugs, and black and white awnings keep things looking contemporary and sophisticated. The lush tropical grounds, a 24-hour pool and spa, included breakfast, and a convenient yet quiet Old Town location make Alexander’s a popular spot, but the fact that there’s no resort fee makes it a downright gem. Another feature worth mentioning about this adults-only hotel? There’s an upper-level sun deck — and it’s clothing-optional. The Details: Neighborhood: Old Town Historic DistrictDistance From Airport: 3.5 miles from EYWNearby Attractions: Duval Street, Mallory Square, Historic Seaport, Key West AquariumAccessibility: Parking spot, public spaces, guest room; visual and audio accessible features available for all roomsRates: From $295Parking: NoPet Policy: Not allowed Know Before You Go Be wary of booking during hurricane season Key West experiences a hurricane season every year from June through November, and it’s no idle threat. The capital of the Conch Republic is one of the top five most impacted U.S. cities when it comes to hurricanes, often bearing the brunt of the season’s rains, winds, and flooding. As a former Floridian who has experienced their fair share of hurricanes, I can’t directly recommend booking a stay on this small island during hurricane season, but I can say that if you’re willing to take the gamble, room rates can be almost half-price from peak season. Keep in mind that even if there are no hurricanes, you’ll likely still experience short but heavy downpours. You don’t necessarily need a car Chances are, if you’ve got a car, you’ll park it at your hotel and that’s where it’ll stay until you’re ready to head home. Key West is so small that you can walk the main Duval strip from end-to-end in about 30 minutes if you don’t stop. For those who prefer wheels to walking, there’s also a free shuttle that travels the Duval Loop, making 16 stops along the way in about as many minutes. For anything farther off of Duval, rideshare services are affordable and readily available. The only time you’ll need to travel by car is getting to and from the airport. Key West has its own (small) airport One thing I love about Key West is that this tiny island with an area of just over four miles has its own international airport. Six airlines fly in and out of Key West — United, Delta, American, JetBlue, Allegiant, and Silver — with both year-round and seasonal routes. What I don’t love is how expensive these flights can be. It’s often more economical for many tourists to fly into Miami International Airport, rent a car, and drive the scenic 160 miles down to Key West. But time is money, so for some, it’s worth the extra price and shorter travel times. The Keys are also known as the Conch Republic While you’re there, you may see flags for the Conch Republic hung up around town, or hear people talking about “Conchs.” Long story short, in 1982, Key West staged a faux-protest against the U.S. government for causing a debilitating traffic jam along the only road out of the Keys. They declared their secession from the United States and the formation of the Conch Republic. The joke took on a life of its own with the creation of flags, passports, and fake currency, and is still talked about today. Key West is a proud LGBTQIA-friendly destination Key West is an international LGBTQIA haven, and throws one of the largest pride celebrations in the country. But, even bigger and perhaps more legendary than that is the island’s annual Fantasy Fest, a 10-day adults-only party that encourages its 75,000 attendees to let loose. It’s a quirky, creative, and queer-heavy party and everyone is invited. Even without an official event, Key West is known for being an open and accepting place, attracting over 250,000 LGBTQIA-identifying travelers every year. How We Chose These Hotels For this article, Katherine Alex Beaven sifted through the island’s best hotel offerings, keeping in mind T+L editor-loved properties and her own experience with Key West hotels during her travels to the island. She is also an experienced professional hotel reviewer who has reviewed over 500 hotels around the world. Ultimately, to make the cut, these Key West hotels had to stand out in categories including location, service, amenities, value, and overall guest experience. Hotels that earned a spot on T+L’s World’s Best Awards list were also considered and prioritized during evaluation (see the 2023 winners here). For all of our hotel roundups, editors ensure our hotel recommendations align with our core T+L Hotel Values. Edited by Sophie Mendel Sophie Mendel Sophie Mendel is a Commerce Editor at Travel + Leisure with Dotdash Meredith where she assigns, edits and publishes the product reviews and recommendations that help guide travelers toward the best shoes, apparel and accessories for their needs. Sophie has traveled to 50 countries and has lived in five, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She has more than five years of experience as a writer, editor and copywriter. learn more