On a trip to Florida, spending a few days in the Keys archipelago is a must. On these islands stretching over 180 kilometres, the choice of where to stay in the Keys is an important one. Depending on the number of nights you spend in the archipelago and the purpose of your stay, it may be wiser to stay in Key West, in the centre of the archipelago, or at the entrance, near Key Largo.
This guide to accommodation in the Keys should help you decide which island to stay on, as well as how to choose your hotel or holiday rental.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in the Keys, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in the Keys:
- $ This ideally located establishment offers good-value rooms,
- $$$ In addition to its ideal location, this luxury hotel offers a host of quality services.
Map of different areas to stay in the Keys
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in the Keys
Areas where to stay in the Keys
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main places we recommend to stay in the Florida Keys. With our accommodation recommendations based on their location on the different islands, and by budget.
Of course, you’ll see here that you need to choose your hotel according to what you plan to do there: activities, relaxing on the beach, etc.
Stay in Key West, a Caribbean change of scene in Florida
Staying in Key West means living in the heart of its unique Caribbean atmosphere, found nowhere else in the United States. Located around 145 kilometres north of the Cuban coast, this lively, festive city is a must for your stay in the Florida Keys archipelago. Here you'll find a relaxed atmosphere where time has no value.
Once you're here, it won't take long to get into the swing of things. It's great to get around the streets by bike: there aren't that many of them, so the city's various places of interest are accessible in just a few minutes.
Staying in this little paradise is a great idea, but you'll need to get organised before you get there. From hotels to cottages and bed and breakfasts, there is plenty of accommodation to suit all tastes. Despite this, prices are a little more expensive than in the rest of the archipelago, as there are still plenty of visitors. Note that if you have the choice, avoid weekends: Miamians cross the overseas highway to stay on the island and storm the city to savour its measure and margaritas.
It is perfectly possible to stay for 2 or even 3 nights. The south of the archipelago is home to a number of points of interest and activities. It's a great place to stay in the Florida islands. If you're in a hurry, you can still spend a night in Key West, but you run the risk of losing the frequency and you'll need to be well organised.
You don't stay in Key West for its beaches (the best are before you reach the end of the archipelago), but rather for its diving spots and colourful conchs. You'll find Truman's Little White House and Ernest Hemmingway's house, from which you can see the Key West Lighthouse. To the south is the most southerly point in the United States, Southermost Point. To the north, in the Marina, you can take sunset cruises. Just next door, you'll find Mallory Square, a pretty square that's a must-see, and in the evenings, the locals can be found partying on Duval Street.
In short, Key West is a place of great interest and well worth a few nights' stay.
The best places to stay in Key West
€€
This Caribbean-style accommodation offers guests a relaxing break. Situated 3 kilometres from Duval Street, it is easy to reach the city's various places of interest by scooter or bicycle, which are available at reception. Its central location on the island makes it a convenient hotel. Its rooms have all the comforts you would expect from this type of establishment.
€€
This brightly coloured hostel is ideally located on Duval Street. You'll be close to bars and restaurants. Culturally, staying here means you're just a few blocks from Ernest Hemmingway's famous house and the Key West Lighthouse. Park your car here free of charge and hire bikes. This guest house also has a swimming pool.
€€€
This tasteful establishment is within easy reach of Duval Street, Mallory Square and the Marina. All water sports activities are within walking distance. Rooms with balconies are spacious and the spa offers quality services. The outdoor swimming pool is perfect for relaxing. Staying at this hotel will satisfy all your needs.
Lodging in the Lower Keys to enjoy nature close to Key West
The Lowers Keys may be suitable if you want to stay as close to Key West as possible without paying the same price. However, it can be a waste of time to imagine making the daily round trips between your accommodation and the end of the archipelago. Bahia Honda Key, which is considered the gateway to the last islands of the archipelago, is often the starting point for traffic jams for those wishing to reach the end of the archipelago.
If you stay in the Lower Keys, you'll find a quieter environment and, above all, superb natural activities:
- Bahia Honda Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. The water is very warm for swimming, but beware: seaweed can sometimes invade the shoreline.
- National Key Deer Refuge, where you can walk the trail and try to find deer. With a little patience and calm, you'll be rewarded.
- Blue Hole, brimming with aquatic life, home to various species of birds and crocodiles: fascinating, but be careful!
There is less accommodation on offer, but this part of the archipelago is a good place to stay in the Keys.
Lower Keys hotel recommendations
€
This establishment offers beachfront accommodation with a private beach. Located near the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge, this accommodation offers close proximity to nature and Bahia Honda Beach.
€€
Solar energy and barrels of recycled water make this Bed & Breakfast an environmentally-friendly stopover. You can stay on Big Pine Key, close to places of interest, and enjoy the saltwater pool. Scuba diving equipment, kayaks and bicycles are on loan to make your stay a pleasant one.
The Middle Keys, at the geographical centre of the archipelago
When you look at the map of the Keys, the Middle Keys represent a prime geographical option for accommodation in the archipelago. If you take the Overseas Highway, you'll find that 2 hours is a great minimum for crossing the archipelago. Marathon is a good place to stay, as it is almost equidistant between Key Largo and Key West. You can then explore the surrounding area without racking up too many kilometres. Along with Key West, it's a good base for staying in two different places during your stay.
But staying in the Middle Keys has even more to offer. When you arrive, you'll quickly realise that the setting is idyllicand lends itself to water-based activities.
- You can jet ski, dive or wakeboard on pretty palm-fringed beaches
- at Boot Key Harbor, in addition to water sports, you can also watch the sun set in the marina.
- to relax and have a drink, the locals go to Sombrero Beach
- on the outskirts of Marathon is the Turtle Hospital, a small clinic renowned for saving turtles
- the Seven Miles Bridge, the old bridge linking the archipelago, now closed to motorised traffic.
In short, a night's stay in Marathon would seem to be the ideal alternative for a convenient stopover close to a number of activities. There is a wide range of accommodation to stay in the Middle Keys. And here too, even if the budget remains substantial, the hotels are more affordable than in the most famous of the islands, Key West.
Good addresses in this part of the archipelago
€€
Staying at this hostel gives you access to the marina, tennis courts and outdoor swimming pool. Located in Marathon, this accommodation is just a short drive from the Turtle Clinic.
€€
This luxury hotel offers a 24-hour reception, which you may find useful if you wish to stop off in Marathon, halfway to the Keys. The comfortable rooms mean you are just a 5-minute walk from the Turtle Clinic. The outdoor whirlpool pool and central location make this a pleasant stopover.
€€€
This accommodation is full of surprises. Ideally located on Duck Key, it offers Caribbean-style rooms, 5 swimming pools, a tennis court and a spa. It's a great place to stay, with so many activities on offer. This establishment will suit families and couples alike.
Accommodation in the Upper Keys: the gateway to the archipelago
Staying in the Upper Keys can be an alternative to the most touristy parts of the Florida archipelago.
It's a well-known alternative, however, as Key Largo is home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reek State, the only natural coral reef in the United States: diving, snorkelling, glass-bottom boat trips, over 500 different species to see and some 500 crocodiles. In other words, it's easy to spend the day here, there's so much to see.
For the more romantic, you can stay in Islamadora. Here you'll find a natural lagoon where the turquoise waters offer some lovely spots to relax. Just past the Theater of the Sea, you can dine in Pierre's Restaurant, a renowned restaurant run by French expatriates. If you just want to cool off, you can have a drink at the Morada Bay Cafe, the magnificent backdrop to the Bloodline series, from which you can watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico.
It doesn't take very long to cover all the activities on offer in the Upper Keys. So there's little point in staying more than one night. Nevertheless, for those who want to take their time getting to Key West and soak up the Caribbean atmosphere, staying in the Upper Keys is a relaxing and romantic stopover that shouldn't be overlooked.
There's plenty of accommodation to suit all budgets. In short, the Upper Keys are a restful and interesting stopover before discovering the rest of the archipelago (or leaving it just before returning to Miami). Even if the budget for accommodation remains relatively high, it's clearly in this part of the archipelago that you'll find the cheapest hotels or accommodation.
Places to stay in the Upper Keys
€
Situated right on the ocean, this hotel has a quay and a marina. Staying here means you can enjoy water sports such as paddling, snorkelling and canoeing. The rooms are like small flats with kitchenettes, and some have sea views.
€€
300 metres of private beach await you at this luxury hotel. You can play golf, relax in the spa or go fishing. Staying here is perfect for families who want to get together around the pool.
€€€
This 4-star hotel offers a balcony with a sea view in each of its rooms. Staying in this accommodation will give you access to a private beach where numerous water sports activities await you. The outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym and bar will keep you entertained in the evenings.
When visiting Florida, spending a few days in the Keys is often a must. It’s an excellent place to stay for a few days, for example at the end of a trip to relax before a flight home. As you may have realised, choosing which island to stay on in the Keys can be crucial, especially if you’re planning to do some sightseeing and activities. Travel times aren’t immense, but it’s always best to target accommodation in a good location, in line with what you plan to do during your stay.
As is often the case in the United States, it’s best to book your hotel in advance in the Keys. Rates are already fairly high. If you plan ahead, you’ll have a wider choice of accommodation, so you can reduce your accommodation budget for those few nights by the sea.