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Where to stay in The Keys

Restored 1884 conch houses in Old Town Key West and a family beach resort with a real swimming beach next to Marathon.

  1. The Marquesa HotelBoutique · Old Town Key West, one block off Duval Street$$$$
  2. Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel & ResortFamily · Key Colony Beach, next to Marathon in the Middle Keys$$$$
Standout pick
The Marquesa Hotel · $$$
Easy choice
Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel & Resort · $$
Best time
Dec–May
Ideal stay
3–4 nights
Hotel budget
$250–$500 / night

The Keys reward two bases: Key West's Old Town and the quieter Middle Keys. Our exclusive pick is a historic boutique hotel in Old Town Key West; our accessible pick is a family-owned beach resort next to Marathon. Prices are shown as a level, from $ to $$$$: rates move with the season and the room, so check the live price before you plan.

The Marquesa Hotel

$$$$
Pick no. 1 · The standoutBoutiqueOld Town Key West, one block off Duval Street

Historic boutique hotel in restored 1884 Conch-Victorian homes, 44 rooms and suites

Photos: The Marquesa Hotel, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.

Restored 1884 conch houses around gardens and three pools, one block off Duval in Old Town Key West.

  • Three pools
  • Tropical gardens
  • Café Marquesa
  • Welcome cocktail
See prices (official website)Opens the hotel’s official website.

Why we picked it

We would book the Marquesa to live Key West from inside its Old Town: a compound of 1880s conch houses with porches, gardens and three pools, one block from Duval but quiet, with one of the island's best dining rooms downstairs. Everything on the island's historic side, from Mallory Square to the Hemingway House, is on foot or by bike.

Best for

  • Couples
  • History and architecture lovers
  • Food lovers
  • Three restored Conch-style Victorian houses, the oldest built in 1884, set around tropical gardens and three pools
  • Café Marquesa, a Michelin-recognized restaurant serving coastal Southern cuisine with Keys ingredients
  • Adults-oriented calm (guests 14 and over), one block off Duval and within walking distance of the Hemingway House and Mallory Square

What the hotel offers

As listed on the hotel’s own website.

  • Three poolsTucked into hidden courtyards
  • Tropical gardensCourtyards, a koi pond and heritage gardens
  • Café MarquesaDinner, à la carte or a seven-course tasting menu
  • Welcome cocktailOn arrival, plus afternoon iced tea and cookies in the parlor
  • Historic buildingsHomes from 1878 and 1884, restored as a hotel since 1988
  • Wi-FiIncluded in the $50 daily amenity fee
  • Minibar and NespressoIn the Classic and Deluxe rooms
  • 24-hour conciergePlus nightly turndown service
  • Fitness centerAccess at sister property Ocean Key Resort, one block away
  • Spa discount10% off select services at SpaTerre, Ocean Key Resort
  • Parking$40 plus tax per vehicle per day

Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel & Resort

$$$$
Pick no. 2 · The easy choiceFamilyKey Colony Beach, next to Marathon in the Middle Keys

Family-owned beachfront resort, 51 rooms, suites and villas

Photos: Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel & Resort, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.

A family-owned resort on a soft-sand Atlantic beach next to Marathon, with two pools and kayaks included.

  • Private beach
  • Two waterfront pools
  • Kayaks and paddleboards
  • Havana Jack's
See prices (partner link, Trip.com)Official website Opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners.

Why we picked it

We would book Glunz for what the Keys rarely offer: a real swimming beach at the door, with pools, kayaks and bikes included. Halfway down the chain, it is a practical base for Bahia Honda, the Seven Mile Bridge and day trips to Key West, without Key West prices.

Best for

  • Families
  • Beach lovers
  • A central base for the whole Keys
  • 400 feet of soft-sand, swimmable beach on the Atlantic, rare in the Keys
  • Two heated waterfront pools and a spa, with kayaks, paddleboards and bikes included in the resort fee
  • Havana Jack's oceanside restaurant and bar on site, with fire pits and grills by the water

What the hotel offers

As listed on the hotel’s own website.

  • Private beach400 feet of soft, swimmable sand
  • Two waterfront poolsHeated, with a spa
  • Kayaks and paddleboardsIncluded in the resort fee
  • Havana Jack'sOceanside restaurant and tiki bar, indoor and outdoor seating
  • Wi-FiHigh-speed, included in the resort fee
  • Waterfront gymOpen during lobby hours
  • Yoga on the beachPricing and booking at the front desk
  • Fire pits and grillsAround the property and by the beach
  • Beach games and bikesCornhole, giant Jenga, bikes and helmets for children
  • Air-conditioningCentral AC, mini-fridge, microwave and Keurig in the rooms
  • ParkingOne car included; $25 a day for each extra car; no boats or trailers
  • Business centerWith a water view

Old Town Key West or the Middle Keys: how to choose

The two hotels sit about halfway apart along the Overseas Highway, in two very different Keys.

Old Town Key West: history on foot

The Marquesa occupies restored 1880s conch houses one block off Duval, with three pools and Café Marquesa. Choose it for couples and adults who want Mallory Square, the Hemingway House and the Dry Tortugas ferry within reach.

Key Colony Beach: a beach in the middle of the Keys

Glunz Ocean Beach has 400 feet of swimmable sand, two pools and free kayaks next to Marathon. Choose it for families and for a central base to explore Bahia Honda, the Seven Mile Bridge and Key West by car.

For the drive, the snorkeling and the best months, see our complete Florida Keys travel guide.

Our The Keys travel guide

Hotels in The Keys: your questions

Where should I stay in the Florida Keys for a first visit?

Split your nights: Key West's Old Town for walking, history and sunsets at Mallory Square, and a base farther up the chain for beaches and the reef. The Marquesa is one block off Duval in Old Town; Glunz Ocean Beach is in Key Colony Beach, next to Marathon, roughly halfway down the Keys. Read our Florida Keys travel guide

How far ahead should I book a hotel in the Florida Keys?

Months ahead for December to May, and especially for Key West events: the Marquesa asks for a 50% deposit and 30 days' cancellation notice for Fantasy Fest, the powerboat races and Christmas to New Year. Glunz requires 30 days' notice to cancel all year.

When is the best time to visit the Florida Keys?

December to May is dry and warm. Hurricane season runs from June to November and peaks from mid-August to early October. When to visit the Florida Keys

How do I get to these hotels?

Fly into Key West (EYW) for the Marquesa, or drive the Overseas Highway from Miami, about 3 h 30 to Key West without stops. Glunz Ocean Beach is in Key Colony Beach, next to Marathon, on the same highway.

Is there a beach at these hotels?

Glunz Ocean Beach has its own 400 feet of soft, swimmable sand on the Atlantic. The Marquesa is not on the water; the hotel says Fort Zachary Taylor beach is about a five-minute walk.

Which of the two hotels suits families?

Glunz Ocean Beach, which welcomes families and includes kayaks, paddleboards, bikes with children's helmets and beach games. The Marquesa only accepts guests aged 14 and over.

Can I book these hotels directly?

Yes. The See prices button under The Marquesa Hotel opens the hotel's official website. For Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel & Resort it opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners.

Exit 10And now?Our The Keys guideWhat to do, where to eat, getting there
Exit 17When to visit The KeysMonth by month · best: Late Apr–MayExit 245 days in the Florida Keys5-day itineraryExit 31The Keys or Antelope?Compare them side by sideExit 38Trip budgetRooms, food, car, gas, passes

Hotel picks for other destinations

Picked by Kylian Dev. These are editorial picks: no hotel paid to be here, and we never describe a stay we did not make. Facts come from each hotel’s own website; the Trip.com buttons are partner links (how we make money).