Going to the Southernmost U.S. City and wondering where to stay in Key West?
On this list, you’ll find the 7 best places to stay in Key West for first-timers, partygoers, culture vultures, families, solo travelers, and anyone in between.
No matter whether you want to stay close to the beach, party the night away, or wake up next to the city’s most famous attractions, these are the best hotels in Key West.
Ready to explore?
Let’s discover where to stay in Key West for an unforgettable vacation!
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The Best Hotels to Stay in Key West
Key West offers posh beach resorts, exquisite boutique hotels, quaint bed-and-breakfast guesthouses, and unique apartments in historic mansions.
You can even find accommodation on private boats and yachts. That’s where I prefer staying, btw 😉
To make your search for the best places to stay in Key West easier, I’ve selected several great properties that you should explore. And by the way, don’t let a few negative reviews sway you from booking the perfect accommodation. Sometimes haters and competitors leave bad reviews – read through them and decide for yourself whether to trust them.
In a nutshell, these are the best hotels in Key West that I highly recommend checking out:
🏨 💲💲💲 Ocean Key Resort & Spa: The best luxurious spa hotel in Key West offers an exquisite wellness area and quirky rooms in bright colors that will spellbind you.
🏨 💲💲 Casa Marina: The best beach resort in Key West boasts a private white-sand beach and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. It also offers oceanside massages and two oceanfront pools for your ultimate relaxation.
🏨 💲 Silver Palms Inn: The coziest and budget-friendliest Key West hotel will enchant you with its tropical garden, cooling swimming pool, and spacious, stylish rooms.
The Best Places to Stay in Key West
The City of Key West is divided into 13 neighborhoods. They occupy several of the Florida Keys.
Note that not all areas of Key West are exciting for travelers. Below, you’ll find the best places to stay in Key West on your next Florida vacation.
1. Historic District: The Best Place to Stay in Key West for Victorian Mansions
The Historic District or Key West’s Old Town covers most of the city’s area.
Between the seashore and the streets Angela, White, and Whitehead, you’ll find almost 200 historic buildings and structures.
Stay in this area if you fancy Victorian architecture with a touch of Spanish and Bahamian influences.
In the Old Town, you’ll find The Hemingway Home and Museum, the historic Key West Lighthouse, and the Key West Cemetery.
Don’t miss a chance to count all the chickens you encounter. A funny fact about Key West is that there are more hens roaming its streets than humans.
The best hotels in Key West Historic District:
🏨 Silver Palms Inn: The cozy 3* Key West hotel will pamper you with its tropical garden, cooling swimming pool, and spacious, stylish rooms.
🏨 Kimpton Winslow’s Bungalows: The cute bungalows offer the comfort of a three-star hotel. It features an inviting tropical garden, a chill swimming pool, and comfortable rooms.
2. Mallory Square and Key West Bight Marina: The Best Place in Key West for Sunsets, Boats, and Museums
The area around Mallory Square houses most of the city’s museums. The square itself proudly hosts one of the coolest sunset celebrations you’ll ever experience.
In this neighborhood, you can explore several attractions and quirky museums, such as:
- The Key West Aquarium;
- The Shipwreck Treasures Museum;
- The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum;
- Truman’s Little White House; and
- The Key West Museum of Art and History.
Further down the coastline, you’ll also find the historic Key West Bight Marina. Next to it, you’ll discover the interactive Sails To Rails Museum at Flagler Station and the ferry to the Dry Tortugas National Park. Apart from a day trip to the park, you can also hop on a snorkeling tour or a sunset cruise from the pier.
Stay in the area if you wish to watch the boats sail from the historic port or to experience the sunset celebrations.
The best hotels in Key West Bight Marina:
🏨 Sunset at Harbour Place: Pick this exceptional, spacious holiday home for the fantastic views, huge living area, fully equipped kitchen, and outdoor pool.
🏨 Ocean Key Resort & Spa: If you prefer luxurious resorts, this 4* gem with its exquisite wellness area and quirky rooms in bright colors will enchant you.
3. Duval Street: The Best Area in Key West for Pub Crawls and Night Life
The 1.25-mile-long Duval Street is the heart of the nightlife in Key West. The road runs from coast to coast. Victorian mansions featuring Bahamian and Spanish influences line its sides.
Most of the travelers who visit the town for more than a day spend at least one evening bar hopping.
Even if you decide to book your lodging away from the hustle of the party mile, you should still visit some of the iconic Key West bars and pubs.
The most famous establishments are:
- The historic Sloppy Joe’s, Hemingway’s favorite bar in Key West, serving great rums and cocktails.
- The original Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Café playing nightly live music shows.
- The lively Flying Monkeys bar, which makes arguably the best frozen cocktails in Key West.
✔️ Tip: You can also find great locales in Whitehead Street, which runs parallel to Duval Street. For example, check out the Green Parrot Bar, established in 1890.
If you wish to fall from your chair right into your bed, pick one of the accommodations below.
The best hotels in Duval Street:
🏨 Duval House Bed and Breakfast: If you’re looking for a cozy, unpretentious, and affordable stay, choose this cute B&B. You can relax in its gorgeous tropical garden after a long day of exploration or an endless night of partying.
🏨 Orchid Key Inn: If you prefer more luxurious accommodation, check out the Orchid Key Inn. The modern, spacious rooms, the refreshing swimming pool, and the happy hour at the inn’s bar will make your stay exceptional.
4. Bahama Village: The Best Place in Key West for Caribbean Flairs
The residential Bahama Village seduces with its radiant Caribbean architecture and laid-back vibe.
After arriving in the area in the 19th century, the Bahamian settlers opened shops, bars, and restaurants in the area. Locals have always loved hanging up there. Even Hemingway has often visited and watched arm wrestling and boxing matches.
Nowadays, open-air restaurants line Petronia Street. Treat yourself to their mouthwatering seafood dishes and coconut-rich cocktails. Many will entertain you with live music sessions as well.
The charming area stretches for 12 blocks. If you enjoy vibrant colors and Caribbean flavors, book your accommodation in Bahama Village.
The best hotels in Bahama Village:
🏨 Papa’s Hideaway: The cozy apartment hotel is located in the heart of Bahama Village, close to all of Key West’s attractions. You’ll have access to a kitchenette, a patio, and a small, refreshing swimming pool amid a lush garden.
5. Casa Marina: The Best Place in Key West for a Perfect Beach Vacation
An island vacation is (mostly) about the beach.
In Key West, the best beaches are in an area called Casa Marina. The tiny neighborhood boasts the best Key West beaches. These include:
- Rest Beach: a white-sand stretch, great for sunbathing, picnicking, and gathering seashells.
- Higgs Beach: a small sandy beach with clear waters, perfect for surfing, kayaking, and snorkeling.
- Straw Hat Beach: the most secluded Key West beach, great for escaping the crowds.
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: the beach in the park is arguably the best Key West beach. I’ll leave finding out if that’s true to you.
One of the most surprising facts about Key West is that the sand on its beaches comes from the Bahamas.
In Casa Marina, you’ll also find the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A. The buoy is the most popular photo spot in town and one of the things Key West is most famous for.
If you’re looking for the perfect resort for your beach vacation, below I’ve listed the hotels with the best beach in Key West.
✔️ Tip: Note that the reviews are not the best for these two establishments. However, their location is absolutely unbeatable. Do your research before booking and if the opinion of other travelers matters to you, choose another accommodation in Key West.
The best hotels in Key West Casa Marina:
🏨 Casa Marina: Adjacent to Higgs Beach, you’ll find Casa Marina. It boasts a private white-sand beach and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Located in a 1920s resort, it offers oceanside massages and two oceanfront pools for your ultimate relaxation.
🏨 The Reach: This is another great resort with private beach access. The funky design of the outdoor areas, the refreshing swimming pool, and the spacious rooms with fantastic ocean vistas make The Reach one of the best hotels in Key West.
6. Smathers Beach: The Best Key West Area for Sunbathing
The only other “beach area” in Key West is around Smathers Beach.
It’s located next to the Key West Airport. Some might find the airplanes taking off over their heads bothersome, while others might think them fascinating. If you’re in the second group, you’ll love your stay at Smathers Beach.
The sand on the most popular and largest Key West beach also came from the Bahamas. Smathers Beach is perfect for volleyball, jet skiing, and windsurfing.
The best hotels in Key West near Smathers Beach:
🏨 Margaritaville Beach House Key West: Stay at this gorgeous establishment for the peaceful location a few steps from the beach. You can take advantage of the free water activities, the large swimming pool, and the luxurious amenities.
7. Stock Island: The Best Place in Key West for Budget-Friendly Family Accommodations
If you prefer to stay a bit further from the partying crowds in Key West, then Stock Island is the best place for you.
The island is even smaller than the southernmost inhabited island of the Florida Keys. The establishments you’ll find here aren’t as crowded and pricy as the ones in the City of Key West.
Situated just 3 mi (4.8 km) from the Old Town, you can choose from several great, affordable resorts here.
Crossing one bridge is all it takes to get from Stock Island to Key West. If you’re traveling by car, this will only take a couple of minutes. And if you don’t have a vehicle at your disposal, you can ride the Key West bus for just $2.
The best hotels in Key West Stock Island:
🏨 Perry Hotel & Marina Key West: The fabulous hotel seduces with luxury accommodations, two waterfront pools, three dockside restaurants, and a complimentary shuttle service to the Old Town.
FAQs About the Best Places to Stay in Key West
Still wondering where to stay in Key West? Here are my best answers to the most frequently asked questions about accommodation in Key West:
What is the best part of Key West to stay in?
The best parts of Key West for sightseeing are the Historic District and the area around Mallory Square and Bight Marina. For the best nightlife, stay near Duval Street. And for the best beaches, choose a hotel in Key West near Casa Marina and Smathers Beach.
What is the most beautiful part of Key West?
Mallory Square offers the best sunsets in Key West, while the Old Town has the most beautiful townhouses.
What part of Key West has the best beaches?
You’ll find the best beaches in Key West near Casa Marina and Smathers Beach. I recommend you stay there if you want to sunbathe or swim in the ocean.
What area of Key West is most popular?
The most popular areas of Key West are the Historic District, Mallory Square, and Duval Street. That’s where you’ll find most accommodations, eateries, and attractions in the city.
What is the safest part of Key West?
Key West is generally very safe, even at night. Still, steer clear of Duval Street and Bahama Village after dark if you want to avoid drunken vacationers.
Is Key West a walkable town?
Key West is a small town which makes it extremely walkable. The longest distances in the tourist areas are around 1.5 mi (2.4 km). You can still hop on the Conch Train if you don’t want to walk in the heat.
How many days is enough for Key West?
You can see most attractions of Key West on a day trip from Miami. However, to fully feel the unique vibe of the Southernmost U.S. city, I recommend you spend at least 3 days exploring Key West.
What’s better, Key Largo or Key West?
Key Largo offers the best diving and snorkeling in the Florida Keys. However, it lacks historic charm and museums. Stay in Key Largo if the beach, the reef, and the cool beach bars are all you want to explore. But if you want to check out museums and galleries on top of that, I recommend you stay in Key West.
Where to stay in Key West on the beach?
The best hotel in Key West on the beach is hands down Casa Marina. You’ll have access to its private white-sand beach and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. The accommodation is a 1920s resort featuring oceanside massages and two oceanfront pools for the ultimate relaxation.
Where to stay in Key West for couples?
The most romantic hotels in Key West for a couples’ vacation are Ocean Key Resort & Spa and Orchid Key Inn. The former is the best luxurious spa hotel in Key West. It offers an exquisite wellness area and quirky rooms in bright colors that will spellbind you. And the latter is a luxurious, adults-only accommodation. Its modern, spacious rooms, the refreshing swimming pool, and the happy hour at the inn’s bar will make your stay exceptional.
Where to stay in Key West on a budget?
The best area in Key West for budget-friendly accommodations is Stock Island. Located just a few minutes from the Historic District, it offers more privacy and lower rates than the rest of the city. My top budget recommendation in the Old Town is Silver Palms Inn. The coziest and most affordable Key West hotel will enchant you with its tropical garden, cooling swimming pool, and spacious, stylish rooms.
Now You Know Where to Stay in Key West Next Time You Visit
There you have it – the 7 best areas to stay in Key West on your trip to the southernmost U.S. city.
Despite its compact size, the town offers a wide variety of accommodations.
Sure, prices aren’t cheap, even in the off-season. However, the interesting designs, the luxurious amenities, and the great service make the experience worth your money.
So, regardless of whether you want to soak in history and culture, party the night away, or relax at the beach, I’m sure you’ll find the best Key West hotel for you on this list.
And if you need inspiration on things to do during your visit, check out my Key West travel guide as well.
Now, I’d like to hear from you:
Where will you stay in Key West next time you visit?
Share in the comments below!
