Hyatt Centric Key West Resort; Parrot Key Hotel & Villas; Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
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Sometimes weird, often wacky, but always wonderful - that's Key West in an alliterative nutshell.
The southernmost island of the United States, Key West lies in the temperate Florida Straits surrounded by lush, tropical foliage with paradisiacal weather and warm waters ideal for diving, fishing, paddle boarding and more. Key West is also a port of call for cruise ships, and famously only 90 miles from Cuba.
The Conch Republic, so nicknamed because of its Bahamian ancestry, welcomes characters of all kinds, and was once home to the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Elizabeth Bishop, and Tennessee Williams.
Every time I visit this magical place I come away deeply impressed by the commitment locals have made to preserving historic homes. Generally called conch houses and built from wood, the architectural style also includes Victorian with gingerbread trim, pastel-painted cottages, and roomy double-stories with wraparound porches.
These looks are replicated in the many hotels that dot Key West. They range from quirky and eccentric to elegant and sophisticated, whether in Old Town or New Town, or the waterfront. Still, many smaller spots, though charismatic, don't include amenities like pools. Because Key West is not known for its beaches, being without a pool can make a stay rather sticky in the summer.
We chose the following highly-rated four and five-star hotels based on our personal experiences and the ratings and reviews of trusted travelers on sites such as Trip Advisor, Booking.com, and Hotels.com. We also looked at criteria like architecture and decor, amenities (that coveted pool!), location (most people walk or ride bikes because parking is limited) and, of course, budget.
In summer, room prices can fall as low as $130. In winter, expect them to rise a few hundred dollars. March is generally the priciest month, averaging $385, according to statistics compiled by Key West Travel Guide. Also keep in mind that most, if not all, properties have daily resort fees, usually ranging between $30 to 45.
Here are our top picks for style, activities, views, and on-site dining, priced between $130 and $319 to start in low season.
Traveling elsewhere? Read our list of the best hotels in other popular cities:
Read on for the best hotels in Key West sorted by price from low to high.
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