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Key West's Best Small Inns and B&Bs
The Popular House Key West Bed and Breakfast
This inviting, three-story B&B has been welcoming visitors for 25 years. A wrap-around balcony overlooks a quiet street, and with no televisions in the rooms, the inn is downright peaceful. Every inch is spotless and has been carefully restored. (It is listed on the National Historic Register.) Lower-priced rooms have shared bathrooms, but three rooms are available with private baths, and there’s even a room for solo travelers.
The Mermaid and the Alligator
This Key West landmark in the heart of Old Town needs little introduction. Added touches like Brookstone sound machines, Sealy Posturepedic mattresses, and a plunge pool set this boutique B&B apart. Each room has a unique atmosphere, from the wood-panel ceilings in the “Treetop Suite” to the bright décor of the “Sun Room.” Be sure to spend time with Havana and Caya, the two playful dogs that call it home.
Photo courtesy of The Mermaid and the Alligator
The Gardens Hotel
This high-end sanctuary consists of 17 luxurious guest suites set among one of the oldest tropical gardens in Florida. The estate’s rooms feature private entrances, marble counter tops, verandahs, and plush spa robes. Amenities include a wine room gallery, a Jacuzzi and heated pool, expansive breakfast, trickling fountains, and an aviary.
Caribbean House Key West
As one of the cheapest digs in town, the Caribbean House is no-frills accommodations, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a welcoming place to stay. It’s pet-friendly, the balcony-fitted rooms are tiny but clean, and the Bahama Village location can’t be beat. With the Hemingway House and Mallory Square just a short walk away (and free guest parking to boot), it’s easy to leave the car and forget about it for a while.
Atlantis House
Located on the south side of the island, this isolated inn is across the street from one of Key West’s few stretches of sand, and is just a few blocks from Higgs Beach Pier. The owners of this self-proclaimed “fishing and diving guesthouse” take guests on an eco-island tour and cook up their catch of the day. Plan ahead: there are just exclusive two rooms (both suites), with a massage therapist on hand to ease your worries away.
Alexander's Guesthouse
This 17-room, gay-friendly guesthouse is doing everything right: from tasteful, room décor (think modern black-and-white furniture and over-sized portraits of animals), to the shaded pool and Jacuzzi, or clothing-optional sundeck. Each day complimentary happy hour is perfect for mingling with other guests. The staff truly embraces the “one human family” credo which make travelers return to this home-away-from-home.
The Artist House on Fleming
As the sister property to the Artist House (on Eaton Street), the Artist House on Fleming continues the tradition of excellent hospitality. Rates include breakfast on the wraparound porch, and rooms and suites come equipped with over-sized baths and HD televisions. After briefly shutting its doors in 2011, the Artist House on Fleming re-emerged with sparkling hard wood floors, a new swimming pool, and completely renovated guest rooms.
Simonton Court Historic Inn and Cottages
Take a stroll through your own “Wonderland” on Simonton Court’s garden pathway, and adults-only lodging that is hidden on a quiet side street near Duval. This lush hideaway offers guests several accommodation options: a historic mansion, private cottages, manor house, or townhouse. Free WiFi is available throughout, and complimentary breakfast is served poolside in the morning.
Travelers Palm Inn
This eco-friendly, adults-only inn is a serene oasis just a short walk from Duval Street. Following a complete renovation in 2010, it re-emerged as a green hotel with a solar-heated pool, energy-conserving lighting, and a cistern to catch rainfall. Cottages are fitted with kitchen appliances, designer furniture, and down comforters. Some accommodate four to six people – making it an ideal (and affordable) choice for groups.
Big Ruby's
The staff at Big Ruby’s goes above and beyond to accommodate any special requests, whether it’s a meal preference, assistance with a tour, or room selection. Centrally located on a downtown side street in a shaded, fenced-in yard, this clothing-optional jewel is the place to be during Pride Fest and Fantasy Fest. The inn also offers complimentary happy hour and breakfast, a fitness room, and tropical pool with outdoor showers.
About Amber Nolan
Originally from upstate New York, this restless traveler has a knack for befriending interesting characters. You can usually find her just about anywhere that has a hammock. Amber's favorite places are Iceland for its remoteness; Panama for its parties; and Peru for its history. Her work can be found on MSNBC.com, Frommers, and Sherman’s Travel, where she served as the Cruise Editor and Senior Producer. She is currently working on a comic novel about her shoestring travels as she hitchhikes on airplanes across the country in an effort to visit all 50 states. See Jethiking.com.
Read more about Amber Nolan here.