Where to Stay in the Conch Republic – the Key West Margaritaville Resort

Key West offers many options to visitors when selecting where to stay.  The Conch Republic is filled with boutique hotels, luxury properties,, rustic B&Bs and hotel chains. Options are plentiful in this tourist town.

Entrance to Margaritaville Resort Key West

Whether it is your first time or you are a repeat offender, the place famous for allowing its visitors to escape the everyday, a perfect place when considering where to stay in Key West is the Margaritaville Key West Resort.

Perfect Location in Key West

Room with a balcony, marina view

Located on 245 Front Street, everything seems to be a short or shorter walk from its front door. The Duval Street shops, restaurants and bars are just steps away while the Historic Seaport remains easily walkable too. Plus many of the popular museums such as the Truman Little White House, Mel Fishers Maritime Museum and the Hemingway House are all within easy reach.

Then at sunset, there is no need to go anywhere to watch the magic, the resort is right in the middle of the action. With its own Sunset Deck rooftop bar just above the Bistro 245 Restaurant patrons receive a bird’s eye view of the sunset mayhem on the pier just steps away from the famous Mallory Square Sunset celebration.

It Serves as an Oasis

Time at the poolside oasis

Staying here one will discover  there is no need to even leave the resort since it serves as an oasis  in the middle of it all. Cut off from the chaos we all often chase when visiting Key West there exists a serene setting with a pool and hot tub surrounded by palm trees, a perfect pristine place to spend a few hours or even an entire day. So take “time off” from the typical tourism trail and relax and refresh in the middle of the action yet feels miles away. Spend a few hours working on your tan before making venturing out for the day or a few hours with cocktails in the hot tub and socializing before heading out for a Key West sunset, dinner and a night on the town. It’s always there for obtaining the rest and relaxation often synonymous with a holiday.

Delicious Dinning at Bistro 245

a delicious dinning experience at Bistro 245

Often the general consensus is a restaurant with amazing view need not have amazing food. Yet, it seems Bistro 245 never received this memo. Of course, Key West is full of quality places to eat, but put Bistro 245 on that list. Essentially on the pier (or with inside seating) the views of the water delight whether it’s a massive cruise ship docked for the day or sailboats heading out for evening the sunset, it all adds to the experience.

The creative menu provides the chance to taste the local seafood from local Florida lobster to one of its specialties, the truffle crusted grouper (my selection), and it’s all delicious. The waiters will steer patrons in the right direction, including the Key Lime pie for dessert.  Trust me – save room for it.

Thing to Take Note of – Sunset Key

Sunset Key and the Sunset Cottages to visit the beach and breakfast at Latitudes

A trip to the Florida Keys, is not the typical island holiday. Yes, you will experience the beautiful blues and crystal clear waters but this is not a beach town. Most Key West properties do not have a beach. Visitors enjoy the waters choosing a boat activity such as a sunset sail, daytime waters ports, or a snorkeling tour.  With Margaritaville Resort located at a marina, options are plentiful to get our on (and in) the water. Visit the onsite concierge for help.

Yet if a beach remains a must visitors can also purchase day passes to Sunset Key ($20) and visit the beach of the Sunset Cottages. Ferry service to the private island resort island is provided for beach goers and also for those with reservations at the Latitudes restaurant.  Most popular for dinner and its sunset views, don’t discredit breakfast as a great option for great food, five-star service, and a luxurious “keyz” vibe.

Recommendation:

For me, a local Keys resident, this is an ideal weekend away “staycation” or two mid week nights – every night is a fiesta Key West. If I was traveling to the Keys from afar, I’d say plan for a long weekend or at least 3 nights and allow for relax and recovery time in between the days and nights “wasting away in Margaritaville” – Key West.  Searching a weekday night in July, I found $263 per night (plus taxes and resort fee of $29) for a pool view room. I thoroughly enjoyed the marina view (showcased in my images) and it costs $299 plus fees and taxes, but the pool view (oasis view) will certainly not disappoint either.  Also, check for midweek packages and Florida Residents see the “staycation” discounts.

Stay Staying in Margaritaville, Craig

I was a guest of the Margaritaville Resort Key West, but in no way did this affect my opinion of the resort. The words, images (most of them) and opinions are as always my own. To read up on a few more places worth considering on your next holiday, read up on the > Where to Stay Series.