2 hotel choices...help?!?!?!!?

Okay in a nutshell it is me (mid 20s) traveling with my grandmother (mid 70s) to Key West for 5 days. I picked my 2 choices for hotels which are the same price (basically) but sound completely different.

1) Ocean Key Resort...sounds like you can walk right out the door and find something to do. Beautiful sunsets etc. Also has a spa (ahhhhh). But it%26#39;s under construction, which is probably why we can afford it, but also means there is NO POOL!!!!! (Supplemented w/ free cabs to the beach though)

2) Almond Tree Inn...Sounds very cool and a little more intimate and includes free breakfast and free happy hour w/ food and drinks :) Nice rooms, nice pool, no sunsets.

So my questions are regarding the location. I read that Almond Tree is smack dab in the middle of the beach and the rowdier part of Duval St. But is it actually by anything? I%26#39;ve never been, so I can%26#39;t figure out how big of a problem it would be walking around. Thanks in advance. And I need to make reservations like right now aaaaahhhh!

2 hotel choices...help?!?!?!!?

Saradiah,

I was just at Almond Tree a week and a half ago. We love the place. It is no where near a beach and it is more on the quiet side of Duval. Its actually about a half block off Duval. You will not be bothered by any kind of noise. I posted a review and pictures.

OKH is wonderful too. The rooms are stunning and you cannot beat the view from them. Yes, the pool area is closed but they do have a small sunning deck open. The Spa has its problems so if you really want a spa, stay wherever but go to the Pier House Spa. Its the best on the island. The Pier House is also across the street from OKH.

Both are great places.

2 hotel choices...help?!?!?!!?

Originally we did want to stay in a resort. Apparently most all of them are under construction right now. And I did check out Pier House. They were much more expensive for our dates (leaving Wednesday morning) and didn%26#39;t have any rooms available with two beds, and granny and I aren%26#39;t exactly honey mooning.

What confused me about Ocean Key is all the talk of ocean views, yet when I called they said they weren%26#39;t within walking distance to the beach. Can someone explain? Thanks again!!

Not everything on the water has a beach. Most of the beaches in KW are man-made (The Reach Resort isn%26#39;t). You are within walking distance from OK to Fort Zach. It is at the end of Southard. Here is a map of KW that will hopefully help.

http://keywest.com/newbigmap.gif

Arnie, you forgot to mention that The Reach is closed. LOL

';Beach'; and Key West are mutually exclusive.

The Almond Tree is NOT at the rowdier end of Duval. It is at the quiet end. The Ocean Key is at the rowdier end, but far enough away to not be a problem. The Ocean Key is a very nice property (as is the Almond Tree) and is on the water......on the harbor.

The beaches here are all on the other side of the island. No major hotel is ';on the beach'; so to speak, although some are close.

You would do well at either. Good call on the Pier House. Ocean Key is miles better. Given your circumstances, i would consider Ocean Key. Close to everythong, especially when accompanied by a Grandmother. A lot less walking.

I like the Pier House as an hotel, but there is no way I will go into the water at that beach. There is a marina within spitting distance and a cruise ship port in the other direction. They both expel gray water at will and those waters are not good for swimming.

Better beaches can be found on Ft. Zach. Taylor State Park.....which is not that far from Almond Tree.

Both Ocean Key and Almond tree are top notch, but different.

I didn%26#39;t mean that I thought Almond Tree was actually in a rowdy area. I just got the impression that it was equal walking distance to either mallory square or the beach.

I%26#39;m not too concerned. On our trip to Savannah we spend way too much money on a car and wound up walking everywhere anyway. So this time we%26#39;re not getting a car. But since it%26#39;s August I%26#39;d like to be able to get in the water one way or the other.

I read something about the Duval Beach Club where you could rent a chair and go wading. How far is it from the two places I%26#39;m looking at?

Going to look at a map now.

Here is another map that might help.

http://www.seefloridaonline.com/duval/

Ocean Key is at the sunset end. Almond Tree is basically on the corner of Duval and Truman and Duval Beach Club is at the other end of Duval. The nicest beach is Fort Zack which is at the end of Southard.

Sara, if you are looking fdor a beach and a hotel you should at least check the Pier House. I%26#39;ve been staying there for 15 years and have always been more than pleased. Being able to swim in the ocean, sit on a beach, and walk everywhere is a big pls for me.

simkeith says, though,

';I like the Pier House as an hotel, but there is no way I will go into the water at that beach. There is a marina within spitting distance and a cruise ship port in the other direction. They both expel gray water at will and those waters are not good for swimming.';

sim - I%26#39;ve never had, nor heard of, a problem with the water at this beach. If there were there would also be a problem with swimming from the Galleon, the Hyatt, the ';Simonton beach,'; all of those million dollar houses on Sunset Key, being dunked while parasailing, and falling off a jet-ski. All of these activites take place in that water. Have been for years; will be for years.

Pjk

Since you have grandmom with ya, go Ocean Key, you will not be disappointed.