Compact and full of character, Key West has a constant buzz, but with hotel prices among the highest in Florida – especially in high season – many visitors look carefully at where to stay.
Accommodation in Key West reflects the sun-kissed island’s popularity, with rates rising steeply during peak travel season. Much of the action is centred around Old Town, close to Duval Street and the historic waterfront, where hotels tend to be busiest, not to mention priciest. The two options highlighted below are located just outside the heart of Old Town, offering a slightly quieter atmosphere for visitors keen to discover this Floridian island gem.
El Patio Motel
(Photo: El Patio Motel / Courtesy Booking.com)
El Patio Motel is a small, low-rise property with a classic Key West feel, offering simple but comfortable accommodation at a more accessible price point than many of the island’s larger hotels. The 30 rooms are tropical in style, featuring tiled floors, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs and refrigerators, while free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Shared facilities include a leafy garden, an outdoor swimming pool and a rooftop sun deck. Bicycle rentals can also be arranged on site.
Set in the residential Casa Marina district of Old Town Key West, the motel enjoys a convenient yet comparatively peaceful location. Higgs Beach is just two blocks away, while the southern end of Duval Street can be reached on foot in a matter of minutes, placing bars, restaurants and shops within easy reach without the noise of staying directly on the strip. Several local landmarks, including the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and West Martello Tower, are close by, and transport links make it easy to explore further afield.
Reviews: El Patio Motel, Key West
Guest feedback rates El Patio Motel a solid 8.1 overall. Staff score particularly highly at 9.0, while cleanliness is rated 8.3, suggesting the property is generally well kept. Comfort follows closely at 8.2, with facilities and value for money both scoring 7.8, in line with expectations for a simple motel in an expensive destination. The motel’s 8.9 location score stands out, highlighting its proximity to Higgs Beach and Duval Street, while free Wi-Fi, rated 8.6, is seen as reliable. From $184 per night.
The Palms Hotel
(Photo: The Palms Hotel / Courtesy Booking.com)
The Palms Hotel also offers a quieter alternative to some of Key West’s larger resorts. Set across a series of low-rise buildings, the hotel has 32 air-conditioned rooms, all simply furnished and equipped with flat-screen TVs and refrigerators, with some also featuring seating areas or kitchenettes. Guests have access to a heated outdoor swimming pool, a picnic and barbecue area and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property. A daily continental breakfast is served poolside, and bicycle rentals can be arranged for exploring the island at your leisure.
Located just outside the busiest part of Old Town, the hotel sits within a 15-minute walk of Duval Street and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. As with our first recommendation, its position makes it easy to reach Key West’s main attractions on foot or by bike, while remaining removed from the late-night noise of the central strip. Nearby gardens, beaches and neighbourhood streets add to the sense of space, and limited on-site parking is an added bonus for those arriving by car.
Reviews: The Palms Hotel, Key West
Guest feedback rates The Palms Hotel a strong 8.4 overall. Cleanliness and comfort both score an impressive 8.8, while facilities follow closely at 8.4. Staff are also well regarded, earning 8.7 for service. Value for money is rated 7.8, reflecting the wider pricing realities of Key West, particularly during peak periods. The hotel’s 8.7 location score highlights its convenient position within walking distance of Duval Street, and free Wi-Fi, also rated 8.7, is considered reliable. From $204 per night.
By Paul Joseph