Hilton HHonors - Doubletree Key Largo

Apparently there is a Doubletree about to open in Key Largo, FL, according to hilton.com. Anyone have details? I did not find anything on a search. Perhaps I'm overlooking something.

Was in the Keys the week of Christmas, and didn't see any hint of a Doubletree opening. Looks like the Hampton Islamorada is it for HHonors properties in the Upper/middle keys right now.

I called the phone number listed on the Hilton website. It is the number for the Howard Johnson. The message says the property is undergoing a renovation and will re-open in February '06, which correlates with the info on the Hilton website.

I haven't stayed at a HoJos in 20 years. I imagine it would need quite a bit of renovation to fit in with Doubletree standards. :confused:

Well, there is definitely a former HoJo down there, but it's in pretty rough shape right now. There were construction dumpsters out front, awnings rotting away under vegitation, gated off entrances when we drove by. Hopefully they'll clean it up to a decent standard. For some reason I doubt that they will, though: it's tough to go from HoJo to DT without major remodeling.

I haven't stayed at a HoJos in 20 years. I imagine it would need quite a bit of renovation to fit in with Doubletree standards. :confused:

"DoubleTree standards" seem to vary a lot, some of them need a lot of work so it wouldn't surprise me if that old HoJos becomes one.

BTW - the Hampton in Islamorads is nice, and so is the DT in Key West :)

"DoubleTree standards" seem to vary a lot, some of them need a lot of work so it wouldn't surprise me if that old HoJos becomes one.

BTW - the Hampton in Islamorads is nice, and so is the DT in Key West :)

Stayed at both properties last summer and:

DT Key West reminds me of an apt complex far away from the Key West action which can be nice for some....Pool was totally cool though! Got a small 1-br apt style room with a neat patio overlooking the pool but the bedroom was "cavelike" as it was an interior room with no natural light - perhaps for storm safety?!?!?!

HI Islamorada was OK and has a dock & onsite dive-shop but no sand/beach of it's own....got a water view room on the end of the hall which was cool!

I just checked the DT Key Largo site, and it stated that it would begin accepting reservations for January 2007 -- however there is a note stating that the restaurant would be closed until August. Huh? August 2006 or 2007? There are no good photos or anything, so does anyone have news on this? Barring this hotel opening in the next few months, does anyone have a recommendation for a hotel in the upper keys?

Not sure when you need your info, but I plan on driving thru this area to the keys on 7/8. If I remember and can convince my S.O., we'll stop in and get the scoop.

I just checked the DT Key Largo site, and it stated that it would begin accepting reservations for January 2007 -- however there is a note stating that the restaurant would be closed until August. Huh? August 2006 or 2007? There are no good photos or anything, so does anyone have news on this? Barring this hotel opening in the next few months, does anyone have a recommendation for a hotel in the upper keys?

Uh, I think there is an error with the Jan '07 date. I made a reservation through Hilton's website last month for late July (2006) at this property. Maybe I should call the DD and make sure I'm going to get full credit for my stay.

Well, the Diamond Desk said that according to their info, this property is opening on July 17th (2006). I arrive a few days later, so this should be interesting.

This property has tweaked my interest, as it would really fit my travel plans well on 8/7, so I called the hotel directly. It used to be the HoJo back in the day, but they are finishing a multi-million dollar renovation over the past few months.

The front desk attendant told me that their rates will be approximately $250 in the low season, $400 in the high season. :eek: The DT will include a spa, fitness center, new pool, and she said that they now have a "breathtaking" beach area. Also, it is now set to open on July 24th, and neither the hotel nor HH will not have rates or the ability to make reservations until after that date.

Sounds like it will be a real destination, but I guess that land is at a premium down there or HH wouldn't have taken over a HoJo!

Also, it is now set to open on July 24th, and neither the hotel nor HH will not have rates or the ability to make reservations until after that date.

Really? Hmm. I wonder how I was able to get a confirmed reservation for July 20th on the HH site? :confused:

I wonder how soon they will inform me (if at all) that they won't be able to accomodate my reservation. Better start working on plan "B", I guess.

I just did a search, and now I can't even get it to display on HH.com for 8/7.

FWIW, I just called the hotel and they confirmed that they have my reservation on file, and that they WILL be open on July 20th when I arrive. They also confirmed that they upgraded me to a bayfront room. :)

He said that the back half of the resort is open, but they are still working on the front half--lobby and restaurant.

They also will be a 40,000 point reward catagory...yea.

Just received word that, although this property will become a DT in late July, it will only be an affiliated DT until 1/1/2007. This means that one cannot earn nor use HH points there until that time (similar to the Hilton Sunset Cottages in Key West and the ES Maui)....I guess it is due to the fact that the renovation will not become complete for several months. The hotel told me that they will open with only about 1/3 of the rooms available. :(

Just received word that, although this property will become a DT in late July, it will only be an affiliated DT until 1/1/2007. This means that one cannot earn nor use HH points there until that time (similar to the Hilton Sunset Cottages in Key West and the ES Maui)....I guess it is due to the fact that the renovation will not become complete for several months. The hotel told me that they will open with only about 1/3 of the rooms available. :(

When I called them, they told me that I would get full stay credit and points for my stay later this month. Who can give the difinitive word on this?

for my stay later this month

You'll be okay for July, just not after August 1st. Call the Diamond Desk and they'll tell you the same.

Just returned from a one-night stay at this property. I had business all week in Miami, and since my wife was with me, we decided to get out of town for our last night.

The property is still very much under construction. As mentioned before, they are open with about 1/3 of the rooms, a temporary office building, and the pool/beach area finished. The front part of the property, including the restaurant, are still under construction.

Frankly, it looks pretty awful from the outside right now, especially the front area. The pool is simple, but nice. The beach isn't what I would call 'spectacular', but they've trucked in a lot of white coarse sand to make a beach, and have a lot of beach chairs setup, and a thatched roof outdoor bar area between the pool and beach--it wasn't open when we were there.

They gave us a welcome basket with some fruit, juice, and muffins. This was meant to be our breakfast for the next morning, since the restaurant isn't open yet.

The rennovated rooms were actually very nice. They are decorated in your typical Carribean resort style--complete with a mini fridge, microwave, Sweet Dreams bed, and flat-panel TV. There was a nice stone and glass shower area, but no tub. :( They advertise wireless internet, but it was only available in the office. No signal in our room.

The place was a ghost town--I only saw a couple of other guests staying there.

To be fair, they still have a ways to go before they are fully operational. It should be a nice place to stay when finished.

Has anyone tried this place since August 1. I've got a business trip to the keys coming up and would like to stay here if it will earn me points. The hotel staff and Hhonors reservations didn't see any reason why I wouldn't earn points for my stay, despite the previous statements in this thread. Thanks.

Has anyone tried this place since August 1. I've got a business trip to the keys coming up and would like to stay here if it will earn me points. The hotel staff and Hhonors reservations didn't see any reason why I wouldn't earn points for my stay, despite the previous statements in this thread. Thanks.

I stayed there on 7/20. Before I went, I confirmed with HH Diamond desk that I would get credit. I also called the property directly and confirmed with them that I would get credit. I also confirmed one more time at checkin that I would get full credit.

However, a week after my stay, no credit had posted. I submitted a request for credit, and they responded that the property did not officially become a "Hilton" until 7/26. So I would not get credit. I wrote them back and explained how I had confirmed three times that my stay WOULD earn credit. They then offered to give me points, but not stay credit. I told them this was unacceptable as I was assured before my stay that I would get full stay credit and points.

Finally, after three rounds of emails back and forth, they moved the date of my stay on their records to 7/26 so I would earn full credit. :rolleyes:

So my guess is that since your stay is after 7/26, you should get credit.

I haven't stayed there yet but did get a great rate of $149 a night over Super Bowl weekend so lets home the hometown Hawks make it back!

Seeking information on the above property and if you know whether there is a dive operation out of the hotel.

Skyman??

FWIW, there appears to have been a top to bottom renovation of this former HoJo property, if the pictures from Expedia are accurate.

See:


http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=dspv&flag=l&itid=&itdx=&itty=&from=f&foop=0&hwrq=&htid=5731&spsh=&spsi=&crti=4&nfla=1&mdpcid=21187-1.ExpediaHotelImagesUS|+Hotel_ReviewText|+none|+US&&zz=1156477739500&

Seeking information on the above property and if you know whether there is a dive operation out of the hotel.

Skyman??

FWIW, there appears to have been a top to bottom renovation of this former HoJo property, if the pictures from Expedia are accurate.

See:


http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=dspv&flag=l&itid=&itdx=&itty=&from=f&foop=0&hwrq=&htid=5731&spsh=&spsi=&crti=4&nfla=1&mdpcid=21187-1.ExpediaHotelImagesUS|+Hotel_ReviewText|+none|+US&&zz=1156477739500&

Sorry for the delayed response. I am in China this week, and I've been purposely avoiding the Internet. ;)

From what I recall, there was an activities consession on the waterfront, and I think they did arrange dive trips. I know that they rented kayaks and such. I also know that there were many dive shops in the area, if the hotel doesn't have it.

As far as my comments on the property, the rooms were quite nice. All new inside, and decorated like an upscale Carribean resort. The pool and beach area looked nice, but we didn't spend any time there. When we were there in July, the front part of the hotel looked like a hurricane zone, as it was still under construction. But the rooms were very pleasant. One downside was that the bathroom had no tub. Shower only. But it was a nice shower. :)

Had a three night stay there last week. I didn't see any mention of dive operations through the hotel, but the staff was very helpful and would probably be willing to assist you in booking dives. (FWIW, I dove with Silent World which is a bit north on US 1 from the DT).

I have to agree with Skyman that the rooms were very nice. LCD TV, comfy bed, pullout couch and work desk. Also a patio area with two chairs and a small table. oh, refrigerator and microwave as well. I have to say I was unimpressed with the shower, the water pressure in my room was pretty lame, and the half glass wall doesn't allow for the steam to build up in the shower, rather you have to fill the entire bathroom with steam...but that's just me.

As earlier mentioned, the front of the hotel is in shambles and I drove past it a couple times before noticing the Doubletree sign.

Breakfast basket was left at my door each evening with two bottles of water, two juices, two muffins, two nutrigrain bars and two apples. not sure whether this was gold benefit or just standard for all guests.

The place was fairly deserted, I did see a few other guests there on my third night, probably a total of 4 or 5 cars in the parking lot the whole time. Staff did mention that the price will increase significantly when the renovations are completed, so will probably be out of my gov't rate range next time I get down there :rolleyes:

Thanks,

Inagaddadavida and Skyman! Now, just have to hope that Ernesto does not make a further shambles of the place!

FWIW, there is an interent special rate at the property for $199, and although somewhat steep, it is for over the Christmas holidays. The Marriott, can only be booked right now, if you commit to coming in by 12/23 and then you could stay later, but then again, the rates at the Marriott rise to over $360 on 12/25 and afterwards. :eek:

I guess from both of your reports that the pictures of the rooms found on Expedia are pretty accurate, then.

By the way, the D/T website explains that the restaurant is still under renovations and therefore, free Cont'l breakfast for all, so that may have been the reason for the breakfast basket.

Thanks again,

NJ

Any recent info on this property? The web page still shows it as an affiliated hotel, with the restaurant not to open until March 1.

Rates are as low as $151 AAA for a weekday in late January, but reward redemption is a poor value 40K points for a property with no restaurant!

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is next door. Is the coral and marine life holding up here?

I stayed here a month ago. Upon check in, there was a large basket filled with all chocolate chip muffins in cellophane, fruit drinks, fruit & 'breakfast' bars- enough for two days. This was the breakfast until the restaurant (still under slow construction in front) opens.

The underwater park is across the street, but I did not go.

There are restaurants within driving distance. No rooms are actually on the water, since the building is oriented at right angles, but you can see the water from your balcony. Pool was functional. People sat out on the 'beach' to watch the sunset.

This was an award stay. There were no problems. The room was very nice.

A little update on this property.The restaurant/bar opened earlier this month. It's located between pool & the beach..No free continental breakfast basket anymore for everyone that others had reported in past.Only option for breakfast is a buffet with few selections.Free for Diamond & Gold others pay $10.72 with tax.Appears to be same food choices each day.Lunch/Dinner menu is appetizers ,salads, sandwiches & wraps.A staff member actually suggested I would probably be better off going somewhere else for dinner:D

Big attraction past week was a manatee swimming in front of the boat landing about 20-40' out for a couple hours in the morning Sun.,Mon,& a pair on Tues.Was told it's common to see manatee's in winter months in the area.
If you need a sunrise wakeup call there is a Rooster wondering the grounds that will start crowing away.
Construction still occuring on front lobby.
Good free wireless internet signal in my room.
There also is a computer in the temporary office lobby for guests.
Nice room,small uncrowded beach & pool.Didn't see any kids Mon-Wed.Very quiet.
Went on a glass bottom boat tour of the coral reef from John Pennekamp State Park,great experience.

Can anyone tell me whether the beach is suitable for swimming? Thanks.