Key West Guest Houses?
#31
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 319
My Final Word
If Benjamin Nicholas is right, then Island House is going downhill fast.
When I went there this past November, my feeling was that the service was not what it used to be and the food was a notch or two below what it had been.
I did stay in one of their deluxe rooms and found it to be very well maintained. I did not notice the gym or the spa as being below par. Frankly I thought it very clean. (I am a member of the David Barton gym.) My experience with the other guests is that they were well mannered and there was no tacky cruising going on in the restaurant/bar area or anywhere else(but then maybe I am not the hot item I once was! ).
There was one experience that did give me pause. Early in the morning I noticed that someone had thrown up in a remote corner of the sun roof. I went to the front desk and asked to have it cleaned up. Ordinarily you could say that accidents happen but I did think that their staff should have noticed it.
Overall, I did have a great time at Island House and will probably go back.
When I went there this past November, my feeling was that the service was not what it used to be and the food was a notch or two below what it had been.
I did stay in one of their deluxe rooms and found it to be very well maintained. I did not notice the gym or the spa as being below par. Frankly I thought it very clean. (I am a member of the David Barton gym.) My experience with the other guests is that they were well mannered and there was no tacky cruising going on in the restaurant/bar area or anywhere else(but then maybe I am not the hot item I once was! ).
There was one experience that did give me pause. Early in the morning I noticed that someone had thrown up in a remote corner of the sun roof. I went to the front desk and asked to have it cleaned up. Ordinarily you could say that accidents happen but I did think that their staff should have noticed it.
Overall, I did have a great time at Island House and will probably go back.
#32
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Quintessentially Elite, Amex Cent, UA* Lifetime Plat (2mm+), AA CK (6mm+)
Posts: 405
A follow-up to the Island House conversation...
I posted my review of the property on the latest edition of 15 Minutes (my blog):
http://www.15MinutesMore.com
Sad to see such a once-great property turn so quickly. It's really a mess.
BN
I posted my review of the property on the latest edition of 15 Minutes (my blog):
http://www.15MinutesMore.com
Sad to see such a once-great property turn so quickly. It's really a mess.
BN
#33
Join Date: Jul 2003
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Starwood Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Delta Platinum
Posts: 2,188
The Oasis Complex remains my favorite
I prefer to stay at the Oasis, but the Coral Tree, and Coconut Grove are all options and you have access to all of them.
Been going there for years, and the biggest draw is that it is by far the largest property therefore giving you the ability to hopefully find some folks that you enjoy hanging out with. It's not super fancy, but never had any problem with things not working or with lack of cleanliness (at least of the property)
Convenience-wise, it is better located than most of the other properties in my opinion. My only problem now is that my next trip isn't until November the 22nd and airfares are more outrageous than normal for Thanksgiving week. Hopefully, as no one continues to book, the rates will start to drop soon, particularly on the non-stop flights. (ATL - EYW)
Been going there for years, and the biggest draw is that it is by far the largest property therefore giving you the ability to hopefully find some folks that you enjoy hanging out with. It's not super fancy, but never had any problem with things not working or with lack of cleanliness (at least of the property)
Convenience-wise, it is better located than most of the other properties in my opinion. My only problem now is that my next trip isn't until November the 22nd and airfares are more outrageous than normal for Thanksgiving week. Hopefully, as no one continues to book, the rates will start to drop soon, particularly on the non-stop flights. (ATL - EYW)
#34
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 284
I think that the Island House is great. I have been there a week. I work out every day. And yes, there are all types there, which is one of the few places that can successfully carry this out. I never once felt besieged or pressured to have sex, and in fact never did have sex on the premises.
I relaxed and loved it,
I relaxed and loved it,
Last edited by peteropny; Mar 3, 2008 at 9:34 am Reason: Personal commentary
#35
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 319
saint82 has it right
saint82 is confirming my own opinion about Island House: OK, it isn't the Four Seasons but that's not what you are paying for and you know that going in.
I think there is a slight decline in quality but overall I would still go again. There may have been peeling paint when I went there but everything else was well maintained. So, who cares?
I think there is a slight decline in quality but overall I would still go again. There may have been peeling paint when I went there but everything else was well maintained. So, who cares?
Last edited by peteropny; Mar 3, 2008 at 9:34 am Reason: Personal commentary
#36
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
All right people - I've just edited a couple of recent posts since they bordered on personal attacks - please get back to the topic of Key West Guest Houses and not other members etc. Thanks!!!
peteropny - moderator - GLBT
peteropny - moderator - GLBT
#38
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Boston, MA,
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, Delta PM, *wood Ambassador Plat, Marriott Self-Imposed Exile
Posts: 679
Bumping up b/c i am thinking about going in Jan...
any one have any recent experiences? for context... i'm going alone b/c my husband will be on biz travel in london...
i don't really care about cruisy scene cuz i just ignore it... i like staying at WEstins and W's...
and does anyone have thoughts on the weather in January?
any one have any recent experiences? for context... i'm going alone b/c my husband will be on biz travel in london...
i don't really care about cruisy scene cuz i just ignore it... i like staying at WEstins and W's...
and does anyone have thoughts on the weather in January?
#39
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Quintessentially Elite, Amex Cent, UA* Lifetime Plat (2mm+), AA CK (6mm+)
Posts: 405
While it's not exclusively gay, I can recommend a newly renovated, almost to the point of totally new, guesthouse on the 'gay' side of Duval:
http://www.OrchidKey.com
Great rates. Big rooms. If you're a fan of the W aesthetic, it's very contemporary without going as far as to paint their room walls in that horrible chocolate/black that W likes to. Very light and open floorplans. Easy to walk to everything, as you're right on Duval. SILENT rooms. Great insulation.
Also, they have #1 ratings on TripAdvisor for B&B in Key West.
BN
http://www.OrchidKey.com
Great rates. Big rooms. If you're a fan of the W aesthetic, it's very contemporary without going as far as to paint their room walls in that horrible chocolate/black that W likes to. Very light and open floorplans. Easy to walk to everything, as you're right on Duval. SILENT rooms. Great insulation.
Also, they have #1 ratings on TripAdvisor for B&B in Key West.
BN
#40
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 64
Jan Weather/Hotel
Bumping up b/c i am thinking about going in Jan...
any one have any recent experiences? for context... i'm going alone b/c my husband will be on biz travel in london...
i don't really care about cruisy scene cuz i just ignore it... i like staying at WEstins and W's...
and does anyone have thoughts on the weather in January?
any one have any recent experiences? for context... i'm going alone b/c my husband will be on biz travel in london...
i don't really care about cruisy scene cuz i just ignore it... i like staying at WEstins and W's...
and does anyone have thoughts on the weather in January?
As for lodging, I've been staying at Alexander's for about 10years now. My partner and I tend to like low key, quiet and upscale with good service and we like to stay in high end hotels when we can manage it (RC, MO, 4Seasons, Aman, etc). Alexander's has consistently met or exceeded expectations -great rooms, common areas beautiful, nice pool/hot tub, fellow guests that are fun but respectful of everyone's privacy, nice happy hour daily, and even a little bit of a fun sexy vibe from time to time (we're in our 40s now so that's getting to be less important ;-) It is a bit of a walk to Duval, but to us that's an advantage as we like to be in a quiet area - renting a bike is a good idea. I can't comment on any of the other places in town since I haven't tried them. If you don't care about the absence of a major cruisy vibe, but want a friendly upscale place to stay, I think Alexander's is a good choice. The partner and I are headed there next week, so I'll try to post afterwards if anything's changed since our last visit about a year ago.
#41
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LHR
Programs: BA OW Silver, Aegean *A Gold, Intercon Ambassador Gold, EY Gold
Posts: 249
Alexanders Guset House
My bf and I stayed at Alexander's Guest House in May 09 and we had a really lovely time. It was luxurious, the staff warm and attentive without being overly fussy and the others guests were nice too. I couldn't fault it. We look forward to returning there next time we are in Florida.
#42
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Boston, MA,
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, Delta PM, *wood Ambassador Plat, Marriott Self-Imposed Exile
Posts: 679
As an update... i stayed at Oasis and it was more than fine for what it was priced. The staff was lovely, the room was nice and the bathroom was clean. I'd put it at the same level as a decent Sheraton. Their property, Coral Tree, is connected without you having to walk outside.
I did stop at Island House for the day to stay by the pool, have lunch and use the gym. I didn't see a room... but i wasn't put off by anything. And the two guys i met said they were happy with their rooms.
One funny note... since my stay was during the cold snap the fact that none of the B&B's have heating came to light... very interesting!
I did stop at Island House for the day to stay by the pool, have lunch and use the gym. I didn't see a room... but i wasn't put off by anything. And the two guys i met said they were happy with their rooms.
One funny note... since my stay was during the cold snap the fact that none of the B&B's have heating came to light... very interesting!
#43
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KSU (Kristiansund N, Norway)
Programs: SAS EBD/ *G
Posts: 2,163
Oasis again!
We are heading down to Key West in November for five nights. It'll be our fifth time there. I must confess that we haven't staid anywhere but the Oasis/ Coral Tree/ Coconut Grove Complex. It's large, it's mixed (age/ looks wise, if not gender wise!), has a nice atmosphere, and OK price/quality ratio. Would like to try the Island House once, but seeing that their rates appear to be nearly double those at Oasis for comparable accomodation, we go for the well-known.
We staid at the Coral Tree the first time, and the rooms were nice, but as we spent all our time across the street, we decided to go to the Oasis proper the next time. This time it'll be Oasis, but Coconut Grove probably has slightly better rooms.
We staid at the Coral Tree the first time, and the rooms were nice, but as we spent all our time across the street, we decided to go to the Oasis proper the next time. This time it'll be Oasis, but Coconut Grove probably has slightly better rooms.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,395
I haven't been to key west in a while but have gone a few times and I love Big Ruby's. If you get one of the renovated rooms they are nice and the breakfast is cooked to order and the staff is great. I stayed there with my boyfriend at the time one new years and it was great, on new years eve afternoon they served pina coladas (gratis) all afternoon.
#45
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 302
My 2 cents
I think in terms of bang for the buck, Equator is probably the best choice for gay in Key West. The rooms are bigger, though a little dated. The public space is fine. They have a pretty decent cooked breakfast every morning and really sweet little happy hour every evening, although the bar is very limited. It's a nice social place without being predatory, although hookups happen here, it's not like the video room at the Island House.
Ruby is a great place, for location and the cooked to order breakfast, but not a very social place. It's more of a "gay friendly" place. I've seen lesbians and straights there. Also, unless you pony up for the room, you will get stuck in a cave.
Island House is the place to be if you have money to burn. I really like the on site restaurant but it's just more cost where other places don't charge for breakfast. Also the basic economy room here is $$$$ and you get a very little for the money. Service is not really consistant, you either get really superb service or you get attitude. They do have a gym which the local stippers use and they have that video room in which the images on the TV screens in there in no way match what's going on in the room as well.
I think in terms of bang for the buck, Equator is probably the best choice for gay in Key West. The rooms are bigger, though a little dated. The public space is fine. They have a pretty decent cooked breakfast every morning and really sweet little happy hour every evening, although the bar is very limited. It's a nice social place without being predatory, although hookups happen here, it's not like the video room at the Island House.
Ruby is a great place, for location and the cooked to order breakfast, but not a very social place. It's more of a "gay friendly" place. I've seen lesbians and straights there. Also, unless you pony up for the room, you will get stuck in a cave.
Island House is the place to be if you have money to burn. I really like the on site restaurant but it's just more cost where other places don't charge for breakfast. Also the basic economy room here is $$$$ and you get a very little for the money. Service is not really consistant, you either get really superb service or you get attitude. They do have a gym which the local stippers use and they have that video room in which the images on the TV screens in there in no way match what's going on in the room as well.