Hi,

I'm spending three days in Key West this September. I currently have a ressie at the Sheraton Suites paying with Starpoints but I hear the location is lousy. I'm considering switching to the Hilton and paying for the stay. Has anyone stayed there? The private island they have there sounds pretty cool. I've also been considering the Wyndham properties, my last few Wyndham stays have been wonderful with the By-Request program. Any advice? I don't want to be stuck with a tiny room. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

winstoda

I stayed at the Sheraton and it is a pretty bad location unless u want to drive everywhere. A friend stayed at the Hyatt and the Hilton and said they were very well appointed. Though his rates were a bit more pricey but the rooms were pretty decent in size and it was lots to do at the hotel so he didn't have to leave the hotel. Then again, Key West is rather small so there isn't really much to do.

The Sheraton is conveniently located to the main beach ... so if you're planning on spending a lot of time at the beach, it's a good location ... it's also very close to the airport. It is a little far from the rest of the action ... Duval Street and most of the other sites to see in Key West. This is no problem if you're renting a car ...

The Hilton looks very nice ... it was built since my last time there, but the location is pretty good. The Hyatt probably has the best location of all the hotels you mentioned, followed closely by the Hilton.

The two Wyndham properties were previously Marriotts. The Casa Marina is a very nice old hotel pretty good location, though both Wyndham's are at the side of the island from most of the Duval Street action ... the Reach is kind of bland if you ask me ... don't know a whole lot about it though ...

Personally ... I'd go with the Hilton ...

See: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000958.html

The Casa Marina, as noted above, was formerly a Marriott. It has a lovely all suites wing, with very nice rooms. The rooms in the rest of the hotel were standard Marriott - nothing special. The hotel is one of the few with a real beach on Key West. (O.k., maybe not "real", they trucked in the sand, but it is a nice sand beach, and you can go out in the water without cutting your feet on a reef.) The pool is nice, and the grounds are beautifully landscaped. As a Marriott they had a free shuttle from the airport - don't know if Wyndham has continued it. The only downside is that it is removed from the Duval street action - if you walk its a 10-15 minute walk (or a 5 minute cab ride). I've stayed at the Hyatt, and would not recommend it - the beach is literally 10' x 20' of sand, and the rooms are small and nothing special. The property is very small, and if the hotel is sold out you have to fight for a space at the pool. Yes the location is good, but even with the UA 50% off coupons I used, I thought it was not worth the price. The new Hilton looks very interesting. They actually have villas out on that private island, and I've been thinking of staying there. Its in the AMEX Platinum/Centurion Fine Hotel Program if you have either card (free breakfast, free upgrade, $50 gift certificate, 4pm checkout). I'm not sure staying at the main hotel is worth it or not - you have to pay a fee (I think $10 per adult) to go to the island per day, but the location is good for the downtown action.

I've stayed at the Hilton twice while in Key West. It's a nice property, just a couple of blocks from the main shopping and dining area. The rooms were well appointed, large and comfortable.

Next door to the Hilton, there is a patio where many folks come to watch the sunset while sipping cocktails, it's quite relaxing.

Was in key west nearly 3 years ago. Stayed at Hilton (there was still construction going on). Patio: Awesome. Rooms: fine. Location: stumbling (crawling?) distance from the action!!!!!!!

3 for 3!!!

BTW, resist the temptation to take the Hilton boat over to the island with the beaches. It's not worth the trip...

[This message has been edited by kokonutz (edited 07-11-2000).]

Thank you to everyone who responded. I managed to get a room at the Hilton for $125 with a USairways 50% off certificate. Best rate the rep quoted me was $179. I guess I'll just save my Starpoints for the next trip.

Can anyone who has stayed at the Hilton tell me a little bit about the private island Hilton has? How come it's not worth it?

Thanks!

I've been very happy with the Hyatt's location, food, rooms and staff.

Per the Hilton website ( http://www.hilton.com/hotels/EYWKWHF....html?show=all ):

For those looking for a day at the beach Hilton Resort guests are permitted access to the very exclusive Sunset Key Resort, a tropical island retreat just minutes by launch from the Hilton Marina. For a nominal service fee, guests can enjoy a tranquil white sand beach complete with lounge chairs, a tiki bar, waterfront restaurant and beautiful views of the surrounding blue seas.


Sunset Key, located 100 yards off the coast of the resort, provides tranquil beach area, totally secluded from the rest of Key West with our private guest cottages.


The resort's water launch will continuously shuttle our guests to the island of Sunset Key. One day passes for Sunset Key Beach can be purchased at the Hilton's Concierge Desk and they cost $10.00 per adult. (When accompanied by an adult, Children under 18 are free.) Guests enjoy the feeling of being swept away to a lush tropical island with a white sand beach. Beach attendants will pamper you while you enjoy the tropical breeze and pristine waters so your island state of mind is left undisturbed.

See the picture at http://www.hilton.com/hotels/EYWSKHF....html?show=all