The family (2 adults & 2 kids - 13 & 14) would like to go to Key West in late June. Yes, I know it will be hot.
We have never been to Key West and I am looking for suggestions about best beach areas - is Gulf or Atlantic better, hotel suggestions, etc.

Thanks in advance

I like the "Atlantic" side beach, ie the south-facing one. There's plenty of free parking over the road from the beach, it's not crowded, and Key West is sufficiently small that you can drive there from your accommodation in a few minutes.

Recent times I've used the Southernmost at the quiet end of Duval Street www.oldtownresorts.com , because you can walk up into town in a few minutes - and that is a big plus in Key West, compared to staying outside town on the main highway, driving in, and not finding any parking. Should suit the family.

Hope you are driving there from Miami - the Overseas Highway is one of my favourite drives anywhere.

just a little down the page is a Florida forum with lots of info on Key West advice.

that being said, the Keys are not known for beaches.

One of the best beaches is definitely in the Fort Zachary Taylor state park. You have to pay a nominal charge (like $1) to get into the park, but you can visit the old fort (somewhat interesting) and go to the very nice, somewhat secluded beach.

The first and only time I stayed in Key West was last year. We initially booked into the Wyndam Casa Marina, and the $400 room we were assigned truly sucked. It looked like the room's last reno was in 1970 and the room smelled like sewage to boot. I understand some of the rooms at the hotel are nicer, but the place was fully booked and the folks at the front desk claimed they couldn't move us. We decided to walk, and the manager was kind enough to call around and find us a room elsewhere.

The place we ended up, The Pier House Resort and Caribbean Spa was wonderful! It has a Gulf-side sandy beach (apparently the only authentic sandy beach in Key West) as well as a swimming pool, and it is very kid-friendly. It's right within a block of the main tourist strip, yet it's quiet. When I go back to Key West, I'll be staying there again.

Enjoy your trip!

About two blocks from the Pier House is a B&B called something like the Cypress House. One of the BEST small hotels I've ever stayed at, DEcent price, beautiful rooms, happy hour by the miniscule pool and a great breakfast thrown in. Extremely friendly and enthusiastic staff as well.

I also had a poor experience at the Casa Marina some time ago. The staff at the poolside bar mounted continuous surveillance of your drinks, as soon as there was only one mouthful left it was snatched away with "another one?" being barked out; when you reclaimed your unfinished drink it would be slammed down on the table again.

"Hospitality industry" - not there, I'm afraid.

I stayed at the Hyatt (next to Pier House). I was impressed with the service and loved the compactness and quality of the physical plant.