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Author Topic:   Where to stay in Florida Keys?

whalerdude posted 11-29-2002 10:45 AM ET (US)
My wife and I have decided to plan a romantic 3 day getaway without the kids to the Florida Keys in late February. I need some advice on where to stay. We would like a nice resort that has villas or 'huts' right on the water. If it is not 'touristy' that's even better. It would also be nice to know where I can rent a whaler for the day too. Thanks
Whalerdude
PMUCCIOLO posted 11-29-2002 03:37 PM ET (US)
whalerdude,
I'd highly recommend Little Palm Island. The toll free number is 1-800-GET-LOST. Parking is on Little Torch Key, and the guests are transported across to the island on 30' twin-diesel Grand Crafts. The food is equisite, as are the accomodations. Most importantly, it is PRIVATE. There is one telephone on the island, and one TV. They have weekend packages.
cdnturbo posted 11-29-2002 05:16 PM ET (US)
Last time I was there we stayed at the Matacumba (not sure of spelling)ph. 305-664-8801
We had a great time there
bojunk posted 11-29-2002 07:53 PM ET (US)
little palm is great but pricey. Much more reasonable, but slightly touristy is Parmer's on little torch. Closest place for whaler rentals is Plantation Key, fifty miles away. Dolphin Marina has well kept boats on Little Torch, and is associated with Little Palm. A little history, Truman frequented Little palm years ago and PT 109 filmed there.
tabasco posted 11-29-2002 08:04 PM ET (US)
Try the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo.As a non member you maybe able to stay for a weekend and look over the real estate.
I used to be a member years ago but found that I wasn't using it enough to justify the annual membership.
Ray
maverick posted 11-29-2002 08:32 PM ET (US)
Locations in the Keys are generally by Mile Marker; Key west is MM 0, the top of the Keys is about MM 104. For about 35 years, I've stayed many times at Pines and Palms resort at oceanside, MM 80.5. It's a family owned, quiet place with a dock and cabins on the water (no real beach, just coral/sand). If you stay there, ask for cabin 9 or 10 (water front) and quite private. My wife and flown down for short junkets and rented a car at Miami airport, then driven down. P&P had at one time a rental deal avaiolable with a local, close marina where you could for about $150/day get a fairly new 22-23' Whaler outrage (nice boat!). They'd deliver and dock for you at P&P. From the dock you're about 5 minutes to Alligator Reef tower (3 miles offshore and visible from the resort). GREAT snorkeling there, for sure. Beside P&P is La Siesta resort, also a great place. They have 2-3 waterfront cabins, too - I think I paid about $135/nite. Has lagoon and a small 13' Whaler to rent, and a larger Aquasport boat, if memory serves. They also have a small ultralight plane with pontoons on it available for rides (wow!). About $50 a half hour but well worth it. Don't have the phone numbers offhand but both places used to have websites. If you're into fancy, try Cheeca lodge, about $200-400 a nite but ritzy. This is where George Bush Sr. stays. Nice place. For a rockin' party place time, try Whale harbor at MM 85. Besides about 8 bars in one place, offshore about 400 yards during the day is a topless sandbar. Yep, topless. Stops traffic. Hope that gets you started. Best, Mav
KeysNole posted 11-29-2002 11:41 PM ET (US)
Whalerdude I own homes in the Keys that I rent out on a weekly basis. If you would be interested, email me at Cubfan009@aol.com and I will send you information.
whalerdude posted 11-30-2002 12:06 PM ET (US)
Thank you all for your helpful responses.
It is great to be part of this Group!
If any of you need advice on where to stay or boat in the Chicago area or Northern Wisconsin areas, Let me know by email directly.
What do you know about Hawks Cay resort?
Some friends of ours stayed there and liked it a lot.
PMUCCIOLO posted 11-30-2002 03:13 PM ET (US)
Hawk's Cay receives an "average" rating from me, and I'm in a generous mood today!
whalerdude posted 12-02-2002 11:44 AM ET (US)
I am going to call Little Palm Island today!
I TRUST my Whaler friends' advice!
jimithing posted 12-02-2002 01:30 PM ET (US)
Little Palm is awesome. The wife and I go everytime we are in the keys. At least once a year. Stone Crab season is in now and the last time we were there for dinner they brought out these claws that you needed to use a sledgehammer on. BTW it is expensive...very expensive.....but ya pay for what ya get. You wont go wrong is staying there.
PS A little it of history about the island.....PT109 was filmed there while Kennedy was president. It has telephone and power lines underwater to the island which were installed by the Gov of Fla at the time after be threatened by the Prez father Joe. Back when a phone call could really get you whatever you wanted.
PMUCCIOLO posted 12-03-2002 03:28 PM ET (US)
whalerdude,
The correct number for Little Palm Island is 1-800-3-GET LOST or 1-800-4-GET LOST.
David Ratusnik posted 12-03-2002 03:41 PM ET (US)
I've rec previously. LimeTree Resort, on Layton Key, just South of Islamorada. Time forgot. Was ok a few years ago, haven't kept up on it for awhile. Can launch from the property off trailer. David
dfmcintyre posted 12-03-2002 05:08 PM ET (US)
I've also mentioned Largo Lodge, in Key Largo. It's one of the northernmost islands. Small, individual bungalows, screened porch small sand beach and docking for smaller whalers (we moored our Montauk there for a week). Very private and reasonable.
Don
ychtcptn posted 12-03-2002 05:28 PM ET (US)
I like the way this is going, I have been wanting to find a small bungalow, efficency type place on the water to take my 18' outrage too, oh yeah and maybe my wife and kids
Montauk72 posted 12-03-2002 06:21 PM ET (US)
I stayed in Hawks Cay back in 2000. Got a condo in the back where the sportfishermans docked. The place is first class but you also pay for it. Very expensive. But nice.
tugboat posted 12-05-2002 03:27 PM ET (US)
I would recommend Captain Pips in Marathon, they have a web site. Simple Keys type operation with big plus. You get a 17' to 20' boat included with your stay. I believe Barbra and John are the owners. Great people great location
lhg posted 12-09-2002 08:31 PM ET (US)
For a romantic and tropical hideaway, I'll second Don M's Largo Lodge. They only have three duplex cottages for a total of 6 suites, but it's a very cool place, on the bay side.
I have been out to Little Palm by personal Whaler, but the $700/day cost is a bit steep, especially in Feb when the weather can be "iffy".
Last early May I spent 3 days at the Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada, and definitely would recommend it over Hawk's Cay. There are some great restaurants near by, including the Bass Pro Adventure world store, and a Whaler Dealer is across the street (Caribe Marine). But I can't imagine heading to the Keys without my Whaler in tow!
whalerdude posted 12-16-2002 06:22 PM ET (US)
I just booked 3 nights at Little Palm Island on March 6th.
Man, that place is expensive. But I guess you get what you pay for and I really want to have a good vacation with my wife. We have 3 little kids and we have not had much time alone together in the past 8 yrs.
It should be great to get away.
Thanks for all of your recommendations.
Whalerdude
captbone posted 12-16-2002 07:35 PM ET (US)
I want to go, I am not a millionaire but dont plan on spending time in the room anyway, where is a cheap place to stay in the southern keys?
WhalerAce posted 12-17-2002 02:09 PM ET (US)
We just got back from two weeks in the Keys and stayed at the Sugarloaf lodge on Sugarloaf Key (lower one). Rooms are OK, not plush, but the water is 10 feet from your back sliding door and the right side of the lodge is a seawall where you can moor your boat.
Ace
GuyNole posted 12-17-2002 09:31 PM ET (US)
I live in Orlando, never been to the keys, own a Mantauk, have an anniversary coming up in Feb, and thanks to this post now have to try to talk my wife into a Keys Anniversary Vacation without the kids. Great info guys, thanks...
RWM posted 03-25-2003 10:41 PM ET (US)
Just got back from 4 days in the Keys at Captain Pips. Thanks to Tugboat for the recommendation. It's a laid back quiet place on the bay side just before the 7 mile bridge in Marathon, mile marker 47.5. As advertised it was clean, clean, clean. The room we stayed in had a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. You can also get efficencies and one or two bedrooms.
My room came with a 21'Cobia center console with a 150 Yamaha. All rooms come with a boat, docked right our front.
My wife and I spent the days boating around, picnicing and snorkeling. We lucked out with great weather. 90 in the day and 75-80 at night. I did get caught off shore in a squall for a little more excitement then I wanted. It only lasted 15 minutes then the sun was out again like nothing happened. Love that Florida weather.
The restaurant on site hung over the water and had a lot of local color plus live music. The guys at the dock were great!
My only mistake was I should have stayed a week. Next time I will!...Bob M.
P.S. Just before that I was at the Wyndham Harbor Island in Tampa for a work conference. I swear from the 12th floor I could see Bigshot tooling around Hillsborough Bay in his whaler.

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Author	Topic: Where to stay in Florida Keys?
whalerdude	posted 11-29-2002 10:45 AM ET (US) My wife and I have decided to plan a romantic 3 day getaway without the kids to the Florida Keys in late February. I need some advice on where to stay. We would like a nice resort that has villas or 'huts' right on the water. If it is not 'touristy' that's even better. It would also be nice to know where I can rent a whaler for the day too. Thanks Whalerdude
PMUCCIOLO	posted 11-29-2002 03:37 PM ET (US) whalerdude, I'd highly recommend Little Palm Island. The toll free number is 1-800-GET-LOST. Parking is on Little Torch Key, and the guests are transported across to the island on 30' twin-diesel Grand Crafts. The food is equisite, as are the accomodations. Most importantly, it is PRIVATE. There is one telephone on the island, and one TV. They have weekend packages.
cdnturbo	posted 11-29-2002 05:16 PM ET (US) Last time I was there we stayed at the Matacumba (not sure of spelling)ph. 305-664-8801 We had a great time there
bojunk	posted 11-29-2002 07:53 PM ET (US) little palm is great but pricey. Much more reasonable, but slightly touristy is Parmer's on little torch. Closest place for whaler rentals is Plantation Key, fifty miles away. Dolphin Marina has well kept boats on Little Torch, and is associated with Little Palm. A little history, Truman frequented Little palm years ago and PT 109 filmed there.
tabasco	posted 11-29-2002 08:04 PM ET (US) Try the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo.As a non member you maybe able to stay for a weekend and look over the real estate. I used to be a member years ago but found that I wasn't using it enough to justify the annual membership. Ray
maverick	posted 11-29-2002 08:32 PM ET (US) Locations in the Keys are generally by Mile Marker; Key west is MM 0, the top of the Keys is about MM 104. For about 35 years, I've stayed many times at Pines and Palms resort at oceanside, MM 80.5. It's a family owned, quiet place with a dock and cabins on the water (no real beach, just coral/sand). If you stay there, ask for cabin 9 or 10 (water front) and quite private. My wife and flown down for short junkets and rented a car at Miami airport, then driven down. P&P had at one time a rental deal avaiolable with a local, close marina where you could for about $150/day get a fairly new 22-23' Whaler outrage (nice boat!). They'd deliver and dock for you at P&P. From the dock you're about 5 minutes to Alligator Reef tower (3 miles offshore and visible from the resort). GREAT snorkeling there, for sure. Beside P&P is La Siesta resort, also a great place. They have 2-3 waterfront cabins, too - I think I paid about $135/nite. Has lagoon and a small 13' Whaler to rent, and a larger Aquasport boat, if memory serves. They also have a small ultralight plane with pontoons on it available for rides (wow!). About $50 a half hour but well worth it. Don't have the phone numbers offhand but both places used to have websites. If you're into fancy, try Cheeca lodge, about $200-400 a nite but ritzy. This is where George Bush Sr. stays. Nice place. For a rockin' party place time, try Whale harbor at MM 85. Besides about 8 bars in one place, offshore about 400 yards during the day is a topless sandbar. Yep, topless. Stops traffic. Hope that gets you started. Best, Mav
KeysNole	posted 11-29-2002 11:41 PM ET (US) Whalerdude I own homes in the Keys that I rent out on a weekly basis. If you would be interested, email me at Cubfan009@aol.com and I will send you information.
whalerdude	posted 11-30-2002 12:06 PM ET (US) Thank you all for your helpful responses. It is great to be part of this Group! If any of you need advice on where to stay or boat in the Chicago area or Northern Wisconsin areas, Let me know by email directly. What do you know about Hawks Cay resort? Some friends of ours stayed there and liked it a lot.
PMUCCIOLO	posted 11-30-2002 03:13 PM ET (US) Hawk's Cay receives an "average" rating from me, and I'm in a generous mood today!
whalerdude	posted 12-02-2002 11:44 AM ET (US) I am going to call Little Palm Island today! I TRUST my Whaler friends' advice!
jimithing	posted 12-02-2002 01:30 PM ET (US) Little Palm is awesome. The wife and I go everytime we are in the keys. At least once a year. Stone Crab season is in now and the last time we were there for dinner they brought out these claws that you needed to use a sledgehammer on. BTW it is expensive...very expensive.....but ya pay for what ya get. You wont go wrong is staying there. PS A little it of history about the island.....PT109 was filmed there while Kennedy was president. It has telephone and power lines underwater to the island which were installed by the Gov of Fla at the time after be threatened by the Prez father Joe. Back when a phone call could really get you whatever you wanted.
PMUCCIOLO	posted 12-03-2002 03:28 PM ET (US) whalerdude, The correct number for Little Palm Island is 1-800-3-GET LOST or 1-800-4-GET LOST.
David Ratusnik	posted 12-03-2002 03:41 PM ET (US) I've rec previously. LimeTree Resort, on Layton Key, just South of Islamorada. Time forgot. Was ok a few years ago, haven't kept up on it for awhile. Can launch from the property off trailer. David
dfmcintyre	posted 12-03-2002 05:08 PM ET (US) I've also mentioned Largo Lodge, in Key Largo. It's one of the northernmost islands. Small, individual bungalows, screened porch small sand beach and docking for smaller whalers (we moored our Montauk there for a week). Very private and reasonable. Don
ychtcptn	posted 12-03-2002 05:28 PM ET (US) I like the way this is going, I have been wanting to find a small bungalow, efficency type place on the water to take my 18' outrage too, oh yeah and maybe my wife and kids
Montauk72	posted 12-03-2002 06:21 PM ET (US) I stayed in Hawks Cay back in 2000. Got a condo in the back where the sportfishermans docked. The place is first class but you also pay for it. Very expensive. But nice.
tugboat	posted 12-05-2002 03:27 PM ET (US) I would recommend Captain Pips in Marathon, they have a web site. Simple Keys type operation with big plus. You get a 17' to 20' boat included with your stay. I believe Barbra and John are the owners. Great people great location
lhg	posted 12-09-2002 08:31 PM ET (US) For a romantic and tropical hideaway, I'll second Don M's Largo Lodge. They only have three duplex cottages for a total of 6 suites, but it's a very cool place, on the bay side. I have been out to Little Palm by personal Whaler, but the $700/day cost is a bit steep, especially in Feb when the weather can be "iffy". Last early May I spent 3 days at the Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada, and definitely would recommend it over Hawk's Cay. There are some great restaurants near by, including the Bass Pro Adventure world store, and a Whaler Dealer is across the street (Caribe Marine). But I can't imagine heading to the Keys without my Whaler in tow!
whalerdude	posted 12-16-2002 06:22 PM ET (US) I just booked 3 nights at Little Palm Island on March 6th. Man, that place is expensive. But I guess you get what you pay for and I really want to have a good vacation with my wife. We have 3 little kids and we have not had much time alone together in the past 8 yrs. It should be great to get away. Thanks for all of your recommendations. Whalerdude
captbone	posted 12-16-2002 07:35 PM ET (US) I want to go, I am not a millionaire but dont plan on spending time in the room anyway, where is a cheap place to stay in the southern keys?
WhalerAce	posted 12-17-2002 02:09 PM ET (US) We just got back from two weeks in the Keys and stayed at the Sugarloaf lodge on Sugarloaf Key (lower one). Rooms are OK, not plush, but the water is 10 feet from your back sliding door and the right side of the lodge is a seawall where you can moor your boat. Ace
GuyNole	posted 12-17-2002 09:31 PM ET (US) I live in Orlando, never been to the keys, own a Mantauk, have an anniversary coming up in Feb, and thanks to this post now have to try to talk my wife into a Keys Anniversary Vacation without the kids. Great info guys, thanks...
RWM	posted 03-25-2003 10:41 PM ET (US) Just got back from 4 days in the Keys at Captain Pips. Thanks to Tugboat for the recommendation. It's a laid back quiet place on the bay side just before the 7 mile bridge in Marathon, mile marker 47.5. As advertised it was clean, clean, clean. The room we stayed in had a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. You can also get efficencies and one or two bedrooms. My room came with a 21'Cobia center console with a 150 Yamaha. All rooms come with a boat, docked right our front. My wife and I spent the days boating around, picnicing and snorkeling. We lucked out with great weather. 90 in the day and 75-80 at night. I did get caught off shore in a squall for a little more excitement then I wanted. It only lasted 15 minutes then the sun was out again like nothing happened. Love that Florida weather. The restaurant on site hung over the water and had a lot of local color plus live music. The guys at the dock were great! My only mistake was I should have stayed a week. Next time I will!...Bob M. P.S. Just before that I was at the Wyndham Harbor Island in Tampa for a work conference. I swear from the 12th floor I could see Bigshot tooling around Hillsborough Bay in his whaler.