Florida Keys Reviews, anyone, anyone?

Oke doke girls, NOW FH thinks we should focus on the idea of the Keys for our HM due to our budget restraints, and the scare about passports not being in on time (which we havent oredered yet), ... I'm totally cool with it, just wanna pick something already

So, whose been? Any resort/hotel recommendations? Do's? don'ts? yadda yaddas? I need a place with a hottub! preferrably in the room, but will 'settle' with a 'communal one...

Thanks for the help.

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Posted by reneemarie2

I went to Key West a few months ago for a wedding. I loved it! We stayed in a budget motel, so I wouldn't recommend that for your honeymoon, so I can't help you there. What I did want to mention is that you do have time to get your passport. I recently applied for mine. It takes 10-12 weeks on average now with the back up.

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thats the average for passports, but there are some horror stories of up to 8 months going on, just dont want to end up in that minority.... plus the caribbean is quite a bit more $$$ than florida

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Posted by Espo22

FM Tilde, shes been there a couple times and says its her favorite place

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ooh thanks.

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Posted by Teamhurldon

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Posted by reneemarie2

I went to Key West a few months ago for a wedding. I loved it! We stayed in a budget motel, so I wouldn't recommend that for your honeymoon, so I can't help you there. What I did want to mention is that you do have time to get your passport. I recently applied for mine. It takes 10-12 weeks on average now with the back up.

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thats the average for passports, but there are some horror stories of up to 8 months going on, just dont want to end up in that minority.... plus the caribbean is quite a bit more $$$ than florida

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I know there are some passport issues to be concerned about but the Caribbean is not necessarily more expensive, have you looked at The Dominican Republic or Mexico? There are some good deals to be had in both places.

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Posted by hb123

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Posted by Teamhurldon

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Posted by reneemarie2

I went to Key West a few months ago for a wedding. I loved it! We stayed in a budget motel, so I wouldn't recommend that for your honeymoon, so I can't help you there. What I did want to mention is that you do have time to get your passport. I recently applied for mine. It takes 10-12 weeks on average now with the back up.

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thats the average for passports, but there are some horror stories of up to 8 months going on, just dont want to end up in that minority.... plus the caribbean is quite a bit more $$$ than florida

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I know there are some passport issues to be concerned about but the Caribbean is not necessarily more expensive, have you looked at The Dominican Republic or Mexico? There are some good deals to be had in both places.

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I have, and this is where I'm getting annoyed, because FH absolutely doesnt want to go to DR, Mexico, or Jamaica..... all three we could probably afford being so indecisive..... grrrr

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Posted by Teamhurldon

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Posted by Espo22

FM Tilde, shes been there a couple times and says its her favorite place

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ooh thanks.

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No problem, figure she can help bc she always raves about it.

Also about what you said earlier with passports, its crazy but i keep hearing horror stories too

yeah i have been there twice and I plan on going back

you will be going at the perfect time - i will have a full review for you before the end of the day WITH pictures

pesky work is always getting in the way!!

Honestly I think it depends on how long you plan on staying.

I've been to the Keys several times and really love it down there (especially in the winter season) but I don't think there's that much to do and you might get bored after 3-4 days.

Then again as long as you rent a car you should be ok because then you could start in Miami and spend time in each of the areas.

My FH LOVES the keys - we'll get there eventually...but he did warn me that they are VERY pricey....

That's all I know - sorry...

We went to Key West, actually did 3 days in Miami and then rented a car and drove through the Keys and ended up in Key West. We stayed at the Radisson. No hot tub in the room but there was one there. And it's close enought to Duval Street that we could walk, about a 10 minute walk, but it wasn't in the crazy part and we had peace and quiet. It's also one of the few hotels that also has a beach, it's a man-made beach but it's a beach and its clean.

We loved it and it's a vacation we talk about doing again. It is a fun place to go.

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

Funny thing, I just realized, when you click on my name it shows a picture of the Flying Monkeys Saloon. It was our last stop on the way back to our hotel in Key West every night. The frozen drinks were the perfect companion for the walk home!!

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Posted by ant n tilde

yeah i have been there twice and I plan on going back

you will be going at the perfect time - i will have a full review for you before the end of the day WITH pictures

pesky work is always getting in the way!!

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Awww thanks so much

KEY LARGO!!!

much nicer than key west, though i do like key west - different, more romantic

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Posted by Teamhurldon

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Posted by reneemarie2

I went to Key West a few months ago for a wedding. I loved it! We stayed in a budget motel, so I wouldn't recommend that for your honeymoon, so I can't help you there. What I did want to mention is that you do have time to get your passport. I recently applied for mine. It takes 10-12 weeks on average now with the back up.

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thats the average for passports, but there are some horror stories of up to 8 months going on, just dont want to end up in that minority.... plus the caribbean is quite a bit more $$$ than florida

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I applied back in march and havent got mine yet!

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Posted by cherish83

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Posted by Teamhurldon

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Posted by reneemarie2

I went to Key West a few months ago for a wedding. I loved it! We stayed in a budget motel, so I wouldn't recommend that for your honeymoon, so I can't help you there. What I did want to mention is that you do have time to get your passport. I recently applied for mine. It takes 10-12 weeks on average now with the back up.

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thats the average for passports, but there are some horror stories of up to 8 months going on, just dont want to end up in that minority.... plus the caribbean is quite a bit more $$$ than florida

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I applied back in march and havent got mine yet!

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AHHH! All this talk about passports made me check my status. I'm going to Cancun in about 3 wks, and was told a month ago to call back closer to my trip. So I finally call, because I couldn't check the status online...apparently if you applied, you only need a printout of proof you applied to go to Mexico. Well.......they spelled my name wrong!!!!! Now I have this instant headache on my hands. Hopefully they can fix it before I go. Stupid government.

in the meantime here is a link to the places we are looking at when we go back for our first anniversary:

Key West Cottages

and here i C&P an FM that I had sent out to a LIWer:

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anywho - i just posted these little 'efficiency' apartments - i highly recommend those bc you can save LOTS of money with a kitchenette. KW is NOT that expensive BUT breakfast and lunch every day really adds up. It is also IN key west and the place where WE stayed last time was 20 miles away so no drinking for one of us every time we went out

these little places are walking distance from Duval st. . .so thats a plus!
Also - there are these state parks (Ft Zachary Taylor/ Bahia Honda ) with beaches that are awesome and less than $5 to enter all day. SO you can pack up a picnic. . .stay in the park/beach for the entire day and just enjoy yourself

every sunset they have sunset celebration at Mallor Square. Basically you watch the sunset, clap and then its like a fair every night with entertainers, bars and food - its awesome!! make sure you buy a 'huggie' right when you get there so you can drink in public

there is a cute little aquarium that is nice also. . . .Bahia Honda state park has a piece of hte old highway that you can walk up and see all around you - its great!

MUST EAT PLACES:
Turtle Kraals YUM
Hogsbreath Saloon
Crabby ****'s

Wherever you stay make sure it is kind of near Duval st. . .but not the gay part lol the part closer to the water

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Posted by jsta76

Honestly I think it depends on how long you plan on staying.

I've been to the Keys several times and really love it down there (especially in the winter season) but I don't think there's that much to do and you might get bored after 3-4 days.

Then again as long as you rent a car you should be ok because then you could start in Miami and spend time in each of the areas.

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Sorry to crash I live in FL & love the Keys. But, they can be boring. So I highly recommend renting a car. The price of hotels has tripled b/c insurance rates are through the roof from all the hurricanes. Do your homework before you book! Good luck & HTH You could stay one night in one key, drive to the next, etc, etc!