Where to stay · Key West · United States
Where to stay in Key West
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bubba73, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Old Town and Duval Street. Bars, shops and conch houses along the island's main street. Best alternatives — families: Truman Annex; budget: Bahama Village.
Key facts
- First visit
- Old Town and Duval Street
- Families
- Truman Annex
- Budget
- Bahama Village
- Nightlife
- Old Town and Duval Street
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Old Town and Duval Street | Bars, shops and conch houses along the island's main street |
| Families | Truman Annex | Gated former naval quarter by Fort Zachary Taylor and the Little White House |
| Couples | Old Town and Duval Street | Bars, shops and conch houses along the island's main street |
| Budget | Bahama Village | Historic Afro-Caribbean quarter of small houses, roosters and casual restaurants |
| Luxury | Truman Annex | Gated former naval quarter by Fort Zachary Taylor and the Little White House |
| Nightlife | Old Town and Duval Street | Bars, shops and conch houses along the island's main street |
| Food lovers | Old Town and Duval Street | Bars, shops and conch houses along the island's main street |
| Solo travellers | Bahama Village | Historic Afro-Caribbean quarter of small houses, roosters and casual restaurants |
| Quiet stays | Truman Annex | Gated former naval quarter by Fort Zachary Taylor and the Little White House |
| Beach | Casa Marina and South Roosevelt | Atlantic-side resorts along Smathers and Higgs beaches |
Key West neighbourhoods in detail
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, couples and food lovers
Old Town and Duval Street
Duval Street runs about 2 km from the Gulf at Mallory Square to the Atlantic, lined with bars, galleries, T-shirt shops and restaurants; the side streets — Eaton, Caroline, Southard, Fleming — hold restored wooden houses and guest houses with pools. It is the most convenient and the noisiest place to stay.
- Good
- Everything within walking distance; Characterful guest houses; Lively evenings
- Watch out
- Loud at night near the bars; High prices and little parking
- Nearby
- Mallory Square, Hemingway Home, Key West Lighthouse, Southernmost Point
$$$$ · Best for couples, food lovers and nightlife
Historic Seaport
Key West Bight is the harbour where most snorkelling, diving, fishing and sunset-sail boats depart. A harbour walk links waterfront bars, seafood restaurants and a few hotels; it is a short walk to Duval Street but a little calmer.
- Good
- Walk to your boat trip; Waterfront dining; Central but less hectic than Duval
- Watch out
- Expensive hotels; Few rooms to choose from
- Nearby
- Key West Bight, Mallory Square, Duval Street
$$$$ · Best for families, quiet stays and luxury
Truman Annex
The former navy base on Old Town's western edge is now a quiet, gated area of renovated officers' houses, holiday rentals and a few hotels, surrounding the Harry S. Truman Little White House. Fort Zachary Taylor's beach is a short walk south.
- Good
- Quiet yet close to Duval; Walk to the best beach; Rentals with pools
- Watch out
- Mostly rentals with minimum stays; Pricey
- Nearby
- Truman Little White House, Fort Zachary Taylor, Mallory Square
$$$ · Best for budget, food lovers and solo travellers
Bahama Village
West of Duval around Petronia and Thomas streets, Bahama Village was settled by Bahamian immigrants and keeps a more residential, local feel, with backyard-style restaurants, free-roaming chickens and small guest houses. The Hemingway Home and the lighthouse are on its edge.
- Good
- Local character and good casual food; Short walk to Old Town; Somewhat better rates
- Watch out
- Roosters crow early; Fewer hotels
- Nearby
- Hemingway Home, Key West Lighthouse, Duval Street
$$$$ · Best for families, beach and luxury
Casa Marina and South Roosevelt
The south shore from Higgs Beach east to Smathers Beach has larger resort hotels, including the 1920s Casa Marina, with pools and beachfront. Old Town is a 15–25-minute walk or a short bike ride, and the area is calmer and more beach-focused.
- Good
- On the beach; Resort pools and space for children; Quieter evenings
- Watch out
- Bike or bus needed for Duval; Resort fees and high rates
- Nearby
- Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach, Fort East Martello
$$$ · Best for budget and families
New Town
The eastern half of the island is newer and more suburban, with chain hotels, supermarkets and parking along North Roosevelt Boulevard. It is the most practical choice for drivers and budget-minded visitors, with Old Town about 10 minutes away by car or bus.
- Good
- Lower rates and free parking; Close to the airport; Supermarkets nearby
- Watch out
- No Old Town charm; Need transport to the sights
- Nearby
- Smathers Beach, Key West International Airport
$$$ · Best for food lovers, quiet stays and budget
Stock Island
Just across the bridge from Key West, Stock Island is a working fishing harbour that has added a marina resort, boutique hotels and dockside restaurants. It is where to see the Keys' commercial fishing fleet and eat fresh catch, and is about 15 minutes from Duval by car.
- Good
- Fresh-off-the-boat seafood; Quieter and often better value; Marinas for boat trips
- Watch out
- Industrial edges; Needs a car or taxi to Old Town
- Nearby
- Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, Key West Golf Club
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town and Duval Street | $$$$ | Mallory Square, Hemingway Home, Key West Lighthouse, Southernmost Point |
| Historic Seaport | $$$$ | Key West Bight, Mallory Square, Duval Street |
| Truman Annex | $$$$ | Truman Little White House, Fort Zachary Taylor, Mallory Square |
| Bahama Village | $$$ | Hemingway Home, Key West Lighthouse, Duval Street |
| Casa Marina and South Roosevelt | $$$$ | Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach, Fort East Martello |
| New Town | $$$ | Smathers Beach, Key West International Airport |
| Stock Island | $$$ | Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, Key West Golf Club |
Getting to your hotel
Key West International Airport (EYW) is on the island's south-eastern shore, about 5 km from Old Town — roughly 10–15 minutes by taxi. Many visitors instead fly to Miami (about 250 km) and drive or take a shuttle down the Overseas Highway.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Key West for first-time visitors?
Old Town and Duval Street. Duval Street runs about 2 km from the Gulf at Mallory Square to the Atlantic, lined with bars, galleries, T-shirt shops and restaurants; the side streets — Eaton, Caroline, Southard, Fleming — hold restored wooden houses and guest houses with pools.
+Where should families stay in Key West?
Truman Annex: Quiet yet close to Duval.
+Which area of Key West is best for a budget stay?
Bahama Village ($$$): Historic Afro-Caribbean quarter of small houses, roosters and casual restaurants.