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Considering booking Florida Keys lodging? Here are five things you need to know.

If you’ve never stayed in the Florida Keys before, you may not know what to expect. I can assure you what you may have in your mind probably doesn’t match with what you’ll experience.

Florida Keys lodging is not the same as what you will get in Tampa, Orlando, or pretty much anywhere else in Florida. Here, it hits different, because it is different. Here’s what you need to know before you book your hotel room.

What Should You Expect From Your Florida Keys Lodging?

While those three things — a few bugs, lack of amenities, and spotty internet — may deter some people, some of you may simply want to know what to expect from whatever type of Florida Keys lodging you choose. It’s simple, really:

1. Choose lodging based on what you want to do in the Keys.

   If you want a fishing vacation, there’s really no place in the Keys that doesn’t offer that. But if you’re hard into, say, sport fishing, stay at lodging in Islamorada. If you want to soak in history or try out every bar on Duval Street, Ket West and Stock Island are your best bets, although Sugarloaf isn’t too far of a drive. And if you’re going for scuba, consider a dive resort like Looe Key Reef Resort. If you don’t have your own boat, plan your lodging around where you want to dive.

2. Be honest about your needs.

   Yes, the water is right there, but if you like to end every night with a soak in a hot tub, make sure your lodging has that. And you may tell yourself being 45 minutes away from Key West isn’t a big deal, but in reality, if you want to truly soak in Key West, your best bet is staying on the island and getting around on a bike or on foot.

3. Consider meals in your budget.

   Meals in the Florida Keys aren’t inexpensive. And, forgive me, while I love the Keys, few restaurants have bowled me over consistently with their food. It may be worth it to you to book lodging with a full kitchen (not a microwave and fridge; a kitchen with a stovetop and full-size fridge is a must for us). For us — a couple — dining out every meal can add $100-$200 a day to our stay, which makes places like White Gate Court a bargain.

4. Don’t try to make it what it isn’t.

   The Florida Keys — and Florida Keys lodging — have a different vibe. Unless you’re going for the priciest hotels in Key West, Florida Keys lodging comes with some grit. It’s the best part about it for me — I don’t head to the Keys for luxury. Embrace this “come as you are” vibe and you won’t be sorry. And, if you really, really need the luxe for your stay, well…

5. Splurge!

OK, so this isn’t always practical, but if you really want to, you can drop some serious money in the Florida Keys. For us, that means an extended stay at White Gate Court. For you that could mean Casa Marina in Key West. No one’s judging you for your choices, so you do you. It’s your vacation — enjoy it!

Some Other Things To Know About Florida Keys Lodging

There Are (Almost) No Beaches

The Florida Keys have few beaches; the appeal here is not lying on a beach towel; it’s getting out on, in, and under the water. Don’t expect to dig your toes in the sand.

Get Away From It All — Really

Sure, you may say you want to get away from it all, but do you mean it? It’s not uncommon for hotels, campgrounds, and other Florida Keys lodging to not have great internet. If you plan to have a working vacation, plan accordingly. Call the hotel and ask; if there’s any doubt, bring a hotspot. I actually travel with a T-Mobile home internet device because it offers unlimited data, works pretty much everywhere in the Keys, and costs about the same as a hotspot.

Florida Keys Lodging: There Will Be Bugs & Other Critters

No matter what the hotel, there will be bugs. This is Florida, and, what’s more, this is the Florida Keys.  You will see anoles (you may call them lizards or geckos), scorpions ( Florida scorpions will sting you but I promise they will not kill you), and — most of all — ants.

The anoles live on bugs (as do the curly tail lizards and other lizard-type creatures), so please don’t freak out about them. They want nothing to do with you. I’ve yet to stay in a place that was wall-to-wall roaches or so infested with ants they impacted my stay. Things are different here, so ignore the reviews about bugs and adopt a live-and-let-live attitude while you’re here.

Amenities? Not So Much

Sure, you can find Florida Keys lodging with a spa or other amenities, but not many (and they won’t be inexpensive). If you want a spa vacation, take a spa vacation, but don’t take it in the Florida Keys. That’s not why most people go there, and there’s plenty to do (including some hidden gems most people never do while they’re visiting).

 

All that said, the Florida Keys are popular for a reason, and the unvarnished parts are what I love the best. Your mileage may vary, but if you go into your vacation with your eyes open, you stand a better chance of having a fantastic time in the Florida Keys.