Where to Stay in Key West → 8 TOP Areas & Hotels in 2024

Howdy traveler, I’m here to help you decide where to stay in Key West! I’ve compared all the best areas and hotels in this laid-back, Caribbean-vibe city and sorted everything according to interest and budget!

Duval Street is the heart of the city and the best place to stay in Key West for first-timers! You’ll be a short walk from all the attractions and nightlife spots, and the beach and harbor are a short drive away!

If that’s not the area for you, then stay tuned because I also share other areas, so you can decide on the perfect spot for your trip! And remember to make those bookings in advance to secure the best deals!

NOTE: Hurricane season in Key West lasts from June 1 to November 30 every year. If you plan a visit during this time, you must research an evacuation plan. March and April are the best times to visit for a weather-perfect vacation.

If you are in a hurry

Book the best spots in Key West’s Duval Street now:

Here’s a map of all the areas I’ll talk about in the article:

1. Duval Street – where to stay in Key West for first-timers

Duval Street is the main artery of Key West that runs North from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean in the South. It’s technically part of the Old Town, but I added it separately since it’s so popular and has plenty of attractions and hotels!

This street is 1.25 miles (2 km) long and has the highest number of bars (some sources say 43, could be less or more) per capita than any other street in the U.S.! So think no more if you’re wondering where to stay in Key West for nightlife!

PRO TIP: Visit Capt Tony’s Saloon (map), one of the most iconic bars on Duval Street! It was often frequented by Ernest Hemingway, who lived just a few blocks South!

Of course, plenty of cultural landmarks, museums, and restaurants line this street, so you’ll find something for everyone. But, given the lively atmosphere here, the street can get loud at night, which can be a deal breaker for early birds. In this case, check the “Old Town” area below for alternative accommodation options nearby!

Take the charming Old Town Trolley Tour to explore Duval Street and other parts of Old Town with a guided tour. It’s one of the top attractions in the city!

NOTE: Many of the hotels in Key West have lower ratings, so I did my best to cherry-pick the ones that meet all my strict criteria.

Other accommodation options in Duval Street

Things to do in Duval Street

• See the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum (map)
• Walk the entire length of Duval Street
• Pay tribute to the oldest church in South Florida (map)
• Go bar hopping

2. Historic Seaport and Mallory Square – where to stay for a touristy vibe

Historic Seaport is situated 0.8 miles (1.2 km) Northwest of Old Town and borders Mallory Square to the West. This is one of the most touristy areas of the city, and there are tons of attractions!

To name a few, the Key West Aquarium on Mallory Square, the legendary Sloppy Joe’s Bar (map), and the famous ferry (map) to Fort Jefferson National Park are all here.

In the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum near Mallory Square, you can see the artifacts from the wreck of a Spanish ship that sank in 1622!

You’ll also find numerous 4-star resorts, museums, restaurants, shops, and just about anything your tourist heart desires!

Key West is super walkable, especially if you stay in the Western part of the island, which encompasses the seaport, Duval Street, Old Town, and most of the other areas mentioned below. You only need a car to get around if you’re traveling with a large family or can’t stand the heat! Otherwise, you can walk everywhere!

PRO TIP: Try the local specialty, key lime pie, in the many bakeries and restaurants around the harbor! Kermit’s (map) is the most popular shop that specializes in them!

Also, from the Historic Harbor, you can easily do a day trip to Sunset Key, a nearby island known for its Sunset Key Cottages resort! If you feel like it, you can even base yourself here, but you’d have to use the ferry to get to Key West every time.

Other accommodation options in Historic Seaport

Things to do in Historic Seaport

3. Old Town – a central location with quieter streets

As I previously mentioned, the Old Town Key West is a top choice if you want to be in the heart of all the action because of Duval Street. However, if you’d rather stay in Downtown Key West but enjoy a more tranquil atmosphere, you should explore other parts of the Old Town further East of Duval.

Enjoy typical South Florida architecture, churches, and even a nice park (map)! Most of the restaurants and attractions are situated toward the West, near Duval Street, and regardless of where you’re situated in Old Town, you can reach Duval in less than 20 minutes on foot!

Also, note that luxury accommodation here is limited, but I did find some good options for mid-range and budget travelers:

Other accommodation options in Old Town

Things to do in Old Town

• Walk the quiet streets of Old Town before sunset
• Go on a guided bicycle tour with traditional key lime pie-tasting
• Visit the Oldest House Museum from 1829 (map)
• Rent a golf cart and explore the island
• Take a short walk to the Bayview Park

4. Bahama Village – the best place to stay in Key West, FL, on a budget

Here’s one of the most authentic places to stay in Key West, FL! Bahama Village is situated to the West of Duval Street, just a short walk from it. The area was mostly populated by Bahamians who moved here in the 19th century and thus got its name.

The Bahamians brought with them the colorful Bahamian architecture, so you’ll see tiny homes in bright colors all over. Although it’s not a central tourist place, Bahama Village has its charm. It has a few restaurants and shops on Petronia Street (map), so you won’t stay hungry here!

Descend South on Whitehead Street bordering Bahama Village, and you’ll reach the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A. (map)!

The main attraction of the area is the Key West Lighthouse, with its 88 steps and gorgeous view from the top! P.S. You’ll pay less if you buy tickets for the Lighthouse online! See details on the official website.

FUN FACT: The Cubans who migrated to the area in 1860 also brought chickens and roosters with them. Today, you can see the descendants of these birds walking freely on the streets of Bahama Village! They’re protected by law and are considered wild birds!

Also, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park (map), known to have the most beautiful beach in Key West, as well as many Civil War-era attractions, is located nearby! I definitely recommend a visit to this State Park, especially if you’re traveling with kids!

In terms of accommodation, you’ll find apartments (mostly Airbnbs), but no hotels here.

Other accommodation options in Bahama Village

Things to do in Bahama Village

• Walk through the picturesque area and spot the local chicken population
• Climb the Key West Lighthouse
• Take a picture at the Southernmost Point of the U.S.
• Eat out at Petronia Street or take a short walk to Santiago’s Bodega (map)
• Visit the nearby Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

5. Truman Annex – where to stay in Key West for families

This Key West neighborhood is located on the far West of the island. Being adjacent to Mallory Square and Duval Street, it’s a super walkable and easily accessible gated community.

This area is best known for the Little White House, a private residence of U.S. President Harry S. Truman, who used to come here to relax.

There’s also a nice little water park (map) and an eco-discovery museum (map) featuring a 2,500-gallon reef tank, both great attractions for kids!

By staying in Truman Annex, you’ll be within walking distance from other top attractions, like the Aquarium and the ferry terminal.

Since the Truman Annex is technically a gated community, websites like Last Key Realty can help you find vacation rentals there. Note that there are guards at the entrance to the Truman Annex, but you can enter anytime through the Southard entry, and parking should be available in your vacation rental.

Things to do in the Truman Annex

• Start the family vacation by chilling in the water park 
• Visit the Little White House
• Hop in a museum inside a 1936 Coast Guard vessel (map) 
• Walk along the gated community and the Annex Park (map)

6. Casa Marina – where to stay in Key West for the beach

Casa Marina is located 1.4 miles (2.2 km) South from the Northernmost tip of Duval Street and less than 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from its Southernmost part. This means that wherever you stay in Casa Marina, the wild nightlife will be just a short ride away!

But the biggest perk of staying here is the easy access to the beach. A must-visit spot is the Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach (map), where you can have lunch, go surfing, or just chill on the sand! There’s even this iconic restaurant, Salute! (map) where you can sit for lunch.

Some smaller beaches are available on both the East and West of S. Higgs, but I’d only recommend them for strolling or watching the sunrise. If you want to swim, it’s much nicer to go to the main beach!

What I liked most about Higgs Beach is the fenced dog park and grassy area for picnics and recreation. I’d definitely spend a lot of time here!

Most of the hotels in Casa Marina are located to the West past of the district, closer to Duval.

Other accommodation options in Casa Marina

Things to do in Casa Marina

• Have a picnic at the Higgs Beach park
• Walk along the Higgs Key West Pier (map)
• Chill on the beach or try a water sport 

7. New Town – where to stay near the airport

New Town is located to the East of Key West and some 2.8 miles (4.5 km) from Duval Street. As the name says, it’s the new part of Key West where most of the commercial activities take place.

Whether you’re staying for an overlay and need a place to sleep nearby, or want to spend most of the time shopping, New Town is a great place to stay! However, do note that you’ll need a car (rental, or Uber) to get to Duval Street and other parts of the Old Town, which can make your overall expenses higher.

Also, this district is connected to the Old Town with a public bus line LKS, the commute time is less than 30 minutes, and the ticket is $4.

My recommendation for the best place to stay here would be near Smathers Beach (map), a long beach, and a popular hotspot for spring break! You can rent small catamarans, go paddle boarding, swim, or get a sun tan! They have chair rentals for around $20 per chair per day.

Probably one of the biggest perks of staying here is the lower cost of accommodation! Since this is a more residential and less touristy area, hotels have slightly lower prices.

Other accommodation options in New Town

Things to do in New Town

• Head to the Smathers Beach for the day
• See war relics at the Fort East Martello Museum (map)
• Spend an afternoon shopping at Key Plaza (map)
• Go kayaking in The Mangrove (map)

8. Stock Island – where to stay for an active vacation

Stock Island is located to the far East of Key West. It’s technically a separate census-designated place, but it’s commonly seen as part of Key West. It’s 4.9 miles (7.8 km) away from Duval and adjacent to New Town. I call it the best place for active vacation seekers!

This area has some lovely restaurants (Hogfish, map, is a MUST-TRY), excellent golf-cart rental places (map), and a large dock where you can rent a yacht and go on your very own sea adventure.

Whether you like fishing, boat rentals, yachts, beach bars, or ample national parks (like the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden; see map), you should definitely consider Stock Island!

The City Center of Key West will still be less than 30 minutes, so you can always make a trip there to explore the vibrant Old Town and Duval Street.

Other accommodation options in Stock Island

Things to do in Stock Island

• Rent a yacht and go out in the open sea
• Indulge in local specialties in nearby restaurants
• Try a new water activity
• Visit the Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden

FAQs about where to stay in Key West

🤔 Which area of Key West is the best to stay in?

Anywhere near Duval Street and the Historic Port is great for the vicinity of attractions! But if you’d rather stay by the beach, then Casa Marina or the very South of Duval will be best for you!

 ❓ Is it better to stay in New Town or Old Town Key West?

Old Town is better for historical attractions and easy access to the harbor. New Town has a more urban, modern vibe, with beaches and more shopping opportunities. So which one is better really depends on your interest! 

📅 How many days is enough for Key West? 

I’d say at least 4 days! This will give you enough time to explore all the diverse areas and attractions of this island, plus spend a day at the beach!

🚶 Is Key West walkable?

Absolutely! Key West is super walkable, so you don’t even need a car for the most part. 

✅ Can you get around Key West without a car?

Yes, you can get around perfectly without a car in Key West, especially if you stay in the Western Part of the island where the Old Town is. 

❤ ️ Where to stay in Key West for couples?

Choose Bahama Village for romance, the Key West Harbor for attractions, and Casa Marina for easy beach access!

🏖️ Where to stay in Key West on the beach?

Anywhere in the South of Key West (Casa Marina, or South of New Town) is great because you’ll be close to the beaches! I recommend Casa Marina because the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, with its lovely beach, is also nearby!

🟩 What areas to avoid in Key West?

Key West is a safe city, and there aren’t any areas known for crime! Just be mindful of your belongings, as always, and you should be fine!

Final thoughts on where to stay in Key West

That’s all from me, dear reader! Hopefully, my guide helped you decide where to stay in Key West! I loved researching all the areas of this fabulous city! Key West is a remarkable tourist destination with Caribbean vibes, although it’s quite expensive!

So, wherever you decide to stay, make sure to book in advance to secure the best deals! And if you still haven’t made up your mind, here are my 2 favorite Key West, FL, hotels:

Please drop me a comment below if you have any questions about your stay or would like to share some recommendations!

Happy travels,

Darija

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