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Key West Finds

Panina

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A couple of suggestions if your visiting Key West that you might not know about that I want to share.

There is a free Duval Loop shuttle bus. Saw it last time I was there but actually used it this time when I got tired and didn’t want to walk any more. https://www.carfreekeywest.com/duval-loop-bus
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Florida Keys Eco Discovery Center - free admission
I learned so much about the area. You can walk over to the beach from here or go to Maritime Museum. The free shuttle stops close by.
https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/eco_discovery
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The Jolly Rover - Tall Ship Sailing is my favorite sailing ship in Key West and also the most reasonable. They also have an incentive program within 30 days, take two sailings and get the third free. You can usually get a discount of $5 off your first trip from a hotel coupon, the second trip the company gives you $10 off and the 3rd is free. They provide bottle water and cheese and crackers and you can bring your own booze/food. http://schoonerjollyrover.com/
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My favorite reasonable priced restaurant is MoonDog Cafe and Bakery. Their bakery is a treat, all baked on premise. You can watch the bakers as it’s open viewing. They have a blueberry muffin that is vegan and gluten free that is the best I ever had, full of blueberries for $2.50. My other half votes for the Black Forrest cake, a splurge, almost as expensive as a meal at $8.50 but big enough for two. Their tacos are fresh and delicious with choice of mahi, chicken, shrimp or tofu. Their pizzas are thin and crispy with generous toppings. So much more to choose from.
https://moondogcafe.com/dinner-menu/
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bbodb1

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How did you get there, Panina?

And that is a serious question by the way.....every time I have considered Key West as a vacation destination, it was always going to be a fly into Miami and drive the rest of the way but no one ever described that drive as a pleasant experience.

Also, I don't think Wyndham or RCI have any properties down there do they? (I haven't checked that in a bit....headed to do so now...)
What brand of resort are you residing in this week?
 

Panina

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How did you get there, Panina?

And that is a serious question by the way.....every time I have considered Key West as a vacation destination, it was always going to be a fly into Miami and drive the rest of the way but no one ever described that drive as a pleasant experience.

Also, I don't think Wyndham or RCI have any properties down there do they? (I haven't checked that in a bit....headed to do so now...)
What brand of resort are you residing in this week?
We drive there from the Carolinas. If you take a plane into Miami, it’s about a three hour drive to get to Key West. Not a bad ride. You can stop mid way and get a nice lunch. RCI has the Galleon in Key West, just don’t take a studio, very small, no view.

I was the last two weeks at The Banyan in Key West where I own. They only trade in II.
 

breezez

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How did you get there, Panina?

And that is a serious question by the way.....every time I have considered Key West as a vacation destination, it was always going to be a fly into Miami and drive the rest of the way but no one ever described that drive as a pleasant experience.

Also, I don't think Wyndham or RCI have any properties down there do they? (I haven't checked that in a bit....headed to do so now...)
What brand of resort are you residing in this week?
I live in Tampa area and takes me 8 hours to get there by motor vehicle. If you want a more enjoyable way to get there take the high speed boat from Fort Myers area. Pretty Reasonable takes around 4 hours and drops you off practically on Duval street.

While in Fort Myers another really cool thing to do is the murder mystery train. A 4 hour diner theater train ride with a 5 course meal and cocktails served as a who done it murder mystery theatrical performance goes on.

https://www.keywestexpress.net/key-west-express-catamaran
https://semgulf.com
 

bogey21

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If you want a more enjoyable way to get there take the high speed boat from Fort Myers area. Pretty Reasonable takes around 4 hours and drops you off practically on Duval street.

The boat from Fort Meyers to Key West is great. Often I would fly into Fort Meyers from DFW just so I could take the boat to Key West. It beat renting a car and driving...

George
 

bbodb1

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Some great ideas y'all - thanks!

I want to make a trip there one day when I am no longer shackled to the school calendar. Something like late Jan - early Feb. Hopefully not a lot of crowds during that time of the year.
 

TheTimeTraveler

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Don't forget; There are flights to Key West out of Miami (they use smaller planes).

Not sure of the frequency, the price, or easy seat availability.

Maybe another Tugger can add to this with those facts.





.
 

riverdees05

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We tried to do the speed boat one year around Christmas and it was canceled because of rough seas! So we ended up driving.
 

AJCts411

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Don't forget; There are flights to Key West out of Miami (they use smaller planes).

Not sure of the frequency, the price, or easy seat availability.

Maybe another Tugger can add to this with those facts.





.
The little planes we used is Silver. We have used them from both Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. The big dogs also fly in like AA, Delta, United as well from their hubs, which we prefer, as there are fewer weather delays versus Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. For the most bang for my vacation buck, our flight selection is dictated by price and times. Like to arrive between 11am and 2pm. Depart between 2 and 6 pm. Those seem to be the most desired flights and costly, but booking early seems to get some good deals. Most always can fly from DTW to Key West for under $400 each, but we are booking 6 months out.

One other interesting observation, on those travel web sites, hotel and flights can be significantly reduced...but the room well you might have to go into the hall to open your luggage.
 

hurnik

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RCI lists 3 or 4 resorts, but one of them (cocoa something) I don't think has ever been reported as being available.
The Galleon would be the only one I'd use from RCI, IMO. Make sure to get a 1 BR or larger. They have a 1-4 or 1-5 rule I forget which.
Not sure about II. There's a Hyatt right across from the Galleon that's a timeshare, so possibly it's in II.

I've stayed at the Galleon right before the big hurricane hit (well it was July of that year) and it was mostly nice. A few minor complaints (our room was above the bar on the side by Alonso's, so we got to hear noise really late at night one night), and the cigarette smoking by the pool/bar area (I'm highly allergic to cigarette smoke).

We flew into Key West as I didn't want to spend 3-4 hours driving (depends on traffic) after getting up at like 4:00 a.m. and flying. I used my Delta Amex Skymiles Platinum BOGO certificate so got 2 roundtrip tickets for $475 directly into Key West. (would've been cheaper, but I waited like 3 weeks and the price shot up). Just note that you are limited to ONE checked bag per person under 50lbs into Key West. The runway is extremely short, and the landing is very hard, so they need to keep the weight down. Also, take the FIRST flight that gets there if you can. Every single flight was oversold/overbooked (except the very very late/last one) and you may be able to get yourself some $$$ if you can wait almost a day and take the later flight. Unfortunately with the BOGO we weren't able to take advantage (Delta won't let you split people, so they only needed one more seat, not two).

Waiting 2 more years to go back (trying to get another Galleon exchange), but we'll try to do May or 1st week of June this time. July was TOO hot, LOL!
 

Panina

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RCI lists 3 or 4 resorts, but one of them (cocoa something) I don't think has ever been reported as being available.
The Galleon would be the only one I'd use from RCI, IMO. Make sure to get a 1 BR or larger. They have a 1-4 or 1-5 rule I forget which.
Not sure about II. There's a Hyatt right across from the Galleon that's a timeshare, so possibly it's in II.

I've stayed at the Galleon right before the big hurricane hit (well it was July of that year) and it was mostly nice. A few minor complaints (our room was above the bar on the side by Alonso's, so we got to hear noise really late at night one night), and the cigarette smoking by the pool/bar area (I'm highly allergic to cigarette smoke).

We flew into Key West as I didn't want to spend 3-4 hours driving (depends on traffic) after getting up at like 4:00 a.m. and flying. I used my Delta Amex Skymiles Platinum BOGO certificate so got 2 roundtrip tickets for $475 directly into Key West. (would've been cheaper, but I waited like 3 weeks and the price shot up). Just note that you are limited to ONE checked bag per person under 50lbs into Key West. The runway is extremely short, and the landing is very hard, so they need to keep the weight down. Also, take the FIRST flight that gets there if you can. Every single flight was oversold/overbooked (except the very very late/last one) and you may be able to get yourself some $$$ if you can wait almost a day and take the later flight. Unfortunately with the BOGO we weren't able to take advantage (Delta won't let you split people, so they only needed one more seat, not two).

Waiting 2 more years to go back (trying to get another Galleon exchange), but we'll try to do May or 1st week of June this time. July was TOO hot, LOL!
II has 4 in old Key West and 3 in new key west. Galleon, Banyan, Coconut Beach, Hyatt sunset harbour in old key west. Hyatt Beach Club, Hyatt Windward, Coconut Mallory in new Key West.
 

Sea Six

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We loved going there on short trips using StarPoints at the Westin. Now that Margaritaville bought out that resort, we don't know where to go. I know there are some Marriotts there we could use now, just haven't put much effort into deciding on a new home base.
 

Sugarcubesea

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The nice thing about the high speed boat from Fort Meyers is that it lets you off 3 short blocks from Duval Street...

George

How do you get your luggage over to your resort? Do you just take a cab?
 

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If you take the Key West express there is a porter service as soon as you get off the boat that will bring your luggage to the resort for $12 per bag (no matter what the size) I wish I had known about this before we left. We only had one bag but brought a super small one thinking we would have to lug it around. I could have brought a larger suitcase and packed a few more food items in it since we do not have a care while we are here.
I did have groceries delivered by Publix which was super convenient.
 

DaveNV

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Is there a best time of year to try and snag an II exchange to Key West? Working on 2021-2022 timeframe plans, and wondering if this could (finally) be an option for us. Never been to the Keys, and would like to see it at a good time of year. Any ideas?

Dave
 

Panina

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Is there a best time of year to try and snag an II exchange to Key West? Working on 2021-2022 timeframe plans, and wondering if this could (finally) be an option for us. Never been to the Keys, and would like to see it at a good time of year. Any ideas?

Dave
I like best mid November through February. Other times I find the weather can get way too hot to enjoy the walkable area.
 

silentg

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Have any of you taken the Fort Myers speed boat over while staying at a timeshare in the FortMyers area? Is it possible to go just for the day or is overnight recommend?
We are going to Lehigh Acres in Late October and a side trip to Key West might be fun.
Silentg
 

DaveNV

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I like best mid November through February. Other times I find the weather can get way too hot to enjoy the walkable area.

Hmm. That may be why I've never been successful trying to exchange in. Spouse's job at Costco doesn't allow vacations from Thanksgiving till well after New Year's.

Dave
 

moonstone

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77,000 RCI points (Sunrise Ridge Resort, TN)
Is there a best time of year to try and snag an II exchange to Key West? Working on 2021-2022 timeframe plans, and wondering if this could (finally) be an option for us. Never been to the Keys, and would like to see it at a good time of year. Any ideas?

Dave

I tried unsuccessfully for an exchange in the Keys a few years ago for late October or early November. We ended up with a week (Fri>Fri) at Vacation Village at Weston at the end of which we drove down to the Keys, stayed 2 nights in a motel then drove up to our resort in St Augustine for our last week (Sun>Sun). The drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West was less than 4 hours and very scenic. We lucked out that there were no hurricanes and we only had a few minutes of rain on the drive north. The temperatures were very pleasant (daytime highs of low-mid 80'sF if I remember correctly) and there was always a breeze.


~Diane
 

Sugarcubesea

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If you take the Key West express there is a porter service as soon as you get off the boat that will bring your luggage to the resort for $12 per bag (no matter what the size) I wish I had known about this before we left. We only had one bag but brought a super small one thinking we would have to lug it around. I could have brought a larger suitcase and packed a few more food items in it since we do not have a care while we are here.
I did have groceries delivered by Publix which was super convenient.

Thank you for letting me know this info...I think I might do this vs renting a car when we are in Key West next April... thanks
 
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