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Key West

Papa2015

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UPDATE: Looks like some more bars in KW have opened in the past few days that I wasn't aware of until today - which means they're serving some kind of food now. Some of the bars in Rick's (Durty Harry's and Rick's downstairs) are now open but I think Tree Bar is still to-go drinks only. The Green Room also opened, as well as 22&Co (tutu bar) - they have hot dogs. :cheer:
Thanks so much for your replies! We will refer to your hints many times I am sure, while we are there. We really appreciate it. I'll be sure to post while we are there. I noticed in one of your earlier posts that you weren't scheduled to go to KW again until December.. Any luck in talking your DH into going sooner? LOL!
 

Synergy

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Florida just announced reopening of standalone bars, at 50% capacity. Sounds like counties have the ability to opt out, but I doubt Monroe has any desire to do that right now. Enjoy! I have friends down there who say they all pass the same twenties back and forth during the off season - your cash influx will doubtless be very much appreciated.
 

IslandTime

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Thanks so much for your replies! We will refer to your hints many times I am sure, while we are there. We really appreciate it. I'll be sure to post while we are there. I noticed in one of your earlier posts that you weren't scheduled to go to KW again until December.. Any luck in talking your DH into going sooner? LOL!

We're considering it! LOL But if we go, we'd have to work while there so I'm trying to decide if I could be that disciplined. We've had to work a little during each of our other trips there this summer and we didn't mind, but it was only for an hour or two a day during weekdays. Prices are just so cheap right now, it's hard to resist.

And yes, Florida bars and breweries can reopen Monday 9/14.
 

Sea Six

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So looking forward to Key West opening up again! Slowly but surely, things are coming back. I see many counties in Florida opening up to the next "stage", I think more activities open, and occupancy rates can increase from 25% to 50%. Just looking for things to do, since so many places don't even let us in. Travel is difficult when you can't go where you want to.
 

dioxide45

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So looking forward to Key West opening up again! Slowly but surely, things are coming back. I see many counties in Florida opening up to the next "stage", I think more activities open, and occupancy rates can increase from 25% to 50%. Just looking for things to do, since so many places don't even let us in. Travel is difficult when you can't go where you want to.
I wasn't aware that Key West was closed to tourists?
 

TheTimeTraveler

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I wasn't aware that Key West was closed to tourists?


At one point the Governor closed the road going down to the Keys and would not allow visitors to pass the check point. The only ones who could proceed on were residents of the Keys. Not sure if that roadblock still exists or not. Maybe someone can update the status on this roadblock.

Question; Does the State of Florida still stop every vehicle driving on 95 South near the Georgia + Florida border? I know they were doing this in the late spring and early summer.



.
 

Sea Six

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The roadblock was eliminated, but so many of the bars were closed there was not much to do.
 

Deb & Bill

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At one point the Governor closed the road going down to the Keys and would not allow visitors to pass the check point. The only ones who could proceed on were residents of the Keys. Not sure if that roadblock still exists or not. Maybe someone can update the status on this roadblock.

Question; Does the State of Florida still stop every vehicle driving on 95 South near the Georgia + Florida border? I know they were doing this in the late spring and early summer.



.
Stopping incoming traffic at the state line ended when they ended the 14 day quarantine. Maybe a month ago?
 

Papa2015

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Stopping incoming traffic at the state line ended when they ended the 14 day quarantine. Maybe a month ago?
Our Son and DIL are there now, they drove down to KW on Friday from Miami. Many bars are open, at 50% capacity they tell us. Having a great time except for the storm!
 

IslandTime

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At one point the Governor closed the road going down to the Keys and would not allow visitors to pass the check point. The only ones who could proceed on were residents of the Keys. Not sure if that roadblock still exists or not. Maybe someone can update the status on this roadblock.

Question; Does the State of Florida still stop every vehicle driving on 95 South near the Georgia + Florida border? I know they were doing this in the late spring and early summer.

It wasn't actually our governor who put up the roadblock - it was Monroe County and that was lifted on June 1st. We've visited twice since then. The governor allowed the roadblock to happen but I don't think he was too supportive of it.

Most of our favorite restaurants have been open throughout. Some bars have obtained food licenses and reopened already, but all bars can reopen starting tomorrow 9/14.
 

MommaBear

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Thank you! So Beach house has a shuttle, good to know. Is there a real beach there? In the pictures it looks like a bay with a little bit of sand for entry.
It's a tiny little beach, I much preferred the pools. When we went in May, the sunset from the property was beautiful
 

starzim

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Trying to exchange through II to go to Hyatt Residence Club Sunset Harbor or Centric Resort and Spa in October 2021, having no luck. I know that is a popular month in KW, are there any other nice TS close to the Hyatt's that anyone has stayed at?

Thanks
 

Pathways

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Trying to exchange through II to go to Hyatt Residence Club Sunset Harbor or Windward Point in October 2021

You will have zero success as October 2021 is not yet available in the Hyatt system. Also, October is not a particularly popular month in KW
 

JustynaC

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Trying to exchange through II to go to Hyatt Residence Club Sunset Harbor or Centric Resort and Spa in October 2021, having no luck. I know that is a popular month in KW, are there any other nice TS close to the Hyatt's that anyone has stayed at?

Thanks
There are other Hyatt timeshares in Key West, just not as close to Duval Street, so if that is what you are looking for, The Galleon comes to mind, which is also close to Duval. I'm not sue if it trades through II. I think it may be RCI. Also, check the rentals listed here on TUG or Redweek. It will give you an idea of the timeshares that are on Key West. I own at Sunset Harbor, so I always stay there.
 

IslandTime

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You will have zero success as October 2021 is not yet available in the Hyatt system. Also, October is not a particularly popular month in KW
Actually the October week when Fantasy Fest is held is an extremely popular week in Key West, second only to hell week (the time between Christmas and New Year's).
 

starzim

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There are other Hyatt timeshares in Key West, just not as close to Duval Street, so if that is what you are looking for, The Galleon comes to mind, which is also close to Duval. I'm not sue if it trades through II. I think it may be RCI. Also, check the rentals listed here on TUG or Redweek. It will give you an idea of the timeshares that are on Key West. I own at Sunset Harbor, so I always stay there.
We usually stay in Margaritaville but we like Hyatt Sunset and being close to Mallory Sq. Thanks!
 

IslandTime

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We usually stay in Margaritaville but we like Hyatt Sunset and being close to Mallory Sq. Thanks!
We love the location of HSH. We haven't stayed at Margaritaville since it was rebranded from Westin, but always liked staying there then. I just looked in II and they're showing the Galleon, which surprised me. I think it used to be only RCI. You might have better luck trading in there since it's a larger property than Sunset Harbor. Another one to try is The Banyan. It's not on the water but it's not far from that area. Hyatt Centric is actually a resort hotel, not a timeshare. Good luck!
 

Pathways

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Actually the October week when Fantasy Fest is held is an extremely popular week in Key West

Agree - but that's a 'week', not the month of October. And as someone who rents out my units every year for Fantasy Fest, I can tell you there is always good availability Sun-Wed of that week. Thurs-Sun are the only nights I would label 'extremely popular'.
 

Fitzriley

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We are heading down in about 3 weeks as well and staying at sunset harbor. does anyone know if there are restrictions for using the pool?
 

Papa2015

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Just returned last night after a week at The Galleon. We had a wonderful stay there- our first time, using an RCI exchange ( we were lucky- came open the week before). We had a beautiful 2 bdrm water/pool view. Don’t know about any restrictions at Sunset Harbor, but there were no pool restrictions at our place.
We checked in on Saturday, the 19th and all bars and restaurants were open at limited capacity, with tables and bar stool separated . No standing at bars were allowed. These rules were strictly enforced, as least at the restaurants and bars we visited. Then.... Friday happened. Governor removed such restrictions as far as distancing and occupancy went, no fines for not wearing masks. Duval street was full of party-goers, with more people not wearing face masks than were, but honestly, it was that way last week also. Bars were crowded, people in groups huddled together..
Key West is back.
Have a wonderful time. But, be safe!!
 

Fitzriley

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Spent last week at Sunset Harbor in Key West. Stayed in our unit and all was fine. Masks are required in the main building for check in but no where else. Restrictions at the pool were limited to allowing only 26 in the pool at a time, but we never even got close to that amount. Most restaurants were opened and required masks to go inside and were ok to remove once you were at your table. If you needed to move around the restaurant, you needed a mask. Same restrictions as in NY. LaTeDa dining appeared the same as most seats are already outside, Blackfin was limited inside dining but has an outdoor patio and was fine. Half Shell, Latitudes, Conch Republic, all seemed fine. Wahlburgers has opened there and we tried it, inside dining. Seemed fine. Eaton Street Seafood still serves the best lobster rolls and we kayaked out of Hurricane Hole because Geiger Key kayaking was closed the day we went up. Fort Zachary Taylor beach was beautiful although I should have brought water shoes to make it over the coral to the water. Next time!

The only time I felt uncomfortable was on Duval on weekend nights as the crowd was loud, drunk and unmasked. We stayed away and were fine. No bars as they seemed risky (and not our thing anyway so no loss there).

Instead of flying this year from NY, we drove. Took about 32 hours down, longer home. Not sure I would do that again.....The benefit to the drive was we drove our Tesla and the ride was great. Lots of superchargers all the way, last one in Marathon. And the Hyatt parking is in the Margaritaville garage, which had EV charging available for free. So that was a great find.

Almost cancelled this trip, but after cancelling everything else this year we decided to go and I was glad we did.
 

KProuty

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I have a request in for some Key West resorts but not Sunset Harbor because I read a review on Trip Advisor that said it only had stairs from parking. My husband has a scooter. Does anyone know if this is correct?
 

IslandTime

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It's a parking garage so there is a sloped ramp where the cars drive on to get to the upper levels. We've also walked down that ramp before when we parked near the middle of it so he could probably use the scooter on that? Also, I'm not positive, but I do think they have handicapped parking on the lower level.
 

KProuty

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Thank you, @IslandTime. I may just add it to our ongoing search. I have the other two Westins in it now, plus the Galleon, all through II. We are not big partiers and have only been to the Keys once on a cruise, but my husband is very keen to visit for a longer period of time.
 

KProuty

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Thank you, @IslandTime. I may just add it to our ongoing search. I have the other two Westins in it now, plus the Galleon, all through II. We are not big partiers and have only been to the Keys once on a cruise, but my husband is very keen to visit for a longer period of time.
Meant to say the other two Hyatts.

We got a Hyatt Beach House match! Hubby is excited for our first time there. Open to any tips!
 
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