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The Keys in Florida

G

Gramma5

TUG Member
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Jun 6, 2005
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Location
Venice Fl area
My daughter and extended inlaw family are planning a vacation in the Keys starting the day or so after Christmas. It won't be timeshare. There will be 4 families, one with 4, one with 3 and 2 other adults (father & daughter)
they are looking to rent at a resort or one large home on the water (6 bdrm minimum) or two condo's/or smaller houses next to each other. Must have water access and a pool. They want a very nice area with nearby activities for 3 children 11,9,7. She has looked at vrbo.com but is uncertain which Key would be best.
I would appreciate any suggestions for areas and places to stay on the Keys.
Thanks.
 
What do they want to do?

Do they want to snorkel, kayak or just play around a pool? The bigger question is what do they want to do? If the Checca Lodge was completely rebuilt, I would suggest this property - but it is not completed yet, but you may want to check out their web site to see what is rebuilt. They had a very inclusive resort and would be good for your needs - it is not cheap, very expensive, but also very beautiful, it is upper Keys. Upper to Middle Keys is kind of nice because of the closeness of John Penakemp Park - assuming that water sports are on your activity list.

But Lower Keys, including Key West has really cool museums and tours that will keep families happy - depends are exactly what you are looking for.
 
Sounds like the priority is finding the right place to stay. There is boating and fishing on every island and good diving close by. Going all the way to Key West offers the most to do and probably the most selection for finding the right rental.
 
I suggest that you concentrate your searches on Marathon. Its close enuff to Bahia Honda SP and Key West that you could easily do day trips there, less expensive and yet, cosmopolitan enuff that that you'll have a good choice of activities, including snorkel trips and charters. It also has a GA airstrip from which you can do air-tours.

IMHO, Key Largo and Pennekamp SP, while worth a stop and tour, doesn't really give you that "end of the world" feeling like you get from the lower keys.
 
I own 2 weeks of TS at the Topsider resort in Islamorada http://www.topsiderresort.com/home.html, lower matecumbe key to be exact. It consists of 20 individual freestanding 2 bedroom units. Not luxurious but keys quaint, they have a good fishing pier, pool/hot tub, tennis court, bicycles and kayaks included. It is a 20 minute drive to Marathon and slightly more to Pennekamp and an hour and a half to key west. Units 1 and 11 are the best as they are directly on the bay and rent for a little bit more than the others. The key colony beach area at Marathon is also nice but I don't know much about lodging in that area. Islamorada has some of the best restaurants in the keys, theater of the sea and a large sportfishing fleet but upper, middle and lower keys all have their own personality so its a tough choice.
 
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silverfox82 said:
I own 2 weeks of TS at the Topsider resort in Islamorada http://www.topsiderresort.com/home.html, lower matecumbe key to be exact. It consists of 20 individual freestanding 2 bedroom units. Not luxurious but keys quaint, they have a good fishing pier, pool/hot tub, tennis court, bicycles and kayaks included. It is a 20 minute drive to Marathon and slightly more to Pennekamp and an hour and a half to key west. Units 1 and 11 are the best as they are directly on the bay and rent for a little bit more than the others. The key colony beach area at Marathon is also nice but I don't know much about lodging in that area. Islamorada has some of the best restaurants in the keys, theater of the sea and a large sportfishing fleet but upper, middle and lower keys all have their own personality so its a tough choice.
Click to expand...

I'd second Islamorada. I stayed there for a night at the Hampton Inn and went diving from Marathon the next day after doing 2 nights in Key Largo. Islamorada is central in the keys, has lots to do and see, is PRETTY and relaxing.
 
Thank you for all the replies. They are looking at Marathon Key right now and checking out vrbo ads. Is anyone familiar with the Key Colony Beach area there? There are some very nice rentals in that area.
 
KCB was the first place I stayed in the keys in the 70's. It actually has some of the only "real" beaches in the keys. It's at the northern border of Marathon at the end of the KCB causeway, nice area with marinas and restaurants but not much else without driving, but thats true of most of the keys.
 
Marathon is a larger key then some of the others and as previously posted does have a beach. It would be a nice spot as it is a good base for a day trip down to Key West. It is going to be pretty quiet at night, and it lacks a little of the "funky" charm of Key West, but it may be a very good option for your families. It does have a four lane Highway on most of this Key, so keep this in mind when looking at VRBO rentals. Key Colony is quieter and you should be happy there -

When are you going?
 
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Hawks Cay is wonderful

We love Hawks Cay, again very expensive and if you are looking for Dec 26, 2009 - I would book as soon as possible. If you are using VRBO, the best bargains may already be booked. It is possible to book via VRBO in Hawks Cay due to many of the units being individually owned. Hawks Cay would provide your family with the actives for the kids, with kid programs and it is a beautiful resort. I would second that suggestion as long as it is in the budget.
 
That is probably one of the most expensive weeks in the Keys - are the ready for sticker shock? -:)
 
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