Inspiration Hotels The Best Key West Beachfront Hotels Pier House Resort & Spa is our top choice in this island paradise By Christina Liao Updated on 05/21/22 Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. With its free-spirited nature and high-low vibes, Key West’s hotels reflect the city’s come-as-you-are attitude. Whether you want to splurge on a private island stay or cozy up in a motel near all the action, there’s a lodging option to fit your style. The southernmost city in the United States is closer to Cuba than it is to Miami, imbuing it with culture and a sense of relaxation that the Caribbean is regarded for. Explore the lively Duval Street, dive into the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S., or relax on the white sand beaches—there’s truly something for everyone. Read on for our expert list of the best beachfront and water-facing hotels in Key West. The 7 Best Key West Beachfront Hotels of 2022 Best Overall: Pier House Resort & Spa Best Budget: Blue Marlin Motel Best for Families: Barbary Beach House Key West Best for Luxury: Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort Best Boutique: The Marker Key West Best Private Island Stay: Sunset Key Cottages Best Marina Stay: The Perry Hotel Key West The Best Key West Beachfront Hotels View All The Best Key West Beachfront Hotels Pier House Resort & Spa Blue Marlin Motel Barbary Beach House Key West Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort The Marker Key West Sunset Key Cottages The Perry Hotel Key West Final Verdict Compare Hotels Methodology Best Overall : Pier House Resort & Spa Courtesy of Pier House Resort & Spa See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Set on the northern end of Duval Street, Pier House Resort & Spa provides guests with a convenient location at a reasonable price. Pros & Cons Pros Direct access to a small private beach Private balconies or patios with garden or ocean views Located on the northern end of Duval Street Cons $49 daily resort fee Some accommodations have dated decor Description A Key West icon, Pier House Resort & Spa opened in 1967 and has welcomed esteemed guests like Truman Capote and the Rockefellers. Today, it continues to be a favorite among vacationers for its location right on the water on the northern end of Duval Street. Just close enough to all of the action on the island’s main drag, it also feels just far enough removed that you still can enjoy a tranquil getaway. Some rooms are more dated than others, but many have a private balcony where guests can take in the Gulf of Mexico. The property also offers guests an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, a private white sand beach, and great dining options. Make sure to stop by Chart Room Bar, where Jimmy Buffet and Bob Marley got their starts. Notable Amenities Outdoor poolPrivate beachComplimentary self-parking Best Budget : Blue Marlin Motel Blue Marlin Motel See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Just a short walk from the beach, Blue Marlin Motel is as close as you’ll get to the ocean without having to break the bank. Pros & Cons Pros All rooms have a refrigerator and microwave A block away from Duval Street Cons No on-site restaurant No direct beach access, (but just a short walk away) Dated decor Description Key West on a budget can be rather difficult, and wallet-friendly hotels by the water just don’t exist. But Blue Marlin Motel gets you as close to the ocean as possible without having to break the bank on accommodations. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but it’s just a short walk to the beach and one block over from Duval Street. The property also has an outdoor pool, and each room has a refrigerator and microwave. Notable Amenities Outdoor poolComplimentary continental breakfast Best for Families : Barbary Beach House Key West Barbary Beach House Key West See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Located right across from Smathers Beach and with daily scheduled activities for kids, Barbary Beach House Key West is the ideal post for a family vacation. Pros & Cons Pros Complimentary daily activities for kids Steps away from Smathers Beach Free shuttle service to and from downtown and the airport Cons $48+ daily resort fee No on-site spa Description When it comes to traveling with kids, having enough activities to keep them busy is key, and Barbary Beach House Key West offers just that. With a daily schedule of events that includes campfire stories with s’mores, a seashell scavenger hunt, and pool games, they’ll have plenty to do when they’re not playing in the sand at Smathers Beach. Complimentary treats also are plentiful at the resort, such as poolside smoothies and popsicles as well as fresh-baked cookies in the lobby every afternoon. Just make sure their appetite isn’t too spoiled for a meal at the all-day Drifter’s Cove Restaurant. Once everyone is ready to retire after a day of fun in the sun, head up to well-appointed accommodations with a salvage-inspired design featuring worn wood and a neutral palette. Notable Amenities Outdoor pool with a waterfallDaily poolside and lobby refreshmentsComplimentary self-parkingComplimentary kids activitiesComplimentary use of non-motorized watersports equipmentDowntown and airport shuttle service Best for Luxury : Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort Courtesy of Casa Marina Resort See Rates on Skylark.com Why We Chose It The landmark Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, sits on Key West’s largest private beach. Pros & Cons Pros Sits on Key West’s largest private beach Majority of the accommodations have ocean views Children under 16 stay for free staying in parents' room Cons $45+ daily resort fee $35 valet fee per night $30 self-parking fee per night Description Since opening on New Year's Eve in 1920, Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, has played host to notable guests from Ernest Hemingway to Helen Mirren. The art deco landmark was designed by the same architects behind the New York Public Library and holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Accommodations are sparsely decorated, but the majority boast large picture windows and ocean views. The crown jewel of the property is the 1,100-foot private beach that it sits on, the largest in Key West. Guests also can relax by two outdoor pools where they’ll be spoiled with full service, including eucalyptus towels and popsicles that are brought around to sunbathers. For some extra pampering, head over to the spa where you can enjoy your treatment indoor or outdoors. There also are four food and beverage options, including an alfresco bar and grill. Should you want a change of scenery, transportation and access to sister property the Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton, can be arranged. Notable Amenities Private beachTwo outdoor poolsWatersports rentalsBike rentals Best Boutique : The Marker Key West The Marker Key West See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It While most waterfront hotels in Key West have more than 100 rooms, the 96-key Marker is as intimate as it gets. Pros & Cons Pros All rooms feature balconies, walk-in showers, and soaking tubs Live music by the pool every Wednesday through Sunday Complimentary introductory scuba classes Tuesday through Thursday Cons $48 daily resort fee $30 self-parking fee per night No direct beach access Description The Marker Key West made a splash when it opened in 2014 as the area’s first new build in more than two decades. Now, following a multi-million dollar renovation, it’s better than ever. Nestled within Old Town along the harbor, the hotel’s conch-style architecture is a nod to Key West. The accommodations, swathed in white and bright blue, feature sliding French doors, walk-in showers, soaking tubs, and furnished balconies overlooking the water or the property’s lush gardens. Despite the hotel’s relatively small size, there’s a trio of palm-tree-lined pools, one of which is reserved just for adults, allowing plenty of space for guests to spread out and unwind. When hunger strikes, head over to Starboard Restaurant & Bar for some waterfront dining and daily happy hour. Notable Amenities Three outdoor poolsLive entertainmentComplimentary introductory scuba classesBike rentals Best Private Island Stay : Sunset Key Cottages Courtesy of Sunset Key Cottages See Rates on Skylark.com Why We Chose It Located on a 27-acre island just off the coast of the mainland, Sunset Key Cottages boasts spacious accommodations and its own exclusive beach. Pros & Cons Pros Ample space and privacy Exclusive beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas Complimentary 24-hour boat transportation to and from the mainland Cons $250 daily resort fee Parking is expensive and inconvenient Spa closed on Saturday and Sundays Description Just a skip away from the mainland, Sunset Key Cottages is sprawled across a lush 27-acre island. Accommodations come in the form of spacious one- to four-bedroom cottages with private verandas, full kitchens, and breakfast baskets filled with freshly baked pastries and fruit delivered to your porch every morning. The pastel-hued buildings are surrounded by verdant gardens dotted with jasmine and frangipani trees. Enjoy the resort’s very own exclusive beach, lounge by the pool, book an excursion on the water, or unwind at the spa. For those who like to remain active, there’s a 24-hour gym in addition to beach yoga on Saturday mornings and two tennis courts. While you easily can hop into town for a bite via the property’s private launch, don’t miss out on a delectable meal highlighting locally sourced seafood at the property’s award-winning Latitudes, where you can also enjoy a complimentary rum tasting every afternoon. Notable Amenities Private beachOutdoor pool with two jacuzzis and a waterfallTwo tennis courtsComplimentary breakfast basketsDaily ice cream treatsComplimentary Saturday morning beach yoga Best Marina Stay : The Perry Hotel Key West The Perry Hotel Key West See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It The naval-inspired Perry Hotel Key West on the southern end of Stock Island has an on-site, 288-slip marina that’s perfect for boaters. Pros & Cons Pros An on-site, 288-slip marina Complimentary scheduled shuttle service to Old Town and Higgs Beach Complimentary training classes at the on-site F45 gym Cons $47 daily resort fee No on-site spa Description One of the newer properties in the area, the Perry Hotel Key West is located on neighboring Stock Island and boasts an on-site, 288-slip marina. Guests easily can rent a spot to park their boat just a few steps away from their room. All of the spacious accommodations boast private balconies with water views and coastal-inspired furnishings while some have the added bonus of an open-air shower. The contemporary hotel also boasts several other desirable amenities, including two heated outdoor pools, an F45 gym with complimentary training classes (high-intensity group workouts), a free scheduled shuttle to and from Old Town and Higgs Beach, and an on-site scooter, bike, and Arcimoto electric vehicle rentals. When hunger strikes, there are four food and beverage outlets to choose from, three of which are dockside so you can enjoy the calming vista while noshing on fresh seafood. Notable Amenities Two outdoor poolsF45 gymOutdoor fire pitsComplimentary shuttle serviceComplimentary self-parkingTwo dog parks Final Verdict Whether you want to jazz things up or keep it casual in Key West, there’s a hotel for you. For more luxurious digs, splurge on a room at Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, where you’ll be spoiled with the city’s largest beach, or indulge on a private island stay at Sunset Key Cottages. If you plan on spending most of your time on a boat, consider the Perry Hotel Key West, which has a 288-slip marina right at its doorstep. Families will love the bevy of activities offered at Barbary Beach House Key West while those seeking something a little more intimate should take a look at the Marker Key West. If you want to be near all the action on Duval Street, Pier House Resort & Spa has you covered while those traveling on a budget will appreciate Blue Marlin Motels’ convenient location and wallet-friendly pricing. Compare the Best Key West Beachfront Hotels Property Rates Resort Fee No. of Rooms Free Wi-Fi Pier House Resort & Spa Best Overall $$ $49 142 Yes Blue Marlin Motel Best Budget $ None 57 Yes Barbary Beach House Key West Best for Families $$$ $48 184 Yes Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort Best for Luxury $$$$ $45 311 Yes The Marker Key West Best Boutique $$ $48 96 Yes Sunset Key Cottages Best Private Island Stay $$$$ $250 40 Yes The Perry Hotel Key West Best Marina Stay $$ $47 100 Yes How We Chose These Hotels We evaluated more than a dozen hotels that either were beachfront or waterfront in Key West and on nearby islands before settling on the best for the chosen categories. Notable amenities, pricing, quality of service, and recent openings all were taken into consideration. In determining this list, we evaluated numerous customer reviews and considered whether the property has collected any accolades in recent years. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! 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