Beach Front Motel

The pool was just right temperature-wise, and they cleaned it every morning during our stay. The place is older, but everything worked, and the room was thoroughly clean, from the windows and floor to the towels and comforters. Staff were friendly and welcoming from the moment we arrived. We got there before check-in, and the woman in the office let us leave our car there for several hours. The maintenance man kept busy and was polite, and the cleaning staff were happy to help when I asked for coffee or directions. It's oceanfront, though there isn't a beach there, and it's around four blocks from Dock St and maybe five from the beach park. The ice machine worked, the AC was cold, the bed was comfortable, and the shower had strong pressure and hot water. No complaints from me. I'd definitely recommend it.

The view and location are the only things that made the price seem remotely worthwhile. I paid $400 for two nights and regretted it. This feels like an $80.00-a-night place on the coast, nothing special and way overpriced. It's advertised online as a fine spot, but in person it was very different. The whole property needs major updating; everything looked dated except the air conditioners, which worked well. The beds and bathrooms were poor, there was no ice machine or pool towels, and while the pool itself was cool, clean, and OK, getting to it meant passing people I found unacceptable. People were also hanging around on the stairwell you have to use to reach your room. It looked like workers' children were spending time in the pool while their parents worked, so this wasn't somewhere I'd choose for a relaxing stay. If you're white trash, this is the place for you. I'm very disappointed and won't stay at the Beach Front again. I'd find somewhere else in Cedar key.

Cedar Key has a charming old Florida feel, a population of around 700, and some of the best views. Being there got my family and me thinking about exploring more of Florida. For getting around, rent a golf cart from the place the hotel recommends. It's fun and works well. The hotel is old, but it isn't run down. The people running it put in real effort to keep things nice. I even saw one of the women pulling weeds by hand. Everything worked as expected, it was clean, and we felt safe. Just don't come expecting a five-star resort, fancy amenities, or staff waiting on you at every beck and call.

Room 206 had a great water view, and the room was roomy and very clean. My only real complaint was the lack of blackout curtains. Dogs are welcome, and I found it a great place to unwind. Getting in is a bit different from checking into a Holiday Inn. First you have to locate the office, though there's a big sign, and inside it's about the size of a closet. The manager or owner, I'm not sure which, is a lovely woman working hard. They may sometimes be behind on getting rooms ready, so if she asks you to come back in an hour, try to be patient. She's bending over backwards to get you settled. Take the time to enjoy a meal and a cold beer in town. It's an island, chill. There are a few stairs up to 206, if that matters. I'll be back for that room.