Courtyard by Marriott Key Largo

We picked this place for the points we had, but I wouldn’t pay its daily rate. It costs more than the resort we’re staying at this week. The room was fine, the beds comfortable, and the front desk staff cordial. There’s a mini fridge and coffee maker, but no microwave. Our first floor room near the lobby wasn’t ideal for sleeping in: the market pantry staff setting up breakfast sounded loud, and being close to the kitchen meant we could hear and smell everything. The pool and marina balcony view were nice. Though the pool is supposed to close at 11, guests had a loud party well past then, and the outdoor area seems to amplify noise. Traffic was just background noise, not too bad. There’s no restaurant or bar on site; the closest is across the marina, reachable by walking around and through the Holiday Inn. Plenty of parking, and it’s pet friendly.

The room was spotless, and the lady kindly upgraded us to a balcony room overlooking the marina. We slept well in the comfortable beds and pillows, and the bathroom was very clean. The shower had nice hot water, though the pressure was low. Parking is free, with a few covered spaces, and there’s a nice pool and backyard. It was 60 degrees with drizzle, so we skipped the pool. There’s a small cafeteria on the main level, but it wasn’t for us. We walked across to Circle K in the morning for hot and cold breakfast items. The hotel sits right on Hwy 1 in Key Largo, which makes it a pleasant, comfortable stay for the area. Places in the Keys are expensive, and the price reflects the location. I do wish the room had a microwave; it did have a mini fridge.

The breakfast at the on-site café was a pleasant surprise, with plenty of choices and nicely prepared food. The breakfast sandwich and burrito could use a little more flavor. We chose this spot as Marriott members and because it was next to the scuba diving school that brought us to Key Largo. The pool here is small and there’s no hot tub, but guests can use the Holiday Inn facilities next door: two pools, one much bigger and nicer, plus a hot tub and a full tiki bar serving food. That was a great perk, and I used it every day.

The bistro downstairs is fantastic, thanks to the two young men who really take it up a notch. The lobby smells so good when you walk in. This place is super clean, and they’re always cleaning inside and out. I love that they take pride in the hotel. The rooms are decent, though the bathrooms are smaller because they’re older. The pool and walking area around the property are a must.