Hilton Key West Resort & Marina

We loved our stay and felt the price was reasonable for the resort’s quality. The landscaping is lovely, and soft music around the grounds gives the place a peaceful feel as you walk around. Our spacious room was beautiful, and we were offered an upgrade to an ocean-facing room in a quieter spot away from the restaurant and marina. That suited us perfectly after days spent bumming around Key West. Breakfast was tasty, and service was excellent in the restaurant and throughout the property. We were in Key West between Thanksgiving and Christmas, when the Keys tend to be quieter and rates often softer. Since we had an American Express Platinum card and wanted to use the $300 semi-annual hotel benefit before year-end, the two-night stay at Oceans Edge Resort made sense, and we were glad we chose it. Like resorts in Vegas, this one has resort and parking fees that can feel high. The resort fee includes some free perks, which are great if you have time to use them. We didn’t get to enjoy those.

The marina water was dirty, and the surrounding area felt industrial. We also found the property farther from Key West than expected, about 20 minutes out. There’s a shuttle every hour, which is helpful, but the distance is one reason we wouldn’t return. Our third-floor water-view room was nice, though the shower barely trickled and had some mold. That wasn’t pleasant at $600 a night. Checking out was worse: we thought Expedia had charged us in full, but apparently payment was due at the property. While we tried to reach Expedia to avoid being charged twice, manager Claudia was dismissive and smirked. We really disliked that attitude.

The shuttle was simple to use, and the drivers were friendly and knew their way around. They were happy to share tips for getting around downtown. We also had a great time with the paddle boards, and I’d recommend giving them a try. Drew at the excellent tiki hut was especially great. My girlfriend and I stayed three nights. Our room was clean and comfortable, with a balcony and a view we spent plenty of time enjoying. The pools were kept clean, and the resort is beautiful and relaxing. Staff were consistently kind and helpful. We ate at Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen most of the trip because the food was excellent, and it was convenient having it right on the property. We’d absolutely come back.

The shuttle is reliable and on time, but the other resorts nearby offer one too. There are lots of families with young kids here, so it may work well if you’re traveling with children. For a romantic, quiet getaway, though, I’m not sure this is the place. There’s a DJ playing the same beat by the pool right outside our room, and after two and a half hours the pool had emptied out. At least there were finally chairs, since there aren’t enough loungers for everyone. Towels weren’t being replenished either, so you need to get out early if you want a chair and towel. Our room is nice and spacious, but housekeeping didn’t come until we requested it, and then only did an okay job. The room explains how easy it is to tip them, so it would’ve been nice if they’d shown up on their own. We were ignored at the restaurant at breakfast and left after waiting 10-15 minutes to get food from the cafe instead. The gym was disappointing too. I have more free weights and equipment in my home gym.