The Mansion On The Sea

What made our visit to The Southernmost House/Mansion on the Sea stand out was the welcoming, attentive staff. They clearly cared about making the stay feel special, and we felt valued and at home the whole time. The property was spotless and comfortable, from the grounds and common areas to the rooms, and everything looked beautifully cared for. We had stunning ocean views, with the water right outside when we woke up. It’s a peaceful, scenic spot that’s still close enough to enjoy all of Key West. We can’t wait to return.

This hotel has just 12 units, and the pool was usually empty. It’s beautiful, with the ocean right there. There’s also a bar and cafe, but they close too early. They should stay open until 11 pm, since so many people came by looking for drinks or food after 8. The continental breakfast had nice food and pastries and kept us going until dinner. There’s a lot of history here. Great place to stay, a must!

We had a great five-day visit and were glad this was on the quieter end of Duval Street. The beach is close, and the ocean views, sunrises, and sunsets were gorgeous. Shops were easy to reach on foot, and for farther outings we could catch the trolley at a stop across the street. The heated pool was nice and never crowded. The light breakfast was handy, though the pastries and cereal were exactly the same every day. The fresh strawberries and blueberries were good. Our third-floor room had a few drawbacks: TV reception was poor in the evenings, and we couldn’t cast or stream to the TVs. Since I was nearly five months pregnant, climbing the stairs was tiring after about two and a half flights. I understand an old historic home isn’t a suitable place for an elevator.

We spent two nights in this fabulous mansion and loved its fun, quirky feel. The cafe food was good. The only real letdown was the weather: it was wet at times and quite cold on our last night, but that happens. The porters carried our two bags from the car to the room and expected $10 to $20. As someone from Australia, maybe I’m out of touch with US tipping, but I thought it would be a couple of dollars per bag.