Coconut Cay Resort & Marina

We spent a week here, and I never noticed any sewage smell on the property. All I smelled was the Keys' salty air. There is an airport, and a few tiny planes flew over for 10-30 seconds, but that wasn't a big deal. If that's a problem for you, stay at Casa Marina for $1,400 a night. Coconut Cay was clean, safe, and a good value for staying in the Keys without spending $$$$ on a room. It's a no-frills hotel, and I'd absolutely stay again. They even have laundry onsite for $5. The location worked really well: Publix is nearby, they just built a huge new SurfSide store, and Key West is less than an hour away. Parking was a little challenging, but manageable. We also got upgraded at no cost. I was here with a family member for spearfishing. The room looked nice, was very clean, and had a new TV and a mini-fridge for cold drinks. The bathroom had what we needed, a sink, shower, and fan. Beds were extremely comfortable, with extra pillows, and rooms were cleaned daily. The canal behind the property is a nice spot to sit at sunset with a cigar or have a small lunch.

The room was spacious, and the staff were friendly and ready to help. We were pleasantly surprised to get a complimentary upgrade. Behind the property there's a pond where you can spot wildlife, including manatees, which made for a relaxing setting. The shared areas were well looked after, with lounge chairs for guests. For the price, it felt like very good value.

We had a great four-night stay. The room was spacious, clean, and looked newly renovated, with a mini-fridge and freezer, coffee maker, and big-screen smart TVs. We watched Netflix on the TV. The bed and pillows were comfortable and clean. Out front, our porch had two big cottage chairs and a table, nice for drinks or a smoke. Smoking isn't allowed indoors, which is good. The windows open all the way if you'd rather have a breeze than use the AC. At the back canal we saw a few manatees and lots of pelicans. You can fish there or nearby, and there's a ramp on the property for small boats and kayaks. If your boat is on a trailer, you can tie it up at the dock. There are plenty of free parking spaces, but register your car and display the permit on your mirror or dashboard. Coconut Cay is right on Overseas Highway US1, so it's easy to find. It's also pretty much in the middle of the Keys, which made it a great base for us. Marathon is my favorite key for that reason. Bahia Honda beach is close, Key West is about an hour south, and Key Largo is around an hour and 15 minutes north. Lots of places to visit are nearby. Dunkin donuts is across the street for coffee and breakfast, and gas stations and mini markets are just minutes away. The staff were friendly. My one small gripe is that Expedia showed a canal view for the room I booked, but it didn't actually have one. It wasn't a big deal, though if you're booking through a third party I'd check Coconut Cay's own website to see what the room looks like and where it's located.

The AC felt far from the bed, which could be inconvenient on warmer days. I visited at Christmas, though, so it didn't bother me much. Otherwise we had a great time. It's budget friendly, there are free bikes and kayaks, and the staff are very friendly. I especially want to mention Jocelyn Rochon for her help. She was so welcoming and took care of every little thing we needed. It's a wonderful place in a city closer to Key West without being as expensive. There are amazing restaurants and parks around. My wife and I really enjoyed it.