Duval Street in Key West, FL

Over the summer, I had written a post about the Sheraton Suites in Key West, Florida while doing research for my upcoming wedding. I thought I had it all figured out – until I came across the Doubletree Grand Key Resort in Key West. This place has a lot to offer, too, and they offered us an even better group rate. So, planner that I am, I had to come up with a list comparing to two to help make my decision – and hopefully it’ll help you decide between the two as well!

Doubletree Grand Key – The Good

THE SHUTTLE – it  holds about 40 people, and there is more than one, so there is no trouble getting to downtown Key West, which is about 3 miles away. The shuttle has four drop-off points, too – one at Smathers Beach, one at the Butterfly Conservatory and one at Conch Republic Seafood – and to the airport, too.

THE AQUARIUM – The hotel has an aquarium right on the premises!

THE POOL – the pool is a zero-entry pool, and the entire pool area is currently being renovated (come back in November to see how it looks!)

THE LOCATION – If you’re you’re looking for a quieter location that’s removed from crazy Duval Street, you’ve found it.

Doubletree Grand Key – The Bad

THE LOCATION – So, this is good and bad. It’s not right across the street from Smathers Beach, and it’s about three miles from downtown, so you either have to take the shuttle, cab or drive it.

RENOVATIONS – the hotel is nice, but is in need of some renovations and is not newly renovated like the Sheraton is. Rooms are on the smaller side, as well.

Sheraton Suites – THE GOOD

THE LOCATION – right across from Smathers Beach! It’s 2 miles outside of downtown, so it’s removed from all the craziness of Duval Street.

RENOVATIONS – they’re gorgeous! The hotel lobby looks very inviting and cool, and the rooms are beautifully redone.

ROOMS – they are HUGE. All are suits, and some can fit up to six people. Fridges, Starbucks coffee, couches that convert to beds, gigantic showers and granite countertops.

SHUTTLE – it drops off in one location downtown – the shuttle is small, but it’s nice to have so that you can avoid having to drive.

Sheraton Suites- THE BAD

THE SHUTTLE – yes, it’s nice to have, but it’s small and you have to reserve it really to make sure that you have space.

I couldn’t really think of anything else I didn’t care for at The Sheraton! Guess my decision is made.

Photo: Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar

Sheraton Suites Key West

I was super impressed by my stay at the Sheraton Suites in Key West, Florida this past weekend. First of all, the hotel is being completely remodeled, and they’ve done a really nice job. As soon as you walk in, it feels more like a W hotel than a Sheraton. You’re greeted by refreshing greens and blues, a waterfall wall and orchids placed throughout the lobby. The furniture is dark with clean lines, and the lobby is open and sunny.

The pool area was fine – the pool was a decent size, but there were lots of kids in it. It’s summer, and since the entire property is an all-suite hotel, the rooms are very popular with families.

Now, the best part: the rooms. I couldn’t believe how nice they were! I stayed in a room that had a King bed in one part and an L-shaped couch that pulled out into a Queen bed in the living room. Count them – there were TWO flat screen tv’s, a fridge, a microwave, Starbucks coffee in the room, a laundry basket in the bathroom, what appeared to be granite counter tops in the bathroom and a very large and comfortable common area.

I got a great deal and only paid $139/night, but you can snag rooms here year-round for $169 usually. Some of the rooms have two Queen beds in them, and with the pull-out couch in the living room, you could easily fit six people in there.

There’s a bar by the pool, where mixed drinks are $6-$8. Food by the pool (chicken tenders, salads and such) are a bit pricey, but that’s to be expected. There’s often live entertainment by the pool, too.

Mallory Square in Key West

One of the best parts about this hotel is that it’s right across the street from Smather’s Beach. There’s a free shuttle, too, that leaves every hour for downtown. It drops you off not far from Mallory Square.

I’d definitely stay here again. I’m having a hard time coming up with things to complain about. The only thing is perhaps the pool – I wish there were more than one and that there weren’t so many kids. But, what can you do.

**Please know that for some reason, the pictures on the Sheraton Suites Key West website have not yet been updated to reflect the new renovations. The hotel is now a very modern-looking, fresh hotel with none of those “Key Westy” colors. ***

Photo Credits: Sheraton Suites Key West Website and SwiatekJ