Rhea S.
Yelp
Some of these reviews puzzle me. The Coconut Palm is not a luxury hotel, nor is it a business-class hotel. It bills itself as a "beachfront hideaway" and on that point, it delivers. Yes, the wi-fi (while free) was quite slow on my laptop, but I wasn't there to work. If people are planning a working vacation, then I would suggest going to one of the larger chain hotels in Key Largo. These places are better suited to serve business travelers. The Coconut Palm is equipped to help you relax - and it does that well. As for the price, I looked at other accommodations around Key Largo and Coconut Palm seemed no different, price-wise, than what else was out there. The Keys are a popular vacation spot, and naturally prices reflect that.
The Keys are technically islands, and if you've traveled around islands much, you'll know that resources often come at a premium. Don't expect the same amenities in Key West as you might get from Miami or Sarasota, in other words. The Coconut Palm does not bill itself as a B&B either, so don't expect a sumptuous hot breakfast. (There IS breakfast, and while it is attractively arranged outside, it is basically an array of store-brought breads, oatmeal, fruit, coffee and tea.) There are kitchens, though, if you'd like to do some cooking for yourself. We only stayed one night and this was not something I took advantage of...but, after reading one particular review, I looked at the cookware offered and it seemed to be in good condition.
OK, with all that out of the way, I give the Coconut Palm a solid four stars - the great location keeps it from being three stars, otherwise. Our unit was clean but there were some small things that kept us from getting a great night of sleep. #1, I agree that the mattresses are too soft, likely from age. #2, we both woke up at different times to the sound of faint drumming. I realized that this was the plumbing, and each time someone in the building flushed the toilet, this faint drumming sound would last for a few minutes...and then stop. I used ear plugs and that helped a bit.
If we'd stayed longer, it might have become an issue, but for the one day/night we were there, the Coconut Palm was great. We spent all day on the grounds, using the pool, reading in the hammock and then sitting on the dock to watch the sun set. There are kayaks and paddleboards for guests to use. As for the boat ramp, I saw no more than two boats use it during my time there - it wasn't a noise nuisance. There are weddings on the grounds and I can see why - it's a lovely spot. As for the comment about it being in a residential neighborhood, I'm not sure why that's a bad thing. There isn't a restaurant I saw within walking distance, but there are places that do take-out and delivery. We picked up a pizza (Upper Crust Pizza, really good) and ate it on our patio.
I was a bit disappointed that the Coconut Palm's waterfront doesn't have a great swimming beach, but that could be said for the Keys in general. It was definitely relaxing, though. We didn't need to consult with the front office much, but found the employees helpful and friendly. Bottom line: if you want an easy-going, relaxing vibe, I give the Coconut Palm two big thumbs up. If you go, please don't knock the CP for being something it's not trying to be in the first place. There are other hotels in the Key Largo area and this small hideaway may not be the place for everyone.