Kim H.
Yelp
First the basics, there is a $25 valet fee, a lot for the slow service getting your car. Except for the lobby, everything else is outside. There are no inside hallways etc.
The welcome staff & "bellhop/valet" were very nice. The problem is you pay top $ thinking you're getting a 4-star hotel & it winds up being in understaffed broke down motel. Andy was the only bell hop &valet most nights. That means that when you pull up there's nobody to take your bags up & u wait 30 minutes. It means every time you need your car, you have to wait, not at all his fault.
The pool has a beautiful view but it is like swimming in a bathtub, about 98 degrees. There is limited seating, but a great view for the sunset.
We had an ocean front view, allegedly. There was a large tree blocking our view so they charged us for oceanfront but we could barely see the ocean. The room is dated, very dated, very golden girls 1990s.
The air-conditioner never really worked that well, it is not because it is so hot in Key West, we live in Florida and air conditioners can get your room pretty cold if they're not broke down and cheap and have been maintained well. The room did not cool down to a temperature that I like until the middle of every night.
Our room had a shower of that leaked, even though the water was draining, almost as much went down the drain that went outside of the shower so when you stepped out even on to your towel it was a dangerous slippery mess. The solution I had for that was to have the housekeeper leave us an abundance of towels to lay across the floor so I did not break my neck.
The concierge staff was fantastic, they set us up with an excursion and a golf cart rental, although if I'm being honest there is a place that is a mile away and half the price but they seem to have a tie to this Hydro place which will cost you more. It's well worth calling the other place to ensure that you save 50%.
The roosters! Nobody may tell you about the roosters. They start making noise at 5 AM, the staff is very aware that they will keep you up. I went down to see if there was another room after the first night and the woman at the desk acted genuinely surprised that I could hear the roosters but then very quickly reach down into her drawer to grab two sets of earplugs. This is apparently the solution for the roosters that cock-a-doodle-doo out your window every morning.
I did have a problem with our neighbor who thought we were too loud one morning, I had an argument with my teenager which apparently nobody has ever had before, and they called a noise complaint at 9 in the morning, I thought it was laughable, clearly something only a very extra person would do. The hotel staff didn't know who called and when they arrived of course they heard nothing and had to ask each room who called, An intelligent staff member would've just walked away and realize there was no real issue. I was quite agitated, considering how much I paid to stay there for 5 nights over a holiday. I do not appreciate a disheveled maintenance man showing up trying to lecture me.
I called to speak to the manager to let them know that I thought it was inappropriate and I got a man on the phone, Trevor or Travis, I honestly don't even remember, after being there three nights I have never met him. He told me if I didn't like it and couldn't fall the rules to leave. Dead serious, that was his initial and only reaction. Needless to say we left, there was absolutely nothing about this rundown motel that would make me stay at the price I was paying and put up with that kind of rudeness.
Bottom line, The Margaritaville hotel, which we went to check out, was much nicer, much more inviting and professional. They have a very large staff. Pier 1 is right next-door, has a private beach, is about the same price, and is far more inviting, clean, and friendly. I would recommend you stay at either one. I would not recommend paying the price for this motel.