Where to Stay in Key West For a Long Weekend
Key West accommodations aren’t cheap, and if you’re going to shell out that kind of money, you want to know you’re getting exactly what you’re looking for.
My friends have an RV and make the trip down to Key West every year, and when I joined them in July, I stayed at the campground with them instead of booking a hotel. But since RV camping isn’t really an option (or the vibe) for most people, I did the research on hotels so you don’t have to.
In this guide, I’m breaking down where to stay in Key West for a long weekend — which area actually makes sense for a short trip, six solid accommodation options for different budgets and travel styles, and what to know before you book.
Table of Contents
The Best Area to Stay in Key West for a Short Trip
Picking where to stay isn’t just about the room — it’s about matching your accommodation to how much time you have and how you want to get around.
Why Old Town Make Sense for a Long Weekend
Timing is such an important part of planning where to stay for a trip.
On a longer trip, you can be less particular, since it may not matter if transport eats into your travel time. But when you only have a few days to explore, it just makes sense to pick a place that’s central and convenient to the activities you have planned.
Old Town Key West provides exactly that. Since Old Town covers only 1-2 square miles, you can cover everything on foot and not even need a car!
Walking down Duval Street, taking the iconic photo at the Southernmost point of the US, learning about Hemingway, and even enjoying water activities — it can all be done from Old Town!
Need ideas for your long weekend itinerary? Check out this post on how to spend 3 activity-packed days in Key West →
When Does it Make Sense to Stay Outside of Old Town?
The main reason I’d suggest staying outside of Old Town is if you’re renting a car.
Because the island is so small, parking can be limited and typically isn’t free. So if you can go without a car in Key West, definitely stay in Old Town — but if you do have a car, it may make sense for you to stay a bit outside the city center.
Related: if you haven’t decided how you’re getting to Key West yet, How to Get to Key West breaks down flying, driving, and the ferry — worth a look before you lock in your car situation!
I’ve done my best to find and recommend accommodations that do have parking options, even in Old Town — but that doesn’t always mean it’s free or guaranteed.
Another reason to consider staying outside of Old Town is budget.
Key West accommodations aren’t cheap — even during off-peak season, you’ll be hard-pressed to find hotels under $150 per night. My friends and I camped in an RV in the summer, and it was close to $200 per night.
All of this to say: if you have a tighter budget for your Key West trip, staying outside of Old Town can free up more money to spend on activities once you’re there.
Top Accommodation Options in Key West
Now that you know the pros and cons of staying in Old Town, here are some tangible options for your trip.
I found five highly-rated options in Key West through research — each offering something different depending on the type of stay out want — plus the sixth option of camping, which is what I actually did for my own trip to Key West in July.
A quick note on how I picked these: said from Boyd’s Campground, where I stayed myself, these recommendations come from digging into reviews, ratings, and location details rather than personal stays. I only included places that consistently rated well and made sense for a short trip.
Azul Mansion: For a Central, Walkable Stay in Key West
Typical Price: Usually $400-$600 per night, but I was able to find some last-minute, off-peak rooms for closer to $300 per night.
Location: Old Town, just 3 blocks from Duval Street and a short walk to South Beach
Why it’s on the list: Not only does Azul Mansion have a prime Old Town location, it’s also adults-only, quiet, and a beautiful historic inn. Past guests have raved about the property and service — and surprisingly, this is one of the few Old Town stays with a free parking option.
Who this works best for: A room at Azul mansion would work best for a solo traveler or couple looking for a quiet, relaxing trip, since this is a smaller property without a ton of rooms.
✨ Each room of the Azul Mansion is listed separately, but I found that the Aria and Havana Vieja rooms had the best overall reviews.
Aria availability & pricing →
Havana Vieja availability & pricing →
Conch House: For Feeling Like You’re Staying in Ernest Hemingway’s House
Typical Price: $200-$300 during off-season, $500+ during peak season.
Location: Old Town, right next to the Hemingway House and Museum.
Why it’s on the list: This historic inn makes you feel like you’re living in Hemingway’s old house. It’s highly walkable, offers bike rentals and parking, includes breakfast.
Who this works best for: Someone looking for a central, historic stay. It’s not the most budget-friendly option, but you can typically find it at a lower price point than the Azul Mansion while still staying in Old Town.
H2O Suites: For a Relaxing, Resort-Style Weekend in Key West
Average Price: $300-$400 in the off-season, $600+ in peak season.
Location: Near the Southernmost Point and the Hemingway House.
Why it’s on the list: While many of the Key West stays feel historic and inn-like, H2O suites offers something different — it’s modern and sleek, walkable to excursions and restaurants, and has a standout staff!
Who this works best for: A solo traveler or couple looking for a modern, resort-style stay for the ultimate relaxing vacation. Get a room with a private pool for the most romantic getaway.
Hyatt Vacation Club: For a Group or Family Trip
Typical Price: $250-$300 in the low season, $500+ in high season.
Location: The southeastern corner of Key West, near the airport and about 3 miles from Duval Street.
Why it’s on the list: This property offers large, two-bedroom villas with fully equipped kitchens — perfect for a group. It also has bikes for hire, sand volleyball, shuffle board, DJ pool parties, and even an instructor-led water aerobics. Truly something for everyone.
Who this works best for: Family vacations or larger groups, since a single villa can sleep several guests across three beds in the two bedrooms. With all the activities and amenities on-site, there’s something for all ages.
A Houseboat: For a Unique Experience
Typical Price: $300-$400 per night.
Location: Stock island — a suburb of Key West with a free shuttle to Old Town.
Why it’s on the list: How many people can say they’ve spent the night on a houseboat? I sure can’t, and I thought this was such a unique option while Key West stays. Wake up to sea views and fall asleep under the stars — plus it’s part of a larger resort marina with a pool bar, fitness room, and live music.
Who this works best for: Someone who wants a different kind of Key West stay and is open to a mobile-home vibe rather than a luxury resort. This specific houseboat has two bedrooms and two bathrooms for a bit more space, but reviews suggest it’s not the best fit for taller travelers.
Check prices and availability for the 43′ Classic Trawler Houseboat →
Boyd’s Campground: For a More Budget-Friendly Option
Typical Price: Ranges from $65 for a primitive campsite in the off-season to over $300 for a waterfront RV site in peak season. You can see the full price list here.
Location: Also on Stock island, but a quick drive onto the main island and into Old Town.
Why it’s on the list: This is actually where I stayed on my own trip to Key West. My friends bring their RV down once a year and I joined them for a weekend in July. It was my first time in an RV, and I wasn’t totally sure what to expect — but the campground was nicely laid out with plenty of amenities, and I’d RV camp here again.
My favorite part was walking around the campground in the evening and watching the sunset from the waterfront — it’s a small thing, but it made the whole trip feel more relaxed than I expected.
That said, I would not have been comfortable in a tent, at least not in July. Even right after showering in the campground bathrooms, I was immediately sticky again from the humidity, which is exactly why I lived for the AC in the RV and wouldn’t recommend camping here in the summer.
Who this works best for: Groups or families with an RV or camper van who want to stay near Key West for a more reasonable price. It could also work as a low-cost option in a tent, but seriously consider the time of year and weather before committing to tent camping here.
Which Key West Stay is Right for You?
At the end of the day, it comes down to the same trade-off we started with: Old Town gets you walkability and puts everything within reach, but it comes at a higher price point and limited (or non-free) parking.
Staying outside of Old Town, whether that’s Stock Island or somewhere else on the island, saves you money and hassle with parking, but you’ll be relying on a short drive to get to the main action.
If you’re short on time and want to spend it exploring instead of commuting, lean toward Old Town. If you’re traveling with a car or watching your budget, one of the Stock Island options is worth the extra few minutes of travel.
Once you’ve picked your stay, the next step is figuring out how to actually spend your weekend. Check out my 3 Day Key West Itinerary for an activity-by-activity breakdown, including which tours are worth booking.
CTA further into the funnel
🏝️ Check Out My Other Key West Posts
Here are all my related posts to help you plan without overthinking things:
3 Days in Key West: The Perfect Long Weekend Itinerary
3 Ways to Get to Key West: Which is Best For You?
Is July a Good Time to Visit Key West? Weather, Crowds, Costs & What to Do
I Took Fury’s Key West Snorkel Tour Twice — Was It Worth It?
My Key West Jet Ski Tour Review: Zooming Around the Island with Fury Adventures
Where to Stay in Key West For a Long Weekend
