Coming to the Keys with the kids? The islands are a natural wonderland, and, despite Key West’s sometimes rowdy reputation, there are plenty of great things to do with kids in town. From beaches to boat tours, from the aquarium to museums, Key West is a pretty amazing place, no matter your age.
One of your first steps in planning a family island getaway will be finding the right place to stay. You aren’t lacking for choices, but you’ll want to shop around carefully. Some places are adults-only, while others allow kids but aren’t really what you’d call family-friendly.
Here’s a look at how to find the right kid-friendly hotels and resorts for your next family adventure in Key West.
Key West, FL Best Kid Friendly Hotels
Every family is looking for something slightly different, depending on the vacation vibe you want to harness and the ages of your kiddos. Here are some general things to think about before you book a Key West family vacation. Having these priorities in your mind will help you make the decision.
Location — Many families prefer resorts located in quieter areas of town, even if this means you’re not within walking distance of the best attractions. In other words, steer clear of Duval Street and explore other Key West neighborhoods, such as New Town or the Truman Annex.
Amenities like pool and beach — Are your kids water babies? Make sure there’s a kid-friendly pool! Depending on their ages, you might even want one of those fancy zero-entry pools. And what about the beach? Is picking a Key West beach resort important, or are you happy driving to one of the city beaches?
Family-friendly vibe — Let’s face it, some resorts are romantic getaways. Even if a place doesn’t advertise itself as adults only, it may still have an intimate vibe that’s not suitable for kids.
Room sizes and options — If you’ve got a large clan, you might want to look into resorts with multi-room suites. Or, better yet, consider a condo or house rental — there are plenty of those throughout the Lower Keys.
One final thing to consider when planning a family trip to Key West is to check the community events calendar to see what’s happening during your stay. If you want a quiet time, it’s best to avoid significant rowdy events, such as Fantasy Fest, Pride Week, or Hemingway Days. You can always avoid the crowds by staying off Duval, but you might get a little more space to explore if you plan your trip on an off week.
Now, here’s a look at some of the specific kid-friendly resorts in Key West that are popular with families.
Casa Marina — Upscale Family Fun in Key West
Casa Marina is located on the south end of the island and has a stately, old-school vibe. However, that doesn’t stop families from loving this place for several reasons. For one, there are separate family and adult pools, meaning there’s more space for everyone to spread out, and guests can pick their vibe.
Another plus of Casa is that it’s spread out, so the kids can enjoy themselves without killing anyone else’s vibe. That gives the whole resort a welcoming feel for everyone. This includes the beach, which is significantly larger than those of other Key West beachfront properties.
The resort also offers a mix of watersports options, and the concierge can arrange all sorts of kid-friendly tours and experiences. Location-wise, it’s hard to beat Casa Marina as it’s in Old Town but not in the middle of the party — you can walk to some stuff, Duval and Malory Square aren’t too far away, but it’s nice and peaceful, too.
The Reach — Fancy but Still Family-Friendly
The Reach is situated directly adjacent to Casa Marina, but it has some notable differences. Like Casa, it is oceanfront and features a beach, although it is a bit smaller. The Reach is smaller all around, with only one pool and less privacy. The two properties are both Curio Collection by Hilton, and there’s some sort of agreement allowing you to use facilities at either place.
Being near the Southernmost Point means that The Reach isn’t in the busiest part of town, but there are still plenty of things you can walk to. It’s a quick ride into Duval if you want.
Southernmost Beach Resort — Another Beachfront Option
I guess there’s a theme when it comes to the best location for kid-friendly resorts in Key West, because yet again, this one is on the south side of the island. This is a large property with various-sized rooms spread across multiple buildings. The larger suites have full kitchens.
Southernmost Resort has a beach and multiple pools. There are a few areas off-limits to the kids, including the Boardwalk Pool, Cabanas at Ocean, and the HQ2 Beachclub, which are 21 and over.
Margaritaville Beach House — No Beach, But Close
This resort bills itself as kid-friendly, but its list of activities is somewhat limited. There are coloring and cookies in the lobby. They apparently give out smoothies and popsicles by the pool at noon and 2 p.m. The resort is modest, featuring only one pool, no beach, and a limited number of waterview rooms.
However, there are a few positive aspects to report about this spot. It’s right across from Smathers Beach, Key West’s biggest strip of sand. It’s big enough that you can nearly always find a quiet corner to build a sandcastle. The hotel also offers standard, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom rooms, which are ideal for larger groups.
Margaritaville is all the way out on the southeast corner of the island by the airport, so it’s about as far from Duval and Old Town as you can get while still being on the same island. It’s a quick Uber or shuttle trip downtown for those adventures, but you won’t be walking anywhere other than the beach.
Condo or House Rentals — Pick Your Spot
Many families, especially larger groups, have better luck getting a rental through VRBO, Airbnb, or one of the local management companies. These properties offer multiple bedroom spaces, along with a fully equipped kitchen, allowing you to save a little money by preparing some of your meals. Houses will usually have laundry facilities, too, which is a huge plus if you’ve got little ones.
There are a few condo rental/time-share communities in the area that give you the feeling of having your own spot, with more space, while still retaining some of those must-have resort amenities. One is The Galleon, which offers accommodations ranging from junior suites to two-bedroom penthouses.
When you choose a rental like this, the possibilities are endless in terms of locations. My top picks would be in the Truman Annex if you want to be in Old Town, or New Town if you prefer a quieter experience (and walking everywhere is less important to you). If you don’t mind driving for your daily outings, you can also look at neighboring Keys like Stock Island, Sugarloaf, or even Cudjoe.
Consider Looking Outside of Key West
This brings me to my next point about kid-friendly resorts in Key West. Many people will tell you to look on the other Keys, that Key West should be avoided with little ones. I say that’s hogwash, but if you’re really trying to avoid crowds and want a more conservative, small-town feeling, the other Keys are lovely.
One standout is Hawks Cay Resort, near Marathon. The place has all sorts of kids’ programs and activities. There’s even a dolphin-swim facility on-site.
I’m not trying to put you off Key West, but just realize that the Keys stretch for 100 miles and have several towns to pick from. Most people who stay in the Middle or Upper Keys take one day of their vacation to make a day-trip to see the sights in Key West.
Other Kid-Friendly Activities in the Keys
No matter where you decide to stay, the Keys have a ton of great activities for kids of any age. From the butterfly garden to the Key West aquarium, kids won’t get bored here. Depending on how brave your brood is, you might also try adventure tours, such as snorkeling, kayaking, or a fishing charter.
One thing everyone loves in Key West, however, is the sandbar charters. Our private tours start from Stock Island and take your family out to the wild backcountry of the Keys, where we let you explore deserted islands, clear waters, and incredible sandy beaches.
