The Blue Flamingo Resort in Key West is both a great budget option for staying in the city AND it’s the best family hotel experience you’ll find. Key West hotels tend to be a lot pricier than people expect with many catering to couples and even “adults only,” so finding an option that is good for a family vacation is key. The Blue Flamingo Resort is in a quiet location a bit away from the action, but it’s everything you need for a wonderful trip to Key West.
We’ve got the whole scoop on the Blue Flamingo Resort in Key West and why we like it when we are doing the Florida Keys on a budget or simply when it’s a family vacation. In addition to our review of the property, we’ve also got some great ideas for things to do in Key West with kids. If you have any questions or want to make your own suggestions, please leave a comment or send us a note. We are always happy to share more! And be sure to check out our other recommendations for where to stay in the Florida Keys.
Don’t forget to check out our other website TheKeysExplored.com!!!
Why the Blue Flamingo is the Best Family Resort in Key West
Having stayed in so many Key West hotels and condos, I can confidently say that the Blue Flamingo Resort is the most family friendly and genuinely fun resort in the city. Yes, every hotel has a pool and most are welcoming for families, but there are a few things that stand out with the Blue Flamingo, which is why we’ve stayed here three times…
Starting with the budget side of things, the deals available and general rates for Key West are exceptional in comparison to other properties, and you get a lot with your stay. There are so many amenities on property that families can spend all day hanging out together or apart, playing games or swimming, napping or being active. The whole Backyard Pool & Social Club aspect of the resort makes it really fun and also contained, ideal for families who want to be able to stay in one spot together but have space.
The overall vibe of the whole Blue Flamingo Resort is fun and Key-West-Welcoming. Since we’ve stayed here a few times, our kids feel right at home and you can see them switch into vacation mode. We travel A TON so staying someplace and having it feel like an actual getaway is important to our family, kids included, and that’s what we get here. Also, since there are always other kids around (not in the annoying way or like at a Disney resort) everyone stays at ease knowing other families are vacationing too versus an adults-only space where you’re either extra quiet or it’s always a party. It’s just perfect for families visiting Key West.
What Are the Room Options at the Blue Flamingo Resort?
There are quite a few room types at the Blue Flamingo in Key West, and they’re not just varying by bed type and location. The room sizes are great, with the suites being plenty big to relax for several days with kids. Everything is nicely updated and crisp, thanks to the awesome 2025 renovation. There are both suites and regular hotel rooms at the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West, and you’ll even find there are poolside rooms that have patios. If you’re looking for a long-term or specifically a suite hotel, the Laureate Hotel is perfect for that sort of stay.
I like the fresh decor and setup in the hotel rooms here, which is very modern-tropical-chic. The large bathrooms are great for getting a family ready for a day out on the water. If you’re planning on spending a lot of time at the hotel in the room, I think the one bedroom suites are a good option, as those have a lot of counter/table space and multiple people hanging out for longer periods of time in this size hotel room isn’t doable. If you’re looking for a great spot with nice rooms and wonderful pools and outdoor space, the Blue Flamingo Resort is for you!
Already know you want to stay? Book the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West here!
When it comes to hotel rates, the Blue Flamingo is at the lower end of Key West hotels, which is amazing for how nice it is and how great the pool area is. You can expect to pay anywhere from $165 per night on a deal to $359 when it’s busy or on a weekend. While that might not seem like a “budget option” it very much is for being in Key West. For the room and the resort amenities, the rates tend to be one of the best deals in town, making it a great family option.
Check in / Check Out at the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West
The lobby space of the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West is really pleasant. Lots of seating and great AC make it a wonderful hangout for either afternoon drinks or if you need a quiet space to work (if you really must). The staff is friendly and the process is smooth. There IS a resort fee per night, so be sure to ask about this upon check in and to make sure you use the services it covers. The Blue Flamingo used to be the Gates and 24 North Hotels (next door to each other), so upon arrival it might not be clear which lobby area is for check in, but it’s the second one, at the base of the tower. This is where the full lobby is located and there is a clear vehicle pull-through to indicate that you should check in here.
When it comes to room keys, the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West uses wristbands, much like the Hawks Cay Resort in the Middle Keys. This is great if you want to have the kids have keys, because they can’t really lose them and they can wear them in the pool and around town.
One other thing that’s nice about how the Blue Flamingo Resort runs is that they use text communication to help you through your stay. After a simple welcome text, if you have any questions or need anything, just texting the team is super easy and makes the stay nice and smooth. They send reminders about happy hour, if you left your DND on your door, you name it.
Blue Flamingo Resort Key West Amenities
One of the things that makes the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West fall into a budget category is that it’s not an all encompassing resort. It’s ideal for somebody who wants to have a nice place that’s mellow and is great to hang out at, but it’s not a full-service resort. The staff is awesome and available, but it’s not the tailored butler service like you get at the Rtiz or something. There are lots of amenities though, and that’s one of the reasons it’s such a great, family friendly resort.
The pools are huge and awesome with lots of lounge chairs and umbrellas. There is towel service and you can reserve cabanas if you like (extra fee for the cabana). There’s also a pool bar at each pool, but I’ll share more about that below. For more outdoor space for guests, there’s a large activity lawn with chairs, cornhole, lights and relaxation spaces. It could even be a picnic lawn if you wanted it to be! The Backyard, as they call it, is a key feature that really makes the Blue Flamingo shine.
Already know you want to stay? Book the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West here!
Blue Flamingo Swimming Pools
There are two large swimming pools at the Blue Flamingo Resort, including the LARGEST pool in Key West. Since the resort combined two hotels to become what it is today, you get two very different swimming pool experiences. The large pool by the tower and fitness center (the largest in KW) is very open and has lots of space to play or relax. The bar is quite close to the pool with quite a bit of patio seating and a music stage, so this is the more loud of the two pools.
The rectangular pool set back in the garden space has several cabanas around it, lots of chairs and umbrellas, and due to the tall palm trees, has a fair amount of shade most of the year. I like how mellow this swimming pool space is, and even before the two hotels were combined, this was our favorite of the two pools. Also, even though there is a bar near this pool, it’s set a bit further back and its seating is off to the sides, so it doesn’t impact the vibes at the pool.
Fitness Center Access
The Blue Flamingo Resort has a good sized fitness center, adjacent to the big blob pool at the tower side of the property. It’s a well appointed gym space with keyed access (your wristband key works). There are free weights, a universal machine, cardio equipment and there’s plenty of floor exercise gear. It’s not 24 hour access, so plan your workout time appropriately. There are yoga mats as well and gym towels with cleaning supplies to ensure the fitness space stays clean for the next guest.
Dining at the Gates Hotel
Again, since it’s not a full service resort, the Blue Flamingo Key West doesn’t have a full service restaurant. It does have two great pool bars, Rum Row and the Toasted Coconut, and a local gourmet food truck parked right next to the patio. Formerly the Blind Pig, Rum Row’s food truck offers a variety of tacos, sandwiches and other Florida-style foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Grab a meal and head a few feet away to the patios or tropical porch swings to enjoy.
Breakfast happens at the Toasted Coconut starting at 8:00 am or at the Starbucks connected to the resort bright and early. There are two different happy hours, with the first starting at the Toasted Coconut from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and then the second over at Rum Row from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Whether you’re here with the whole family or you’re just traveling solo, you can chill all around the Backyard enjoying whatever eats you like.
Where is the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West?
When you look at the location of the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West it seems like it’s in an inconvenient spot because it’s so far from the historic area of the island. Here’s the thing: it’s only just a few minutes away and the location is actually ideal for both arrival and departure into Key West AND it’s away from the foot traffic and noise of Duval Street and the tourist hot spots. It is really wonderful if you’re looking for quiet or have plans that aren’t always directly in downtown. It’s closer than the Perry Hotel Key West, but still not in the middle of all the busy like the Marker Key West. And don’t worry, there are still chickens running around.
There are actually quite a few good restaurants and even tourist activities right along Roosevelt Blvd (the street the Blue Flamingo is on). It’s a five minute drive to the Key West Botanical Garden, the Hurricane Hole (kayaking) and just blocks from the backroad entrance to the historic district (the backside of Key West being around the Coconut Beach Resort or Southernmost Point).
Shuttle Service into Downtown Key West
We love to take full advantage of the free shuttle from the Blue Flamingo Resort to the historic seaport right next to the Waterfront Brewery. The hotel is a part of the Keys Collection, which include the Blue Flamingo, Hilton Garden Inn and Fairfield Inn and Suites Key West, so the shuttle makes a loop to pick up from each. There are multiple shuttles, so if it’s busy, give it ten minutes and another one will come by. There are times when the schedule is closely adhered to though, so if you miss the shuttle you planned on, you may need to get an Uber to downtown.
Tip: you do need to reserve your spot on the shuttle from the hotels to the Seaport to be sure you can be on the one you want, but you can also try just showing up. There’s no reservation required to ride back to the hotel from downtown, but they only go until 9:30 pm so keep that in mind.
Parking Details at the Blue Flamingo Resort
Parking at the Gates Hotel Key West is not included in the resort fee ($15/night as of February 2025). You do need to put a parking pass in your front window (get it at the front desk). When you check in and get your room assignment, get instructions for where to park to be closest to your room, as the property is actually quite large with parking all around it.
Already know you want to stay? Book the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West here!
Fun Things to do near the Blue Flamingo Resort
Like I’ve already said, don’t let the relative location of the Blue Flamingo deter you from booking it. With the quiet location and the easy shuttle service to downtown, it’s very simple to plan fun activities without the stress of finding parking or sitting in busy Friday / Sunday Key West traffic.
- Biking around Key West on the Roosevelt Blvd bike route to Smathers Beach
- Night Kayak Key West – across the street a little bit, amazing glowing kayak tour through the mangroves
- Sandbar day trip with Island to Island Charters (our favorite!) – goes out of Garrison Bight read about it here
- Paddling tour with Lazy Dog from Hurricane Hole
- Explore the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden (a great place for bird watching in the Keys!)
- Do the day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park
- Have a snorkeling adventure in the morning or sunset with Sunset Watersports (we’ve done several trips with them)
- Go on a wildlife expedition into the Key West National Wildlife Refuge with Key West Eco Tours (I love the catamaran / kayak combo trip) or Danger Charters (awesome sailing/snorkeling)
- Take the shuttle to downtown to explore the historic district and Mallory Square
- Visit the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
- Spend the day at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park on the beach, exploring the fort, and renting paddling gear if you like
We visit Key West and do a Florida Keys road trip several times a year so love getting to stay in new places, but area always happy to return to favorites like the Blue Flamingo with each visit. We really do enjoy the ease and comfort of staying here and being able to book it on a budget is always nice.
If you have any questions about the hotel, about other great options for staying in Key West or any of the Keys, or if you just have questions about planning a Florida Keys vacation in general, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help!
