Key West’s 24 North Hotel – Budget Friendly, Sunset View and Awesome Pool for Kids

When you’re visiting Key West, you want to stay somewhere that’s low key and pleasant to return to each night. The 24 North Hotel is right next door to the Gates Hotel Key West, and both are great budget options for a getaway to the last of the Florida Keys. The 24 North has something the Gates doesn’t though, and that’s a sunset view.

We’ve got the details on staying at the 24 North Hotel in Key West as well as some great tips for how to have a unique visit to KW. We enjoyed staying here with our kids, and would recommend it for a chill, first visit to Key West. It’s a great Florida Keys vacation budget option with some great perks.

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.

Room Options at the 24 North Hotel in Key West

The 24 North Hotel has both suites and hotel rooms. Depending on your room needs, you can really save a lot by booking a standard hotel room, but even the suites are a pretty great deal. When it comes to standard hotel rooms, you can choose from either two queens or a king bed, and then either a bay view or a pool view room.

Here’s the thing though, for not too much more ($50-$70 per night) you can get a junior suite or king suite. The junior suites have lots more space than a standard hotel room, and the king suites have a completely separate living space. The juniors and kings also have pull out sleeper sofas, so if you’re planning a stay at the 24 North Hotel, these rooms are the most bang for your bucks with the most space.

Already know you want to stay? Book the 24 Noth Hotel Key West here!

When it comes to hotel rates, the 24 North Hotel meets our hopes and dreams for a budget friendly hotel. You can expect to pay anywhere from $140 per night on a deal to $350 for a suite. In consideration of the going rate for hotel rooms in Key West at different times of year, this is a very low price, which is why it’s at the top of our budget picks.

Check in / Check Out at the 24 North Hotel

Checking into the 24 North Hotel is a breeze. We started our Key West vacation next door at the Gates Hotel and then moved over to the 24 after a few days due to availability. They made the switch super easy. Both properties use wristbands for keys, so we just got fresh bands and moved our luggage into our new room. Check out is as easy as just leaving, or you can courteously swing into the lobby to peace out.

The lobby is quite large and there is plenty of space to relax or take a work call if you must. There is also a space in the lobby where local artists both create and display their work, which is really unique! The shop at the 24 North Hotel is off the lobby space as well, so after checking in you can pop in to get your sunscreen, a t-shirt or a bottle of rum for your stay.

24 North Hotel Key West Amenities

I love the HUGE pool here at the 24 North Hotel! Lots of in-pool seating and open space for just floating or playing, it’s a great pool area for both kids and adults. Shaped like an ornate octagon, it’s a great escape from the bustle of downtown Key West. All around the pool you’ll find lounge chairs, shade couches, umbrellas and dining tables.

A bonus by the pool is actually the swings by the pool bar, the Toasted Coconut. A nice place to relax in the shade, the swings made for fun spot for the kids to hang out while taking a break from swimming. 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!

Note: there is a resort fee each day. Be sure to ask for details about this when you check in, including what is covered in this.

One other fun bonus, that I think is kind of an amenity, is the number of murals around the property. Whether is the fun Key West mural on the front site, the huge shark mural on the back side, the 24 North photo op, or the murals on the shipping containers in the parking area, there are lots of fun art spots. It’s a little thing, but I think it makes walking around the property or hanging out by the pool a little more fun.

Fitness Center Access

The 24 North Hotel Key West has a nice fitness center adjacent to the pool area. It’s a well appointed gym space with keyed access (get a key from the desk if your wristband doesn’t unlock the door). 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.

Dining Options at the 24 North Hotel

There are two dining options inside the 24 North Hotel: the Toasted Coconut (pool bar/restaurant) and the Republica Bar & Lounge. Food is only served at the Toasted Coconut, but drinks are at both locations. The Republica is great for having craft cocktails in a nice, air conditioned space. Like the Perry Hotel Key West, indoor cocktail hour space is always just a few steps away.

Next door at the adjacent Gates Hotel you’ll find another pool bar, Rum Row, and a local gourmet food truck parked right next to the patio. The Blind Pig offers a variety of tacos, sandwiches and other Florida-style foods. Grab a meal and head a few feet away to the lawn or back to the pool at the 24 North.

One more dining option, which is good to remember for breakfast, is Starbucks. There’s a Starbucks in the 24th Hotel on the Roosevelt Blvd side of the property. It may not be as fun and delicious as the Breakfast Club Too (our favorite spot in Key West), but it’ll do if you have an early start.

Where is the 24 North Hotel Key West?

When you look at the location of the 24 North Hotel Key West it seems like it’s in a very inconvenient spot because it’s a ways away 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, which is really wonderful if you’re looking for quiet. And if you’re doing the Florida Keys road trip in one day, you’ll be glad the hotel is at the start of town.

There are actually quite a few good restaurants and even tourist activities right along Roosevelt Blvd (the street the Gates is on). It’s a five minute drive to the Key West Botanical Garden, the Hurricane Hole (kayaking) and just blocks from the back road entrance to the historic district. If you’re visiting the Florida Keys in summer, you’ll find that it’s not as busy as fall and winter so traffic isn’t too bad, but it’s still nice to be able to sneak into town the back way.

Shuttle Service into Downtown Key West

We took full advantage of the free shuttle from the 24 North Hotel Key West to the historic seaport. The hotel is a part of the Keys Collection, which include the Gates, 24 North, 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.

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.

Parking Details at the 24 North Hotel

Parking at the 24 North Hotel Key West is not included in your resort fee. It is $15/night (as of August 2023). 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.

Ten Fun Things to do near the 24 North Hotel Key West

Like I’ve already said, don’t let the relative location of the 24 North Hotel 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.

1. Night Kayak Key West – across the street a little bit, amazing glowing kayak tour through the mangroves
2. Sandbar day trip with Island to Island Charters (our favorite!) – goes out of Garrison Bight
3. Paddling tour with Lazy Dog from Hurricane Hole
4. Explore the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden (a great place for bird watching in the Keys!)
5. Do the day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park
6. Have a snorkeling adventure in the morning or sunset with Sunset Watersports (we’ve done several trips with them)
7. 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)
8. Take the shuttle to downtown to explore the historic district and Mallory Square
9. Visit the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
10. 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 with each visit. I liked the ease and comfort of staying at both the 24 North and the Gates Hotel Key West, and of course 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!