A city like Key West has so many options for places to stay and it makes it so you both have lots of choices and you can get overwhelmed with where to stay. The Perry Hotel and Marina on Stock Island (part of Key West) is a great option if you want to be close enough to everything going on in Key West, but be detached enough that it’s peaceful. At first glance you might look at a map and say “What?! That’s way far away from everything!” but it’s not and we’ll explain why it’s a great choice.
We’ve stayed in lots of the different Key West neighborhoods and Stock Island is actually one of our favorites. We like the chill vibe and being able to access both the main areas of Key West and the other keys. Spend your days doing wildlife tours in the Keys and spend the evenings relaxing. And the Perry Hotel is just nice in general. We’ve got the full scoop, so keep on reading.
If you have additional questions about staying at the Perry Hotel in Key West or have your own suggestions for things to do around the Stock Island area, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to hear from others and share more!
Rooms at the Perry Hotel Key West
Room types at the Perry Hotel Key West vary from a low floor room with two queen beds to a top floor 700 square foot suite overlooking the marina. For the most part, the room types are what they are because of their view paired with the bed set up, but then there are rooms with sitting areas too.
The Perry and Mangrove room types are the most basic, being simply spacious room with huge balconies. They’re very nice. The Saltwater Studios overlook the pool and marina and have a larger sitting area with a pullout sofa. Then we get to the suites. There is either the Commodore Suite with a soaking tub that has connecting rooms (so you can make it into a larger suite) or there is the Grand Suite, which is a huge penthouse. Depending on what your plans are when you’re staying at the Perry Hotel in Key West, you can keep it as simple as just a very nice room or you can be a baller.
Know you want to stay at the Perry Hotel Key West? Book it here!
Top Pick: the Mangrove Room
We stayed in a Mangrove Room at the Perry Hotel, and initially I wasn’t thrilled because it’s on the lowest floor and the view of of the bushes. It turns out this was just what I needed. The thing that sets the Mangrove rooms of the Perry apart from any other room type is that it’s on the first floor so it gets to have an outdoor shower. Yes, there was an indoor shower too, but I really loved the outdoor one.
We had tons of room in the actual hotel and spent a fair amount of time actually relaxing on our patio-style balcony, drinking our coffee and listening to birds. This is the type of room that’s great for families as it’s wonderfully secluded, spacious and it’s got a fun set up that I know our kids would enjoy.
Check in / Check Out at the Perry Key West
The Perry Hotel and Marina in Key West is a really fun hotel. It’s all about being a launch pad for whatever your Key West adventure may be. Pull up into the porte cochere and run in to check in before parking, or you can pull up in your boat (my dream) and walk in from the marina. There is a concierge to chat it up and answer any questions, or you can simply check in.
Welcome beverages (sparkling wine or spa water) come out and the process to get settled is quick and easy. The Perry Hotel doesn’t utilize any e-communications for check in at this time (2023) like the Grassy Flats Resort or Baker’s Cay Resorts do, but I never faced any wait time with any front desk interactions.
Know you want to stay at the Perry Hotel Key West? Book it here!
Perry Hotel Key West Amenities
When we check into a hotel, when it’s when I’m traveling with the whole family or I’m on my own, the first thing on the list to do is investigate hotel amenities. What’s the pool situation? Is there a lounge of some sort… The Perry Hotel Key West has a few key amenities that make it a very unusual place to stay. It reminds me a bit of the Island Palms Resort and Marina in San Diego, but more modern and VERY Florida Keys.
Pools at the Perry Hotel Key West
There are two very large pools at the Perry Hotel and Marina. The first is the main pool, which is very long and great for swimming laps. It’s right between the two restaurants, and there’s lots of space and shade. Tons of lounge chairs, some hammocks, and private cabanas surround the main pool, and if you’re in one of the Saltwater rooms, you can walk directly from your accommodations down to the pool.
There is a second pool to the south of the main pool area. You’ll need to walk to the further area of the Perry Marina complex, and there you’ll find the free-form pool. Much more quiet than the main pool, this pool is kind of overlooked by guests at the Perry Hotel due to its location. I much prefer it though, and there is a lot of shady space here too.
Pool towel service is at the main Perry Hotel pool area, but you can bring them over to the second pool, or you don’t even need a towel and you can just dry in the sun.
Note: even though the Perry Hotel is in the Stock Island neighborhood and not close to downtown Key West, there are still chickens running around everywhere, including sometimes in the pool areas. They just add to the atmosphere and the authenticity of being in Key West.
Fitness Center and Spa
Finally a gym space in the Florida Keys that’s state of the art, spacious, clean and welcoming! And I never encountered another soul during any of my visits. The fitness center at the Perry Hotel is located in the central space, just off the lobby. It has plenty of nice, well maintained cardio equipment, free weights, floor space, yoga mats and lockers. There are mirrors for tracking your workout (just for form view, not the electronic fitness mirrors) and towels and a water cooler. This is just what a hotel gym should be like.
Dining at the Perry Hotel
There are actually more dining options at the Perry Hotel than you might initially realize. The main restaurant is Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen and Bar, where they do breakfast service (I loved the breakfast poutine), as well as lunch and dinner. Some friends told us about the brunch so we went, and we found out why it’s special: bottomless mimosas. The bar at Matt’s has a great cocktail menu and their blue cheese stuffed olives for the dirty martinis are delicious.
There is also Salty’s Oyster Dockside Bar and Grill. We heard good things, but didn’t get a chance to try it because there are so many wonderful places to eat in Key West and we already dined on property twice, so you know, gotta spread the dining love around town.
Easy Meals and Coffee at Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co
If you like the morning coffee in the lobby at the Perry Hotel Key West then walk out the door to the marina and make a right. In the marina complex you’ll find the Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co, who supplies the coffee to the hotel. Here you can get whatever coffee or pastries you like, and they do breakfast smoothies too. Take it to go or you can sit at the marina patio and enjoy the morning. It’s part of the quiet element we like at the Perry Hotel Key West.
Marina Use at the Perry Hotel
If you’re one of the lucky people that gets to sail through the Florida Keys, then places like the Perry Hotel and Marina are meant for you. You can book your slip in advance, and then when you’re here, you have access to the pools, marina services (showers), the fitness center, the restaurants, AND the shuttle to downtown Key West (more on that below).
Where is the Perry Hotel Key West?
As mentioned, the Perry Hotel Key West is actually located in the Stock Island neighborhood. If you’ve had a long day on your Florida Keys road trip, you’ll love that this hotel is at the very start of Key West. It’s still a part of Key West, but it’s a bit detached from the downtown area. Stock Island is kind of the boaters haven / industrial part of Key West, but the Perry Hotel and Marina is exceptionally nice and not what you might expect to find here if you’re looking at a map.
The Perry is only about ten minutes to the Garrison Bight Marina and fifteen minutes from the historic sites in downtown. Being a little ways away from downtown Key West keeps things quiet and if you’re departing on a busy day, you don’t have to worry about any traffic exiting Key West.
Transportation from the Perry Hotel to Downtown Key West
The Perry Hotel knows that it’s not downtown and that this could be a downer for some guests, but they have a solution: a free shuttle! From 9:00 am until after 10:00 pm they do a shuttle every half hour between the hotel and downtown Key West. This is available to both hotel guests and those using the marina slips.
If you’re staying out later or need to be downtown earlier, a taxi or Uber is about $15+, and the wait is never long. See? Staying in the quiet part of Key West is easy to worth it!
Know you want to stay at the Perry Hotel Key West? Book it here!
Can I Walk from the Perry to Downtown?
I’m going to say no, you can’t walk to downtown Key West from the Perry Hotel. That would take almost an hour and a half. There are some restaurants and the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden on Stock Island, as well as some tour operators, but downtown and historic seaport are a bit far for walking. Doing the Florida Keys with kids? You’ll want to have a car with you, especially if you’re visiting in summer.
Parking Details at the Perry Hotel
Self parking at the Perry Hotel is complementary and there are plenty of spaces. You can drop your bags at the lobby and then park, or tote them from the lot through the marina. It’s not really a big deal how far away the parking area is from the hotel, cuz it’s really not that far, but the lot is gravel, so if you have rolling bags just save yourself the struggle and leave your luggage in the lobby and then grab your car.
More hotel recommendations in Key West:
Ten Fun Things to do Near the Perry Hotel Key West
I’ve never been bored in Key West and with plenty of relaxing space at the Perry Hotel and Marina, I know I couldn’t be bored there either. Of course we have suggestions for things to do near the Perry, both on Stock Island and in downtown. There are some wonderful sights and tours very nearby, or you can venture to downtown for the historic, iconic Key West activities.
Be sure to check out our Favorite Wildlife Tours in the Florida Keys!
- Book a fishing or snorkeling charter leaving directly from the Perry Marina
- Visit the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden (we’re members)
- Launch kayaks from Hurricane Hole OR go out with Lazy Dog Adventures
- Do Night Kayak Key West for a totally different side of the Keys
- Head downtown a ride the Conch Train (best historic tour of Key West)
- Do a dolphin and snorkeling cruise
- Plan a day with Key West Eco Tours – loved doing the sailing/kayaking combo
- Walk Duvall Street and enjoy the diverse neighborhood
- Spend the day wandering Key West looking for the best Key Lime Pie
- Just relax by the pools at the Perry Hotel. That’s why you’re there!
Of all the places we’ve stayed in Key West, the Perry Hotel has been the most peaceful. From the quiet calm at night to the mellow mornings in the marina, it’s really quite the respite from the busy tourist areas of Key West. I really like being based on Stock Island, and the accommodations are beautiful. I would stay here again in a heartbeat.
Know you want to stay at the Perry Hotel Key West? Book it here!
If you have additional questions about staying at the Perry Hotel in Key West or have your own suggestions for things to do around the Stock Island area, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to hear from others and share more!
