The Gardens Hotel

Hotels
9.6 (344 reviews)
526 Angela Street , Key West , UNITED STATES

Paid

Facilities

Heated swimming pools (dawn to dusk)
Complimentary made-to-order breakfast (8:30–10:30 am)
d'vine Wine Gallery self-serve wine tasting (8 am – 8 pm)
Pool bar (noon – 7:30 pm)
Live music / Jazz in the Gardens on select evenings
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout
Parking available ($30 per night per vehicle, first come first served)
Pet-friendly accommodations (dogs up to 20 lbs, $100/night, Poolside Cottage and Cottage 3)
No resort fees
Lush tropical gardens and courtyards
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Beautiful grounds and garden cottages
Helpful, attentive staff (Annette highlighted)
Excellent location for walking to attractions
Spacious, characterful rooms/cottages
Tasty, satisfying breakfasts
Relaxing, oasis-like atmosphere
Live music and pleasant common areas
Cons:
Smoking at the bar area (no separate guest smoking area)
AC/ceiling fan not sufficient in hot weather (affected sleep)
High cost — some guests questioned value at listed rate

Categories

Cleanliness
10
Explicitly praised: 'Everything was kept clean & manicured' — cleanliness is excellent throughout the property.
Service
10
Staff repeatedly described as 'awesome', 'helpful' and going 'above and beyond' (Annette called out for attentive service).
Location
10
Multiple mentions of perfect location for walking to restaurants and the Hemingway house; guests called it ideal and convenient.
Room Quality
9
Cottages described as 'gorgeous', 'spacious' and full of character, but one guest noted AC/ceiling fan insufficient for July nights, affecting sleep.
Amenities
9
Good amenities: garden cottages, grounds, live music and breakfasts; one negative: smoking at the bar area reduced enjoyment of that space.
Value for Money
8.8
Generally a strong stay but one guest noted the cost (~$2k for 3 nights) felt high and may deter a return at that rate.
Food and Beverage
10
Breakfasts described as 'tasty and satisfying' and staff/bartender praised; live music enhanced F&B experience despite a smoking-area issue at the bar.
Overall Experience
10
Multiple guests said they'd 'definitely recommend', 'would go back', and described the property as an oasis — overall extremely positive.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-10-30 20:05

Property Description

Tucked away in Old Town Key West at the corner of Simonton and Angela Streets, just one block from Duval Street, The Gardens is a boutique hotel for travelers seeking privacy, beauty and calm. Called "the prettiest hotel in Key West" by The New York Times, the property is composed of a collection of individually appointed guest rooms, a master suite and private cottages, all connected by shaded pathways and lush garden courtyards with fountains, statues and resident parrots and tortoises. Guests enjoy heated swimming pools, a complimentary made-to-order breakfast each morning, the d'vine Wine Gallery self-serve wine experience, live jazz in the gardens, and no resort fees. The hotel welcomes guests 16 years of age and older.

Important information:

Please note that guests must be 16 years of age or older to stay at this hotel.

Please note that pets are not allowed in the King Room - Disability Access.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: EYW

Property Policies

  • Check-in / check-out

    Check-in from 16:00:00, check-out until 11:00:00.

  • Minimum age

    Guests must be at least 25 years old to check in.

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed; charges may apply.

  • Extra bed

    Extra bed available for ages 18–None: 50 per night.

  • Payment

    Payment: pay at the property, pay online later, pay online now.

Location

Guest Reviews

9.6
Based on 344 reviews
Cleanliness: 10
Service: 10
Location: 10
Room Quality: 9
Amenities: 9
Value for Money: 8.8
Food and Beverage: 10
Overall Experience: 10
L
Lisa • couple • us
10
Excellent place to stay and easy walking
Pros:

The grounds were beautiful
It was a small property and very quiet

Cons:

There was nothing negative to say about this property

2026-10-27 • via Nuitee
C
Carolina • extended_group • es
10
Divino
Pros:

Es un hotel Divino con mucha elegancia en Key west

2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
G
Greg • family_with_children • nz
9
Lovely premises with real character would go back
Pros:

The type of accommodation (we stayed in a garden cottage) fit with the area we were in which we liked - spacious and full of character

Cons:

The smoking at the bar we couldn't hang around that area, there didnt seem to be a seperate smoking area for guests

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
C
Christopher • extended_group • us
10
2026-08-18 • via Nuitee
J
Jennifer • extended_group • us
8
Pros:

Location, cottage, grounds, breakfast = all excellent! I would definitely recommend staying at the property!

Cons:

We visited in July where AC and ceiling fan were not sufficient to cool the bedroom at night affecting our ability to sleep. Floor fan was provided for the next 2 nights which helped significantly. While we had a nice stay, the cost was close to 2k for 3 nights. I'm not sure we will return there at that same rate.

2026-08-15 • via Nuitee
K
kevinkM9002QO • Couples
10
Would go back!
Pros:

Incredible stay at the Gardens Hotel. Felt like an oasis while still being close to all Key West has to offer. Rooms were spacious and cleanly. Staff was helpful and go above and beyond for their guests. A sense of relaxation and community was fostered throughout.

2026-08-13 • via Tripadvisor
O
oldomafl • Couples • North Port, Florida
10
Private, beautiful, relaxing, convenient, perfect
Pros:

Hotel staff were awesome. The cottage was gorgeous, the grounds were beautiful, the breakfasts were tasty and satisfying, the live music was so enjoyable. Annette was so busy taking care of us for breakfast, then being bartender later in the day. We enjoyed her. Location was perfect for walking to restaurants & the Hemingway house. Everything was kept clean & manicured. Definitely recommend HIGHLY.

2026-07-31 • via Tripadvisor
N
N7917FVcolleend • Couples
10
The Soul of Key West
Pros:

This stay was nothing short of magical.

My husband and I planned a two-night trip to Key West to visit Dry Tortugas National Park. We thought that would be the highlight of our vacation—but we couldn’t have been more wrong. The Gardens Hotel completely stole the show.

From the moment we arrived, we experienced hospitality unlike anywhere we’ve ever stayed. The manager greeted us warmly, helped with our luggage, secured our parking, gave us a tour of the property, arranged our taxi for our early morning ferry, and even introduced us to another couple staying at the hotel. We ended up sharing dinner and drinks with them that evening, and it became one of our favorite memories of the trip.

The property itself is breathtaking. Every corner has its own personality, and wandering through the lush gardens feels almost dreamlike. There’s an unmistakable sense of peace here that’s difficult to describe—you simply have to experience it. Our room was beautiful, comfortable, and impeccably maintained. I’d seen a few reviews mentioning that the rooms were small, but I honestly couldn’t disagree more. We had plenty of space, the bed was incredibly comfortable, and our balcony was huge.

The gardens, pool, live music, and historic inn create an unforgettable atmosphere. But the true magic of this place is its people.

On our first evening, we met Annette at the bar. She made phenomenal cocktails (order her mojito!), but even more memorable was her warmth, humor, and infectious personality. She had us laughing all night, and we genuinely wished we’d had more time to chat with her. On our second evening, Phil took over behind the bar and was equally wonderful. His drinks were fantastic (again, another divine mojito!), and our conversations with him made for another perfect night.

We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner, and what an incredible woman she is. She’s charismatic, gracious, hilarious, and absolutely unforgettable. Her passion for The Gardens Hotel radiates through everything she does, and it’s obvious that the warmth and charm of this property begin with her. I left thinking, “I hope I’m that effortlessly joyful someday.”

One of the most unexpected joys of our stay was getting to know the other guests. My husband and I are in our twenties, yet we found ourselves having wonderful conversations with people spanning several generations and from all over the world. There was such a genuine sense of community here—something that’s increasingly rare to find while traveling.

Breakfast was another delightful surprise. I expected a simple continental buffet, but instead we were treated to a thoughtfully prepared, made-to-order menu. It was genuinely one of the best breakfasts we had anywhere in Key West.

Leaving after just two nights was surprisingly difficult. In fact, I’m writing this review from a beautiful luxury resort in Islamorada, and we both keep saying the same thing: we wish we had stayed at The Gardens Hotel instead.

We’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many places around the world, and it’s rare to find a hotel that leaves such a lasting impression. The Gardens Hotel isn’t simply a beautiful place to stay—it’s a place that makes you slow down, connect with people, and feel genuinely cared for. It’s where luxury feels warm instead of pretentious, where relaxation comes naturally, and where strangers become friends.

Thank you for giving us a stay we’ll remember for the rest of our lives. We already know we’ll be back.

Bravo, bravo, bravo.

2026-07-31 • via Tripadvisor
K
kimrK7949DS • Family
10
Great place to stay!
Pros:

Great place to stay. The rooms are very nice & clean. The bartender, Phil was excellent. The grounds are beautiful! All the staff was very helpful & so nice! I highly recommend booking a room here, it’s very close to Duval but so peaceful.

2026-07-28 • via Tripadvisor
T
Tetiana • solo_traveller • ua
10
Fantastic
Pros:

Incredibly beautiful space, fantastic service, very welcoming and friendly. The room and all the facilities very well kept and clean. Experience exceeded my expectations. Really really loved it there.

Cons:

That I had to leave 😉

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
S
southdakota2explore • Couples • Brookings, South Dakota
10
Great Stay
Pros:

Lovely place to stay. The Gardens hotel is a little paradise, beautiful landscape. We really appreciated Rhoda. She took us on a tour of the property and suggested local restaurants, near the hotel, for lunch. Rhoda was very helpful.

2026-07-24 • via Tripadvisor
L
L9944GDwilliamh • Family
10
Wonderful experience
Pros:

Great location, friendly and helpful staff, music every evening

2026-07-20 • via Tripadvisor
S
Safari484343 • Couples
10
Wonderful place
Pros:

Great!!
We have been there before and now it’s the only place we want to be in Key West
Good location
Great free breakfast that changes every day
The staff is very friendly and helpful
The rooms are great
There is always a happy bartender at the pool bar!!
You can’t go wrong here😎

2026-07-15 • via Tripadvisor
S
shannonhO6245RD • Friends getaway • Fairhope, Alabama
10
An unexpected delight!
Pros:

What a charming hotel! From the antiques in our room, to the delightful courtyard and gardens, the sparkling pool, the wine tasting room and the delicious complimentary breakfast, everything was marvelous. We will be back!

2026-07-14 • via Tripadvisor
F
F4213OFtimothyw • Solo travel
10
My Home Away from Home in Key West
Pros:

This place was magical and Anette was a wonderful server. I really appreciated the quiet and spaciousness of the Master Suite. It truly was a home away from home.

2026-07-13 • via Tripadvisor
D
dianadA4094MF • Couples
10
Charming and quaint with great service!
Pros:

From the ease of checking in to the ease of checking out, this place was amazing! Started off with a welcoming prosecco, parking for my larger vehicle, tour around the grounds and assistance with whatever needed. The grounds are beautiful with some titles, birds and even a few cats on the property. They have a great little wine room for tastings and an adorable seating area in the main house. Our room and bed were very comfortable. A GREAT breakfast was served daily and was delicious with great service. Close to everything and they have bikes to take if needed. They also provide a beach bag with towels. We will definitely be going back!!!!

2026-07-10 • via Tripadvisor
B
Boboccquan • Family • Bristow, Prince William County, Virginia
10
Great Staff
Pros:

Lynn at this hotel was outstanding. I worked. For hotel services business and stayed in the finest hotel.

Both my wife are disabled. Lynn went out are first day to pickup our food order. Then she made sure our baggage got to our rooms. She checked up on us and made sure we were able to go on a night cruise.

The hotel is wonderful but Lynn made the difference.

2026-07-08 • via Tripadvisor
D
DayTrip44546925173 • Couples
10
A true relaxing stay
Pros:

My husband and I were so pleased with our time spent at The Garden Hotel. Our room was very comfortable and above all extremely clean! The staff were always available to help answer questions, book tours and give good recommendations. There were so many little “extras” that made our stay so relaxing we didn’t want to leave. Loved the brand new bath mat for the shower! We rented scooters and could park them safely on the property. It was just such a relaxing atmosphere overall. The pool with the beautiful music made you feel like you went back in time. Perfect stay!

2026-07-08 • via Tripadvisor
D
dmissel • Couples • University Place, Washington
10
Lay all the way back...
Pros:

Most folks travel to Key West to lay back and relax. I believe that even the Key West local folks go to the Gardens Hotel to lay all the way back and relax to the max! The secluded resort, the lush and quiet grounds, are only steps away (but feel a world away) from all of the excitement of Duval Street. The service is so very personal and absolutely delightful. And I just love all of their finer points and amenities: the included daily breakfast, the 24-hour pool and the poolside bar, the wine gallery, the daily live music, and all of the wonderful staff. Everything was just perfect! Thanks y'all. See you next time...

2026-06-27 • via Tripadvisor
M
Marcello • family_with_children • br
9
2026-06-12 • via Nuitee