The Mermaid & The Alligator - Adult Only

Hotels
9.4 (324 reviews)
729 Truman Avenue , Key West , UNITED STATES
(305) 294-1894

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Facilities

Complimentary fresh breakfast (8:30-10:00 AM)
Daily complimentary happy hour (4-5 PM, wine and light snacks)
All-day coffee, tea, sparkling water and citrus water
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Heated plunge pool with jets and built-in benches
Tropical gardens with grottos, hammock and chaise loungers
Outdoor pavilion with ice machine, pool towels, sunscreen, beach chairs and coolers
Complimentary parking (first-come, first-served; 4 regular spaces + 1 handicap)
Free street parking
Concierge services
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent central location (walkable to major attractions)
Exceptional, attentive staff and personalized hospitality
Complimentary bicycles for guests
Beautiful garden, pool and jacuzzi/outdoor spaces
Clean and charming historic/colonial building
Breakfasts available daily and snacks/drinks throughout the day
Quiet, peaceful and intimate atmosphere
Cons:
Some rooms (Treetop) may struggle with AC in very hot weather
A few guests requested more breakfast variety/options

Categories

Cleanliness
9.8
Multiple reviewers call it very clean or 'the best, cleanest'; rooms and common areas praised for cleanliness.
Service
9.7
Exceptional, warm and attentive staff noted repeatedly; personalized recommendations and anniversary surprise highlighted.
Location
9.7
Excellent central location (walkable to Duval St, Hemingway Home); reviewers repeatedly rate location 10/10 and praise proximity to restaurants and attractions.
Room Quality
9
Rooms described as beautiful and comfortable (tree-top room praised), though one report of inadequate AC in the Treetop room during hot weather.
Amenities
9.6
Strong amenities: complimentary bicycles, lovely garden, pool/jacuzzi, snacks/drinks/afternoon happy hour and daily fresh towels; outdoor spaces frequently praised.
Value for Money
9.1
Perceived as good value based on many repeat recommendations and comments about the overall experience and hospitality; no major complaints about price.
Food and Beverage
8.8
Breakfasts repeatedly described as good and cooked to order with grab-and-go options; a few guests requested more variety/options.
Overall Experience
9.5
Overwhelmingly positive, intimate and thoughtful B&B experience with many guests recommending or planning to return.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-10-30 18:58

Property Description

Surround yourself with the casual elegance and style of a more relaxed age at The Mermaid & The Alligator, an intimate adults-only bed and breakfast with nine unique rooms in a circa 1904 Queen Anne Victorian mansion tucked away in the heart of Old Town Key West, Florida. Six stylish rooms occupy three floors of the mansion — some with King beds and large spa-style bathtubs, others with Queen beds and unique walk-in showers — while three Conch Cottage rooms (Bamboo, Papaya and Key Lime) sit in the M&A Gardens in a historic 1880s cigar maker's conch cottage. Guests enjoy lush tropical gardens with hidden walkways and grottos, a heated plunge pool, a cabana used for onsite massages, complimentary breakfast and daily happy hour. Note: the check-in age for the property is 21.

Important information:

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.
This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.
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.
In the event of an early departure, the property will charge you the full amount for your stay.
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 15:00:00, check-out until 11:00:00.

  • Minimum age

    Guests must be at least 21 years old to check in.

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed; charges may apply.

  • Important information

    This property will not accommodate hen, stag or similar parties.

  • Payment

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

Location

Guest Reviews

9.4
Based on 324 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.8
Service: 9.7
Location: 9.7
Room Quality: 9
Amenities: 9.6
Value for Money: 9.1
Food and Beverage: 8.8
Overall Experience: 9.5
E
Ekaterina • couple • us
8
Pros:

The atmosphere is really nice and vibey. We came for Halloween weekend, and it was all nicely decorated. The room was a little small but still really nice, with access to the jacuzzi and the outside garden. It's good value in a great location, and the happy hour, snacks, water, and sodas available any time are a great bonus. Even though it rained all weekend, we had a good time at Mermaid & the Alligator and will be back! 🎃 If the price were a little lower compared to the newer hotels, that would be perfect, but no complaints. That's Key West!

Cons:

No fridge we could use

2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
M
Michelle • couple • gb
10
Oasis in old town.
Pros:

Great location in old town. Hired there bikes to easily get around. Lovely oasis garden. Lovely old house. Tree top room was gorgeous. Breakfasts good and drinks always available. Great restaurants nearby - including Little Pearl, Sandiago Bodega, El Siboney .

Cons:

Nothing to recall.

2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
C
Christie • couple • us
10
Exceptional hospitality that made our Key West anniversary feel truly special.
Pros:

Everything! The hospitality was exceptional from the moment we arrived. They acknowledged our anniversary with a beautiful surprise, and the staff was amazing — warm, attentive and genuinely helpful.

The location is 10/10. We could walk almost everywhere, and the complimentary bicycles were one of our favorite perks for exploring Key West. Breakfast was delicious, and we loved having coffee, water, sodas and snacks available throughout the day, plus their afternoon happy hour.

They also provided a map and personalized recommendations based on what we wanted to experience. It felt intimate, thoughtful and authentically Key West. We would absolutely stay here again!

Cons:

Nothing. We had a wonderful experience and would recommend it without hesitation.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
R
Renana • solo_traveller • il
10
Pros:

מלון קטן בוטיק במיקום מעולה,מבנה קולוניאלי ,יפה ,חדר יפה במיוחד.
הרגשה ביתית
יש שתיה קפה חופשי
פשוט מקום מקסים

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
S
Stephen • couple • us
10
Pros:

Location, environment, staff and the unique house style and set up outdoors. It was so peaceful and relaxing. Very helpful, attentive and even has an extra fan I could use due to me being a very hot sleeper. It was very appreciated .

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
S
Smith • couple • us
10
Pros:

Kind friendly staff and pleasant atmosphere with privacy.
Excellent breakfast with grab and go options for on the go people.
Fresh towels daily with room cleaning.
Doors lock at 6pm and you are provided with a main house key for ease of coming and going.

2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
L
Leon Buitrago • solo_traveller • co
9
Muy gratificante y tranquila.......... todo super bien
Pros:

Excelente lugar, la habitacion perfecta, la ubicacion cerca a todo lo que uno debe ir a conocer y disfrutar. El hotel es muy lindo y tranquilo. la atencion y amabilidad de los empleados es excelente.

Cons:

Mas opciones para el Desayuno....... igual estaba muy bueno

2026-09-09 • via Nuitee
Y
yaakov • solo_traveller • il
10
Pros:

מקום יפהפה. ג'קוזי גדול מוקף בצמחיה יפה מאוד ומטבח מצויד עם פחיות חופשי לאורך כל היום!

2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
M
Malika • couple • be
10
Pros:

This was the best, cleanest and prettiest stay in Florida. We loved it

2026-09-06 • via Nuitee
A
Anthony • couple • us
10
Definitely booking again
Pros:

The landscaping and how it made you feel you were escaping reality

Cons:

Nothing everything was top-tier

2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
M
Mohammad • couple • kw
10
2026-08-30 • via Nuitee
J
javi • solo_traveller • es
10
Pros:

El trato del personal y el encanto del hotel

2026-08-28 • via Nuitee
J
James • couple • us
10
Highly Recommend
Pros:

Very cozy. The building is historic. The plants and landscaping are very nice. The employees are friendly and personable.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-08-25 • via Nuitee
J
James • couple • gb
10
Wonderful Stay
Pros:

Beautiful hotel/lodge in Key West. Rooms were clean, staff were helpful and the pool was wonderful and much needed after a day out in Key West. A short walk from Duval Street and other attractions like the Hemingway Home and Butterfly House.

2026-08-17 • via Nuitee
S
Susanna • couple • us
10
Beautiful, great location!
Pros:

Beautiful Bed and Breakfast

2026-08-17 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • us
9
2026-08-11 • via Nuitee
J
Jennifer • solo_traveller • us
10
2026-08-10 • via Nuitee
J
James • couple • us
9
Fantastic stay for our anniversary. Most definitely would stay here, if we got to Key West again.
Pros:

The house was great. Converted my spouse from hotels to BnBs. The staff were great as well. Free and fresh daily breakfast. Always cooked to order. Drinks, water, and snacks available throughout the day.

Cons:

Our room was the Treetop. We went during the end of July (Our fault, silly July anniversary). The room has two window units and one mini-split. They couldn't keep up with the heat. Probably a phenomenal room any other time of the year.

2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
M
Matthew • couple • gb
10
-
Pros:

-

Cons:

-

2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • us
10
Secluded yet walking distance to anything, very comfortable and cozy
Pros:

It was soooo cute and comfortable.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-08-04 • via Nuitee