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Authors Guest House

3.8 (66 reviews)
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nature trail
Lisa S.

Reviewed 2 days ago via mobile My husband and I had an unfortunate experience while staying here. Upon checking in, we were told by the employee at the desk that we could park in front of the guesthouse as long as there was no sign saying "residential parking".There was no sign, so we parked there. The next evening after walking back from town, we returned to find that our car was towed. It cost us nearly $300 to get our car back + the cost of the ticket. We had expected that because the hotel employee assured us it was ok to park there, that we would be compensated for a night's stay. Instead , the Manager indicated it was our fault and that we should have known we could not park there even though his employee assured us that it was ok. Aside from this, the service here is terrible. There is no employee available after 5:00 PM for any help if needed. The pool is not a pool, but a whirlpool. There is no pool as advertised. Also, there were no extra towels near the whirlpool, so we had to use our bath towels to dry off. Then, we were unable to get dry towels, as no staff was on duty. The breakfast is horrible - packaged , cheap muffins & a few tangerines. the positives: Good location in quiet neighborhood, decent room and comfortable bed. However, due to the terrible service and bad management, I would not recommend this place. It is overpriced for the level of service , bad advice by hotel employee, & the uncaring attitude of the management. VERY disappointing!

Small pool
Angelo R.

I found an awesome rate on Hotels.com so we all stayed here when we went to Key West. It was about $160 per night for a large room with a king size bed and a twin. According to the nice front desk lady, all rooms do come with an extra twin bed which is a good deal if you split the room between 3 people. I was assigned the largest room on 2nd floor called Thornton Wilder. It was more than enough space for 2 people. It had a writing desk, 2 chairs, micro, fridge, chest of drawers. It was also very clean and loved the quaint Key West décor. Bathroom had fresh towels, toiletries, and a blow dryer. In the morning there was a complimentary light breakfast including coffee, fruits, yogurt, and bagels. There's also a small courtyard with a pool. I also had the pleasure of meeting one the friendliest cats just lounging on the chair which is common in Key West. Although this B&B is not on the strip, it's still walkable to Duval (7 blocks) or just take a Lyft for $8. There's no private parking lot but plenty of free street parking which we didn't have any difficulty finding spots. There's an abundance of hotels on the strip but If you want to stay somewhere tranquil in Key West, this is the perfect choice without breaking the bank. We definitely had lovely and quiet stay here.

Jason B.

I'm going to be honest and if it upsets the owners I do apologize. With my job I stay in hotels and b&b's no less than 255 nights each year allover the lower 48 states. I had been given paperwork for this trip to key west only a day prior to my arrival so I didn't have much time to locate a place to stay but with a quick orbitz search I decided on this location. $310 per night and hey it's the keys so it is what it is on pricing but I guess I was expecting more out of my stay but here goes. I did arrive late due to an issue with my flight not being able to land over a fog issue but I arrived around 8:45 pm and it was a little confusing on how to get in but after walking around I did locate the gate and there was my envelope with my room keys and information about the property. The place is huge and appears to have 7+ separate rooms they rent out but mine was located downstairs ( library room ) it's decent size with a king bed and tv with tons of windows and an Ac that worked great not that it was hot here in Feb but it kept the room a very nice temp. The bed was horribly firm to the point that I literally spent about 5 hrs sleeping in the little wicker chair on the room because my back was killing me. But hey it's a bed so it is what it is. The shower had horrible pressure ( it could be the way it is here so I don't blame the owners ) but keep that in mind because it is horribly low pressure. Breakfast items offered are a joke ( it's literally items that look like there from sams that's pre packaged ) muffins and granola bars. For $300 + per night I was really surprised by the breakfast options and that was one of the cheaper rooms they have here. Looking at this property online it appeared that it was comparable to a B&B but it isn't that at all. I was in the room for no joke 10 hrs but that isn't the owners issue it's mine but I just figured for the amount spent to stay there would be more options. Would I stay here again on my next trip it's 50/50 but I for sure wouldn't pick this room again. The bed was just way to dang firm for me. One good thing about this location is it's literally within walking distance to tons of places to see and hang out for drinks or a quick afternoon bite.

Cool succulents
Olivia S.

I've been anxious to write this review since we booked this summer. The pictures and descriptions had me googly eyed before I ever stepped foot in the door. Upon arrival we were greeted with friendly and courteous staff right off the bat. The rooms are literature themed so we stayed in the library. It did not disappoint! Two full walls of windows on the first floor with a front row view of the beautiful foliage surrounding the property. The property has a large jacuzzi tub (not heated but still nice)! Their on-site breakfast was great! I liked the packaged snacks and cereal options. Key west is known for their brunch spots so the packaged bars were great for snacks later in the day too. The property has a ton of beautiful trees and plants. The whole premise is surrounded by a chest-height wall that made me feel way more comfortable being close-ish to the heart of downtown (TONS of intoxicated people at night). Speaking of downtown, it was a walkable distance but after walking up to five miles daily Uber was necessary. Our main MO was the price but this location will not disappoint!!!

Poet's room
KC D.

Overall the location, price and accommodations were totally fine. Dislikes: no shower pressure, breakfast was underwhelming and our upstairs neighbors must have been elephants they way they walked around. :-/ We did have to ask for another cleaning after we checked in because there was sticky substance left on the bedside table and beers left in the freezer but that's not a huge deal. Housekeeping came by after requested and remedied.

Hellman room at Authors Guest House in Key West
Milly D.

I wanted to experience a sweet B&B with my fiance in Key West for a couple of days that was not only affordable but also clean (despite of Covid19 pandemic) and cute. We searched and saw so many different locations but something about the Hellman room and the spa right outside the doors that attracted us to Authors Guest House. The room was clean, spacious enough for two. The bed was very comfortable and cozy. The bathroom was a bit small but it worked. The only mirror was the one above the sink and I found myself looking for a mirror in the bedroom to check my makeup or my outfit on my way out a few times. The only negative in the room but not enough to take away a star is that the dresser drawers had a musty smell to them. So I bought two $1 air fresheners and issue solved. The patio and spa outside the room was kept clean. We only saw one other couple using the spa the first night but other than that it was like our own private hot tub which was a bonus! The morning breakfast available was nothing grand but everything was packaged individually except the fruits. Again, they were very good about keeping everything clean in all aspects. There's only two parking spaces for the property but free street parking is available. We never had an issue finding parking. The front desk staff was so nice and professional. Overall we loved our stay!!

Our room!
Karen S.

I absolutely love this place!!! I just wish we had spent more than one night. Barb the receptionist is AMAZING! She was so helpful!! Gave us the run down on the cool spots, restaurants and local entertainment to check out. And she gave us free drink coupons for several bars!! The kitty that wanders the property lives there too! When I went in, she was sitting on the front desk as if she's was waiting my arrival!! So cute. The rooms have their own separate entrance and theme. McCullers was our room. It accommodates 2 people. It's small but cozy. Beds are soooo comfortable!!! Nice sized bathroom with a large shower..there's a large hot tub/pool and outdoor breakfast in the am. As well as free coffee, tea all day! So.. a quick 15 min walk to Duvall St. I suggest leave your car parked at hotel and walk or bike. Plenty of good eats along the way too. Be on the watch for wildlife along the way. We saw a huge iguana!!! Stray chickens and cats roam the streets!! Lots of local art to check out in this eclectic little piece of the world!! Can't wait to return!!

My favorite place to stay when I go down to the Key's!  I've stayed here 3 times and I've never been disappointed.
Ines D.

Best place to stay when down in Key West. Best value for the money. I've stayed here 3 times over the last 5 years and I've never been disappointed. The staff is outstanding.

Tom T.

Authors is a fantastic alternative to the $300+ per night hotels on Duval Street. Its about a 10 minute walk (through the cemetery if you're adventerous) to get to the bars and tourist traps of Key West. If you want to experience that true local Key West... stay here. If you want to get to Duval, you can be active and walk. To anyone who thinks it's too far away, get off your ass and walk dammit. If that's too much, rent a bike (bonus points for still being active and using the locals' preferred means of transportation). If you really can't stand the distance, rent a moped or call a pedicab. They have a variety of rooms and they are all unique which adds to the charm of staying at a guest house on the island. The room and the grounds were extremely clean and having stayed in Kwest multiple times this is definitely not one of those dingy, run down lodging options. The fairly large hot tub is open all day and night but you can't use the keys after 9pm. There are pool towels available for your use. Breakfast was fairly simple but at least there was something. It included bagels, yogurt, and fruit. Coffee was available during breakfast, but tea, cold water and ice was available 24/7. Staff were very nice and accommodating. The bed was great and the nicely decorated room included a small tv and a mini fridge. This place was a fantastic find!

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Ask the Community - Authors Guest House

I'm traveling with a 3 year old. Will she be able to walk to Duval and Mallory square or do we need to Uber it? Are there close by restaurants we can eat dinner at within walking distance?

DUVALL IS 8 BLOCKS MALLORY I WOULD GUESS 12 TO 15. YOU MIGHT NEED A STROLLER. VERY WALKABLE FOR ADULTS

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Review Highlights - Authors Guest House

If you are looking for a true Key West feel outside the hustle if Duval street this is the place for you.

Mentioned in 16 reviews

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The Saint Hotel-Key West

The Saint Hotel-Key West

(169 reviews)

$$$

We haven't stayed here although the place looks awesome. Rooms open to the pool…read more We just stop at the bar, which is really cool looking. Stylish! But then they showed us their rooftop bar (live music!) that overlooks Duvall St. so now that's our go to spot to drink and people watch. See you there!

Recently stayed at this beautiful boutique hotel. Feels more like a bed & breakfast then typical…read moreMarriott property. Property does not have one consistent vibe, but it is closest attributed to South Beach/modern. Rooftop bar has live music in the evening and good drinks while overlooking Duval street. Breakfast selection is good, but if you are used to complementary breakfast through the Marriott status, then you are only offered eggs, bacon, granola, and toast. Sadly the bacon was stale (we were one of the first, if not the very first to order breakfast, so it being completely cold and stale tells me it's not from today). We asked for coffee at breakfast and were pointed to the coffee station on the front end of the bar. Just drip coffee, nothing special. No milk, alternatives or honey, just cream, sugar and stevia. That part could be improved for it being about $400-$500/night. The room itself is decorated well and clean. Plantation shutters look great, but they do let in light in the morning since hotel doesn't have any curtains. Walls are thin as we heard the phone ring, but turns out it was our neighbor.

Opal Key Resort & Marina - Overview of King room pool view.

Opal Key Resort & Marina

(92 reviews)

Andre Made Our Stay! We stayed at Opal Key Resort & Marina…read morefor a quick one-night staycation, driving down from Islamorada for an event at Sunset Key -- and our check-in experience with Andre was truly outstanding. From the moment we arrived, Andre welcomed us with a big smile and an energy that immediately put us in vacation mode. He was professional, personable, and incredibly attentive. He took the time to walk us through everything we needed, made sure our accommodations were perfect, and shared some great local tips that added to our trip. It's rare to meet someone who delivers top-tier service with such genuine warmth, but Andre absolutely does. He set the tone for a great stay and made us feel valued from the start. Huge thanks to Andre -- the resort is lucky to have him, and we'll definitely be back!

After an absolutely horrible and very expensive reservation at a different hotel, we had to find a…read morenew hotel for our three nights in Key West, Florida. It was late night and there was not much available. Miraculously, this place ended up our final destination after 4 of us were on our phones for literally at least an hour. We ended getting to the place nearly 10:30 pm. The staff was AMAZING!! The place was beautiful with a location right in view of the water. The rooms we got were impeccable. Crisp white sheets, fluffy white towels, plenty of bottled water in the mini fridge. Poolside, they offered cool individually wrapped facial towels, sunblock, sunglasses wiping cloths, and much more. Their restaurant was ocean facing and very nice. We ate breakfast there 2 days in a row and it was wonderful. The only issue was our beautiful view was blocked by cruise ships on both days. The ships were there until nearly 4 pm... that part was definitely not good planning for the view. But for watching sunsets after they were gone... ohhh my goodness. All in all, a fabulous place, sensational customer service and respect. But do expect it to be on the pricier side... well worth every penny.

Eden House - Lobby

Eden House

(139 reviews)

$$

Absolutely LOVED this place. Free beer or soda upon check in. FREE HAPPY HOUR like what?!?! How can…read moreyou beat that??? All the staff are friendly and nice. The property is filled with hammocks and tree swings, perfect places to drink your FREE coffee or tea from the lobby every morning. You know what I loved more than all the free beverages (lol)? The fact that we visited in the middle of summer and didn't get bit by a single mosquito! How is that even possible in Florida during summer??? They must spray & have mosquito repelling plants. Or super powers. Our room was cute and clean. We got the standard room (no upgrades) after the Hyatt screwed up our reservation and we were scrambling to find accommodations last minute. But ya know what?! This place was so much better! I can't rave enough about Eden House. We are definitely staying here when we come back!

***Buyer Beware*** This hotel is a scam. They advertise…read morerooms with queen size beds that are clearly full size at best. I actually measured the bed and it was far smaller. On top of that the room is almost closet sized with an exposed shower and sink which makes it feel very humid in the room. Theres barely enough space between the bed and wall to walking into the room. The shower also hadn't been cleaned with a piece of old soap stuck to the floor and bug crawling under the pillow when i moved it.. I brought it to the attention of the man working the front desk who first told me it was a queen. The GM came on later that evening and admitted that it wasn't a queen and offered us a slightly larger rom but same size bed. Again the sink was in the room and it was stuffy and humid which made it hard to sleep more than four hours. I canceled the room after one night and tried to get my money back, but they've refused. Do not stay at this hotel. The "queen room" is basically just a hostel at hotel prices. $260 a night in my case.

Marquesa Hotel - Front porch

Marquesa Hotel

(134 reviews)

$$$

What a fantastic place! We were looking for a "non hotel" experience for this trip and just loved…read morethe luxury boutique feel of the Marquesa! It was a relaxing Oasis just two blocks from the hustle and bustle of Duvall, allowing you to partake in all the day and night activities, but then escape back to your quiet, peaceful place to unwind! The room was much larger than we expected with a large living room area with desk and mini fridge full of different drinks, with more drinks of all types on top, with a variety of snacks! The bedroom was also large, with a large closet and a VERY comfortable bed in a room that darkened to allow us to sleep in one day. Both rooms had TV's if you wanted to unwind with different show types. The bathroom was gorgeous with separated dual vanities so no spousal battles getting ready, a separate water closet (also helps avoid battles :) ) , and a huge shower with a great dual shower head fixture including rain shower. Given the propensity for high temperatures in FL, the AC in this place was great and ceiling fans kept the room as cold as you wanted. The pool areas were little botanical wonders full of great foliage, comfortable lounge chairs and just gorgeous serene surroundings. There were usually only a few adults there so it was a quite paradise to go read a book in the shade, lay out in the sun, swim or just relax. I'm not much of a pool guy, but even I enjoyed our time at this one. The lobby area is really cool with a refreshed vintage house and vintage furniture and decor. We ate at the cafe one day for breakfast and got great service and a pretty good meal. The staff was mostly friendly with a few more mellow younger folks, but some really nice housekeeping staff who joked with us! The only issue I could see is potentially the parking. We got lucky and found some on street spots but if not, I couldn't tell if they had enough parking and it's a little pricey at $30/night. This kind of quality doesn't come cheap, but we will absolutely splurge and stay here again if we return to Key West and have already told others about it!

Marquesa Hotel is a small boutique hotel in Key West. Our brief stay was lovely, and I'd want to…read morestay here again if returning! What I enjoyed: *Great location *Delightful, helpful employees *Neighboring restaurant Cafe Marquesa is fantastic dining! *Complimentary sangria at afternoon check in and coffee in the morning. *Beautiful pools, water fall garden and tropical landscaping *In room dining available. *See attached Hotel information photos.

The Marker Waterfront Resort

The Marker Waterfront Resort

(199 reviews)

$$$

The MARKER has won me over !…read more From the outside of the property the place looks great and looks like many of the homes in Old Town but much newer and much bigger. And inside the building the decor is keys typical but done so well and the entrance up the stairs is great. I also love that they have a private garage beneath the resort. Once we got our keys, we passed through the pool areas (more than one pool) and it's lovely; so tropical with tons of palm trees and other plants and it's kept so nice. We arrived to our room and was so pleased, so clean and decor made us feel good. As nice as everything was I wanted to go out for the night and the location for this can't be beat. Right by the Bight Marina so we have a lot of restaurants/bars to choose from like Boat House, A&B Lobster, Half Shell Raw Bar and Schooner Wharf and in the morning you're right by Cuban Coffee Queen. Also the location is walkable to Duval Street so you have more restaurants more bars and lots of action.

We Stayed here for 2 nights and really enjoyed it. The location is phenomenal... walk to…read moreeverything. The hotel was very nice (smaller somewhat boutique) , cool vibe. Not really a resort as someone else also mentioned... although there is a mandatory $56 a night resort fee. The hotel was clean , the room was nice with a separate shower and bath tub, balcony, the bed and pillows were great. I'd def stay here again as long as I can still $wing it

Authors Guest House - hotels - Updated May 2026

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