Where To Stay In Key West: Review Of H2O Suites

November 20, 2022

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If you’re planning a trip to the Keys and wondering where to stay in Key West, you’d be justified in feeling a bit overwhelmed by the many tiny-and-creatively-named boutique hotel choices. And as I was researching, I felt a sameness from many of them, not quite ticking the boxes of what I was looking for.

And then I found H2O Suites Key West, and was immediately SOLD. It provides a lovely, serene respite from the heat and craziness of nearby Duvall Street, a much more modern and intimate hotel aesthetic, and the option for a small private pool rather than fighting the crowds.

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So I wanted to provide a detailed review of H20 Suites and share some photos from my short stay here. I also recommend reading my deep-dive post on Key West, which has a lot of important tips to help you plan your overall trip, including how to choose the best hotel.

But what you need to know to start with is that Key West sure can be expensive! For some dumb reason it was EXTRA expensive when I was there, so even just normal hotels were running $700-1000 a night. But I feel like <$500 would be more normal for H2O Suites.

And you should consider parking costs and availability in your hotel choices (I went for central places where I could park and leave my car).

Please note: I am not affiliated with this hotel in any way and paid for my stay. There are a few affiliate links throughout the post from which I may earn a small commission for any qualifying bookings (which I greatly appreciate, and at no extra cost to you), but all opinions are, as always, completely my own. Learn more in my Disclosure Policy.

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My TL;dr review of the H2O Suites Key West

I’ve got a much more detailed review of the hotel below, including lots of photos, but if you’re in a hurry here’s my “short and sweet” version. Check out their reviews on both Booking and TripAdvisor (I booked through Booking.com).

If you’re looking for a bit of a splurge in Key West (not crazy expensive) and/or a nice romantic getaway, this is definitely my reco!

I stayed in the Premier Luxury Suite with Private Pool, and the room was large and comfortable, including a separate seating area.
The private plunge pool was really the selling point for me! It’s hard enough to find hotels with decent pools in Key West, and most are tiny, crowded, and get little good sun for laying out. Having my own little one was incredibly appealing.
I wish I could have stayed two nights, because I didn’t really get to take full advantage of the private pool…the one on my patio got full sun (for laying out) midday, but if you can’t check in til 3pm and have to check out at 11am, you miss the peak experience.
The hotel’s main courtyard is absolutely beautiful and lush, very peaceful—like being in a spa. I consciously chose an adults-only hotel for that vibe as well.
I was only there one night so didn’t really get to take advantage of the amenities, but there is a rooftop pool and bar for all guests and a fitness center.

For context, I also spent a night at the Kimpton Ella’s Cottages, which was cute, with strong Key West bungalow aesthetic vibes, though fell a bit short on comfort for value (you can see more pics & my thoughts here). I’d actually wanted to stay at Kimpton’s Winslow’s Bungalows instead but they were full on my dates.

Hotels were CRAZY booked up and expensive when I was there, which affected my choices. If you’re looking for a REAL splurge, check out Sunset Key Cottages (amazing!), and some of the other places on my short list were the Gardens Hotel, La Te Da (adults only), Marquesa Hotel, and Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina (further away, but looks great).

Want to know (and see) more about H2O Suites?? Read on…

Other Florida Keys adventures to plan your trip!

The Ultimate Florida Keys Guide: Planning The Best Road Trip

The Perfect Key West Vacation: What To Do, Where To Stay, & More

Sunset In Key West: The Two Best Spots That AREN’T Mallory Square

The Best Key Lime Pie In The Florida Keys: A Definitive Ranking

Exploring Bahia Honda State Park: A Must On Any Florida Keys Roadtrip

Where To Stay In The Keys: Review Of Grassy Flats Resort (Marathon)

What It Was Like Multi-Day Open-Water Sailing: Key West To Dry Tortugas

The main hotel public spaces

Once I got parked in the street-level garage and got checked in (simple process and the staff were welcoming), my first experience of the hotel was being led through the main courtyard to my room.

When I stepped into the courtyard filled with lush, tropical plants and burbling water features, the hustle and bustle of Key West melted away. There’s a firepit as well in the evening, which provides a nice cozy feel.

While I didn’t get a chance to try them out myself, the hotel has a great rooftop pool and bar that visitors rave about.

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The room at H20 Suites

I felt bad that I never got a chance to enjoy this little front patio area that my room offered, but I loved that little porch swing…perfect for reading and sipping a delicious Cuban coffee!

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I absolutely loved my suite, with its calming, modern décor. It was plenty spacious and the separate seating area was appreciated…I always get frustrated in hotel rooms where the only comfortable place to sit and read or work is in bed

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The bathroom had plenty of space as well, and looked out over the private pool. There was a rainfall shower (which I personally don’t like as much but seems to be all the rage) and a separate vanity area.

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The private plunge pool & patio

But let’s face it, this is what we’re here for!! Or at least, what *this girl* was here for.

After searching for a hotel in the downtown area with a nice pool, I loved the idea of having my own tiny pool space to lay out. Not having to fight crowds, save a chair, or deal with music or smoke from people was a huge plus in my book.

Note, it is quite small, but perfect for a single person or couple wanting to just chill and soak. They do a great job making it feel really private (walls and lots of plants giving you privacy), though that does crowd out the sun through large parts of the day.