Once we decided to ride to Key West from Key Largo, it was time for me to go into reservation mode.

Personally, I don’t camp. I know how much Mike really loves camping but I just don’t like it. I could try but I know I would be miserable and it would make him miserable too. In fact, my idea of camping is a “Hyatt Regency.”

I tried to find places that weren’t too expensive and still be okay for me to stay in. I have to admit I am a bit of a hotel snob. I love to stay in beautiful places and we have done that all over the world.  Typically, I search out places using various reviewing websites such as Yelp, Trip Advisor, and others. I have to say, there are a lot of generous reviews in those sites. Guess I am not as generous as most people. I feel it is important to be honest about a hotel or B&B, or for that matter, anything.  Hopefully, you will keep reading and see our hotels, inns, and B&B’s through our eyes.

Day 1: Marriott Courtyard, Key Largo: I have to say one thing about Courtyards, you know what to expect and, usually, they meet your expectations.

They are clean and generally, better than okay places to stay if you don’t want to pay for the Marriott.  We had a great rate because it was a shoulder season.  I think we even got a Florida resident discount. The truth is that there weren’t too many people there that particular time in early December.

The Key Largo Courtyard is in a good location on the ocean side of the key. It is an older hotel and in some serious need of updating but was clean and infinitely better than a number of other places we stayed.  It used to be a Ramada which explains some of its lacking. It has an odd entryway as the driveway is uphill, probably to keep from flooding the entrance. When it rained, and it did on the first day of our trip, the parking lot gets pretty flooded.

There is a funky “beach” and a very small pool on the side of the hotel.

Along the back side of the hotel is a docking area. There is a walkway along the dock and it was fun place to walk.

On the good side, the staff was very nice and helpful. We were going to leave the car there for the whole week and stay again on our way back but it rained too hard for us to start out next day. They were very nice about us leaving the car there especially because I am a Marriott member.  Don’t ask the staff for recommendations because they don’t seem to go out very often. Usually, Courtyard’s serve breakfast but this one did not have the free breakfast but you could pay for an overpriced microwaved one. We chose to go out.

In short, if you stay in Key Largo, the Courtyard is a good choice. The location is great. There are dive and fishing boats right next to it. The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is only a couple of miles away. Best of all, the African Queen is docked across the inlet.