Islamorada Hampton Inn is IN !!
Written: Aug 27 '02 (Updated Jun 20 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Well run, great spot!! Hooked up with an "Outback restaurant
Cons: not a real beach
The Bottom Line: Hampton Inn along with the adjoining "Outback" made this place a fun place to be.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Hampton Inn and Suites Islamorada |
In April my wife and I planned a trip to the Florida Keys. We went to Islamorada and the Hampton Inn there. This place was great!! We arrived to find plenty of parking. If you come in late at night you may have to park on the far side of the hotel but it isn't much of an inconvenience.
You may not find anybody to meet you at the door with your luggage but the desk will make arrangements for you if you need it.
The hotel is set on the ocean side. The place had a very good staff who were very helpful. The two of us had a large room with a king bed that was very hard but that's what we like. The room was modern, spacious and we had a nice view of palm trees and the ocean.
The bathroom was also large and clean. It had all the usual countertop amenities of soap, shampoo, cream rinse, and shower cap. Sorry, no sewing kit or shoe shine cloth. There was also a sign that if you forgot anything please call the front desk and they will help you out. The bedroom room, though it was non-smoking, did have a smoky odor.
We enjoyed the pool which was a nice size and very clean. What is special about the outside pool area is that is connected to the bar and outside dining of an Outback Restaurant. We were able to sign all drinks and food to our room. That was very convenient. The drinks they made were good. They did have a happy hour but with a very limited selection. One night they had live music that could be heard in the whole outside pool and beach area. We loved it. The jacuzzi was a great attraction too. Other nights they pumped in music that set a romantic mood.
The beach itself is really not a beach. There is a bulkhead and then sand is from there on back about fifty feet. It is attractive but no water lapping on the shore.
On the property is a dock that features rental boats, fishing charters, and even a sea plane ride!! The area was professionally run.
One of the things I enjoyed doing was getting up before the break of dawn and laying down on the hammock that was on the beach. From there I would close my eyes sleep a while and then watch the sun come up. It was also interesting seeing all those who were going out on their fishing ventures.
The fishing trips were booked right through the hotel beach shop. You could also book snorkeling trips. We didn't do it through them. Instead we drove up to Key Largo and opted for a trip from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. They are close to some awesome snorkeling areas and I strongly recommend the state run trips. They are very safe and the guys knew their stuff. On another trip to the area we rented a boat and took it out to the reef ourselves. We booked it from a place called Robbies Boat Charters. This interesting business is just south Islamorada on the south side of the bridge. It's less than ten minutes from the hotel.
The hotel also gives a continental breakfast. This one in Islamorada gives the best. In addition to the usual coffee, cakes, juices, and English muffins we had many other choices. They offered sausage sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, Dannon yogurts, and a great fresh fruit salad. This was a very good way to start the day. You could eat inside where it did tend to get a bit crowded when the late sleepers arrived, about eight-forty-five. Though there were quite a few latecomers the pleasant staff kept the food trays full and fresh. You could also take your food out to the deck area adjoining the pool. My wife and I would have something and then take our coffee down to the beach. It was always very relaxing there.
It seems that this hotel is very popular with Europeans. We spoke to quite a few English, Irish, and German folks. We enjoyed the conversations.
We had enjoyed our trip so much that we repeated it again in July, just three months later, with five of our children ages twelve to twenty-one. Before leaving the first time one of the staff suggested us touring their suites. We did, and were happy with them.
Once again we stayed at the Hampton Inn in Islamorada for a few days before going to Key West and all it had to offer. We really enjoyed it again. We had a suite with two bedrooms and a huge greatroom with kitchen and pullout couch. We had a table that sat four. The room also had two other big chairs. We were very comfortable space wise. Each bedroom had a telephone. There was a tv in both bedrooms and another one in the greatroom. You could get regular tv, cable, and video games. One of the bedrooms had it's own private bathroom. There was a second bathroom for use of all. Each had the usual soaps, shampoo, rinse, and shower caps. We had enough towels for all seven people sharing the suite, hand towels and washcloths included. One thing we did not care for was that one of the bedrooms did not have a window. It gave a feeling of being closed in even though it was a good size.
The free breakfast was a real hit for our kids and a help to our pocketbooks.
Our check outs and check ins are always quick and efficient. We belong to the Hilton Honors program of which the Hamptons are part of. You pick up more points by staying in Hamptons as well as Hiltons. The staff really aims to please.
Try the Hampton Inn Islamorada. You can't go wrong.
other reviews by popsrocks
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Recommended:
Yes
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