An (former) insiders opinion of the La Concha Hotel (Key West, FL)
Written: Nov 09 '02 (Updated Feb 24 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Convenient Location, Historic Hotel
Cons: Not on the Water
The Bottom Line: If you are going to Key West for the history and mystique, the La Concha is right up your alley!
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| DoubleCoog's Full Review: Crowne Plaza Hotel KEY WEST-LA CONCHA |
Anyone who has been to Key West has seen the La Concha. At 7 stories it is the tallest building on the Island, and without a change in building codes it will remain so. Sitting in the middle of Duval Street (430 Duval), the tall pink build keeps a watchful eye on all the happenings in Key West.
Some of this info may be dated -- I have not been back in many years. But I think this review offers a unique perspective on the property.
History
The La Concha Hotel was built in 1925 and has hosted been the home or temporary residence of many famous people throughout it's history. In the early to mid-1980's the La Concha, which had been boarded up with the exception of it's rooftop bar for many years, underwent an expensive and painstakingly accurate award winning restoration. If my memory serves me correctly, in 1989, the hotel became a member of Historic Hotels of America (it appears it is no longer). It also is on the National Register of Historical Places.
Location
Duval Street is party central in Key West & the La Concha is right in the middle of it (squarely in between Margaritaville & Sloppy Joes. Duval Street is to Key West what Bourbon Street is to New Orleans, so if you stay there during Spring Break or Fantasy Fest, or any of Key West's other infamous party weeks, expect it to be in the center of the action.
While the La Concha is obviously not on the beach; water can be reached by going a mile or less in almost any direction.
The 2nd floor suite & room balconies overlooking Duval street are unparalleled for viewing Key West's Fantasy Fest parades, any other Parade that pops up, or just watching people get nuts on Duval Street.
Rooms
Hopefully you are not headed to Key West to spend much time in your room...but the rooms in the La Concha take you back to when Key West was the gateway to Cuba & the wealthiest city per capita in the nation.
The rooms are redone historically -- accurately enough to have been cited by the register mentioned above. This means many of the rooms are small. The rooms along Duval street, with the exception of the corner rooms contain queen beds, and you couldn't fit a king bed in with a shoehorn. Across the hallway, the rooms are slightly larger. For quieter rooms request a room on the West side of the Hotel.
The furnishings, bedspreads and curtains are all 1920's appropriate. The soaps & shampoos offered (if they are still similar to what I selected) are high-mid tier name brand products.
Bars & Restaurants
The main restaurant in the lobby has always been a Key West staple, as has the roadside bar/deli/oyster bar along Duval Street. The "Top", the 7th rooftop Lounge offers a wonderful view of the island, and Key West's best sunset view. It has been an Island institution forever. Even when the hotel was boarded up and closed (prior to renovation in the 80's) the elevators ran up & down to the top...and locals and tourists alike kept the place hopping.
There is a bar poolside, so you can sip while you swim, and at times a great little paneled wood bar in lobby is a great place to take a break from the sun & the crowds.
Best time to go
With Key West's tropical island climate, no time is really a bad time. For the cheapest rates though go in September to early October, you should be able to negotiate a rate far less than their minimum rack rate. During high season (end of Jan- March), Fantasy Fest and other festivals (eg Hemingway Days etc) expect higher rates $200-$350/night with minimum stays of several nights for the most popular festivals.
Pool
There is a multi-sun-decked spa-pool area in the center of the Hotel (which my office used to overlook, those were the days). This is my favorite feature of the La Concha.
Parking
Parking is free, behind the hotel. Unless you are leaving the Island, I suggest you park your car and forget you have it there. Mopeds, bicycles, and walking are the transportation of choice along Duval Street and really all of Key West.
My ties
A self proclaimed fresh water conch, I was the controller and on the executive committee of the Holiday Inn La Concha from 1988 to early 1991, so this should be considered an *expert epinion*. I am currently not associated with the La Concha (or the Hospitality Industry for that matter) in any way.
Recommended:
Yes
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DoubleCoog
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