Axel's take on Southernmost Point & Casa Marina: #3 of 6 in Key West, 7.2/10
Choose the southern shore for calmer evenings without giving up Old Town. Excellent sightseeing access, strong hotels and calmer residential character earn third place, but fewer nearby choices and weak value hold it back.
Around South, Reynolds and Seminole streets, the mood shifts toward residential blocks and the Atlantic shoreline. Upper Duval and the Butterfly Conservatory suit leisurely outings, while Higgs Beach adds gardens, a playground and watersports. It's a good balance for couples and families who want town access without lower Duval's nightly intensity.
The seaport is a longer outing, and shoreline access doesn't guarantee ideal swimming: sargassum can change beach conditions. Roadworks announced September 11, 2026 affect South and Whitehead streets, with surrounding detours; check access before booking nearby. Choose the Reynolds Street side for a calmer residential setting, not this whole neighborhood indiscriminately.
- Best for: families, couples, luxury travelers, a quiet stay
- Skip it if: You want northern Duval's bars immediately outside; You cannot tolerate construction near South and Whitehead streets
- Getting around: Walk upper Duval and Higgs Beach; bike or taxi to the seaport; Key West Rides uses local stops, and taxis connect with EYW.
- After dark: More dinner-and-a-stroll than bar crawl, with Casa Marina's residential streets generally calmer than lower Duval.
- Rates: Typical Axel rate $557 a night
Where to stay in Key West: every neighborhood ranked
Where to look in Southernmost Point & Casa Marina
- Duval Street at South Street. The Atlantic end suits leisurely sightseeing and shore visits rather than lower Duval's bar-centered evenings. Hotels here: Southernmost House - Adult Exclusive, Duval Gardens at Southernmost Beach Resort – Adults Only, The Southernmost Inn - Adults Only, Southernmost Beach Resort and Guesthouses.
- Simonton Street, United to Atlantic. Stay near the southern shore with Old Town within reach; useful for mixing town walks and waterfront downtime. Hotels here: Santa Maria Suites, Southwinds Motel, The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton.
- Reynolds Street near Higgs Beach. A shore-focused base for families and couples drawn to beach outings rather than northern Duval's nightlife. Hotels here: Coconut Beach Resort, Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton.
How to choose
- Choose Santa Maria Suites if you need two bedrooms, separate bathrooms, a kitchen and laundry for sharing or a longer stay.
- Choose Southernmost House - Adult Exclusive if you want adults-only historic waterfront character and can accept renovation noise.
- Choose Southwinds Motel if keeping the room rate down matters more than spacious rooms or soundproofing.
What paying more buys
Southwinds Motel is cheaper than most here; Santa Maria Suites buys two bedrooms, kitchens, laundry and more consistently attentive service. Coconut Beach Resort is one of the priciest picks, paying chiefly for quiet waterfront self-catering rather than polished rooms or full service. Neither premium makes sense for travelers needing only a simple sightseeing base. Typical rates with Axel here run from $345 a night at Southwinds Motel to $1,857 at Coconut Beach Resort (last 30 days).
The best hotels in Southernmost Point & Casa Marina, ranked by Axel's take
Each hotel scored for what it is by Axel's own review; the rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates.
- Santa Maria Suites 9.2/10, upscale 4-star all-suite hotel near southern Duval Street. Spacious suites and unusually attentive service make this a strong pick for sharing. Why it's here: two-bedroom suites with kitchens, laundry and notably attentive service for families or sharing couples. Accept: no elevator; resort fee, parking and extra-adult charges apply. $714 a night with Axel against $747 a night on Expedia for the same dates and party: $33 a night less (4%). Sign up free to book this rate
- Southernmost House - Adult Exclusive 8.6/10, historic, adults-only oceanfront boutique hotel. Historic waterfront charm and warm service, with renovation noise to weigh before booking. Why it's here: adults-only historic oceanfront character with an infinity pool and attentive staff. Accept: exterior renovations through December 31, 2026; room locations vary. $622 a night with Axel against $798 a night on Booking.com for the same dates and party: $176 a night less (22%). Sign up free to book this rate
- Duval Gardens at Southernmost Beach Resort – Adults Only 8.5/10, upscale adults-only guesthouse with access to a larger beach resort. A charming Duval Street base, provided you understand the resort is several blocks away. Why it's here: small adults-only guesthouse character with access to larger resort facilities. Accept: main resort several blocks away; rooms can be compact. $348 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Coconut Beach Resort 8.3/10, simple oceanfront timeshare resort with studios and kitchen-equipped suites. A strong pick for quiet waterfront downtime, with modest rooms and a tiny beach. Why it's here: quiet waterfront self-catering with a pool, hot tub and included covered parking. Accept: tiny seaweed-prone beach, limited service and a particularly high rate. $429 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Southwinds Motel 8.2/10, no-frills 2-star motel in Old Town Key West. A friendly Old Town base with useful extras, but small rooms and added fees. Why it's here: a cheaper southern Old Town base with friendly staff, two pools and breakfast. Accept: small dated rooms, thin walls and extra fees. $305 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton 7.9/10, historic upscale beachfront resort in Hilton’s Curio Collection. Choose it for historic character and poolside relaxation, not easy ocean swimming. Why it's here: historic waterfront character and two oceanfront pools, including an adults-only option. Accept: rocky, seaweed-prone shore and inconsistent service and housekeeping. $392 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- The Southernmost Inn - Adults Only 7.8/10, simple, adults-only 3-star historic inn near Duval Street. A good adults-only base for exploring, with small rooms and fees to weigh. Why it's here: a cheaper adults-only base near southern Duval with two pools and a hot tub. Accept: small rooms, stairs, resort fee and nearby construction. $624 a night with Axel against $730 a night on Expedia for the same dates and party: $106 a night less (15%). Sign up free to book this rate
- Southernmost Beach Resort and Guesthouses 7.8/10, sprawling 4-star waterfront resort with adults-only guesthouses on southern Duval Street. A strong location-and-pools pick, but not a dependable beach escape. Why it's here: multiple pools and southern Duval walkability, with adults-only guesthouse options. Accept: seaweed, uneven maintenance and uncertain Shores Pool availability. $572 a night with Axel against $659 a night on Expedia for the same dates and party: $87 a night less (13%). Sign up free to book this rate
- The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton 7.7/10, upscale 4-star beachfront resort near Duval Street. Pick it for the beachfront location and friendly staff, not flawless resort polish. Why it's here: beachfront access near southern Duval, balcony rooms and frequently praised staff. Accept: seaweed affects swimming; upkeep and elevators can disappoint. $656 a night with Axel against $759 a night on Expedia for the same dates and party: $103 a night less (14%). Sign up free to book this rate
