Key West motels offer a practical, wallet-friendly alternative to resorts, especially for travelers who want to be within walking distance of Duval Street and the waterfront. Most properties cluster in Old Town, near the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the Southernmost Point, and Mallory Square. Rates typically range from $100 to $200 per night depending on season, with amenities like outdoor pools, free Wi-Fi, and on-site parking. Guests should expect classic motel layouts, often with tropical tile floors and compact rooms equipped with mini-fridges and microwaves.
Among the top-rated options, Blue Marlin Motel (rated 88 - Fabulous) stands out with a heated outdoor pool and daily continental breakfast, just a four-minute walk from the Southernmost Point. El Patio Motel features Cuban tile floors, a rooftop sun deck, and lush gardens, though note renovation work in late 2026. Southwinds Motel offers two outdoor pools, a Tipsy Rooster Bar, and bicycle rentals; it sits two minutes from Duval Street. Duval Inn blends motel simplicity with bed-and-breakfast touches, including complimentary breakfast and indoor/outdoor seating, and is steps from Duval Street.