Accommodation in Florida Keys and Miami

[Carrie21again]

I am going to Florida with husband and 2 and a half year old this Christmas. I am trying to find affordable accommodation. We need a separate room so the boy will go to sleep and we can have some evening time. Any ideas?

What you could look at is a chain of hotels like Embassy Suites or some such chain of suite based hotels. Do your researches too on tripadvisor.com as they have photos and up to date reviews. These chains are family friendly as well and cater well to family groups. Standard hotel rooms won't give your son a separate room at all; you'd all be expected to occupy one room altogether.

These hotels do not have any form of listening facility on site; if you want evening time then you will have to pay for a babysitter to come in (the hotel could advise you as to agencies they use).

Haven't been to the Keys - yet - we're thinking of going next summer, but we've stayed in The Newport Beach Resort. DH has just pointed out that it's in Miami Beach, as opposed to Miami. They do nice suites and it's a 3*, so reasonably priced. It's in the Virgin brochure. We loved the jacuzzi bath.

Agree with Attila, in Key West there are some very nice Marriotts, Embassy Suites, Days Inn. Other than that, most accomodation is either high end (Ocean Key House) or small B&B's which probably won't be able to give you an extra room without it being $$. While in Key West, be sure to have some conch fritters, check out the area around the Harbour by Turtle Crawls and Schooner Wharf. If you do find a babysitter, I recommed Michael's for dinner..

The Weather Station Inn, is really very nice. I think the room rates would be OK so you could book 2. They have 3 rooms upstairs (i think) and 2 of them share a balcony which might work for you, even if you all go in one room you guys could chill on the big balcony whilst the kids sleep.

It has a very small pool but it's fine. It's in the TRuman Annexe which feels really colonial and safe.

You can hire bikes and cycle everywhere which is brilliant.

I'm jealous and REaLLY reccommend this B&B

Oh and the breakfast is continental and you help yourself and take it back to your room to enjoy on the balcony...bliss.

www.weatherstationinn.com