Key West, need advice...

[krimney]

I will be in Key West Dec 17/18 for PADI IE. Looking to get a few dives in on the weekend after. Anyone have recommendations for budget accommodation? Would consider staying up towards Marathon if price was right. I have never been in the Keys so know nothing of the area. Lots of shops to choose from...I will need tanks/weights for the exam and will rent locally.
Flying into Ft. Lauderdale on the 15th and renting a car so will need parking.

 

[buckled plates]

Try Looe Key Reef Resort (Ramrod Key, about 25 miles from KW), or Big Pine Motel (Big Pine Key, about 30 miles from KW). They're the least expensive that I'm aware of. Marathon and Key West both pretty pricey. Looe Key Reef resort has the benefit of a hotel, dive shop, restaurant/tiki bar, and dive boat all on the premises. Good luck with the IE! :cool2:

 

[billinwilliamston]

If you're looking to go cheap Seashell Motel and Key West Hostel still has a couple of hostel beds available for that weekend. Being Key West even hostel bunks are $50/night + tax.

 

[krimney]

Looe Key it is. Had the room I needed and only 75/nt. My first time in the Keys. Hoping to leave as an OWSI...

 

[buckled plates]

Great! Also lots of low budget options for food in Big Pine and vicinity. Breakfast at Keys Cafe ($10), lunch at Big Jim's Pizza and Subs ($10), happy hour at the Looe Key tiki bar and a pretty good burger ($20). Or do it yourself with a styrofoam cooler, a bag of ice, and groceries from Winn-Dixie in the Big Pine shopping center. Good luck with the OWSI, and say hello to Kate on the Kokomo Kat if you get out for a dive!

 

[Jax]

If you are a card-carrying DoD person, you can stay at the base lodging.

 

[Wookie]

If you are a card-carrying DoD person, you can stay at the base lodging.

Hard to get a room there if you were below an O-6 that time of year. The rooms are, however, magnificent.

 

[Chugwhump]

Hard to get a room there if you were below an O-6 that time of year. The rooms are, however, magnificent.

It appears the OP has lodging figured out....
But for anyone eligible that might see this, there is another good option December through April in Key Weird for cheap lodging...
of a sort.
There is also the tent camping option on the water at the base.
Water and electric.
I think it's about $15 a night.
A very nice bathhouse is right there.
U.S. Military Campgrounds and RV Parks - NASKW Campground


Chug
Hates no-see-umz.

 

[Jax]

The room I had was not magnificent.

Sent from my SCH-I605

 

[Wookie]

The room I had was not magnificent.

Sent from my SCH-I605

How long ago? I think they finished refurbishing it full facelift 4 years ago.