Just returned from my first trip to Florida and the Florida Keys, starting with 3 nights in Key West at the Ocean Breeze Inn. Booked this hotel based on their online slow season promotion of 2 nights, 3rd night free, so that my total stay for 3 nights plus tax cost only $250. Had no idea what to expect (having stayed the previous night in a dive in South Beach), and was delighted by how clean, charming and comfy the hotel was.

Staying mid-week, there were very few people in the hotel so I was able to request and got a room in the quietest area, the back rooms, with no one on either side of me for most my stay. The room was spacious, equipped w/ a fridge and microwave (which I took advantage of to take home the very generous portions of the delicious meals I got in Key West), had great cable service, very comfy bed and even smelled delightful due to some special air freshener they use there.

The motel is locally owned and has a small service and cleaning staff, so everyone working there is very personable and helpful. For example, their office is only manned from about 8AM to 6PM, so the manager managed to track me down on my cell phone around 5PM as I was making may way down the keys to make sure I had everything I needed to check in without him, and even left his card w/ a cell number in case I had any problems as a first time visitor. He also left some flyers in my room based on some things I had said I was interested in doing in Key West.

This is a 1960's era motel property in great condition, located in "old town" which means it was within walking distance from all the main tourist sights and the infamous "Duvall Street", which comes in very handy as I never drove my car at all once I got to Key West. The hotel even has bikes available for rent on sight (although if you wanted to spend the time you could get bikes 4 blocks away for cheaper, $7 a day compared to $15, but you would have had to get back to the rental place before they closed as opposed to dropping your bike back off at the hotel bike rack).

The only potential downside to this place is that there is not 24 hour desk service, but posed no problem for me. Also, it is on the end of old town farthest away from the "Duvall Street" action, which for me was actually a plus, and just a couple blocks from the silly "Southernmost Point in the US" marker. The motel has only a tiny pool and no jacuzzi, so the pool area is really only good for kicking back to read or have breakfast.

For the price I couldn't have found a better place in Key West and highly recommend it for its very fine quality interior and its great local staff. Ideal for an out of the way spot, just far enough away from Duvall that the drunks won't follow you home.

Oh and there's a great little Cuban grocery store and lunch spot next door to the hotel which came in quite handy for picking up toiletries, water and yummy Cuban lunch.