I stayed there for 2 nights May 3 & 4 this past year and had a great time. The room was very small but beautiful, all white with a plantation theme. We had booked a garden room but ended up on the side facing Mallory Square and had a corner view of the ocean, very tiny balcony.

The best thing about the hotel is the location. There are only a few hotels/resorts like this right on the water on that (fun) side of the island. I would definitely not risk booking an ocean view due to the cruise ships. There was a new one there every day that would block your view. However, you are right next to Mallory Square and every night can just walk down to watch the performers and have a drink. There's a great Cuban restaurant right next door also.

We didn't spend too much time in the room, but just being down by the water, "tottering" distance from the bars on the western end of Duval Street made the higher room rate very worth it for us. Plus the room was very clean, fresh and comfortable. The staff was also extremely friendly and helpful, we got an early check-in for no extra cost.

If you took away the 'Westin' branding, you would never think about staying at this property (let alone paying the rates they charge). This property was not up to scratch and was so unbelievably overpriced for what it was.

THE PROPERTY

Westin "Marina and Resort?" Marina? - well it is on the docks where cruise ships release hundreds upon hundreds of tourists each day to hang around the commercial areas of the hotel (and yes, as per previous posts, the cruise ships do obscure the "ocean view" until about 6 p.m.)

Resort? - hardly. The property layout is ridiculous. There are two buildings spread out across public areas of the Key West marina (think hundreds of college students walking around drinking beers and street performers). There was only one restaurant (which was very poor). A very small hotel pool (which was equally poor).

If you have every stayed in a great beach resort, think of the things that made your stay great (beautiful rooms, great food, friendly staff, amazing pool, near the beach etc.. etc...). Now imagine the exact opposite - bingo Key West Resort and Marina.

ROOMS

Tired. So very tired. Cracked tiles and roof. Dents in the plaster. Broken safe (the bolts "securing" the safe to the cabinet were stored inside without being attached to anything - you could carry the safe with you). Beat-up old tub. Uncollected dishes outside rooms. Room service carts everywhere (and trolleys full of sheets ets randomly placed around the halls). Half of the floors was being renovated.

Housekeeping was also poor. Each day our room was not made up until 5 p.m. No evening turndown service (normally I wouldn't care, but at $400 per night... come on)

STAFF

Where were they? Normally a large beach 'resort' would be buzzing with staff. Friendly staff who greeted you when you walked around. When you saw a staff member, they didn't even acknowledge you. Bell desk was understaffed the entire time we were there. We waited for our bags for 25 mins when checking-in and about 30 mins when checking out. The valet was clearly overwhelmed by the number of cars being called. The property seemed to be trying to save costs by reducing staff numbers. The result - poor service.

The front desk were all smiles at check-in. Go to them with a special request or a problem, and they couldn't be bothered.

OVERALL

This property was a waste of money. Don't be fooled by the Westin brand - it is lipstick on a pig.

wow...went for Destination Wedding......this is hardly a resort, rooms were old ,dated old motel bathrooms, broken furniture, upon arrival per email from hotel they announce "under Construction"..........the dishes from the previous occupant were in the hall in front of our door upon arrival and stayed until late Saturday night............and I did not call the front desk......I am not spending real money to police the hotel.....I had more expectations from a Westin property..

We stayed at the Westin for 3 nights and the Hyatt for 1 night, while in Kew West. We stayed at the Hyatt first, which was a spectacular boutique hotel (the walk in shower at the Hyatt was larger than our entire bathroom at the Westin). However, while quirky and older, the Westin had some pluses.

There are two buildings at the Westin, the Marina Building (which has the front desk) and the Main Building, which has the pool and restaurants.

We stayed in the Main Building on the second floor. About a third of the second floor was being renovated during our stay. There was some noise during the day but it was not overly intrusive. I did see inside one of the rooms being renovated and it was totally gutted. The rooms will still be small, but I expect they will be modernized. The cruise ships that others mention tend to park in front of the Marina Building, rather than the Main Building, but due to configuration, there would be minimal direct Gulf view rooms in the Main Building.

Our room had obviously not been renovated and it was dated and dinged. The view from our room was horrible as was the noise was unbearable on the patio from the AC system outside. However, we had a great deal on the room and did not complain (kinda expected one worst rooms based upon our price). The beds as usual were comfy and inside the room it was quiet enough. Maid service was inconsistent at best. We broke a glass on the patio and left a note for the maid to clean it up. Not sure if there was a language barrier or not, but she ignored the note and left the broken glass on the patio. Additionally, the same day our toiletries were not restocked and all of out towels were not replaced.

The pool was nice, clean, and relatively quiet, mostly adults but a few families. Some of the families were more courteous to the other guests than some others who let their kids run wild despite having the only kids at the pool (not sure why anyone would bring younger kids to Key West in the first place but that is another issue). They came around occasionally with fresh fruit at the pool, which was a nice touch.

The food and beverage at the Westin was excellent. I can honestly say that I had my best meal in Key West at the pool bar for lunch (a fish sandwich), and we went to some relatively expensive meals at well regarded restaurants. Additionally, the bar service was very good at every bar and every time of day. Dale at the pool bar was a master of the mojito.

The location is great, right on Mallory Square, close to everything on the busy end of Duvall.

All in all a nice stay, not the best rooms, but an adequate hotel with some pluses. If you can get a renovated room, it would likely be better.