902 Whitehead St, Key West, Florida, United States | (586) 210-9239
One
of six Historic Key West Inns
Located
in the historic district, and directly across from Hemingway museum
Pleasant outdoor common area features a sun deck and pool
Poolside bar serves food and tropical drinks
One block away from Duval Street’s restaurants, bars, and shops
Freebies include breakfast and Wi-Fi
Parking
is a tight squeeze (and guests are required to leave their keys at the front
desk)
Thin
walls means traveling noise in some rooms
Shabby
furniture and musty carpeting in some areas
Loud
roosters outside in mornings
Rooms
vary in size and don't have closets
Spotty Wi-Fi
Limited on-site amenities (no gym and few common areas)
Part of the Historic Key West Inns chain, the Lighthouse Court consists of 40 guest rooms scattered throughout 10 conch buildings. Palm trees shade the property and the courtyard pool is flanked by the Mojito Bar and Cafe, which offers light fare and cocktails. Still, travelers may have to contend with a number of cons which include small rooms, shabby furnishings, inauthentic decor, and a chaotic parking situation. But if location is more what matters, then Lighthouse Court's location -- within the area's historic district and just one block off Duval Street -- is prime.
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Scene
Wooden picket fences surround multiple buildings with open porches and French doors
The buildings that make up the Lighthouse Court are
in typical Key West conch style, where the roofs are metal and slope downward,
attic spaces are converted into bedrooms, and windows and doors have louvered
shutters. One- and two-story buildings are separated by brick pathways and
surrounded by spaces filled with wicker sofas, patio tables, and sun loungers. Tropical trees
surround the property and offer plenty of shade, though this may not be the
preferred scene for some. The front desk is located in a
two-story residential-style structure in gray and white with porches and appropriate
signage.
Location
Convenient for tourists, within historic district and directly across from the Hemingway museum
While The Ernest Hemingway Home &
Museum is directly across the street, there are many other spots to enjoy that
are a little farther away. For sun and sand, the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor
Historic State Park is approximately a 15- to 20-minute walk southwest, while
the more popular Smathers Beach is approximately 50 minutes east by foot, or 10
minutes by car. For a day out on Duval Street, nine one five, a bistro in an 1860s
Victorian house, is a suitable spot to stop for a meal and refresher. Art
admirers will appreciate Gallery on Greene, which exhibits a collection of Key
West art with authentic, historic importance dating back to the ‘30s; the gallery is just 15 minutes away by foot. The nighttime scene is best enjoyed at Mallory
Square, which hosts an open-air market, street entertainers, and plenty of restaurants.
Crowds gather here for the sunset as well. Key West International
Airport is 10 minutes east of the hotel by car.
Rooms
Various sized units, some with chipped paint and rusted metals, but nice, modern beach aesthetic
Standard rooms at the Lighthouse Court offer
single king, queen, or double beds with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi with poor
connectivity. Deluxe units include separate living areas and kitchenettes with
microwaves and mini-fridges. At 1,000-square-feet, the Hemingway Suite is
the largest room offering, and has a loft bedroom and full kitchen. The downside
to these historic rooms is found in the overall conditions of the buildings.
The wood and paint on several bathroom doors are chipped and lifting off the
door. Rusted shower curtain rods and water trail marks are also visible in some
bathrooms, which can also run small in standard rooms. However, the overall decor scheme is nice; there are subtle beach touches, but otherwise they feel bright and modern.
Features
Outdoor pool with bar and pleasant common areas with plenty of seating
As a historic inn, this hotel lacks many
amenities, including a gym, business center, or spacious parking lot. Guests
arriving by car are required to leave their keys at the front desk so that
management is able to shift vehicles as each one comes in and out. To the back of
the main building is an outdoor pool flanked by loungers, chairs and tables with umbrellas, and the Mojito Bar and Café. The venue offers salads, sandwiches, and wraps in addition to
margaritas, piña coladas, and -- you guessed it -- mojitos. The space also
hosts the hotel’s free daily breakfast.
