5 Things To Know About the Best Western Hibiscus Motel in Key West [Review]

Key West isn’t known for affordable hotels, especially in Old Town, where most of the action is.

So when I found the Best Western Hibiscus Motel with room for my family of 5, free breakfast and parking, and a great location with a pool for under $200 per night, I hopped on it. This property felt like a hidden gem, with everything we needed for a relaxing and reasonably priced stay in a prime location.

Here’s what you should know before you book.

1. It’s One of the Best Budget-Friendly Finds in Key West

Hotels in Key West — especially in Old Town — are notoriously expensive. It’s not unusual to see rooms go for $400 or more per night, especially during peak seasons. For example, the last time I stayed in Key West at Casa Marina, my room had a typical cash rate of nearly $700 per night.

Also, it’s not usual to find properties that only accept a maximum of 2 guests per room in Old Town, which can be limiting for families. Some are adults only, so those were totally off limits for our family trip.

I booked the Best Western Hibiscus Motel for $185 per night, and it felt like a bargain for the location and quality. There were no additional resort or parking fees, just a basic room rate with taxes. The points rate would have been 32,000 Best Western Rewards points per night.

Our room was spacious and comfortable, and the property was family-friendly, with free breakfast and a pool. We had 2 queen beds, a seating area, a minifridge, a microwave, a closet, and a bathroom with a separate vanity area. Everything looked clean and well-maintained. There was space in the room for the kids to spread out, and the minifridge and microwave made it easy to snack.

I liked the motel’s simple layout, too. We had easy access from the parking lot and a short walk to our room, which made it convenient to pop in and out, even if we were loaded down with beach gear.

The Best Western Hibiscus Motel is best for travelers who want to stay in Old Town without spending much or sacrificing comfort. It has a quiet, practical setup in an ideal location for exploring Key West on foot or by bike. If you’re looking for a luxury resort, this isn’t it, but this motel offers walkable access to Key West’s top sights with free parking and a spacious room at a great price.

2. It’s in a Great Location in Old Town

There are larger properties in New Town Key West, including DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Grand Key Resort, Hilton Garden Inn Key West/The Keys Collection, and Fairfield Inn & Suites Key West, which are typically reasonably priced and can accommodate families. You can also earn or redeem points with hotel loyalty programs.

However, we wanted to stay in Old Town Key West, a much smaller area that contained most of the attractions we wanted to visit while we were in town.

At the corner of United Street and Simonton Street, the motel was easy for us to walk, bike, or take a very short drive to anywhere we wanted to go. Nothing was more than 5 to 10 minutes away. We were just a block away from Duval Street, but far enough from the crowds that it was quiet.

The motel is also well-located for visiting beaches on the island’s south side. It’s a little over a mile away from Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, which has a Civil War-era fort and one of the best beaches in Florida, with clear water, rocky snorkeling areas, and shaded picnic tables under the trees.

3. You Get Free Breakfast, Free Parking, and a Pool

Hotel amenities added to the value we received. Everything’s expensive in Key West, including food and parking. Staying at Best Western Hibiscus Motel saved us money every day because we got complimentary breakfast and parking with our stay.

The breakfast buffet wasn’t an expansive spread, but it was enough to get us going in the morning. We had our choice of breakfast basics, including eggs, sausage, toast, bagels, oatmeal, fruit, and yogurt. My kids loved the waffles with a heart-shaped cutout in the middle and had fun piling on toppings.

The breakfast area had indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate a steady flow of guests, and we never had trouble finding a spot. I appreciated that the coffee and hot chocolate station was always open, even outside of breakfast hours.

The free parking was a killer feature. It gave us a spot to park in the middle of it all without worrying about how much we’d pay per hour or nightly. We never had a hard time finding a spot.

The pool was surprisingly large, heated, and surrounded by palm trees.

Though smaller than a resort pool, it had resort-style daybeds, loungers, and a covered cabana for guests.

4. It’s a Rare Points Hotel on the Island

Key West has few points-friendly hotels, especially in Old Town. You can find a few Marriott and Hilton properties scattered throughout the island, but many are either outside the walkable area or priced high in points or cash.

Old Town Key West points hotels include the Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton, Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa, and Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton.

Best Western Hibiscus Motel is part of the Best Western Rewards program and offers a solid redemption opportunity in a spot where points properties aren’t plentiful. A midweek summer stay like mine runs about 32,000 points per night.

5. Service Is Warm and Surprisingly Thoughtful

The service at this motel was better than I expected but consistent with the service I’ve received at other Best Western properties. I’ve noticed genuinely warm service at all of the Best Western properties I’ve visited within the past year or so. They were motels where I didn’t expect much, but the staff delivered friendly and helpful service. Whether a family-friendly crash pad in the Florida Keys, a coastal redwoods motel, or a historic property on Route 66, the service has exceeded my expectations.

Check-in was smooth and genuinely friendly, our room was spotless, and every staff interaction was attentive without being overbearing. The breakfast staff was always present, constantly turning over food and supplies, and the housekeeping staff greeted us in the walkways.

I made a mistake with my booking at the Best Western Hibiscus Motel, reserving 3 nights when I’d only planned to stay for 2. I assumed we’d have to pay for the third night either way, but the front desk agent reassured me we could decide whether we wanted to extend our stay that morning. That flexibility was a welcome surprise, even if we didn’t ultimately extend our stay.

Final Thoughts

The Best Western Hibiscus Motel doesn’t compare to the luxury stay I enjoyed a few years ago at Casa Marina on the beach, but it’s a solid choice if you’re looking for family-friendly and surprisingly affordable accommodations in Old Town. With a generous room size, money-saving amenities, and welcome service, I got more value from this property than I expected. If walkability, on-site parking, and complimentary breakfast are priorities for your visit to Key West, the Best Western Hibiscus Motel offers a great balance — and the opportunity to earn or redeem points with Best Western Rewards.