The Gardens Hotel

About The Hotel

The Gardens Hotel is a 4.9-rated (2,794 reviews) five-star-history luxury boutique in Old Town at 526 Angela Street. Subratings run 4.6-4.9 with cleanliness 4.9, location 4.9 and service 4.9 as the strongest. Amenities include EV charging, pool, free breakfast, bike rental, boating arrangements, pet-friendly rooms and taxi service. Recent 5-stars: ‘private, beautiful, relaxing, convenient, perfect — cottage was gorgeous, grounds beautiful, breakfasts tasty and satisfying, live music enjoyable’; ‘The Soul of Key West — my husband and I planned a two-night trip to visit Dry Tortugas National Park. We thought that would be the highlight — but we couldn’t have been more wrong’; ‘great place — Phil the bartender excellent, all staff helpful and so nice.’ A 5-star specifically named Rhoda for taking guests on a tour of the property and suggesting local restaurants. Luxury-boutique Old Town setting with cottages and koi-pond grounds — the marquee among Key West’s 4.9 boutique tier.

What Guests Are Saying

“This stay was nothing short of magical. My husband and I planned a two-night trip to Key West to visit Dry Tortugas National Park. We thought that would be the highlight of our vacation—but we couldn’t have been more wrong. The Gardens Hotel completely stole the show. From the moment we arrived, we experienced hospitality unlike anywhere we’ve ever stayed. The manager greeted us warmly, helped with our luggage, secured our parking, gave us a tour of the property, arranged our taxi for our early morning ferry, and even introduced us to another couple staying at the hotel. We ended up sharing dinner and drinks with them that evening, and it became one of our favorite memories of the trip. The property itself is breathtaking. Every corner has its own personality, and wandering through the lush gardens feels almost dreamlike. There’s an unmistakable sense of peace here that’s difficult to describe—you simply have to experience it. Our room was beautiful, comfortable, and impeccably maintained. I’d seen a few reviews mentioning that the rooms were small, but I honestly couldn’t disagree more. We had plenty of space, the bed was incredibly comfortable, and our balcony was huge. The gardens, pool, live music, and historic inn create an unforgettable atmosphere. But the true magic of this place is its people. On our first evening, we met Annette at the bar. She made phenomenal cocktails (order her mojito!), but even more memorable was her warmth, humor, and infectious personality. She had us laughing all night, and we genuinely wished we’d had more time to chat with her. On our second evening, Phil took over behind the bar and was equally wonderful. His drinks were fantastic (again, another divine mojito!), and our conversations with him made for another perfect night. We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner, and what an incredible woman she is. She’s charismatic, gracious, hilarious, and absolutely unforgettable. Her passion for The Gardens Hotel radiates through everything she does, and it’s obvious that the warmth and charm of this property begin with her. I left thinking, “I hope I’m that effortlessly joyful someday.” One of the most unexpected joys of our stay was getting to know the other guests. My husband and I are in our twenties, yet we found ourselves having wonderful conversations with people spanning several generations and from all over the world. There was such a genuine sense of community here—something that’s increasingly rare to find while traveling. Breakfast was another delightful surprise. I expected a simple continental buffet, but instead we were treated to a thoughtfully prepared, made-to-order menu. It was genuinely one of the best breakfasts we had anywhere in Key West. Leaving after just two nights was surprisingly difficult. In fact, I’m writing this review from a beautiful luxury resort in Islamorada, and we both keep saying the same thing: we wish we had stayed at The Gardens Hotel instead. We’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many places around the world, and it’s rare to find a hotel that leaves such a lasting impression. The Gardens Hotel isn’t simply a beautiful place to stay—it’s a place that makes you slow down, connect with people, and feel genuinely cared for. It’s where luxury feels warm instead of pretentious, where relaxation comes naturally, and where strangers become friends. Thank you for giving us a stay we’ll remember for the rest of our lives. We already know we’ll be back. Bravo, bravo, bravo.” — Colleen D., 5 stars

“From the ease of checking in to the ease of checking out, this place was amazing! Started off with a welcoming prosecco, parking for my larger vehicle, tour around the grounds and assistance with whatever needed. The grounds are beautiful with some titles, birds and even a few cats on the property. They have a great little wine room for tastings and an adorable seating area in the main house. Our room and bed were very comfortable. A GREAT breakfast was served daily and was delicious with great service. Close to everything and they have bikes to take if needed. They also provide a beach bag with towels. We will definitely be going back!!!!” — DIANA D., 5 stars

“Hotel staff were awesome. The cottage was gorgeous, the grounds were beautiful, the breakfasts were tasty and satisfying, the live music was so enjoyable. Annette was so busy taking care of us for breakfast, then being bartender later in the day. We enjoyed her. Location was perfect for walking to restaurants & the Hemingway house. Everything was kept clean & manicured. Definitely recommend HIGHLY.” — J L., 5 stars

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• 4.9 cleanliness, 4.9 location and 4.9 service subratings
• Cottages and koi-pond grounds
• Live music at breakfast
• Pet-friendly with EV charging and bike rental
• Consistently praised staff (Annette, Phil, Rhoda) across 5-stars

Cons:

• Value subrating 4.6 — luxury-boutique pricing
• Small property — books far ahead
• A boutique inn rather than in-room whirlpool
• Luxury tier — expectations should match

The Location

526 Angela Street, Key West, FL 33040 — In Old Town Key West, walkable to Duval and Mallory Square. You can find more details or book your stay on TripAdvisor.