Historical Traveler Reviews of Merlin Guesthouse Key West
Merlin House, I love You !
from A TripAdvisor Member
From the moment I entered the front gate, I fell in love with this place. The gardens were lush with tropical foliage. The pool looked great an I couldnt wait to get in it.
I'm a single guy so I chose one of the rooms on the front pourch. They are just the right size and my bed was so comfortable I found myself sleeping in, something I never do. The room had a high ceiling and I turned off the ceiling fan because it was so cool in the room I didnt need it. Bear in mind this was the week of May 19_25 with temp of 85 degrees outside !
The staff never failed to smile and say Hi and the resident Kitty would follow me around which I dearly loved. I will go back many times.
Like a family home
from A TripAdvisor Member
The Merlin guest house is like a family home, with a nice garden, a small pool and a cat. The location is perfect, very close to Duval, but very quiet. Donīt expect too much of comfort, our room was very basic and small (we had a room at the front porch), with no telephone/Internet (Do you really need this in key West?), but very charming and clean. There are rooms in the back, that are bigger and more comfortable. The breakfast poolside in the garden is basic but nice. If you are looking for resort comfort you are definitely wrong here, if you are looking for a charming, genuine Key West guest house, this is the one.
I've found my Key West home!
from A TripAdvisor Member
The Merlin GuestHouse is a quiet place where you feel secluded from the tourist hustle and bustle. The great thing is that you are actually only a block from Duval Street! The Merlin is so centrally located that you can walk to anything in Old Town. The staff is friendly and it is so easy to unwind here that you will never want to leave! I have stayed in dozens of places in Key West and this was by far the best value. I will be back!!!
Thanks TripAdvisor! Spring Break 2004
from A TripAdvisor Member
This website came through again - The Merlin Guest House was lovely.
The Merlin is definitely a place we would return to. We rented the cottage that is located in the back of the property and had 6 (4 adults, 2 kids) in our room. The quarters were cozy, but very do-able.
(We were only in our room for sleeping anyway.) The deck around the pool is well shaded and well appointed. The pool and facilities were very clean. I only wish we had given ourselves more time there. It was very nice not being too close to Duval Street - didn't miss the noise of the late night partiers. But the location was great. Our cottage was air conditioned and the staff did their best to accommodate our large group. I would also heartily recommend dining at the Blue Heaven approximately 4 (short) blocks away on the other side of Duval. Enjoy Key West!
Nice, low Key(!) spot just off Duval...
from A TripAdvisor Member
Clean, fairly quiet, centrally located (1 block off Duval, on the Southern - less crazy - end) and reasonably priced for Key West.
Parking a bit of a pain, so try not to move your car too much once you have a spot. Nice little pool with lounge chairs to relax on, my room had a shared porch with chairs and small tables in front as well.
Breakfast on the minimalist side but there are plenty of great spots nearby. My Blue Heaven - which I highly recommend - just a few blocks away, too. If you want the small, low key, old Keys type experience a definite reccommend.
Quiet and tropical
from Jeanh
We spent five nights in early November at Merlin Guesthouse. We had our own little cottage at the back of the property, overlooking the side street. When I made the reservation, the person I spoke with said the cottage was 'small'. So, it was a pleasant surprise that it was much larger than I had imagined. Lliving room, bedroom, kitchen and large bathroom. Sort of an odd floor plan, the kitchen was off the bedroom and the bathroom was off the living room, but it worked out fine. The pool area was very nice. Plenty of lounge chairs and a goodly amount of very welcome shade. Breakfast was good as well, muffins, bagels, croissants, juice and coffee. The front desk staff was helpful as well.
A nice stay 1 block off Duval
from A TripAdvisor Member
The Merlin Guesthouse provided a great place to stay and rest while recovering from all of the other things to do while on Key West. The continental breakfast was basicly the day old donuts from the local supermarket, and the beds left something to be desired. However, the rooms were clean and the establishment was well run from my limited interactions with the staff. Overall, I would stay there again.
Wonderful!
from Gone2Beach
Stayed here late summer 2002--Very nice and close to everything-Breakfast was nice- Staff was nice- We are staying at the Key Lime Inn next week- a little cheaper than Merlinn- let you know how it is- The regular room with the Queen poster bed was beautiful-hard wood floors- just like the picture on their website.
Great find
from Floridawannabe
I decided to stay here based on reviews I found on different sites and was not disappointed. The location was great - walking distance to both ends of Duval Street but tucked behind a fenced garden area with a small but nice pool. Rooms are not plush but clean and neat. It is an old facility and not completely sound-proof. Guests staying in room above ours got in late and made a lot of noise walking around the room (wood floors - added to the ambience). Only other 'complaint' is parking - no off street parking and spots even during week in off season are at a premium. I would definitely stay again. Makes a romantic getaway.
Loved it!
from A TripAdvisor Member
This is Old Florida at its best. There is nothing corporate about this place, except maybe that you can reserve on the internet. The hotel's main building is an old rooming house built in the 1930's. There are also some other buildings with suites and cottages. I loved the 4 poster bed in our "standard room". It was cozy, but very romantic. There is a nice pool, in a private garden setting.
The guesthouse is only 1 block off Duval Street. This was excellent for walking around Key West.
I thought the rates were very reasonable. The staff was great, and our room was clean and charming.
This is a definate recommend.