This was one of the primary attractions we wanted to visit while in Key West, and we were not disappointed. Our tour guide was terrific; very informative, casual and friendly, it was almost as if he had known Hemingway personally. He shared many interesting stories, answered questions well, and made the entire tour fun and interesting. Although this was a tour of the Key West home, our guide told many things about Hemingway and his life, not just as it related to this home. The bottom line was it wasn’t just a tour of this home, but a history of Hemingway also. The home is well-cared for; it is 2 stories, and Hemingway’s second-story studio is behind the home along with the swimming pool and beautiful gardens with tropical plantings. Don’t miss the cat cemetery either. Of course, one of the central elements of the tour is the cats, and the stories that go with them. Our guide was able to share several, and it’s easy to see the cats are well-cared for and loved. When you leave here, go across the street to the lighthouse, and get pictures of the Hemingway property from the top. Of course, you should also get a few pictures of the lighthouse from the upper porch of the Hemingway house.

We stopped at Hemingway House while in Key West this past February 2008.I wanted to hear a little history, some amusing antedotes about Hemingway and see the famous cats that have lived there for decades. Not having read any Hemingway outside of a college English Lit class, I found the tour funny, enlightening, and made me want to go read Old Man In the Sea (based on a friend of Hemingway's). My husband had not wanted to take the tour, thought he would find it dull, but was surprisingly interested. Cats everywhere, well cared for, and many stories to go with them. One down side: tour guide was RUDE! As we entered Heminway's bedroom I noticed a large orange cat laying on the bed. Knowing very little about the cat situation there I asked the tour guide (short bearded man that informed us he is on many cable shows and has lived his whole life in Key West)if the cats were able to roam the house freely..he became indignant and reminded me in an arrogant tone that this was the cat's home and I was the guest.I was so shocked at his sarcasm that I was speechless and embarrassed. At several times during the tour someone would ask a question (admittantly, maybe they were silly, obvious questions) and the tour guide would retort in in a condescending, arrogent way..making it awkward for all of us. He was well informed, had little know, interesting facts and stories, but his manner was horrible for a tour guide, almost as if it was beneath him to have to deal with foolish questions! Why is he allowed to work there?
House itself was lovely, and whole tour was over in less than an hour. Go for the tour, avoid that guide!
also, the gift shop was cheesy touch to a fairly dignifed historical home!

We’ve been on countless historic tours over the years and we truly do not understand how anyone could review this attraction poorly. The tour is factual and interesting but not dry; there is just enough humor to keep you smiling but not so much that it diminishes the quality of the information shared. The house and grounds are in fine condition, not at all shabby or unkempt. The guide does not keep guests “captive” in one room with endless narrative; the tour is informative while moving along at a comfortable speed: no need to get restless but also not rushed. The foliage on the property is lush and beautiful—worth the price of admission just to be in this idyllic tropical setting. And then, there are the cats…We suppose if you are not a cat lover this would not be an attraction but, as cat lovers, we were delighted to meet several of the furry personalities that live clearly happy, healthy and content lives here. We couldn’t help but notice that our tour guide, Ray, truly spoke lovingly toward his furry compatriots. His kindness and respect toward the cats made us treasure our visit to the Hemingway home even more. This was one of the highlights of our visit to Key West.

We enjoyed our tour of Hemingway House and learned some interesting facts. The cats add to the ambiance. What shocked us was the tour guide's rudeness in berating people who didn't tip him. Our guide made some rude comments to some guests in front of our children and they were quite upset. Management should better train their guides.