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The Mermaid & The Alligator: Traveler Reviews

729 Truman Avenue, Key West, FL 33040
Hotel website
Hotel amenities
Special Offer
Free parking
The Mermaid & The Alligator
Ranked #2 of 99 Key West B&B and Inns
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468 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    431
    25
    8
    3
    1
See reviews for
Families
15
 
Couples
369
 
Solo
9
 
Business
4
 
Rating summary
  • Sleep Quality
    5 of 5 stars
  • Location
    5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    5 of 5 stars
  • Service
    5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Hutchinson, Kansas
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Best of the Best!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 23, 2013

We booked four nights here, after reading previous tripadvisor reviews. We felt fairly confident that we would not be disappointed, based on previous experiences with tripadvisor. However, we felt that the M and the A surpassed our expectations. Physically, it is a wonderful facility, inside and out. The landscaping is beyond adequately describing - possibly "tropical paradise" comes close. The rooms are tastefully decorated, spotlessly clean, and everything is in good repair. We stayed in the "Papaya Room" which is one of three located in the cottage behind the home. It is one of the smaller rooms, yet was more than adequate for the two of us. The bath was nicely sized and very well lit (we find this to be an exception compared to most B and B's). Breakfasts were excellent, and were served outside, around the pool. The evening wine was a nice and appreciated touch. Geri was the "Gold Standard" in concierge matters. She gave good advice about things to do and see, as well as dining suggestions and accomplished making reservations for us without a hitch. The M and the A is so perfectly located in old town, that we walked to dinner three out of the four nights. Geri arranged a charter boat for us for a six hour cruise. This was an excellent and memorable experience for us. Her pick, Captain Tommy, gave us a perfect day, sightseeing, fishing, and dolphin-watching. Dean and Paul, the owners, are "hands on" guys, much involved in the day to day operations. They run a first class operation. Of all the dozens of B and B's we've been to, this one eclipses all the rest.

Room Tip: The cottage rooms offer a bit more privacy, without sacrificing the amenities.
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  • Stayed January 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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See 4 more reviews by XScotts for Key West
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jersey City, New Jersey
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Charming House, Central Location, Awesome Hosts”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 22, 2013

My husband and I spent two days here prior to our Miami business meeting. Jerry greeted us (along with the loving dogs) to show us around the Inn, list all amenities, and make suggestions for dinner and activities. Our room was lovely and cozy with a great private porch for us to enjoy a bottle of wine. The breakfast quiche was unbelievable and the snacks and wine in the afternoon are a great touch. When Jerry found out we were heading to the beach she packed us a beach bag with towels for our day. All of her recommendations were great, she clearly loves Key West. We can't wait to return on our next trip down South.

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cold Spring, MN
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“The many positive reviews are correct”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 22, 2013

The website pictures an escape into a idyllic place of green tropical trees and lush plants (it never freezes in Key West) and quiet corners. The house and outdoor space well surpass the web site depiction, appealing as it is. This is a place to be, not just a place to sleep before going out again. When you do go out, it is centrally located. We left our car parked the entire time and walked everywhere in old town Key West.

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Madison, WI
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“We'd stay here again and highly recommend it to anyone.”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 21, 2013

We stayed in the Sun Room at the Mermaid and the Alligator in December 2012. This bright room is small with very efficient use of space, very clean and the bed was quite comfortable. Because it was on the 2nd floor, we had views of the treetops which made it seem like you were in a tree house or rain forest. The B&B was full when we were there but it was very quiet. We never heard anyone from the other rooms, nor did we hear any street noise, though this room faces the back gardens and not the street. The B&B might be considered 'off the beaten path' but don't confuse that with being far from the sites. It's an easy walk or bike to anywhere on the island. The staff will provide recommendations for all things and got us bikes to rent which we picked up the next day at the B&B. The Mermaid and the Alligator is different than other B&Bs I've stayed at. It has all the things you'd have at home but couldn't bring along (e.g. beach chairs, beach umbrellas, sunscreen, towels) and no knickknacks in the room taking up precious space. Breakfast is in the gorgeous garden area. The breakfast consists of several juices, muffins, yogurt, fruit, coffee and a hot dish that they prepare. All very good. Geri and Rebecca were very helpful and friendly and handled things quite while the owners were out of town. The two dogs Caya and Havana were mellow and just hung out. I would definitely stay here again and would recommend it highly to anyone else. This is probably one of my favorite B&Bs that I've ever stayed in.

  • Stayed December 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 3 more reviews by lucykitty for Key West
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reading, England, United Kingdom
1 review
“What a way to start the new year”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 16, 2013

We stayed here for the first time in January 2013 and were joined by my brother Chris and his wife Gail. We had previously spent a fantastic week cruising the Carribean on Carnival Valor and seeing our daughter who is a dancer on that ship. Whilst that was a wonderful experience our stay in Key West and the wonderful delights of the M&A were indeed paradise. We had the pleasure of seeing all the Christmas decorations before they were taken down; an amazing display. The breakfasts were delicious and helped set us on our way each day with us enjoying the different flavoured muffins later on as we explored this historic and fabulous island. When we returned we relaxed in the shade of the immaculate gardens; a wonderful place to rest our wearly legs after each fun filled day in Key West before setting off in the evening for more delights. Rebecca and Geri were very welcoming and a very big thank you to Geri for all her recommended eating places and sorting out the bookings. We never had a bad experience and would endorse Saluté, La te dars, Louis' backyard and Latitude. Finally, we will miss Havana and Caya, especially the latter who never let my husband rest in the jacuzzi!! Thank you Dean and Paul for sharing your "home" with us. Mike and Sally

Room Tip: Just simply look at their fantastic website. The pictures do not lie!!
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  • Stayed January 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Sally B about The Mermaid & The Alligator
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Additional Information about The Mermaid & The Alligator

Also Known As:
The Mermaid & The Alligator Hotel
The Mermaid & The Alligator Hotel Key West
The Mermaid And The Alligator
Address: 729 Truman Avenue, Key West, FL 33040
Phone Number:
Region: United States > Florida > Florida Keys > Key West
Amenities:
Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Suites Swimming Pool
Hotel Style:
Ranked #2 of 99 B&Bs / Inns in Key West
Price Range: $$
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Welcome to the casual elegance and style of a more relaxed age. Our beautiful circa 1904 Victorian Home, located in the heart of Old Town Key West, offers the warm hospitality of a traditional bed & breakfast while providing our guest a place to relax, enjoy the ambiance, and even shut out the rest of the world if you choose. Join us and feel at home. ... more   less 

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