Advice Sought on Florida Keys

[unclesallie]

Belated Happy New Years 2017 to all TRF Members!

To our members in South Florida, I would apprciate
some assistance:

1. We are at Ft Lauderdale, and headed to the
Keys: how far can we get and best moderately
Priced place to stay before Key West?

2. In Ft Lauderdale/Miami area is there a smaller
shop or watchmaker selling vintage rolex at
reasonable prices? (Prices have become soooo
high!

Any advice/assistance greatly appreciated!

Dan

[Amex4711]

Great question dan
I'm in South florida in february and I'm also interested for the answers.

[unclesallie]

Thomas: lol. Well, you may benefit from my mistakes!

[Etschell]

1. The keys are a tourist trap that are expensive this time of year. I'd suggest cheeca resort. Not cheap but you won't be dissapointed.

2. Vintage is tough. I will say pollack jewelers in sawgrass has a good pre owned selection. How much vintage depends on the day. What I can offer you is to go over there a week or so before you arrive and check it out.

[HERITAGE82]

In Miami head over to Robin in The Grove

He is located in Coconut Grove and has a great selection of modern and vintage watches (mostly Rolex) at great prices.

[Amex4711]

Originally Posted by Etschell

1. The keys are a tourist trap that are expensive this time of year. I'd suggest cheeca resort. Not cheap but you won't be dissapointed.

2. Vintage is tough. I will say pollack jewelers in sawgrass has a good pre owned selection. How much vintage depends on the day. What I can offer you is to go over there a week or so before you arrive and check it out.

thanks eliot !
cheeca resort, no rooms available in february and not cheap

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Amex4711

thanks eliot !
cheeca resort, no rooms available in february and not cheap

Amaran cay or islander resort are cheaper and good. What dates I am seeing cheeca open for 380 a night in early feb.

[2ltdjorn]

when is the off season for the keys?

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by 2ltdjorn

when is the off season for the keys?

June 1 through Sept 30th

[unclesallie]

Guys: thanks so much! We stayed at Bahia Mar Doubletree Hilton in Ft Lauderdale. So so.
Drive down was very good until Key Largo, then bumper to bumper: took 3 hours to get to
Islamadora Key. We are at Amara Cay Resort, which is expensive($280.00 plus tax), but a world class resort. Just wonderful. We went to Lorelei Inn, and had great food, sunset, rock n roll band, and a great magic show! Tomorrow is Key West at the Coco Plum Inm. Again, expensive, $365.00 per night(2 nights for us) including taxes. Thank you for all the great feedback!
Best,
Dan

[unclesallie]

Originally Posted by HERITAGE82

In Miami head over to Robin in The Grove

He is located in Coconut Grove and has a great selection of modern and vintage watches (mostly Rolex) at great prices.

Thanks for the tip!
Best,
Dan

[unclesallie]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Amaran cay or islander resort are cheaper and good. What dates I am seeing cheeca open for 380 a night in early feb.

Boy, you got that right! Amara Cay is wonderful!

Thanks!

Dan

[Amex4711]

thanks for the Amara Cay Tip
Why are the keys so expensive ?

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Amex4711

thanks for the Amara Cay Tip
Why are the keys so expensive ?

It's not cold and snowy there. You can drive there. It's in the USA. Beaches, sun, surf, diving, fishing are all good there. Real estate is limited, so the establishments that are there can charge what they like.

[jnelson3097]

You can visit Watchuwant in Miami but I'm not sure what they'll have as far as vintage Rolex.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

It's not cold and snowy there. You can drive there. It's in the USA. Beaches, sun, surf, diving, fishing are all good there. Real estate is limited, so the establishments that are there can charge what they like.

Agree, and if you want to swim and don't mind walking a mile you can do that too.

[Dr.Brian]

I looked at Hawks Cay Resort for a trip this spring. It seems nice, and family friendly, but not budget friendly. It's looking like a go, but I don't know anyone that went there.
Have a good trip!

[Desibaba]

I just went to Key west a few weeks ago. Make sure you check out the "Better than Sex" dessert restaurant. Its amazing.

[unclesallie]

I really do recommend Coco Plum B&B. Excellent!
Bit be warned: is next to the Green Parrot, which imho is
the best bar and likely the oldest, in Key West:
No Sniveling! ☠️ Anyway, the Green Parrot is not quiet.
Also, great inexpensive find: Santiago's Bodega: fantastic Tapas!
Next stop Miami to look at watches, thence to New Orleans for a fee days, and hoke to the
Cold Cold Cold Northeast.....

[Maybelline]

We are going to the keys in April. We are staying here http://www.islandcityhouse.com but have never been here before. We heard good things about it.

[LawrenceNightingale]

All you guys travelling to KW be sure to eat at El Siboney. Best Cuban food ever, Zagat rated. The restaurant isn't much to look at, but it's a helluva place to eat at.

Also, check out the Saint Hotel in KW. Ain't cheap, but it's classy, and right in the middle of the fun.