The Story of Our Key West Inn

We're often asked what brought us to stewardship of the Tropical Inn. Everyone in Key West has "a story." Here is ours!

The Tropical Inn is one of the oldest family-owned and operated Bed and Breakfasts in The Conch Republic. In 1984, tourism was just gaining a tentative toehold in Key West history, and the big hotels had yet to discover it at all.

Dennis Beaver, local entrepreneur and civic leader, brought to life from a neglected but historically significant Bahamian Conch House the third in his series of Key West bed and breakfasts. He operated it with close friends and family members until 1999, when other opportunities called.

Jane Lowe and Allen Lewis were kicking around the Keys about that time, trying out their new boat. Making their time off a busman's holiday from their Savannah-based commercial real estate careers, they discovered the Tropical Inn.

While a charming property that enjoyed a loyal following, it also had considerable upside potential. Best of all, it met that most important of requirements: location, location, location!

In their travels, Jane and Allen preferred to stay in small, family-run hotels, like those typically found throughout Europe. They enjoyed the uniqueness of the accommodations and the affability of fellow guests. From time to time, they mused about owning such a property. Ever ready for a new adventure, the Tropical Inn became their "next development project." Little did they imagine at the time what a challenging but fulfilling part of their lives innkeeping would become!

The missing ingredient was a "front person" to meet and greet guests and see to their comfort. With a fresh degree in Hotel Management and a birthright in Southern Hospitality, what more obvious choice than daughter, Brandi? Coaxing her to leave her fast-track career with a large, corporate hotel in Phoenix, the team was formed.

So they set about their goal of making the Tropical Inn a personal sanctuary for guests ... an intimate and engaging retreat capturing positive energy, good karma, and that ever-elusive sense of "calm."

As serendipity would have it, the opportunity to purchase an adjacent vacant lot soon presented itself. Seizing the moment, it was incorporated to create what is today an exotic tropical garden with a waterfall pool, the envy of many a fellow innkeeper.

Luxurious Key West Lodging Accommodations

Rooms and common areas were redesigned, furnished with beauty, quality, and comfort. As the vision became reality, the Tropical Inn collected a loyal following of guests from around the world.

 

In 2004, additional adjacent property was acquired. Over the next two years, derelict buildings were renovated, more than doubling the original inn's footprint and taking it to the next level of luxurious guest accommodation. Expanding to embrace three cloistered cottages and a soothing hot tub, the original inn was transformed into a secret garden enclave.

In the summer of 2011, the last of the assemblage was renovated, in a style bridging the traditional ambience of the Main House and the dramatic luxury of the garden cottage suites. The Caribbean Cottage, housing the Coconut Cabana and Conch Courtyard, was "brought into its own," retaining its intrinsic "Old Florida" ambience, while introducing modern comforts and designer appointments to appeal to the contemporary traveler.

Concurrent with the renovation of the Caribbean Cottage, another family member, son Blair, joined the staff. His coming on board enables us to better serve our guests with extended office hours and expanded support services.

A Welcoming Key West Boutique Hotel

Today, the Tropical Inn is one of the most unique, romantic, and stylish guesthouses in the Key West B&B community, while retaining its original homelike, welcoming warmth. Jane, Allen, Brandi, and Blair's enthusiasm for sharing this very special place is infectious, and they are always ready to welcome new friends into their "family of guests."

Jane and Allen's concept of what makes a perfect island hideaway manifests itself in every detail of the Tropical Inn. The day-to-day operation is a personal, hands-on endeavor, ensuring a quality experience for each guest. Someone is always available for help with anything a guest may need, even if it's just for a friendly chat in the garden or on the back porch, over breakfast.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a bed and breakfast?

We are a bed and breakfast in the sense that breakfast is included with your room. Because we do not have a commercial kitchen, public health licensing regulations prohibit us from serving a hot, cooked-to-order, "gourmet" breakfast, as might be expected in bed and breakfasts in other US locales. This is typical of most B&Bs in Key West. We offer a fresh and ample "continental plus" breakfast buffet-style on the back porch of the Main House each morning, included in your room rate.

Those familiar with "classic" B&Bs, which fuss over their clientele, may be surprised at the unobtrusive manner of our service. While our staff is friendly and accommodating, we are impatient with pretension and believe that guest privacy is paramount. Therefore, we let our guests set the level of interaction with their fellow guests and us.

We have an expansive tropical garden that serves as our common area, with small pockets of privacy throughout. This allows our guests enjoyment of our intimate ambience without forced intermingling.

Our attitude is casual, but attentive, and uncompromising when it comes to quality. Our goal is to assure our guests not just a clean, comfortable accommodation, but a unique experience that they will treasure in their memories and a profound sense of place that will draw them back again.

I've never stayed in a bed and breakfast. I want to come and go as I please. How are you different from a hotel?

At the Tropical Inn, we like to say, "Even if you stay with one of our friendly competitors, you owe it to yourself to stay in a Key West B&B because the bed and breakfast experience is so much an integral part of the culture here." Some are reticent because they think they will have less privacy than a hotel. Not so! We are attuned to this hesitation, so we allow you to define the degree of interaction with our staff and your fellow guests. No shared baths, no community TV, no schedules or time constraints, no obligatory intermingling. You have a key to the house and your room, allowing you access at all times ... just like at home.

I've never been to Key West. How long should I plan to stay?

There is so much to see and do, and such a journey to get here, you should plan at least three days on the island, if you have the time. You could easily stay a week and not "do it all!"

Are you on the beach?

No! We have a better location: right at the midpoint of the main street in town (Duval Street), which is a mile long, Gulf to Atlantic. If you are staying waterfront at either end, you are about a mile from the other, and so, a far less central point from all you have come to see and do in Key West than if you stayed with us. In fact, Key West is not known for its beaches, having a reef two miles offshore that prevents wave action from building beaches as you might find on less protected shores. We do have beaches (the best is at Ft. Zachary Taylor State Park, right around the corner from us), but visitors come to Key West to experience much more unique diversions than can be found anywhere else in Florida ... and perhaps the rest of the world, for that matter!

How close are you to Mallory Square? The beach? The ferry terminal? Southernmost Point?

Old Town is approximately one mile square. Duval Street, the main street in Old Town, is approximately one mile long. Our strategic location at the mid-point of Duval Street places us within easy walking distance (about a half-mile in any direction from the farthest reaches of the historic district) to all Key West attractions.

May I borrow a pool towel for the beach or water sports?

Of course! Just be sure to shake the sand out - it plays havoc with our washing machine!

I'm taking the ferry. It arrives before your check-in time and departs after checkout. What do I do with my luggage?

Check-in begins at 3PM, but we try our best to have your room ready if you'll be arriving earlier. Just be sure to let us know when to expect you. Checkout is 11AM. We have a safe place to store your belongings, whether taking the ferry, catching a late flight out, indulging in a special outing that ends after checkout time, or just lingering late to savor that last little bit of Key West the day of your departure.

Will we need a car?

No! Parking is at a premium everywhere in Old Town and if you drive in you will find you will park your car and forget it until time to leave - and if yours is a rental, you'll incur unnecessary expense. Because driving in the narrow streets of Old Town is, at best, a challenge, most of our guests enjoy Key West by foot or rent bikes or scooters to experience the island "like locals." If you want to take a day trip off-island, there is a convenient and economical car rental agency just a few blocks from the Inn. Oh -- and speaking of off-island day trips, be sure to ask us about the special itinerary of Florida Keys "best kept secret places" we've made for our guests!

If I do decide to drive, where will I park?

We have only two parking spaces for guests, included in the daily room rate and situated immediately adjacent the Pineapple Hideaway and Gecko's Garden. For other rooms, there is generally free curbside parking to be found within a half-block of the Inn on cross and parallel streets to Duval Street. (Duval Street is metered; cross and parallel streets are not). Even more convenient is a commercial lot across the street from the Inn, where our guests are offered the discounted rate of $20 per day. No matter which parking arrangement you choose, there are two loading zones just steps from the Inn's front door on Duval Street for convenient luggage transfer - park there for a few minutes, while you come in to register.

I won't be arriving until after your office is closed. How do I check in?

No problem. We will leave a late arrival packet for you. You must call for special instructions if you will be arriving after 5PM.

What's for breakfast?

Please see our Breakfast section on the "Enhance Your Stay" page for a full description.

Do you have any rooms with two beds?

The Banyan Tree Suite has a single (twin) daybed. The Tuckaway has a pullout sleeper loveseat (twin). Each can accommodate a party of up to three guests. We have no accommodations for a party of four.

Do you have hair dryers? Refrigerators in the rooms?

Each room is equipped with a hair dryer, iron, and ironing board. All rooms have mini fridges except the Pineapple Hideaway, which has a full size refrigerator in its studio kitchen. There is a communal microwave oven and a basket of paper plates and cutlery on the back porch of the Main House for everyone's use. We invite you to "make yourself at home."

Do you allow pets? Children?

We love pets and have plenty of our own. However, we are unable to accommodate them at the Inn. Young adults age 16 and over with well-behaved parents are welcome.

What about hurricane season?

No matter your embarkation point or the season in which you are traveling, you may encounter travel interruptions along the way, or even before leaving home. Think about this: you are leaving from or traveling through storm-prone territory, whether winter or summer. Or maybe you live in a high-risk area. If "your" storm does not affect Key West, we are "business as usual". You will be expected to adhere to your obligations regarding your reservation, just as we are to assure that your accommodation is ready for you when you arrive.

To address unforeseen eventualities, we strongly recommend travel insurance at all times. This protects you against most last-minute travel emergencies, whether weather-related, transportation-related, or personal.

Hurricane Season Cancellation Policy, effective June 1-November 30:

We do not refund for inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control. We strongly encourage the purchase of Travel Insurance to protect your vacation investment!

Please note that we do not sell Travel Insurance, but provide a link on this website to Travel Guard International, one of the most reputable and comprehensive providers in the travel industry.

In the unlikely event that a hurricane evacuation is ordered while you are a guest here, and you have not purchased travel insurance, you will be issued a voucher for the unused portion of your stay. Guests holding a confirmed reservation who are unable to travel to the Tropical Inn because of the closing of the Key West Airport or connecting roadways due to a mandatory evacuation and have not purchased travel insurance will receive a voucher in the amount of the room deposit held. Vouchers are redeemable between June 1 and December 1, up to two years from the issue date, excluding special events and holidays. (Exception: Vouchers issued for cancellations of Fantasy Fest reservations can be applied to future Fantasy Fests in the ensuing two years.)

No voucher will be issued if the hurricane is not a threat to Key West, and you are unable to travel because of canceled flights or adverse travel conditions outside the Keys. We strongly encourage the purchase of Travel Insurance to protect your vacation investment!

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