The Mermaid & The Alligator – Adults Only (16+)

The Mermaid & The Alligator is a Victorian guest house on Truman Avenue in Old Town Key West, dating from 1904. This adults-only house has nine rooms and takes guests from 16, while the person booking must be 21.

Nine rooms, nine stories

Each room has its own theme and story, from SunRoom and Caribbean Queen to Treetop, Audubon, Bamboo, Papaya and Key Lime. Caribbean has a wraparound porch, and Royal Poinciana has a balcony with chaises. Garden is the only ground-floor room with garden access, and it opens to the pool.

Garden breakfast and free treats

A full cooked breakfast comes between 8:30 and 10 in the garden. The garden has private nooks, open seating, tropical plants and exotic birds, plus a big hammock. Guests mention the free drinks on hand all day, the cookies and the evening wine. The outdoor pool stays open all year, and there is a hot tub too.

Three blocks from Duval Street

Duval Street is about three blocks away. C. B. Harvey Rest Beach Park is 590 m away, and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum 730 m. South Beach is 910 m. Flights land at Key West International Airport, 3.2 km away. The concierge helps with trips, and snorkelling and diving are close by.