Pet-Friendly Hotels and Historic Inns in Key West
Key West is small enough to explore on foot or by bike, which makes it a good place to travel with a dog. Most pet-friendly options here are historic inns in and around Old Town, where wooden houses, tropical gardens and quiet side streets suit a slow walk. The Key West Historic Inns group alone accounts for four of them: Winslow's Bungalows, Lighthouse Hotel, Ridley House and Ella's Cottages. The Palms Hotel adds a heated pool and breakfast, and Aqua Lodges at Hurricane Hole Marina offers cabins with kitchenettes and sea views. I only name here the hotels whose own description says pets are welcome.
Key West exudes a unique, bohemian charm, characterized by its colorful architecture, lively Duval Street, and striking sunsets at Mallory Square. The city's personality is distinctly relaxed and welcoming, with a strong sense of community and a penchant for quirky individuality. It's a place where history blends seamlessly with modern-day leisure, offering everything from literary landmarks to vibrant nightlife. The island's tropical climate and ocean breezes create an inviting environment for outdoor activities, making it a perfect backdrop for a pet-friendly getaway. This blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and a tolerant spirit makes Key West a memorable destination for all visitors, including those with pets.
Where to stay
Old Town inns, cabins and practical hotels
Choosing a pet-friendly hotel in Key West is less about finding one than about picking the right setting. Historic inns put you close to Duval Street and the Old Town streets, ideal for morning and evening walks before and after the heat of the day. Larger hotels add practical extras such as breakfast or an airport shuttle, and the marina cabins give more space and a kitchenette. Small rentals with private entrances complete the choice for travellers who want to come and go with a dog freely.
The Key West Historic Inns properties are the most natural fit for a stay with a dog. Winslow's Bungalows, rated 8.4 from more than 1,200 reviews, is a historic inn with three swimming pools and a pet-friendly policy. Lighthouse Hotel is a historic hotel with a heated outdoor pool and a poolside bar. Ridley House, rated 8.6, is a historic boutique hotel with an outdoor pool in a central Key West location, and Ella's Cottages, also rated 8.6, adds a heated pool and access to a tropical garden. I would choose Ella's Cottages for a quiet stay and Winslow's Bungalows for a group that wants pool choice.
Travellers who want more amenities can look at the larger hotels. The Palms Hotel, rated 8.5 by nearly 2,400 guests, is a historic property with a heated swimming pool, a continental breakfast and a pet-friendly policy. Hampton Inn Key West offers a heated ocean-view pool, a free buffet breakfast and an airport shuttle, which helps when arriving by plane with a pet carrier. Both suit travellers who want breakfast handled before a day out on the water or a walk through Old Town, and both list pets as welcome in their own description.
For more space, Aqua Lodges at Hurricane Hole Marina offers pet-friendly cabins with kitchenettes, sea views and on-site dining, rated 8.5. A kitchenette makes it easier to keep a dog's routine, with meals prepared in the cabin rather than timed around restaurant opening hours. In the centre, two small rentals also accept pets: the Creme Brulee Suite has a private room entrance and an outdoor pool, and the Classic King Balcony at the James House adds a private balcony and an outdoor pool. Both have few reviews so far, so I would read them closely before booking.
Key West's climate shapes any trip with a dog. The island is warm all year, and summer afternoons are hot and humid, so walks are best early in the morning or after sunset. The historic inns with heated pools, such as Lighthouse Hotel and Ella's Cottages, are pleasant in winter, when evenings can feel cool by the water. The hurricane season runs from June to November, which is worth keeping in mind when planning a trip with a pet. Whatever the season, check each hotel's pet fees and size limits, which differ from one property to the next.
A traveler's perspectiveFor a stay in Key West with a dog, I would book Ella's Cottages, one of the Key West Historic Inns. It welcomes pets, has a heated outdoor pool and access to a tropical garden, and it is rated 8.6. Its historic boutique setting suits a slower pace, and the Old Town streets around it are ideal for the early-morning and evening walks that the island's heat calls for.
The Gardens Hotel
Key West
98 reviews
Adults-only oasis with two pools and live jazz in the gardens
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe Gardens Hotel is adults-only, so families traveling with children will need another base in Key West. For adults, it offers two outdoor pools and rooms with private balconies or patios, plus free Wi-Fi, bicycle hire and massage services. Live jazz plays in the gardens every Sunday evening, and Duval Street is about a minute's walk away, so the town is right there without the noise coming in. The 9.1 score across 98 reviews is strong.
The Capitana Key West
Key West
2,942 reviews
Beachfront property with a pool, hot tub, and family-friendly amenities
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe Capitana Key West sits on the beach with a private beach area, so families can spend the morning on the sand without leaving the property. The year-round outdoor pool is there for the afternoon, and family rooms and kitchenettes are available for those who need more space or want to prepare simple meals. Rooms have air-conditioning and balconies with sea views, and the restaurant, bar and coffee shop cover every meal.
Douglas House Adult Only
Key West
2,291 reviews
Adults-only inn with a pool, tropical garden, and historic charm
Check availabilityWhy guests love itDouglas House accepts adults only, so I would not send families with children here; it suits couples or friends looking for a quiet base in Key West. The shared outdoor pool sits in a tropical garden, and rooms have a microwave, a refrigerator and coffee-making facilities for simple breakfasts. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and the Southernmost Point are a short walk away, and pets are accepted. A score of 9 from 2,291 reviews is excellent.
Ella's Cottages - Key West Historic Inns
Key West
238 reviews
Historic boutique inn with a heated pool and tropical garden in Old Town
Check availabilityWhy guests love itElla's Cottages is a boutique historic inn in Old Town Key West, and its tropical garden and heated outdoor pool give it a quiet center after a day on foot. Rooms and suites have hardwood floors, a flat-screen cable TV and a mini-fridge, WiFi is free and a continental breakfast is served by the pool. Pets are welcome and the property has spa and wellness facilities. Guests rate it 8.6 from 238 reviews.
Ridley House - Key West Historic Inns
Key West
248 reviews
Historic boutique hotel with a pool, close to Duval Street
Check availabilityWhy guests love itWalking distance to Duval Street, museums and water sports is what I would highlight for families at Ridley House, part of Key West Historic Inns. The outdoor pool gives children a break between outings, a continental breakfast is served every morning, and pets are welcome. Rooms are air-conditioned with free WiFi. As a small historic boutique inn, it feels more intimate than a large resort, so it suits calm families best. Guests rate it 8.6 out of 10 over 248 reviews.
The Palms Hotel
Key West
2,386 reviews
Historic Key West hotel with a heated pool and pet-friendly amenities
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe heated pool and the daily continental breakfast are why I would put The Palms Hotel on a family list for Key West. Some rooms add a kitchenette and a seating area, which helps with younger children, and there is a picnic area with barbecue facilities for an easy dinner outdoors. Bicycles can be rented on site, a good way to explore the island together, and pets are welcome. WiFi is free. An 8.5 from 2,386 reviews is a very good score.
Creme Brulee Suite
Key West
27 reviews
Pet-friendly inn with a pool and private entrances in downtown Key West
Check availabilityWhy guests love itI would pick Creme Brulee Suite for a family that wants a small inn in central Key West. Guests rate it 8.5 across 27 reviews. Rooms have private entrances, city views, a refrigerator, a microwave and a tea and coffee maker, and there is an outdoor pool, a garden and a patio with a barbecue. Simonton Street Beach and Mallory Square are close by, and pets are welcome.
Aqua Lodges At Hurricane Hole Marina
Key West
616 reviews
Pet-friendly cabins with sea views and kitchenettes at Hurricane Hole Marina
Check availabilityWhy guests love itPrivate cabins with a kitchenette and a balcony over sea views are what make Aqua Lodges at Hurricane Hole Marina interesting for families: the space feels like your own little base rather than a hotel room. A refrigerator and microwave cover breakfasts and snacks. The family-friendly restaurant serves American food with gluten-free options, useful for children with dietary needs, and there is a terrace and outdoor dining area. Pets are accepted. An 8.5 score from 616 reviews is very good.
Lighthouse Hotel - Key West Historic Inns
Key West
630 reviews
Historic Key West hotel with a heated pool and poolside bar
Check availabilityWhy guests love itI would choose the Lighthouse Hotel for a Key West stay in a historic building with a pool. It sits opposite the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, and guests rate it 8.4 across 630 reviews, a score I trust. An outdoor heated pool and a poolside bar are on site, a complimentary continental breakfast is included, and rooms have free WiFi and private bathrooms. Bicycle rentals are available, and pets are welcome.
Hampton Inn Key West FL
Key West
1,240 reviews
Heated pool with ocean views and a complimentary breakfast
Check availabilityWhy guests love itI would point families here for the heated pool with ocean views, which keeps children happy on days when the beach feels like too much effort. The free buffet breakfast each morning and the shuttle to Key West Airport remove two small logistical headaches. Rooms come with a microwave and a small refrigerator, handy for snacks and milk, and some have a balcony. Pets are accepted, and the poolside restaurant keeps dinner simple.
Winslow's Bungalows - Key West Historic Inns
Key West
1,236 reviews
Historic bungalows with three pools and lush gardens in Key West
Check availabilityWhy guests love itWinslow's Bungalows has three swimming pools, so children rarely have to share a busy one, and the landscaped gardens are full of hammocks and swings. A continental breakfast is included each morning, and every room has a small refrigerator for drinks and snacks. Duval Street and the Southernmost Point are within walking distance, which makes evenings and photo stops easy without a car. Pets are welcome, so the family dog can join the trip.
Classic King Balcony at the James House
Key West
18 reviews
City-centre inn with balconies, a pool, and pet-friendly rooms
Check availabilityWhy guests love itI would choose this Classic King Balcony room at The James House for a couple or a small family that wants a central inn in Key West. Guests rate it 7.9 across 18 reviews. Rooms have private entrances, city-view balconies, air-conditioning, a refrigerator and a washing machine, which is handy after beach days. An outdoor swimming pool and a garden are on site, and local attractions are close by.
Local tips
- 1Walk your dog early in the morning or after sunset; Key West afternoons are hot and humid most of the year.
- 2The four Key West Historic Inns properties in this list all welcome pets, which makes comparing them simple.
- 3Arriving by plane? Hampton Inn Key West offers an airport shuttle and accepts pets.
- 4For more space and a kitchenette, Aqua Lodges at Hurricane Hole Marina offers pet-friendly cabins.
- 5The hurricane season runs from June to November, so keep plans flexible when travelling with a pet.
- 6Pet fees and size limits vary between hotels; confirm the policy for your dates when booking.