Pros

  • Cozy, historic bed-and-breakfast in Old Town near Duval Street and the harbor
  • Charming, themed rooms have antiques, TVs, and mini-fridges
  • Free breakfast served on a flexible schedule
  • Tropical breakfast patio with comfy seating
  • Palm-shaded heated pool and a hot tub
  • Rooftop sun deck with lounge chairs
  • Free daily happy hour with wine and beer
  • Concierge services
  • Free Wi-Fi and off-site parking
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Cons

  • Some furnishings, like tube TVs, are dated
  • Pool is tiny
  • Revelers and street noises can be bothersome in rooms
  • Deposit due at check-in
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Bottom Line

The Knowles House B&B is an historic conch house near Duval Street and the waterfront with eight individually decorated guest rooms. This charming, mid-range property serves homemade breakfast on a tropical patio, and offers a tiny outdoor pool, hot tub, and rooftop sun deck. Guest rooms have TVs, mini-fridges, and antique touches; one has a whirlpool tub. Daily happy hour includes free wine and beer, and guests can help themselves to free coffee and baked goods throughout the day and night. Some rooms have dated decor and tube TVs, however. Guests seeking more modern -- though still cozy -- surrounds could try The Conch House Heritage Inn

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Oyster Hotel Review

Knowles House B&B

Scene

Conch-style inn with eclectic decor, antiques, and lovely outdoor lounge areas

Built in the mid-1800s, the Knowles House B&B is an historic conch-style building, complete with a charming front porch with wicker seating. The house, formerly a one-floor cottage, was in the Bahamian Knowles family for 70 years, and has seen additions of a second floor and rear porch over the years. When the current owners took over in 1996, they modernized the property, though it still maintains a cozy, old-fashioned charm. The inn's pale yellow siding is set off by black shutters and lots of leafy tropical plants, lending a romantic atmosphere that attracts mostly couples. Antique furniture and trinkets -- including a wire bird cage and a wall-mounted horse statue -- combine with beautiful wood floors, richly patterned rugs, historic family photos, and ceiling fans in the lobby. The small, heated outdoor pool is surrounded by a palm-shaded, weathered-wood deck with patio furniture and a hot tub, plus free towels in a woven basket. Near the pool is a collection of colorful rubber ducks, tokens left by former guests from all over the world. A metal, spiral staircase leads to the rooftop sun deck, where there are striped lounge chairs and umbrellas.  

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Location

On the island’s west side in Old Town

The hotel’s Key West location is three blocks from the waterfront and Key West Bight Ferry Terminal, where guests can begin trips to Ft. Myers Beach and Marco Island. A minute or two down the street from the hotel are Old Town Bakery, the Paseo Restaurant (serving Cuban cuisine), and Eaton Bikes. Guests can reach bustling Duval Street -- with lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries -- and Mallory Square in about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. The Truman Little White House, South Beach, and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park are all around five minutes away by car. Driving to Key West International Airport takes just under 10 minutes.

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Rooms

Comfy, themed rooms with antique touches, TVs, and mini-fridges

Rooms are on first floor, second floor, or pool wing. Standard features include flat-screen or tube-style TVs, mini-fridges, ceiling fans, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The Caribbean Room has hand-painted furnishings and tropical artwork. The English Colonial Room has a canopy bed and floral textiles. The Country Cottage Room offers a vaulted ceiling and private porch. The Country French Room is cheerful with yellow walls, and has a soaking tub. The Italian Room is romantic, with a carved mirror and large bathroom with whirlpool tub. The Malibu Room sits poolside and has high ceilings. The Tropical Room has an antique local pine wall, and Caribbean prints. The Paris Room is decorated with framed Eiffel Tower photography and mirrored furniture. Standard tile bathrooms have showers or shower/tub combos and hairdryers.

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Features

Free homemade breakfast, daily happy hour and snacks, plus concierge services

The open-air breakfast room is decorated in Caribbean style, with wood floors, a bold turquoise ceiling, wood ceiling fans, and wicker chairs. Free breakfast is served at guests' leisure, and includes (sometimes homemade) assorted baked goods, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, hard-boiled eggs, juice, coffee, and tea. Tour reservations, bicycle rentals, and dinner reservations can be handled through the concierge service. Free daily happy hour includes beer and wine, and there are usually free baked goods and coffee available throughout the day and night. Parking is available for free at a nearby location. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Knowles House B&B

Scene

Conch-style inn with eclectic decor, antiques, and lovely outdoor lounge areas

Built in the mid-1800s, the Knowles House B&B is an historic conch-style building, complete with a charming front porch with wicker seating. The house, formerly a one-floor cottage, was in the Bahamian Knowles family for 70 years, and has seen additions of a second floor and rear porch over the years. When the current owners took over in 1996, they modernized the property, though it still maintains a cozy, old-fashioned charm. The inn's pale yellow siding is set off by black shutters and lots of leafy tropical plants, lending a romantic atmosphere that attracts mostly couples. Antique furniture and trinkets -- including a wire bird cage and a wall-mounted horse statue -- combine with beautiful wood floors, richly patterned rugs, historic family photos, and ceiling fans in the lobby. The small, heated outdoor pool is surrounded by a palm-shaded, weathered-wood deck with patio furniture and a hot tub, plus free towels in a woven basket. Near the pool is a collection of colorful rubber ducks, tokens left by former guests from all over the world. A metal, spiral staircase leads to the rooftop sun deck, where there are striped lounge chairs and umbrellas.  

See More Scene

Location

On the island’s west side in Old Town

The hotel’s Key West location is three blocks from the waterfront and Key West Bight Ferry Terminal, where guests can begin trips to Ft. Myers Beach and Marco Island. A minute or two down the street from the hotel are Old Town Bakery, the Paseo Restaurant (serving Cuban cuisine), and Eaton Bikes. Guests can reach bustling Duval Street -- with lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries -- and Mallory Square in about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. The Truman Little White House, South Beach, and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park are all around five minutes away by car. Driving to Key West International Airport takes just under 10 minutes.

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Rooms

Comfy, themed rooms with antique touches, TVs, and mini-fridges

Rooms are on first floor, second floor, or pool wing. Standard features include flat-screen or tube-style TVs, mini-fridges, ceiling fans, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The Caribbean Room has hand-painted furnishings and tropical artwork. The English Colonial Room has a canopy bed and floral textiles. The Country Cottage Room offers a vaulted ceiling and private porch. The Country French Room is cheerful with yellow walls, and has a soaking tub. The Italian Room is romantic, with a carved mirror and large bathroom with whirlpool tub. The Malibu Room sits poolside and has high ceilings. The Tropical Room has an antique local pine wall, and Caribbean prints. The Paris Room is decorated with framed Eiffel Tower photography and mirrored furniture. Standard tile bathrooms have showers or shower/tub combos and hairdryers.

See More Rooms

Features

Free homemade breakfast, daily happy hour and snacks, plus concierge services

The open-air breakfast room is decorated in Caribbean style, with wood floors, a bold turquoise ceiling, wood ceiling fans, and wicker chairs. Free breakfast is served at guests' leisure, and includes (sometimes homemade) assorted baked goods, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, hard-boiled eggs, juice, coffee, and tea. Tour reservations, bicycle rentals, and dinner reservations can be handled through the concierge service. Free daily happy hour includes beer and wine, and there are usually free baked goods and coffee available throughout the day and night. Parking is available for free at a nearby location. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Supervised Kids Activities

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.