Merlin Guesthouse is a classic historic inn in Key West providing casual lodging at an ideal location. Just one block from Duval Street, you will be steps away from Key West’s best restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and attractions. Margaritaville, Sloppy Joe’s Bar, and Ernest Hemingway’s Home are all within easy reach. The nearest beach is just six blocks away. Take off walking in any direction and you will discover Key West’s hidden treasures.
The guesthouse is a gated compound with five buildings that surround a private courtyard and pool. The main building was built in 1930 as a rooming house serving navy personnel stationed at Fort Zachary Taylor. The rooming house has been through many incarnations over the years, from gambling house to bordello, and is now back to offering respectable guest accommodations. Several adjacent buildings were added to the compound in the 1980’s that provide larger guest suites and cottages. Today the guesthouse includes ten original “rooming house” rooms and several king suites and cottages to comprise twenty guest units. Merlin is named after a local “conch” named Merlin Albury, who is now buried at the Key West Cemetery.
Merlin Guesthouse offers a range of prices and room amenities. Simple rooms offer an excellent price and queen-size, four-poster beds. King Suites offer extra comfort and romance. Cottage units offer a variety of layouts that are comfortable for families or friends. Continental breakfast is included with all guest stays. All guestrooms are non-smoking. Merlin is AAA approved with two diamonds. Guestrooms at Merlin do not have telephones, although all major cell phone carriers are supported in Key West. Wireless internet access is available in the courtyard.
Merlin Guesthouse Amenities:
Private courtyard with splash pool
1 block to Key West nightlife on Duval Street
Cottages can accommodate families
Continental breakfast
Free wireless internet
Street parking
Rooms, Suites, and Cottages
20 guest units
AAA Approved with 2 Diamonds
Star Rating:
Local Attractions:
Ernest Hemingway House, Duval Street, Lighthouse Museum, Southernmost Point, Sloppy Joe's, Mel Fisher Museum, Margaritaville, shopping, bars, nightlife
May 18, 2013
angie_horn, Grove City, Ohio, United States | Trip type: Couples
This was such a nice visit. I do advise that you get room 13. Our friends had room 8 and it was very small. No closet. They did have a...
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This was such a nice visit. I do advise that you get room 13. Our friends had room 8 and it was very small. No closet. They did have a street view. We however had an awesome room. We had a small porch off of our room that faced the pool. The pool is a small pool. Almost like a huge hot tub. But great for chatting a cooling down. Our room 13 was huge and comfortable. Our bathroom was small but didnt bother us. The people that worked there were all friendly. It was a street over from duval and were able to get to all the main attractions and historical places on foot. « less
“Paradise”
May 8, 2013
LaurenMarie_13, Irmo, South Carolina | Trip type: Couples
My boyfriend and I had a wonderful experience at the Merlin Guesthouse during our trip to Key West! I was very impressed by how intimate this Inn was: quiet, comfortable,...
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My boyfriend and I had a wonderful experience at the Merlin Guesthouse during our trip to Key West! I was very impressed by how intimate this Inn was: quiet, comfortable, friendly, clean, beautiful, etc. It felt like home. Being just a block from Duval and within 10 min walking time from everything, we could not have asked for more! We were thoroughly entertained by the guesthouse cat, Jordan, too!! We will be back :-) « less
“Awesome time!!!!”
May 7, 2013
mookie1969, Saint Charles, Missouri | Trip type: Couples
Great place to stay. Clos to all of the fun, but yet far enough away you can't hear it. Very clean and courteous place. The staf were very helpful with...
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Great place to stay. Clos to all of the fun, but yet far enough away you can't hear it. Very clean and courteous place. The staf were very helpful with getting directions to everywhere we wanted to go. Nice continental breakfast each morning was a plus as well. « less
“Best of both worlds: fun and privacy”
May 7, 2013
KarenMcVearry, Baltimore, Maryland | Trip type: Couples
We stayed at the Merlin Guesthouse for the boat races in November and would definitely stay there again! It was positioned perfectly to get to anywhere we wanted to go...
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We stayed at the Merlin Guesthouse for the boat races in November and would definitely stay there again! It was positioned perfectly to get to anywhere we wanted to go on the island by foot. We were only steps away from the fun on Duval, but were far enough away to have peace and quiet when we wanted it. The managements was great and very funny! Made us feel welcome and comfortable from the moment we arrived. Our room wasn't ready so they gave us an excellent suggestion for lunch and kept our bags. They called when the room was ready and told us to take our time getting back. They were very helpful with suggestions for restaurants as well as having a cab waiting for us when we (sadly) had to leave. The room was very clean, spacious and had privacy. In fact, we only saw others when we wanted to!! very comfortable bed and plenty of clean, fresh towels. Good water pressure in the shower, too!! One of our most favorite places to stay in Key West. « less
“Our review--from a South African couple!”
May 4, 2013
darkbeauty1980, West Norriton, Pennsylvania, United States | Trip type: Couples
My boyfriend's the type of guy who stays in high rise hotels when out of town, so when I mentioned 'guesthouse'/'bed and breakfast' type of accomodation, I don't think he...
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My boyfriend's the type of guy who stays in high rise hotels when out of town, so when I mentioned 'guesthouse'/'bed and breakfast' type of accomodation, I don't think he was too pleased. All I asked was for him to open up to a different setting, and promised he won't be disappointed.Well....am glad to say our stay at the Merlin Guest House actually exceeded his expectations. We arrived on Tuesday, the 30th of April around 2 pm after 4+ hours of driving from West Palm Beach, FL and found the guesthouse house neatly tucked-in on the corner of Simonton and 'P' *can't remember the name* Street. Received a very warm welcome from lady at the reception desk. She also gave us directions to our tourist activities throughout our stay without hesitation--very helpful. The funny gentleman who works there (and also speaks Spanish), was as exceptionally good and friendly. We stayed in room 4 for 2 nights.I loved the simplicity and minimal furniture, the 20 something inch flat screen on the wall, and dressing table on the right of the room. At first, my boyfriend was like "where's the fridge, where's the closet,where's this,where's that' but I quickly calmed him down by explaining that we'll hardly be in the room, so we really don't need much. We occupied a queen size bed with crispy, white hotel style bed linen. Adequate number of towels. Bathroom on a small size, but I loved it. We hung out on verandah(porch) at sunset after lazing in the pool area.Grounds are well kept, so much colour with flowers and different plants. Breakfast-minimal and just right. I endulged on their ham stuffed croissants. All in all, I loved Merlin Guest House, would go there again anytime when in Key West. Infact I don't know if I'd be comfortable going anywhere else, perhaps next time we'll do a balcony too!
These reviews are the subjective opinions of individual travelers and not of TripAdvisor LLC nor of its partners.
Details
Check In:
3:00 PM
Check Out:
11:00 AM
Floors:
2
Rooms:
22
Corridors:
Both Interior and Exterior Hallways
Non Smoking Rooms:
22
Handicap Rooms:
1
Suites:
11
Room Windows:
Windows Do Open
Meeting Rooms:
0
Banquet Space:
Holds 30 people
Policies / Expenses
Cancellation: Group bookings policies vary based on room type.
Typical Group Deposit:
Depending upon group type and number of rooms
Total Taxes:
12.50%
Total Misc Fees:
$0.00 USD (mandatory resort fees/taxes)
Amenities - Merlin Guesthouse
Air conditioning
Alarm clock
Central location
Complimentary breakfast
Concierge service
Credit card accepted: Mastercard/Visa
Credit card accepted: American Express
Credit card accepted: Discover
Hairdryer available
Handicap accessible
Ice Maker
Internet - wireless
Non-smoking rooms
Private bathroom in room
Private garden grounds
Shower
Swimming pool - outdoor
Television
Pet Friendly?
Sorry, pets are not allowed.
Airport & Shuttle Information - Merlin Guesthouse
Nearest airport: Key West International. Approx. 2 miles
Airport Shuttle? Sorry, no airport shuttle available.
Testimonials: Why use Hotel Planner?
"Bob responded very promptly and the booking process went very well. They answered all our questions and offered the rooms we needed at the price they quoted. It was a very efficient way of finding a hotel for our group. You have been excellent to deal with. I have already referred your company to another teacher in our school. Thank you for being so helpful and following up on everything!!" G.W. - Cleveland, OH
"I found this service extremely helpful and prompt. I was able to find exactly what I was looking for in a very quick time period. I would definitely use this service again should I need to and I will recommend it to others." S.C. - Alberta, Canada
Based on 271 traveler reviews 
Value
Cleanliness
“LOVED THIS PLACE!!”