The Blue Flamingo Resort (formerly the Gates and 24 North Hotels) in Key West

Sometimes it’s nice to just check into a hotel and know that it’s going to be a mellow, not-over-the-top stay, but a nice one that’s absolutely ideal for the whole family. The Blue Flamingo Key West is just that, with nice rooms, wonderful swimming pool spaces and a convenient shuttle to get you into the heart of the historic town. Located on Roosevelt Boulevard, the Blue Flamingo Resort is a great budget friendly stay that’s tailored for families. This used to be the Gates and 24 North Hotels, but they’ve been combined and turned into a unique family friendly resort that really captures the fun of Key West.

One thing I like about staying in a hotel or lowkey resort versus a large all-inclusive place is that it ensures we go out exploring. Yes, there are food and beverage options available here at the Blue Flamingo Resort, but since it’s not a resort with multiple fine dining restaurants and fancy bars it means that we get to experience the fun that Key West is known for. Yes, I love being able to just hang out, but that’s not always how we like to travel. Take a look at the rooms and amenities here and see if this is right for your trip to Key West, which if you’re visiting with kids, I’m sure it will be. If you have any questions, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a fun Florida Keys vacation.

Why Stay at the Blue Flamingo Key West

The Blue Flamingo in Key West is unlike any other resort in the area regarding amenities or price. It’s a big enough property to have lots of options and good availability to offer deals, but it’s also a wonderfully comprehensive stay. I like the location on Roosevelt Boulevard because it’s a hotel that is easy to arrive to and easy to depart from on busy Key West afternoons. I like the shuttle service to downtown. I like the garden vibes. It’s a winner.

When we’re on a VACATION vacation we want to be able to enjoy our hotel as either a crash pad or a place of respite. The Blue Flamingo Resort has nice spots to relax outdoors, either by the pool, in the shade or in the alcoves of the lobby. It may not be as sprawling as the Perry Hotel or as lush at the Marker Resort, but it’s nice and it’s an easy escape. And when it comes to being a crash pad, the Blue Flamingo Key West is nice enough that we like to return each night, but not so fancy and luxe that we feel like we’re missing out by being gone all day. Sometimes I feel like I’m cheating my family out of a lovely hotel experience by having lots of plans to keep us busy, but with this hotel, it’s just nice to come home to and then we can also plan a little extra time to hangout here. So chill and great.

The whole setup between the two hotel buildings of the Blue Flamingo, called the Backyard Social Club, is a wonderful place to enjoy and relax with the family. It’s full of yard games and quiet, shady garden spaces to relax. It’s been updated from the older lawn space to become a play destination, whether you’re up for some cornhole or volleyball. I love it.

Book the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West here!

Room Options at the Blue Flamingo Resort

There are quite a few room types at the Blue Flamingo in Key West, varying by bed type and location, but then also with the option for suites. The room sizes are great, but not hugely sprawling until you’re booking into a suite, but still totally enough space. The suites are great because if you’re traveling with kids you can easily all have your own space and maybe even sleep in…

Everything is nicely updated and crisp with the big renovation in 2025, which I appreciate, especially when we’re someplace as humid as the Keys and hotels show wear faster than other places. The poolside rooms are one of the best budget options and you have great outdoor access to the gardens and swimming areas.

If you’re looking for a long-term or suite hotel, the Laureate Hotel is perfect for that sort of stay, but that doesn’t fit in everyone’s budgets. When it comes to hotel rates, the Blue Flamingo Resort is at the lower end of Key West nightly rates, which is amazing for how nice it is and how great the pool areas are. You can expect to pay anywhere from $160 per night on a deal to $389 when it’s super busy or on a weekend. While that might not seem like a “budget option” it very much is for being in Key West.

Blue Flamingo Key West Amenities

The swimming pools at the Blue Flamingo Resort are bank! They’re both huge and have lots of lounge chairs around them, there are umbrellas, cabanas to rent, and shade trees, and there’s a pool bar. From morning to night it’s a great place to hang out and refresh. There is also the whole game yard between the pools, the Backyard Social Club. Every outdoor game you can think of is available and there is plenty of shady seating all around for anyone who’s just not into games.

The fitness center at the Blue Flamingo has free weights, cardio equipment and more. It’s located by the tower pool and has keyed entry which you’ll be able to access with your key car wristbands.

Besides the swimming pools and Backyard Social Club, I think the best amenity offered by the Blue Flamingo Resort is the shuttle into downtown Key West. If you’ve driven in Key West before, you know that sometimes parking can be a challenge, and sometimes driving is too. There are some narrow streets, and often street parking can be difficult to find. We like to take advantage of the free shuttle from the hotel into downtown and back. It runs until 10:00 pm, so you can stay out plenty late and still have your ride home.

Note: the free shuttle doesn’t drive all around town, but goes between the Blue Flamingo property and the Historic Seaport, but that is walking distance to most attractions in Key West. You do need to reserve your spot on the shuttle, as it can be busy, so stop by the front desk and they’ll set you up.

Dining Options at the Blue Flamingo Resort

Dining at the Blue Flamingo is just like the rest of the property: chill. There is Rum Row, which is the pool bar and patio restaurant for snacks, lunch and dinner via food truck. And then there’s also the Toasted Coconut, which does breakfast as well. While these aren’t broad, diverse options, the food is good and the happy hour specials from Rum Row and Toasted Coconut are good. There are lots of great restaurants in Key West though, so you’re always just a few steps or a short ride from a nicer restaurant or a different cuisine.

A great option is to jump on the shuttle to downtown and have a nice dinner just in the Historic Seaport. Both the Boathouse and Turtle Kraals are great and just steps from where the shuttle drops you off. The Eaton Street Seafood Market is one of our favorites, and although it is a market, they do awesome seafood meals to eat there too.

Blue Flamingo Key West Parking Information

Parking at the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West is not included in the resort fee ($15/night as of December 2025). You do need to put a parking pass in your front window (get it at the front desk). When you check in and get your room assignment, get instructions for where to park to be closest to your room, as the property is actually quite large with parking all around it.

Activities and Sights Near the Blue Flamingo

There are some fun things to do near the Blue Flamingo Resort that don’t require you to go into downtown Key West, but then remember the easy shuttle also can get you right to the Historic Seaport. Here are my top picks both at the east end of Key West and some great tours that leave from where the shuttle drops you off.

• Night Kayak Key West
• Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden
• Smathers Beach day
• Biking all around the town via Roosevelt Blvd and then surface streets
• Guided tour with Geiger Key Paddle Hut
• Key West Eco Tours – Java Cat
• Honest Eco Tours Squid Catamaran
• Sunset Watersports Dolphin / Snorkel combo tour