The Mermaid & Alligator

3.5 star property

Photo gallery for The Mermaid & Alligator

Outdoor pool, pool loungers
Exterior
Exterior
Free daily full breakfast
Free daily full breakfast

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View map
729 Truman Ave, Key West, FL, 33040
  • Duval Street
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • South Beach
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Southernmost Point
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Key West, FL (EYW-Key West Intl.)
    ‪8 min drive‬

Room options

Sunroom - Adult Exclusive

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(13 reviews)
  • 16 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Garden Room - Adult Exclusive

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(8 reviews)
  • 16 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Audubon Room - Adult Exclusive

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Papaya Room - Adult Exclusive

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • 15 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Key Lime Room - Adult Exclusive

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(12 reviews)
  • 15 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Key West

Located in Key West (Old Town Key West), The Mermaid & Alligator is within a 10-minute walk of Duval Street and Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. .This guesthouse is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Florida Keys Beaches and 0.6 mi (1 km) from South Beach.

What's nearby

  • Duval Street - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • South Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Southernmost Point - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Mallory Square - 3 min drive - 1.7 km

Getting around

  • Key West Intl. Airport (EYW) - 8 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪801 Bourbon Bar - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Old Town Tavern Key West - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪El Siboney Restaurant - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Rum Bar at the Speakeasy Inn - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Viva Argentinian Steakhouse - ‬7 min walk

About this property

The Mermaid & Alligator

Adults-only guesthouse with free breakfast and an outdoor pool
The Mermaid & Alligator offers 9 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and bathrobes. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)). Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers and hair dryers. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and ceiling fans. Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Recreational amenities at the guesthouse include an outdoor pool.
Make yourself at home in one of the 9 air-conditioned guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms feature bathtubs or showers, hair dryers, and bathrobes. Conveniences include safes and ceiling fans, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a garden. Additional amenities at this Victorian guesthouse include complimentary wireless internet access and concierge services.
A complimentary full breakfast is served daily from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM.
The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary full breakfast is served each morning between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available
  • Onsite parking includes off-street options

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Proposal/romance packages

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Pool loungers

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No lift
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • 2 buildings
  • 3 floors
  • Built in 1904
  • Smoke-free property
  • Victorian architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Dressing gowns
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 6:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children younger than 21 are not allowed at this adults-only property; all guests 21 and older are welcome

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 1 per accommodation, per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 25 years old
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Guests under 21 years old are not permitted at this adults-only property

Property is also known as

The Mermaid Alligator
The Mermaid & Alligator Key West
The Mermaid & Alligator Guesthouse
The Mermaid & Alligator Guesthouse Key West

The Mermaid & Alligator Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 220 out of 255 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 26 out of 255 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 255 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 255 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 255 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

9.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

john

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Morgan L

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Richard P

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Exceptional!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Graciela, Naples

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Been a repeat customer and it doesn’t disappoint.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Scott, ELY

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We had a wonderful stay. Diana and her crew keep everything immaculate. We enjoyed the complimentary happy hour.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dean

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing

Amazing hotel, amazing breakfast. Only issue, which is not a hotel problem is the street noise, you hear the traffic and people walking past the hotel at all time during day and night.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rachel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love this property; very serene, not a party vibe. Intimate. Private. Clean and beautiful too. Good breakfast, drinks / snacks available. The pool and grounds are so pretty. I had the key lime room, second time here to this b&b and it was lovely AGAIN. Will be a future visitor here again in the future. Walkable to attractions but still felt safe to me, as a solo female traveller this time.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rachel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful House
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My husband and I recently stayed at this charming and historical Queen Anne-style B&B. We especially enjoyed the delicious breakfasts served each morning in the beautifully appointed courtyard, with the calming sounds of the water fountain. The staff were always pleasant and helpful. The B&B's location is a big plus, with easy walking access to Key West's famous sites and museums, including the Hemingway Museum, Duval Street, and the waterfront. We found our room, the Audubon room, to be spacious, clean, and beautifully decorated with tasteful art works and tropical plants. We appreciated the large, updated bathroom with the separate bathtub and shower, and the comfortable king-size bed. When we reserved our stay, we erroneously believed, based on the photos on Expedia's website, that the room had a private sitting area exclusively for our use. Unfortunately, that was not the case, and this area was open to all guests and could disrupt the quietness and calmness of the property. Despite of this, we truly enjoyed our stay overall and would definitely consider returning on our next visit to Key West.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ruth

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was an exceptional B&B! It was so quiet and comfy and I felt so at home. ;Diana went out of her way to reassure me when I had some reservation issues with Expedia. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful and you get served a delicious home cooked breakfast in the garden. I highly recommend it
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely charming, unique, great food and service a hidden gem! Loved the various shady spots to sit and read, nice warm plunge pool! Very helpful staff
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eric

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Planning to revisit as soon as possible!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lawrence

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful stay!!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful guesthouse to stay in
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Will stay here again
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bradley

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great experience. Feels like home!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

genevieve

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This house is absolutely charming and perfectly located. We were given the Papaya room which is not in the main house but in another small building in the back. You can have access to the house at any time anyways. The room was small but very clean and pretty. The property does not have enough parking spots but you can park across the street for free. You can relax beside the small pool, or in the beautiful garden area. Breakfast is served starting at 8:30AM ( kind of late for us) but as we had booked a snorkeling trip and need to leave early, we were given a bag containing yogurt, fruits and bagels which was very convenient. I would go there again, although the chicken (who roam freely in the town) kept us awake most of the night. Not sure if you can do better unless you book a more recent hotel better insolated...
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Barbara

The mermaid and the alligator is a nice property in a good location. Unfortunately because of its location it is noisy in the evening with traffic noise. Shower had mold on the ceiling. The room we stayed in had no tv and not enough electrical outlets.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Terry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wonderful Stay

We loved the stay in this property. The atmosphere and ambiance were delightful. The backyard breakfast and relaxing area were the most impressive. I didn't get along very well with the mattress of the bed, but everything else was far above expectations..
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

michelle, Reston

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was one of the most relaxing vacations I've had in a while. It is a beautiful property in the perfect location. Never needed a bike or a car. Easy to get everywhere. Gardens and rooms are superb!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Wayne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location, Friendly and conscientious staff, pleasant outdoor sitting areas and landscaping. We stayed in the "sun room" which is the smallest unit. The home is old but well kept.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Danielle

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property and friendly staff!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent very clean great breakfast
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Clara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What a gorgeous property! Comfortable bed/room, delicious fresh breakfasts, quiet garden/patio area, and very convenient to walk into town and everywhere. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025