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.
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
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
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...
genevieve
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
8/10 Good
Barbara
5 Mar 2025
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.
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..
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!
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.
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!
Nice facility. Comfortable room. Nice breakfast in the courtyard. Maybe because a little musty smelling they put air fresheners in the room which my husband didn’t appreciate. Some people have sensitive smell. Lots of road noise (sirens, music, loud engines etc). Church across the street had bells going off at 7:30 am every morning. If I came to Key West again I’d probably look for a quieter location
This is a gorgeous old home with a beautiful garden. They offered individually cooked breakfasts, something different each day. We were in the Garden Room. It was big enough for the two of us and we had an outside seating area, just for us. The home was within walking distance of everything we wanted to see and do. We had a great time.
Loved everything about our stay. Everything was as listed. The grounds were beautiful - the breakfast delicious / the room perfect - Beautiful quaint patio- got to swim in the heated pool - felt very safe - drinks and appetizers served in the afternoon- and the kitchen and dining area in the house was an added bonus. We would definitely stay here again.
We were just staying the night so we did not avail ourselves of the amenities, but they looked to be good.
Parking was cumbersome. I parked behind some other guest's car. I wonder if they could have found us to ask us to let them out.
Charles
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Edward
18 Jan 2025
Edward
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
8/10 Good
Christopher
Travelled with partner
17 Jan 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The location is great, the garden is spectacular, staff were very welcoming, it was the highlight of our trip.
The room had a moldy smell to it which was easily dealt with because the room has a door to the garden and big ceiling fan. We absolutely would stay here again.
We loved this place for its charm and unique character- surrounded by beautiful vegetation and trees providing quiet. Breakfast was made to order each day, with a new item on the menu. Diana the manager, was a wonderful host and helped arrange a wonderful on site professional massage with a great service provider. Everything in Key West old town is just a 10 minute walk away.