Is Blue Flamingo Resort Key West worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Blue Flamingo Resort Key West is worth it for travelers who want a lively, family-friendly base near Key West International Airport with two pools, poolside dining and regular on-site entertainment. If you want a quiet, adults-only retreat or a full-service spa, this property may not be the right match.
In this guide
The vibe and who it suits
Blue Flamingo Resort Key West is aimed at guests who want an active, social stay rather than a quiet boutique experience. The property markets itself as family-friendly and budget-friendly, with programmed poolside activities, karaoke, live music and lawn games in the Backyard Pool & Social Club.
Expect a resort atmosphere that emphasizes pools, tiki cocktails and casual dining rather than a calm, adults-only environment. There is no adults-only tower or separate silent wing listed in the property materials.
- Good for families and groups
- Well suited to guests who want on-site activities and nightly entertainment
- Less ideal for travelers seeking a spa-focused or quiet luxury escape
Rooms — choices and comfort
The resort lists 245 rooms across seven room types, ranging from Room (Island View, High Floor) to Suite, 1 Bedroom, Ocean View. Many guest rooms advertise pool, garden or ocean views; studio and one-bedroom suites add living areas and kitchenettes in some configurations.
Room sizes and exact layouts vary by type. If a specific view or space matters (for example Studio Suite, Ocean View or Suite, 1 Bedroom, Ocean View), request it at booking or confirm availability at check-in.
- Room (Island View, High Floor)
- Room, Pool View
- Room, Ocean View
- Studio Suite, Ocean View
- Suite, 1 Bedroom, Pool View
- Suite, 1 Bedroom, Ocean View
| Room type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Studio Suite, Ocean View | Largest studio listed (477 sq. ft.) with king bed and ocean windows |
| Suite, 1 Bedroom, Ocean View | 575 sq. ft.; one king bed and separate living area |
| Room, Pool View | Approx. 299 sq. ft.; available with 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
Pools, social spaces and activities
The property has two outdoor pools, cabanas available for rent (surcharge), and a Backyard Pool & Social Club that hosts lawn games, karaoke and evening programming. Pools are open year-round and the main outdoor pool hours are reported as 7:00 AM–11:00 PM.
Poolside food and drinks are available from Rum Row (a tiki Caribbean bar and food truck) and Toasted Coconut (poolside restaurant and bar). Expect a busy, social pool scene during peak season and event nights.
- Two outdoor pools with cabanas (additional cost for cabanas)
- Backyard Pool & Social Club: lawn games, karaoke and live music
- Pool hours listed as year-round; outdoor pool example hours 7:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Poolside service from Rum Row and Toasted Coconut
| Pool amenity | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cabanas | Available to rent for an added charge |
| Programming | Live music, karaoke, lawn games included in resort programming |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair-accessible pool access noted in accessibility features |
Food, drink and on-site venues
Blue Flamingo operates at least two primary on-site dining venues: Rum Row (tiki Caribbean bar and food truck) and Toasted Coconut (poolside restaurant and bar). Rum Row runs daytime hours with extended weekend hours and daily happy hour; Toasted Coconut serves breakfast and daytime dining with a daily happy hour window.
The resort is not all-inclusive; breakfast and other meals are à la carte and breakfast is explicitly not included in standard room rates. An on-site Starbucks and additional bars/lounges are also listed in property materials.
- Rum Row: tiki bar and food truck (cocktails, local beers, poolside bites); hours vary, longer on Fri–Sun
- Toasted Coconut: poolside restaurant serving breakfast through afternoon; regular hours listed 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Breakfast is optional and not included in room rate
- On-site Starbucks for coffee and quick bites
| Venue | Typical hours / notes |
|---|---|
| Rum Row | Mon–Thu 10:00–18:00; Fri–Sun 10:00–22:00 (daily happy hour 16:00–18:00) |
| Toasted Coconut | Listed All Day | 8:00–16:00 (property also lists other hours on some pages); daily happy hour 14:00–16:00 |
Location and transport — convenience vs. Old Town distance
Blue Flamingo Resort Key West sits on North Roosevelt Boulevard in New Town, at the northern gateway to Key West and about 1 mile from Key West International Airport (a roughly 3-minute drive). That makes it convenient for short airport transfers and early/late flights.
Old Town/duval-area attractions are not within immediate walking distance; the property is about 3.1 miles from Old Town. The daily resort fee includes a shuttle to and from Old Town; there is also the free Duval Loop bus, rideshares, taxis and bike rental options for getting around the island.
- Address: 3820 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040
- Approx. 1 mile (about 3 minutes by car) to Key West International Airport (EYW)
- About 3.1 miles to Old Town/central Key West; shuttle to Old Town included in resort fee
- Bikes, rideshare and Duval Loop bus are common local transport options
| Nearby spot | Approximate relation to resort |
|---|---|
| Smathers Beach | Listed as just minutes away; near the airport area |
| Mallory Square / Duval Street | Around a 15-minute ride to waterfront and Old Town areas |
| Key West International Airport (EYW) | Roughly 1 mile; short drive |
Practicalities: fees, parking, pets and accessibility
The resort charges a mandatory daily resort fee that includes items like the Old Town shuttle, entertainment access, high-speed internet and pool access; publicly reported resort-fee amounts were listed (around $56.25 per night as of May 2026). Breakfast is not included in the room rate.
Self-parking is available on-site for a surcharge (example figure $15 per vehicle per night listed on OTA sources), and a Park, Stay & Play promotion sometimes offers parking discounts. Pets are allowed with a fee ($50 per pet per night) and weight limits and other restrictions apply; service animals are exempt from fees.
- Mandatory resort fee covers shuttle, entertainment, internet, bottles and local calls (amount reported in public sources)
- Self-parking available for a surcharge; some promotions may reduce or include parking
- Pet fee: $50 per pet per night (max 2 pets; 50 lb weight limit); Pawsome Package available
- Refundable security deposit typically collected at check-in (reported ranges around $100–$200)
| Practical item | Publicly reported detail |
|---|---|
| Resort fee | Mandatory; reported around $56.25 per room per night (amount can change) |
| Parking | Self-parking on-site for a surcharge (example $15/night); in/out privileges reported |
| Pets | $50 per pet per night; max 2 pets; 50 lb weight limit |
When to choose Blue Flamingo — good matches and deal-breakers
Choose Blue Flamingo Resort Key West if you want easy airport access, energetic pool life, family-friendly programming and convenient on-site dining and entertainment. Room options that include ocean views and suites with separate living areas are available if you need extra space.
Skip it if you need a quiet, adults-only retreat, a full-service spa with treatment menus, or walking-distance access to Duval Street. The property sits in New Town rather than Old Town, so expect short drives or shuttle/bus rides to the main tourist strip.
- Good pick: families, groups, travelers with flights early/late, guests who value poolside entertainment
- Not ideal: travelers seeking a tranquil adults-only or spa-centric stay, or those wanting immediate Old Town walking access
