The Gardens Hotel, named “The Prettiest Hotel In Key West” by The New York Time’s List, is quite simply the finest lodging establishment in Key West. Rich in history and architecture, The Gardens estate houses 17 luxurious guest suites amidst one of Florida’s oldest and most respected tropical gardens. Once the largest private estate in Key West, the expansive grounds of The Gardens Hotel comprise over an acre of lush, tropical landscaping just steps away from infamous Duval Street. As a recipient of Worlds top 100 best places to stay award & listed in the book 1,000 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE, The Gardens calls to mind the best of elegant “boutique” properties, but with a decidedly “Key West” atmosphere.
Guests of The Gardens Hotel Key West are those seeking the ultimate in luxury accommodations and amenities at a surprisingly affordable price.
The original mansion at The Gardens Hotel Key West, a fine example of the Bahamian style of architecture was built in the 1800's and is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1930 the mansion was purchased by Peggy Mills, who envisioned creating a botanical gardens on the property and began purchasing adjacent buildings and land until she had acquired one-quarter of a city block. To clear the land she had 13 existing buildings -demolished sparing only her home and the quaint gate house.
It is said that when she first purchased the mansion the property was barren and she started her gardening career by planting 6 coconuts upside down.
From the beginning of her ambitious project she envisioned creating a garden that would one day be enjoyed by the public. From 1930 until 1968, when the gardens were first opened to the public she went to extraordinary lengths to make her vision a reality.
Mrs. Mills began collecting plants in earnest and eventually obtained a permit to collect plants from all over the world. She was known in Key West as "The lady of the orchids" for her rare collection of Hawaiian and Japanese orchids which flourished on the trees.
As she was collecting her vast array of botanicals, Mrs. Mills was also busy purchasing 87,000 century old bricks from Cuba, Honduras and England. With these bricks she designed and built winding pathways and intimate seating areas throughout the gardens. She also began to collect antique statuaries to further enhance the garden's appeal...Among the garden's more curious features are four one-ton earthenware jars
called tinajones (teena-HONE-ez) which were used by Spanish settlers to catch rainwater for drinking. Being a family friend of then President Batista, she was able to remove the jars and rare botanicals from Cuba. The tinajones had to be moved over 300 miles by oxcart to Cuba and then re-crated with rubber bumpers for the trip to the United States. They were eventually hauled to Key West in sod trucks. They remain a fixture of the gardens today and are the only tinajones to be found in the country.Following Peggy Mills death in 1979, there were several changes in ownership of the property until it was purchased by Bill and Corrina Hettinger in 1992. They envisioned the property as an exclusive luxury hotel. A multi-million dollar restoration of the original structures was undertaken and two additional structures were built to replicate the grand manor houses found in the Bahamas. These new structures currently house the garden and courtyard accommodations.
In September of 1996, Kate Miano moved to Key West and with no prior experience in running an Inn, opened the original Ambrosia House on Fleming Street, one block away from the Gardens' hotel. She became experienced rather quickly learning how to book a reservation and make a bed at the same time. Three and a half years later she managed to purchase the property directly across the street, and Ambrosia Too was born. Sincemoving from St. Louis, Kate always coveted The Gardens Hotel, and when it finally went back on the market in 2004, she immediately put it under contract. Owning and managing The Gardens is the fulfillment of her dream.
All rooms, suites and cottages at The Gardens Hotel in Key West are as varied and unique as the surrounding flora. Standard accommodations feature private entrances, outdoor verandahs, marble baths most with Jacuzzi tubs, in room refrigerator, telephones, coffee maker, color cable TV, CD player, air conditioning, ceiling fans, fluffy spa robes, fragrant French–milled soaps and shampoos and bottled waters.
Finely crafted Bahamian plantation style furnishings in yew and mahogany have been chosen from around the world for their incomparable quality and style. Hand selected original art by some of the most renowned Key's artists compliment the décor. Luxurious bedding dressed in the finest Italian linens and custom duvets in tropical fabrics will assure a restful night's sleep.
A delicious breakfast buffet is served al fresco on the wide porches adjoining the carriage house and pool bar, which overlook our renowned Key West gardens.