 |
Tiki in Florida Keys? |
dcman
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 25, 2009
Posts: 116
From: Upstate New York
|  Posted: 2009-10-11 2:41 pm Permalink
We're thinking about going to the Keys this winter. Is there much tiki down there? Can anyone give me any suggestions of where to visit?
Thanks!
dcman
|
Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 2084
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
| Posted: 2009-10-11 4:40 pm Permalink
How fluid is your definition of Tiki?
There is actually quite a bit of Tiki in the Keys, an entire Resort of it on Key Largo. Are you going all the way to Key West?
|
dcman
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 25, 2009
Posts: 116
From: Upstate New York
| Posted: 2009-10-11 5:41 pm Permalink
We plan on being in the Islamorada area mostly. While we might head down to Key West, it's not a guarantee. Our definition is fluid, it's hard to anything but laid back down there 
dcman
|
Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 2084
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
| Posted: 2009-10-11 8:01 pm Permalink
Islamorada is a nice place, and home to the largest Tiki bar in all of the keys....
http://www.holidayisle.com/
And, yes, the Tiki bar really does have tiki's in it.
I am going to assume your flying into Ft Lauderdale or Miami and the driving down..... take Cardsound Road and stop by Alabama Jack's for some of the best conch fritters in the entire universe**.
Are you going to spend any time before or after the Keys in the area? Is there a Mai Kai trip in the works?
** OK, maybe not the entire universe, but well worth the couple of extra miles on your travels.
|
TIKI DAVID
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 07, 2004
Posts: 1909
From: North Coast
| Posted: 2009-10-13 3:16 pm Permalink
when are you going? I'll be driving to so fla and the keys mid-feb thru late march.
ft laud 2-4 days ,key largo,2-3 days,key west2-3 days, back to key largo,2-3 days.back to ft laud,,2-3 days,then back north.only a couple things on my schedule are in ink ,the rest is all in pencil.
chip,what resort in key largo is all tiki?
_________________
"Pets are welcome,Children 'MUST' be on leash" TD
|
TikiHardBop
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Feb 21, 2009
Posts: 358
From: Rockledge, FL
| Posted: 2009-10-14 10:11 am Permalink
Remember that the Florida Keys are ground zero for Parrotheads and Key West is their Mecca. I don't know of a single place that fits the TC definition of "tiki". And remember that you are 90 miles from Cuba and a LONG way from the South Pacific, so the vibe is going to be totally different. Be prepared for mucho Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet and Bob Marley. Keeping that in mind, there are some pretty nice places that have the tropical feel.
- Across from the Sunset Inn in Islamorada is a tiki carver previously mentioned on TC. Last heard that he passed away. I would be interested in hearing what became of his place.
- Two doors down from the tiki carver is a nice cafe that has some nice tiki features. They also feature some good food, a great dog (stay away from his stuffed bear) and box lunches to go if you are going out on the boat.
- The Lorelei has some really nice outdoor dining with a sand beach and some nice big gas tikis.
- The World Wide Sportsman has a full sized replica of Hemmingway's boat "Pilar" INSIDE the store. Besides some OK dining outside, check out the Zane Grey lounge. A very cool bar with some great memorabilia inside.
- The Safari Lounge and package store is a cool locals only kind of place. Cheap drinks and a great view. You can't miss the Rhino out front. MM 73.8
- The Island Fish Company in Marathon has a great view of the water.
- If you are just driving through Marathon, definitely try Herbie's. Look for the submarine out front.
- If you make it to Key West, you have to swing by Blue Heaven for the funkiness factor. But remember that it has been discovered by the touristas, so choose an off time to go.
- If you are driving down, be sure to stop by the Coral Castle in Homestead.
- And of course, the Mai Kai cannot be recommended enough.
Please report your impressions when you get back.
|
christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2009-10-20 11:15 pm Permalink
Quote:
|
On 2009-10-11 16:40, Chip and Andy wrote:
How fluid is your definition of Tiki?
There is actually quite a bit of Tiki in the Keys, an entire Resort of it on Key Largo. Are you going all the way to Key West?
|
|
What is that Resort on Key Largo?
|
TIKI DAVID
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 07, 2004
Posts: 1909
From: North Coast
| Posted: 2009-10-21 03:39 am Permalink
Quote:
|
On 2009-10-20 23:15, christiki295 wrote:
Quote:
|
On 2009-10-11 16:40, Chip and Andy wrote:
How fluid is your definition of Tiki?
There is actually quite a bit of Tiki in the Keys, an entire Resort of it on Key Largo. Are you going all the way to Key West?
|
|
What is that Resort on Key Largo?
|
|
I asked that very same question.
I spend alot of time in Key Largo and the Keys ,but I can't figure which resort he means.
doesn't mean it's not there,I just can not picture it.
_________________
"Pets are welcome,Children 'MUST' be on leash" TD
|
Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 2084
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
| Posted: 2009-10-21 07:56 am Permalink
Stupid wet-brain.....
The Tiki Resort is on Islamorada, not Key Largo.... Holiday Isles. The Tiki Bar is on the south end of the property and the Rum Runner bar is on the north end of the property.
There is also the Islanders down about two keys, but only the sign is any good to look at.
There is a whole long line of cute vintage hotels and motels along one stretch of the highway, a 50's retro flashback that will find you stopping every 200 feet to take more pictures.
|
TikiHardBop
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Feb 21, 2009
Posts: 358
From: Rockledge, FL
| Posted: 2009-10-21 09:31 am Permalink
Yes, Holiday Isle is in Islamorada. You can't miss it. Just pass the "Theater of the Sea" with the big jumping dolphin out front. If you go down on a holiday weekend, you will see cars parked along the road well before you get there. Many people come down from the mainland (Miami) to party there.
If you go by on a weekend, look out to the SW as you cross the bridge and you might get to see the famous "sandbar". Loads of people ground their boats on either side of Windley Harbor channel and party. As seen on many Travel Channel specials as well as many "Cops" style real life cops shows.
You might want to swing by Whale Harbor itself. As a rule, it is a good idea to stay away from seafood buffets, but this is one of the few exceptions to the rule. It's worth a stop by just to peek inside the tabby lighthouse out front. There is a mark about 3/4 of the way up which is the high water mark from the 1935 Labor Day hurricane.
|
TIKI DAVID
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 07, 2004
Posts: 1909
From: North Coast
| Posted: 2009-10-21 10:24 am Permalink
ok ,I know about Holiday Isle.There are some very interesting partys out on the sand bar just off shore from there.(wink,wink)
has anyone ever stayed at the under water hotel on Key Largo. I checked it out last march to make a reservation ,but after looking at it ,it seemed alittle
'low rent','half assed' run to me.I could be wrong.
_________________
"Pets are welcome,Children 'MUST' be on leash" TD
|
Tipsy McStagger
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 21, 2004
Posts: 3394
From: HELL
| Posted: 2009-10-21 2:14 pm Permalink
Quote:
|
On 2009-10-21 10:24, TIKI DAVID wrote:
ok ,I know about Holiday Isle.There are some very interesting partys out on the sand bar just off shore from there.(wink,wink)
has anyone ever stayed at the under water hotel on Key Largo. I checked it out last march to make a reservation ,but after looking at it ,it seemed alittle
'low rent','half assed' run to me.I could be wrong.
|
|
..seems low rent shouldn't be a problem for a veteran of those (wink-wink) parties at the sand bar....why so skiddish?
_________________
" I may not know karate..... but I do know crazy !!"
|
TIKI DAVID
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 07, 2004
Posts: 1909
From: North Coast
| Posted: 2009-10-21 2:49 pm Permalink
..seems low rent shouldn't be a problem for a veteran of those (wink-wink) parties at the sand bar....why so skiddish?
because it's 20feet under water
_________________
"Pets are welcome,Children 'MUST' be on leash" TD
|
Pittsburgh pauly
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 31, 2010
Posts: 334
From: Pittsburgh
| Posted: 2010-05-04 08:17 am Permalink
Heading down to the Hukilau next month and was thinking about heading to Holiday Isle for a Rum Runner. I'll be in Lauderdale a couple days before Hukilau starts so it wouldn't interfere with that... worth it?
|
Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 2084
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
| Posted: 2010-05-04 08:27 am Permalink
Quote:
|
On 2010-05-04 08:17, Pittsburgh pauly wrote:
Heading down to the Hukilau next month and was thinking about heading to Holiday Isle for a Rum Runner. I'll be in Lauderdale a couple days before Hukilau starts so it wouldn't interfere with that... worth it?
|
|
Depends on how you define 'worth it.'
You can make an excursion of it and have some fun:
Take Card Sound Road and stop by Alabama Jacks for some conch fritters for lunch. The fritters are hot, the beer is cold, the atmosphere is interesting.
Then go down to Holiday Isles, have a drink or three and look around. It will be off-season (and hot) so there won't be much going on. Will still be fun, just not very 'exciting.'
Then, on your way back up to the mainland, stop by the Pirate Bar in Florida City for another drink or three.
Or, turn left and go out to Roberts and get a Key-Lime milkshake. Google "Robert is Here" to get more info and specific directions.
It will be a long day, but should be fun. From Ft Lauderdale to Key Largo is three to four hours depending on traffic. I highly suggest the Turnpike for at least one direction of the journey for expedience sake.
|
