Hotels & Transportation
TRANSPORTATION
The closest and most convenient commercial airports are Miami International and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International. Miami is closer to the Keys, but Fort Lauderdale offers easier access and is a viable alternative. Full car rental facilities are available at both airports. The Key West airport offers commercial service but flights are limited. At this time, no commercial flights are available in Marathon.
If you do not wish to drive to the Keys, commercial ground transportation is available from both major airports to Key Largo and Marathon. A Marathon-based company, Keys Shuttle, offers regularly scheduled van service multiple times each day to/from the airports and Key Largo, Marathon or Key West. For information, please visit their website: www.keysshuttle.com, or call 888-765-9997.
“Super Shuttle” is another company that offers service to and from Miami International Airport. It does NOT go to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport at this time. For information, call 305-871-2000.
Public bus transportation is also available from Key West north to Marathon, Key Largo and the mainland. This is an inexpensive way to travel, but may involve one or more bus transfers. The City of Key West offers regular bus service from various points in the City to Marathon (Sombrero Beach Road near the K-Mart and Publix—and across US #1 from the 50-mile race start at Marathon Garden Club). There, you may transfer to the Miami Dade Transit bus for connection to Key Largo and to Florida City. Further transfers are necessary to continue by bus to Miami International Airport.
City of Key West Bus Schedule, including transit from Key West to Marathon: Key West to Marathon
Miami Dade Transit's Dade / Monroe Express (Route 301), from Marathon to Florida City: Marathon to Florida City
Miami Dade Metrobus Routes/Schedules from Florida City to the airport and all other points: Florida City to Airport
Additional information may also be found at these sites: www.fla-keys.com and www.keywestchamber.org.
VAN RENTAL
Full size vans and large SUVs are available through "Marathon Travel Packages", by calling 1-800-608-1140. The phone is staffed 24/7. Preferred pricing is offered, and arrangements may be made to pick-up vehicles at virtually any airport. Call for details.
HOTELS
The following hotels in the Keys are providing reduced rates for KEYS100 participants. Be sure to mention, "KEYS100".
Key Largo:
Holiday Inn and its sister hotels, Courtyard and Marina del Mar, 99701 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037. In the Holiday Inn, special rate of $149.00 for Friday May 17, and $139.00 for Thursday, May 16. These rates are unchanged from previous years. The KEYS100 room block includes standard and pool-view rooms without additional charge, subject to availability. When booking under the KEYS100 block, ask if a choice remains. Book early! To reserve a room, call 1-800-HOLIDAY and mention “Keys Ultras/KEYS100”. (As an alternative, call Key Largo Holiday Inn directly, at: 305-451-2121; fax: 305-451-5592). You may also register online by using this link: Holiday Inn/Key Largo Online Reservations Our management contact in Key Largo is Michelle Caceres, at 305-453-7149. Call Michelle if you have any problems when registering.
Courtyard: The following special rates are offered until May 1st, subject to availability. Call the hotel directly, at 305-451-3939, for reservations.
King Island View at $159 per night, plus tax.
Queen/Queen Island View at $159 per night, plus tax.
Queen/Queen Marina View at $174 per night, plus tax.
Marina del Mar: Be sure to mention "KEYS100" when calling the hotel directly for reservations, at 305-451-4107. All are subject to availability.
Island view: $127.46 plus tax
Marina view: $144.46 plus tax.
Studio suite: $161.46
1-bedroom suite: $237.96
New: Pre-Race Pasta Dinner will be offered at Bogie's Cafe on the Holiday Inn "campus" from 5-9:00pm on Friday, May 17th. All-U-Can-Eat Mini Spaghetti Buffet: Garden salad with assorted dressings, spaghetti, Marinara or Alfredo sauce, meatballs and rolls. $10 plus tax. Reservations not required.
Bayside Inn, 99490 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037. Rooms are available for $129 on Friday, May 1,7 and for $99 on Thursday, the 1t6h. Contact the hotel directly for reservations and additional information. Be certain to mention, "KEYS100". 305-451-4450. www.baysidekeylargo.com
Ocean Pointe Suites at Key Largo, 500 Burton Drive, Tavernier, FL 33070. One bedroom/one bath suites (average 600 square feet) for $149/night plus tax, and two bedroom/two bath suites (average 900 square feet) for $159/night plus tax are offered at this resort property located on the ocean about 10 minutes south of the starting line in Tavernier. All suites have full kitchens with washer and drier. Trailered boats welcome; parking and launch on site, with a $20/night trailer fee. Pool, tennis courts and more. Call 305-853-3000, or 800-882-9464 for reservations. Be sure to mention “KEYS100”. www.opsuites.com
Marathon:
Holiday Inn Express, 13201 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. $193 per night if booked by March 18th. Very nice, nearly new hotel with all the amenities, just a few miles north of the 50 mile race starting line. Contact the hotel directly, at 305-289-0222, and mention "KEYS100" for this special rate. Check out the property at: Holiday Inn Express Marathon Photo Gallery
Further hotel options to follow.
Key West:
Sheraton Suites Key West, 2001 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West, FL 33040. $169 per night for King and $189 for Double Queens, plus tax. This is the first rate increase for the KEYS100 room block in four years, but is still very good value. The Sheraton is located close to the race finish line. Call 1-800-452-3224. Reference KEYS100. Book early. Our block always sells out. Cut-off date is April 19. www.sheratonkeywest.com
Lexington Key West, 3850 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West, FL 33040. $119.00 per night, plus tax, and Resort Fee of $8.59. Call 305-294-6681, and mention KEYS100. Or, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Online: Online Reservations May 4 cut-off date.
Quality Inn Key West, 3824 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West, FL 33040. $119.00 per night, plus tax, and Resort Fee of $8.59. Call 305-294-3773, and mention KEYS100. Or, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Online at: Online Reservations May 4 cut-off date.
There is a huge variety of accommodations throughout the Keys. Check the alternatives at these websites:
www.fla-keys.com, www.thefloridakeys.com