Margarittaville

Good. This place has seen better times, but retains a funky Florida Keys soul to it. The staff were a hoot and great: mom (grandma)holding court, her daughters (grandchildren) and two ladyboys running the entire show. I think they were the best part of this experience. A constant slow groove soundtrack emanates from a boombox. The food was actually good and very reasonable. I stayed in the main building, not a bungalow. The walls and floors were built in another, pre-building code time. Expect to hear the conversations of other guests emanating from all directions. The room was dated in a 70s kind of way, but it was huge--and it was very clean. There was a strange platform bed consisting of two twin beds that had been pushed together, but the comfort level was superb. The pool is an acid pit of chemicals, but it didn't seem to thwart the guests and young children whom I assume what young children will do in a pool. Many Europeans and many families were among the guests. Be prepared to embrace that they still did not get the memo about public smoking; however, this was never a problem. There were a few backpackers and interracial couples along with the Europeans. Again, I was the odd one out as a single Western traveler. So the guests, during my short two days seemed to reflect the surroundings. This is not a hotel; don't expect it to have such amenities. On the other hand, it is a guesthouse with a huge dose of delightful hospitality. One favorite memory was returning late at night. There is a security guard and a gate. Both nights I encountered the young lad in the next stage of wooing his female companion. Quite adolescent as if I were a parent coming upon them. Cute. It was easy to stay here if you adjust your expectations about what this is as well as what it is not. Only thing missing is the beach--but they are masters at fabulous blender drinks.