Our Review
The Merlin Guesthouse is a 20 room Bed and Breakfast located one block off of Duval, which means that you can get away from the noise... and back into it... easily. Like most other Key West lodgings, the Merlin has had a checkered history, including stints as a bordello, a home, or a flop house. It has now been restored to a beautiful place to stay.

Entirely unassuming from the street (see photos), you would never guess how pretty it is within those walls. There is a beautiful pool, bricked courtyard and a nice slatted gazebo within elbow room of one another. There are actually several buildings within these walls, and a variety of rooms to choose from with a different flavor for all of them.

One of the customer reviews below mentions room size and noise, this one of the narrow rooms overlooking the street. Those are dorm rooms, literally. I think these rooms are very nice for what they are, despite any background noise, I can really see having a nice beer, lemonade, whatever on the rocking chair on the shady porch. It is the perfect place for watching the world roll by.

If you are a college student, I recommend these rooms.

The rest of the customer reviews glow, and for good reason. They are beautiful, spacious and unique. There is a pic of a dorm room below.

The Merlin is owned by an excellent management company that buys historical properties, restores them, and builds upon the quality of their reputation. Other properties held are the Key Lime Inn, Budget Key West, the Lighthouse Court, and one other in recent development.

During the interview, the concierge said "it's almost more like a little club than a guesthouse." The return rate for the Merlin is very high, and although there are no exact figures, there were two calls from past guests making return plans in the short time I was in her office.

Come join them.

Who should stay here? Couples, young adults.

Customer Review
My husband and I have been going to Key West for over 10 years, we found the Merlin about 5 years ago and will never change. The privacy is fabulous, and each room has its own unique feature. I would suggest not staying in the small rooms on the street, but all the others are great.

Customer Review
We were delighted with the first room we stayed in-the king suite with a parlor area with room for meeting guests. It is well worth the money to get the larger room if you will be there more than one night. The second room was great for the one night except it didn't have a closet - we did manage by hanging clothes off the poster bed rods!!!! We were afraid to take the cheaper hotel - but it was the perfect location...Key West ambiance and private enough you thought you were the only ones there!!! We will do it again.

Customer Review
Positives-nice courtyard, a block off of Duval, price is right. Negatives-no assigned parking (had to park 2 blocks away), walls are very thin-we could easily hear outside traffic and the noise from rooms next door. We were awoken more than once. All I was looking for was a nice place to sleep, as I didn't plan on spending much time in my room-the fact that the room is very small did not bother me. But, we did not get one sound nights sleep while we were there. Perhaps the suites are a different story, but I won't stay there again.

Customer Review
My husband and I eloped in December to Merlins guesthouse. It was a pleasure. The room was clean (could use some updating), people were pleasant, and the area is very private. It was within walking distance to everything. We truly enjoyed ourselves and will be returning hopefully to our same room for our 1st yr. anniversary this December.