How to Sleep 4 in Key West on $75 a Night // NAS Key West Trumbo Point Annex // Navy Getaways Accommodations at MWR

On a recent dive trip to the Florida Keys, my dive partner Bill and I used much of our “surface time” exploring NAS Key West Trumbo Point Annex // Navy Getaways Accommodations at MWR – the accommodations in Key West at the Navy base hotel, townhouses, and trailers.

With hotel rates on Key West ranging from $250 a night to $950 a night, at $75 these trailers that sleep four are an absolute bargain, so I’ll show them first. Originally, when Bill kept talking about “the trailers at Trumbo Point,” I was really not very excited. Well, I can tell you, I did a complete 180° change of mind about them.

They are spotlessly clean, light and airy inside, and the best deal for 100 miles around, not to mention, you’re on base, so it’s ultra safe, and the base is in walking and cycling distance of downtown, diving, and Key West’s main drag. My final thrilling discovery about how wonderful this lodging choice is comes at the end of the article – so, read on!

We found some great options. You do have to either be current or prior military, or traveling with someone who fits those categories – so share this and travel with a friend who qualifies if you don’t! Unfortunately, the facilities at Key West as well as the other properties for MWR are for active duty and retired military only and not for veterans.

January 5, 2020 update! A NAS Jax Skin and Scuba Dive Club member just sent this update to me: “I’ve been contacted by the VA and it appears that they (or DOD) have relaxed the rules on who may use the facilities that were only available to retirees in the past to include vets with service-connected disabilities.” See additional note at end of article.

Pros and Cons of Staying On Base

After comparing off- and on-base hotels, we determined several of the main benefits of staying on base. For divers, the number one pro of staying on-base is the security. You don’t need to haul all your SCUBA gear into the hotel room. It’s safe in the car. Plus, you are safe walking around. This is a huge benefit!

No road noise from the ever-close highway, or city noises from bustling businesses here – just peace and quiet, and it’s even enforced! That’s another huge benefit.

The few drawbacks would be not having access to a beautifully landscaped pool or gym, however, there are several pool and workout options available somewhere on base, for free, all listed below, as well as more perks and privileges than you will find in most hotels! At the end of this article, I’ll include the special pricing for everything from local attractions to land- and water-based activities; you will be amazed at the discounted rates!

Another drawback might be not meeting as many locals as you would off-base, and directly experiencing the culture of an area. However, if you are only laying your head on the pillow on base; the rest of the day is free to experience the local color, climate, and people.

The Trailers at Trumbo Point Annex

The best bargain in all of Key West is these immaculate trailers. At first look, the appeared small, hot, and devoid of any charm. I thought they were abandoned!

However, we borrowed a key and went for a look. Not only are they spotless, but also absolutely immaculate inside. They are painted all white, so actually appear very bright inside. The outside is a bit spare, so we thought we would want to bring a tent and chairs for a bit of shade and outdoor options.

The Interior Layout

While the interior is not luxurious, it has the all the essentials. There are two bedrooms with queen-sized beds. One shared bathroom is at one end of the trailer. In the middle, there is a living room / sitting area, a dining area, desk area, and a fully stocked kitchen. It’s not much, but, it’s all you need for a great visit to Key West.

The bedrooms are at opposite ends of the trailer, so you would have as much privacy as is geographically possible. Each bedroom has a large area for storage of clothing. There are shelves, so everything is easily accessible and easy to see and find.

The rates are $75 a night. You can’t find a hotel room that sleeps two people for under $250 a night on Key West, and these sleep four; with free parking!

I was really surprised all the paper goods were included – paper towels, toilet paper, and even nose tissues! There is a television, and wifi too.

All-white interior colors and lack of clutter keep the interiors of the trailers from feeling small or crowded.

Living Room

The living room is very spartan – there’s a coffee table, sofa that seats three, and a chair. There is a flat-screen tv, if that’s important to you on vacation.

There’s also a small desk, and that chair could be brought to the dining room table if needed. We probably would set up a laptop there for downloading dives off our dive computers and photos from cameras.

Dining Room

Well, it seats four or five or even six if you pulled the table away from the wall. It’s not much to look at, but serves the purpose of a spot to rest your plate while you eat and share stories about your day’s adventures in the air conditioning.

The Kitchen Area

Due to our vacation style of treating ourselves to the best of the best dining options – from the grocery store – we are always interested in how fully stocked the kitchen area is so we know what else we need to bring.

We do travel with our own coffee equipment, and always a rubber spatula. Other than that, the kitchen in the trailer has just about everything you could possibly wish for, and even paper towels are provided as well.

We took detailed photos of what utensils were included so we could plan our meals in advance, then head to the commissary to stock up on food. When traveling, we like to have a healthy balance of contributing to the local economy by eating out, and being able to afford the travel and future trips by cooking for ourselves as well.

I’m including lots of close-ups of the kitchen utensils so you know exactly what is included. There’s even dish soap! I didn’t notice any baking sheets or ovenware; only pots and pans, so plan your meals accordingly, or bring a 9×12 baking dish if needed.

With blender, coffee maker, and toaster, plus the full-sized stove and oven, you are set for appliances. There’s service for six with plates, glasses, and flatware.

You might have to juggle a bit with only one mixing bowl and one colander, but that’s what makes cooking somewhere else an adventure – you’ll be looking at things differently, using a pot for a mixing bowl, and making do and having fun with friends and family and simple offerings instead of complicated meals.

Bedroom One – Queen

The bedroom closest to the bathroom had a surprising amount of shelves for storage to the left of the bed. While I did not notice a closed closet; there is plenty of space for two people and all their luggage, and even a rack.

There is an iron, small ironing table, luggage rack, and two nightstands with lamps. This bedroom is located through the kitchen and past the bathroom, farthest from the front door.

Bedroom Two – Queen

Bedroom two has also two nightstands and lamp and luggage rack as well, and this large storage area toward the foot of the bed. There is plenty of room to move around the bed.

This bedroom is on the other side of the living room, past the front door. The bathroom is at the other end of the trailer, nearest the other bedroom.

Bathroom

It’s not a huge, luxurious bathroom, however, I did notice that it was spotlessly clean. I mean immaculate, white-glove-service clean. Towels are provided, as well as some sample sizes of soap, shampoo, conditioner.

If two couples are sharing, you might want to bring a second blow dryer so someone can dry their hair in their bedroom. For the price, it’s perfectly adequate and so spotlessly clean.

Navy Getaways Vacation Rentals Office

The Navy Getaways Vacation Rentals // MWR office occupies one of the downstairs townhouses. The townhouses are either bottom floor for about $140 or split-level for about $130 a night. They have two bedrooms, kitchen, bath, living room, screened-in porch overlooking a common courtyard.

The townhouses also are immaculately clean, and rather spacious. Even at nearly double the cost of the trailers, they are still less than half the price of a hotel room for two off-base on Key West. (877) NAVY-BED 8-4 daily.

Amenities Included

Here’s a quick run-down on services and amenities available if you are staying at the trailers on Trumbo Point Annex.

Gym

While not right at the trailers, there is the use of a gym on base. Although there are not dozens of machines, with a couple free weights, you can replicate any workout imaginable. This is the gym at Sigsbee – read more below about the other gyms and workouts available.

US Navy Sunset Lounge Bar & Grill at Sigsbee Park

When we found this spot, we knew it was perfect – while the throngs of “tourists covered with oil” crowded into downtown Key West, the two of us enjoyed this spot – the perfect sunset point – with about four other people. No crowds, no commotion. List of other on-base dining options below.

The Sunset Lounge Bar & Grill does have food and drinks – nothing too extensive – and are open from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The kitchen closes at 9:00 p.m. There is live entertainment weekly during season. Prices are very reasonable, and the food is good.

They serve canned and bottled beer, a couple wines, and nine house cocktails including a “Sunset Sipper,” and “Pirate Punch.” While they do serve in plastic single-use cups, there is a recycling bin by the bar.

Also available are the Airlanes Grill on Boca Chica Field, the Beachside Grill on Truman Annex next to Truman Beach, with gaming and billiards and mini theater, the Fly Away Cafe at Navigator’s on the beach, the Flying Conch Lounge at the Navy Gateway Inn and Suites, Navigator’s Bar at the Boca Chica Marina, and Trumbo Palms Catering & Conference Center at Navy Gateway Inn & Suites that can hold 300 plus two more rooms of 50.

Navy Base Spa

Ok, ok, not exactly a spa – however, with two stations and in-uniform priority, this is a great spot to stop for a regulation haircut; right between the commissary and the exchange at Sigsbee.

The ladies were friendly, efficient, and Bill got the best haircut he’s had in a long time – at an extremely reasonable price. Read below under “workouts,” and you’ll find out about the sauna!

The prices can’t be beat! There’s even a children’s fee schedule.

Navy Exchange

There is a commissary on base! Yes! It’s like a mini-big box store with a bit of everything from wine to Windex. About a tenth of the store is handbags and jewelry, a quarter is camping and boating supplies, another tenth is non-perishable food items and sundries. Over half the store is clothing, and there are some good brands offered from 511 to Sperry.

There is a section for military pride items from shirts and shorts to mugs and hats. I picked up a great t-shirt and insulated beverage mug for really reasonable prices, both with the Key West Navy Base conch emblem.

To the left is the grocery section, and to the right is the commissary. The haircut spot is in the middle, behind a section of all uniforms.

While each section is about a quarter the size of it’s counterpart on a larger Navy base, I found the offerings were complete. It was sort of like going to Trader Joe’s – not large, but at least one brand of every single item you might need.

Commissary Grocery

The grocery was just perfect – plenty of fresh veggies and fruits, and all the normal variety. I was astounded at a few items that were far more reasonable than at SaveALot – bacon was a full pound, for less than a 12 ounce package, and probably half the price it would be at a Publix or Winn Dixie. SaveALot is a local self-bag, help yourself out of the boxes grocery.

We had enjoyed a $78 lunch – that was an appetizer, two lunch entrees, and a cocktail each. That’s about what our grocery budget is for a whole week, so, we headed straight to the commissary after that splurge.

For $151, we absolutely stuffed the fridge and freezer where we were staying. From then on, we made our own breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with the exception of a meal at a local spot with our dive partner.

The grocery is closed on Sunday and Monday. So, plan ahead! They offer savings, a newsletter, special orders, plastic bag recycling, gift cards and vouchers, bulk “club packs,” and rewards cards.

Dive Shop

We discovered that Lost Reef Adventures offers dives through MWR on base, at about half the price of other operators in the area. A two tank dive runs about $55 instead of about $115. It’s about a 15 minute walk from base.

We decided the best option was, if you were diving with about four people, to drive everyone to the dive shop and drop off gear. Then one person take the car back to base and ride a bicycle back to the shop. Parking a car is about $25 a day near the dive shop. Parking a bicycle is free.

Bicycle Rentals

Also, we discovered that bicycles were rented to people staying on base – they are delivered right to you, and at $10 a day, much better than taxi or Uber!

Plus, besides making the transfer of dive gear to the dive shop more efficient by eliminating the need to park a car in crowded lots, it’s fun to tour around the island by bike!

No parking woes – just lock them up wherever you decide to slow down and sightsee.

Other Navy MWR Key West Services

Also on base, there is an Auto Skills Center, Airlanes Bowling Center for those rainy days, Equipment Rentals like shade tents, Storage for boats, trailers, RVs and automobiles, Tickets and Travel Office for discounted tickets on land, water, fishing, and diving attractions as well as theme parks, cruises, hotels, flights, and the local movie theater. There’s even a Chaplain and a Sigsbee Car Wash for cars, RV, or boats.

Kayak and Stand-Up Paddleboard Rentals and More at the Marinas

Boca Chica Marina is on the West side of Boca Chica Key with a Navigator’s Bar and Flyaway Cafe. Best of all, there’s a beautiful swimming beach with covered picnic areas and grills. The marina rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

Sigsbee Marina on Dredger’s Key in Sigsbee Park has fuel, bait, ice, tackle and gear, and rentals of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, snorkeling fins, (mask and snorkel available for purchase only), fishign rods and reels and large propane BBQ grills. They also rent a 21′ center console fishing boat. Dive tanks are not permitted on the boat. Florida Safe Boating card required.

You must complete the Florida State Boating Course at least one day before you are looking to rent a boat: http://www.boatus.org/florida

Pools

Splash Park on Sigsbee Park offers water activities, shade, seating, and restrooms. Children under 12 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older.

Trumbo Pool is open year-round with rock wall, slides, lily pads and playground to active duty, dependents, retirees, dependents, nominal fee for DoD civilians and guests.

Florida Keys Community College Pool allows active duty for lap swimming year-round in their heated pool, no fee.

Workouts

Boca Chica Cycling Studio has 21 indoor cycling bikes, free classes, just show up.

Boca Chica Exercise Studio holds group exercise classes like yoga, cardio kickboxing, dance, and Pilates. All classes are free, no pre-registering.

Boca Chica Fitness Center has basketball court, weight equipment, LifeFitness cardio equipment, running track, strength training equipment, free fitness assessments, lockers, shower, and sauna.

Sigsbee Fitness Center is a smaller facility – pictured above. There is a fitness walking trail, and five exercise stations around the trail, and yoga classes.

Truman Fitness Center beside the Beach Patio Recreation Center on Truman Annex has LifeFitness weight and cardio equipment, showers and lockers.

Base Information Sheet

I snapped this picture above somewhere – don’t remember where, but it’s good information to have. Below is the MWR Navy Getaways info – and me.

You can see we toured “Mobile Home #4.”

When I read the “Quiet Time 2200,” I knew this would be the perfect spot. So many places in the Keys are close to the highway – many islands are only a half mile across, so it’s impossible to avoid the road noise.

Then I think I fell completely in love with the idea of staying on base when I realized we were finally far, far from the noisy highway, parking dilemmas, and somewhere the contents of the car are completely safe.

Townhouses

At this location, there also are three-bedroom, 1/5 bathroom townhouses. The townhouses that are on the lower level are $140 and the ones that are two story are $130. They are incredibly spacious, and feature a screened-in porch facing a courtyard. They are not fancy, but have a certain 60’s charm to them.

Navy Gateway Inns & Suites

NGIS NAS Key West – the big building with “FLY NAVY” – has 611 rooms in nine buildings spread over the three primary NAS Key West Annex’s. However, due to hurricane damage to base housing, it sounds like most of these rooms are occupied, with only one or two available occasionally.

Navy Getaways Campground

The campground has 93 full hook-up sites and 500 dry and camping sites on Sigsbee Park and Trumbo Point. Trumbo is open mid-October through April. There are coin-operated laundry machines and showes on both annexes.

Navy Lodge

The Navy Lodge is located within walking distance of the exchange, commissary, marina and Sunset Lounge. It sounds very full currently due to the housing shortage on base, and is pet-friendly. Free wi-fi, breakfast, and morning newspaper. For reservations call (305) 292-7556. After hours call 1-800-NAVYINN.

Reservations

For the trailers and the townhouses, active duty may reserve up to a year in advance, retired military and DoD civilians six months in advance. For reservations visit http://dodlodging.net or call (877) NAVY-BED.

Homestead AFB – What to Read Next

We have enjoyed a stay in Homestead at the Air Force Inn – Homestead Florida ARB – and here is my Air Force Inn Lodging Review.

How to Eat Well in Homestead, FL – or Anywhere

Some Links to Save You a Bit of $

Well, if you decide staying on base is not for you – there’s always AIRBNB – Get up to $55 off your first trip when you use my link.

Not a cyclist? Then take UBER – $2 off your first three rides when you use this link.

Please share, bookmark, and subscribe for more travel fun, dive trips, cycling goals, and sailing adventures! You can find me at “DeepWaterHappy” on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Updated June 6, 2019, Updated again August 9, 2019.

January 5, 2020 update! A NAS Jax Skin and Scuba Dive Club member just sent this update to me: “I’ve been contacted by the VA and it appears that they (or DOD) have relaxed the rules on who may use the facilities that were only available to retirees in the past to include vets with service-connected disabilities.”

The dive club member said he read about a little confusion about “service connection” because the new rules say 0-90% service connected. “0%”? Apparently you can be service connected but not receive any compensation. The KEY is to look at one’s VA health card to see if it says “service connected” under the picture.