re: Recommendation: Where to stay in Florida Keys

Key Largo is the first key you hit after leaving the mainland. it has more of a Bawcomville feel and less of a Caribbean feel to it. the rest of the keys generally feel like fishing villages (which they are) with boat shops and bars lining the main road, and houses a block on either side of the highway.

it depends on what you're going for. if you have a boat and like to fish, anywhere is great. if you're looking for good beaches, this isn't the place. (bahai honda park is nice). if you're looking for night life and shopping, key west for sure.