Discover the magic of Key West: Top hotels, unique activities and must-see attractions
With its epic sunsets that demand a nightly celebration, crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, beautiful sandbars and an eclectic arts scene, Key West is more than a rowdy party. This itinerary highlights Key West hotels with prime locations for water lovers and those seeking peace and quiet, along with unique things to do when you need a break from the bars of Duval Street — or when you need to escape the sun or rain. Don’t worry, rum is still involved.
Wake up in paradise
Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton
Want a slice of an idyllic beach to yourself? Bliss out at the longtime grand dame of Key West, Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton, which has bragging rights to the largest private beach in the area. Its bright-white sand and shimmering waters immediately enrapture guests from the grandiose lobby’s arched doorways. Built in 1920 — the hotel is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places — Casa Marina recently emerged from a massive renovation. Yet, even with the airy lobby’s new furniture and art that capture the area’s tropical beauty, you’ll still sense the hotel’s storied history (presidents, Hollywood A-listers and literary greats like Ernest Hemingway were guests back in the day) thanks to its original Florida pine ceilings and striking architecture.
With more 300 guest rooms to choose from, we suggest springing for a lanai room on the ground floor. Like its name implies, the room offers a private lanai that overlooks the ocean, perfect for romantic moments and a scenic breakfast. Even better: walk from your room’s back door to lounge chairs in the sand.
You’re here for the expansive beach and frequent dips in the water, along with relaxation at the family and adults-only pools (where you can tuck away in a private cabana). The resort also reopened two activity piers, so it’s easy to set off on a sunset cruise, dolphin watching excursion or a Jet Ski tour with Barefoot Billy’s; or explore the blue-green waters on paddle boards and kayaks. One thing Key West used to miss the mark on is spa treatments, and Spa al Mare has changed that with rejuvenating treatments in its breezy beachfront cabanas.
Take a spin down the expansive breakfast buffet at Flagler’s Ballroom and in the evening, enjoy toes-in-the-sand dining at Dorada, a Baha-Mediterranean restaurant, which opens in summer 2024. You’ll hear the siren song of vacation — cocktails being shaken — at the new lobby lounge, The Canary Room. Draped in tropical whimsy, it’s an intimate spot to sip rum flights cleverly named after a literary series that Hemingway authored. (Fun fact: see if you can find the canary in the lounge’s large mural.)
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort
Close enough to the party scene of Duval Street, but far enough away for quiet relaxation, The Marker Key West Harbor Resort is set in the Historic Seaport District and directly across from the waterfront. A stay near the harbor makes it easy to hop on an array of excursions like sunset sails or fishing tours. Hot tip: Get up early and grab an authentic Cuban coffee and a breakfast sandwich from nearby Cuban Coffee Queen — then walk the dock to look for manatees. The Marker is also within walking distance to Mallory Square, famous for its sunset celebrations, and a few blocks from always-ready-to-party Duval Street.
Many guest rooms have balconies that overlook the hotel pools and beautiful gardens, but our top choice is a spacious harbor view suite which offers the chance to peek at the boats lining the harbor. Most guests will find it difficult to leave the hotel’s three saltwater pools edged by swaying palm trees. While there is a serenity pool (where poolside yoga is offered on Saturday mornings), guests are also often treated to live music, poolside activities and parties. When we say pool parties — think lounge singers and other fun-in-the-sun entertainers. In the evenings, take advantage of the hotel’s lush tropical setting and retreat to the Serenity Garden, a quiet respite to read or share a bottle of wine. The hotel also offers complimentary bikes; we suggest riding to photo-worthy spots like the Southernmost Point and scenic Higgs Beach.
Spend the day relaxing on the water
Sandbar & Kayak Eco Adventure
While many people love a sunset cruise, another one of the most popular tours in Key West is the Sandbar & Kayak Eco Adventure with Sunset Watersports Key West. The two-story catamaran leaves from the docks of the Historic Seaport and offers an adventurous day of paddling through a maze of backcountry mangroves to spot wildlife, and then sailing to a stunning sandbar. It’s like arriving to your own peaceful paradise when you spot the crystal-clear waters lapping the sand bar. You can swim, set off on a paddle board, and the crew rolls out a large float in the water that’s a perfect perch for indulging in a tropical cocktail. (The crew will even get in the water to refill your glass — that’s service.)
Key West is more than a party spot
When you’ve had all the sun and fun you can handle, educate yourself on rum at Papa’s Pilar Distillery, a distillery that pays homage to Ernest Hemingway. It’s named after the writer’s nickname “Papa” and his beloved boat “Pilar,” and channels his adventurous, rum-drinking spirit. Take a guided tour of the working distillery to learn about Hemingway’s life and the distilling and bottling process, then sample their signature rums. We suggest taking the cocktail class, a fun hands-on experience where you’ll learn how to concoct two cocktails with Pilar rum. When you’re done, mingle with the friendly bartenders at Hemingway Social Club, and raise a glass to “Papa”.
Check out Sacred Space Gallery, located directly off Duval Street, a girl-powered gallery that sells works by more than 30 female artists who live in the Florida Keys. The gallery hosts a variety of weekly classes that include painting, pottery, resin and jewelry making; and unique workshops like a cigar box purse making class, to painting lobster buoys. “We have something for everyone’s budget, whether it’s $9 or $900. You can take home something unique and locally made,” says co-owner Lucy Hawk, who you’ll often spot working on her latest paper-cutting art.
Nature lover or not, you’ll swoon over the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. At this enchanted garden, you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of exotic birds and butterflies and tropical flowers and plants.
Skip the typical souvenir shops in Key West and look for something unique. The Island Mercantile is a newly opened boutique in the Historic Seaport District. Think of it as an upscale island general store where you can pick up a tropical-chic outfit, unique home items like rattan candle holders and bird napkins, or a memento of your Keys trip.
Another new women’s apparel boutique Float, tucked inside a historic conch house, fills a luxury apparel void in Key West’s shopping scene. The shop is layered with bright and airy dresses, cover-ups and island-inspired accessories, with racks featuring premium clothing labels and small global brands that you won’t find anywhere else. Perfect for experiencing a vacation in Key West or returning home with something that transports you back to the Florida Keys.
This story was originally published May 29, 2024 at 6:01 PM.
