Key West: Up close and comfortable

You know Key West from the songs Jimmy Buffett wrote. You know Key West for Hemingway’s writing. You know Key West for its reputation as a legendary party spot (Fantasy Fest, anyone?).

You may not think of Key West as a destination for your next luxury getaway. But the island has some surprises for you. From world-class resorts and upscale shopping and dining to colorful local haunts, Key West offers a host of indulgences. Let’s start with where you’ll sleep.

Luxury Lodging
Just steps from Duval Street (Key West’s legendary main street), and steps away from Mallory Square (home of the island’s nightly sunset celebration), sits The Westin Key West Resort & Marina. Although inspired architecturally by the island’s signature Conch cottages, the resort offers far more than simple pleasures.

The four-story, 178-room resort features spacious rooms, many with vaulted ceilings and water views, and boasts a AAA Four-Diamond rating. Luxuriate in the Westin’s Heavenly Bed, replete with a pillow-top mattress, crisp sheets and plush pillows. An on-site concierge can assist with booking daytrips and water excursions. Or, if you choose, just kick back at the tropical pool, enjoy a margarita on the Sunset Deck bar or indulge in a casually sophisticated meal at the waterfront Bistro 245.

If you’re seeking a retreat away from Old Town’s hustle and bustle, consider a stay at Sunset Key Guest Cottages, also a AAA Four-Diamond property. These luxury cottages are situated on a 27-acre private island just 500 yards off the coast of Key West. You can access the nation’s southernmost
city via a launch service running 24 hours each day between the cottages and The Westin Key West Resort. The ride takes only 10 minutes.

On Sunset Key, lush landscaping and private beaches await, along with 37 luxury guest cottages, ranging from one to three bedrooms. Each offers views of either tropical gardens or the Gulf of Mexico, and verandas replete with Adirondack chairs. There’s also a zero-degree entry pool, personal
in-room chef service and grocery-shopping services that allow you to have your cottage stocked before you arrive. A complimentary breakfast basket brimming with fresh-baked muffins arrives at your front door daily. You could get used to this.

Shopping & Dining in Paradise
Upscale dining in the Key West area begins on Sunset Key, with a meal at the waterfront Latitudes Beach Café. The dinner menu boasts a broad array of local seafood dishes, along with fire-seared steaks and fine wines. If you choose to dine in Key West itself, consider meals at such upscale eateries as the Grand Café Key West, La Trattoria or Michael’s Restaurant.

After filling your stomach, take some time to fill your shopping bags at Key West’s luxury stores and boutiques. The Key West Winery doesn’t make its quaffs from grapes, but from such tropical fruits as oranges, Key limes and peaches.

If you’re in the mood to jewelry shop, you have two sound options. The first is Whitfield Jack Jewelry Genius. This jeweler specializes in pieces of 14 or 18 karat gold, most of which are created with an island theme: think dolphin earrings
 
Catch spectacular sunsets from The Westin Key West Resort & Marina and mariner’s cross necklaces. For your second jewelry buy, stop by Diamonds International, a discount (remember, the term is relative) jeweler selling diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and other gems.

The Real Key West
Perhaps the greatest luxury you can enjoy during your getaway is acquainting yourself with the real Key West and uncovering its secrets. Here’s one: Hemingway, they say, drank at Sloppy Joe’s. This is sort of true. He did drink at a bar called Sloppy Joe’s, but at the time, this bar wasn’t in the huge locale on Duval Street it currently inhabits. Rather, in Hemingway’s day, the bar sat at 438 Greene Street, an address now home to Captain Tony’s Saloon.

For a healthy dose of history and Key West culture, go for an authentic Cuban meal at Pepe’s Café, one of the oldest restaurants in Key West. It was established in 1909 and has been drawing locals ever since.

To get to know Key West beyond its drinking and revelry, consider renting a scooter and getting off Duval. You’ll discover an amazing architectural mélange: Victoriana on Fleming Street, and Conch architecture and cross-gabled cottages on Angela and Elizabeth streets. (In fact, the entire region surrounding the city’s funky, above-ground cemetery is worth a look for architecture buffs.)

Finally, plan for a farewell dinner at Louie’s Backyard. Don’t be fooled by the casual name – this restaurant is known as one of the best in the South. Dine in this beautifully restored Classic Revival home on Waddell Street, and then have a drink on the restaurant’s unique two-story side porch facing the water. This is luxury in true Key West style.

For more information on planning your Key West luxury getaway, contact The Westin Key West Resort & Marina at 305-294-4000, toll free 866-837-4250        or www.westin.com/keywest, or contact the Sunset Key Guest Cottages at      561-279-9900 or www.oplhotels.com. 
 

By Laura Spinale

Courtesy of VISITFLORIDA.com