Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Ocean Key Resort & Spa Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa When planning a group getaway with friends, finding a destination that delivers what each person is looking for in the trip can be a tall order. Take the last time I tried to plan a weekend getaway with a few girlfriends. While the top priority was simply spending time together.
..everyone had different ideas of what the ideal trip would look like.
Stacey had her heart set on going somewhere hot and beachy, with crystal clear water. We threw out a few suggestions on the east coast, but she was worried the weather wouldn’t be warm enough for lounging on the sand and by the pool. Kelly was more interested in finding a spot with interesting museums and historical landmarks.
And I was most excited to go somewhere with a lot of natural beauty. If I could get out on a boat — or get one step closer to my goal of visiting all 63 of America’s National Parks , even better. We all got excited about the idea of going to Cuba.
..but soon realized that between the international flights and visa requirements, it would just be too complicated for a short trip.
So we landed on a destination roughly 100 to the north of Cuba: Key West, Florida . Not only was Key West quicker, simpler, and cheaper to get to than Havana, but it had everything we were craving as a group in our vacation. It was certainly warm and sunny enough for Stacey.
It had historical sites like The Hemingway Home and Museum and Key West Lighthouse for Kelly. And for me, it was an ideal place for boating, snorkeling, and sport fishing in azure waters. We could even hop a ferry or seaplane to one of America’s most unique — and least frequented — national parks: Dry Tortugas .
Once we’d agreed on our destination, the next step was figuring out where we’d call home base during our weekend of adventures. Key West has no shortage of enticing hotels, but the one that caught our eye was Ocean Key Resort & Spa for its prime location at the base of Duval Street, walkability to a lot of popular sights, and gorgeous views from the balconies, restaurants, and pool. Located on the western side of Key West, the resort also happens to be one of the best places around to watch the sunset.
Plus, the spacious two-bedroom, two-bath suites with balconies and separate living and dining areas made it easy to share space on our girls’ trip. MORE FOR YOU Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Thursday, August 29th InnovationRx: Myocarditis From COVID-19 Is Much More Severe Than From Vaccination Bitcoin Prices Fell Below $58,000 As Various Factors Fueled Losses Read on to learn more about why this resort is a standout for your visit to the most famous of the Florida Keys. Sunset Pier Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa Location Ocean Key sits on a prime piece of waterfront real estate at 0 Duval Street, at the tail end of Key West.
The resort sits between Key West Harbor and Mallory Square, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, with views of Sunset Key and Wisteria Island. function loadConnatixScript(document) { if (!window.cnxel) { window.
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Getty Images The resort is about a mile from the iconic buoy marking the southernmost point in the continental United States (AKA probably the most photographed spot in the Keys). Guest suite Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa Number of Rooms & Suites 100 Sunset Pier Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa The Vibe Colorful, fun, eclectic — and totally laid back Each room and suite has its own private balcony Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa Highlights A prime oceanfront destination on historic Duval Street, next to Mallory Square Watch Key West’s famous sunsets from the waterfront pool Private balcony in every room Three on-site options for waterfront dining, ranging from casual to high-end On-site SpaTerre spa, with signature treatments like the Key Lime Margarita Signature Pedicure Flamingo Royale Penthouse Suite Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa Rooms & Suites From standard guest rooms to 1- and 2-bedroom suites, and a 1,200 square foot penthouse, each of the 100 rooms and suites at Ocean Key has a pleasing view — be it of the Gulf of Mexico, Key West Harbor, Mallory Square, or Duval Street. A hand-painted armoire mini bar Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa All have a colorful and playful mix of hand painted furnishings, textiles, and decór.
(The kaleidoscope of aquas, purples, and hot pinks screams Key West tropical style.) Spacious suites feature living and dining areas, Jacuzzis, and large balconies. Premium spa suites also have separate living rooms with queen sofa beds, and full walls of oceanfront windows and doors for maximizing the spectacular views.
Hot Tin Roof restaurant Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa Dining Ocean Key has three on-site options for waterfront dining. The resort’s signature restaurant, Hot Tin Roof has a stellar, seafood-centric dishes like seared blackened grouper and plantain-crusted swordfish that are inspired by the cuisines of the Keys, Cuba, and other Caribbean islands. Breakfast at Hot Tin Roof Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa Named for one of Tennessee Williams’ best-known plays, (along with Ernest Hemingway, Jimmy Buffett, and Judy Blume, the playwright is one of Key West’s most famous current/former residents) , the restaurant boasts gorgeous views of the harbor.
It’s a great destination for breakfast, dinner, Sunday brunch, or cocktails. And don’t miss the wine list, as the restaurant is a recipient of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Sunset Pier Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa The iconic Sunset Pier gives guests another great option for all-day dining.
Tuck into peel-and-eat Key West pink shrimp, ceviche, ropa vieja , mahi tacos, burgers, and Key lime pie from the rainbow-colored stools and patio umbrellas. Pool cabanas Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa Guests can also order lunch, snacks, and tropical cocktails from LIQUID poolside bar , where complimentary treats like infused waters and frozen fruit skewers are doled out throughout the day. Friends have cocktails on colorful Sunset Pier Courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa Who It’s Best For Groups of friends Couples Families, including multi-generational groups LGBTQ+ travelers Brides- and grooms-to-be planning a destination wedding or bachelor/bachelorette parties A vintage photo of Fort Jefferson, in Dry Tortugas National Park The Washington Post via Getty Images What’s Nearby Overlooking Mallory Square — a popular spot for sunset views The Instagrammable “Southernmost Point” of the continental United States 4 miles from Key West International Airport Steps from Key West Aquarium Walkable to Truman Little White House , The Hemingway Home and Museum , and Key West Lighthouse The ferry or charters to Dry Tortugas National Park , a 100-square mile park 70 miles from Key West that’s mostly underwater accessible only by boat or seaplane For more information or to book a stay, visit Ocean Key Resort & Spa .
For help planning your Key West or Florida Keys vacation, check out Fla-Keys.com ..
