Key West Luxury Hotels & Destination
Key West FL Destination
Key West Florida is a diverse and exciting destination, full of fabulous luxury hotel accommodations. Gaze out at the pristine blue green waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico to the west. The only connection Key West has to the US, is Highway 1. Perhaps it is this unique disconnectedness that makes Key West so attractive to renegades, eccentrics, and escape artists. The island’s melting pot character combined with the elegant charm of a Key West small luxury hotel makes for a satisfying and memorable getaway. Key West offers a unique experience to everyone who visits.
Key West Luxury Hotels
With a destination that is as fascinating as Key West, electing to stay at one of Key West’s luxury hotels will be a decision you’ll be glad you made. The graciousness of a seaside setting accompanied by a backdrop of lush tropical flora and fauna proves you have arrived in paradise. The sophisticated quality of service and attentiveness to detail are signatures of the Key West luxury hotel experience. Enjoy relaxing by the pool or walking along the beach, do as much or as little as you like, knowing your Key West luxury hotel has superior amenities, gracious ambience, an escape from life’s complexities. The luxury hotel concierge is available to assist with outings, tours or travel arrangements. Life couldn’t be made simpler, so treat yourself to an unforgettable experience by choosing a small luxury hotel when planning your Key West adventure into paradise.
Key West History
Key West was home to the Tequesta and Calusa native peoples prior to the arrival of Ponce de Léon in the year 1521. The original Spanish name for Key West was Cayo Hueso meaning ‘bone key’ as the early settlers found skeletons littering the beaches. It is speculated that the bones were remains from a Native battlefield or burial ground. Fisherman used the island of Key West with very little control by any government. This is probably the reason Key West has a long colorful history that includes pirates, sunken treasures and ghosts. No until the year 1822, was the United States flag was planted by Matthew C. Perry on Key West claiming it as U.S. property. After 1830, there were increasing numbers of Conchs (immigrants arriving from the Bahamas) immigrating to Key West. The major industries supporting the Key West population were fishing, salt production and salvage. Florida’s reefs caused many shipwrecks resulting in Key West residents developing a lucrative salvage operation. Key West would soon become the largest and wealthiest city in Florida. When the salt and salvage industries declined in the late 19th century, a thriving cigar making industry replaced them in Key West. During the 1860’s and 1870’s many Cubans moved to Key West during Cuba’s unsuccessful war for independence. Existing in isolation for many years, in 1912 Henry M. Flagler extended the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) to connect Key West to the mainland of Florida. In 1935, the Labor Day Hurricane destroyed much of the Overseas Railway Extension and the FEC couldn’t afford to repair the railroad. The U.S. government decided to replace the railroad with a highway. It was completed in 1938, an extension of United States Highway 1, the portion through the Keys named the Overseas Highway. Over the years, many famous people have visited Key West or called it home, including US presidents, writers, artists and entertainers. The luxury hotel visitor will find exploring the historical aspects of Key West in “Old Town” the Key West Historic District most intriguing.
Key West Attractions
Key West is the southernmost point in the continental United States. The luxury hotel tourist must visit the landmark at the corner of South and Whitehead. The permanent structure was erected in 1983 as the previous sign markers were often stolen. The best ways for luxury hotel visitors to explore the history and architecture of Old Town Key West are by bicycle or on foot. The streets are narrow and parking is limited, so you just might miss something while attempting to navigate the confined areas. Mallory Square is located on the waterfront of the Old Town Key West and an excellent place for the luxury hotel visitor to experience the Sunset Celebration. Not only will you have a gorgeous view of the setting sun, but also there are street performers, arts and crafts exhibitors, food carts and psychics. Adjacent to the square, the Key West luxury hotel guest will find the Key West Shipwreck History Museum and the Old Post Office and Customs House, a historic site that now serves as the Key West Museum of Art and History. Duval Street running north to south from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean is Key West’s commercial zone and is where the luxury hotel guest will find the most famous bars and restaurants and at times where celebrations will last beyond dawn. The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum will charm the luxury hotel cat lover, as there are over sixty descendants of Hemingway’s famous polydactyl cats.
The gorgeous crystal clear waters surrounding Key West, only adds to the allure and unprecedented beauty of the luxury hotel. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling or diving along the living coral reef that teems with tropical fish and marine life. For Key West luxury hotel guests who prefer to stay dry, Discovery Undersea Tours offer a variety of glass-bottom boat tours providing great viewing of marine life and the coastal attractions. A day trip to the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson will take the luxury hotel guest to North America’s most inaccessible National Park. Your Key West luxury hotel concierge can provide you with details on getting to this island named for the abundance of turtles that inhabit it. The Key West Aquarium is another place for the luxury hotel visitor to experience the beauty of underwater life while staying dry.
Key West Festivals
Key West enjoys tradition and celebration, shown by their numerous annual events. The luxury hotel visitor must attend one of these joyous events upon their Key West getaway. Literary Seminar takes place each year in January, featuring a specific literary genre or the work of a renowned writer. For the luxury hotel guest with a love for the writings of Ernest Hemingway, the Hemingway Days Festival is a time of fishing tournaments, Hemingway look-alike contests, readings and book signings by renowned authors, as well as a “Running of the Bulls”. Fantasy Fest is Key West’s answer to Mardi Gras. The ten-day October event is filled with glitzy costumes, entertaining parades, exciting concerts and fabulous street fairs, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Plan your Key West luxury hotel escape keeping this in mind. Every luxury hotel visitor will find something to celebrate in Key West.
Key West Dining
Key West’s proximity to Cuba and the immigration from the Caribbean has contributed to the delicious cuisine the luxury hotel guest will be tempted by. Key West’s restaurants serve fresh seafood, as well as a daily fresh catch, which could be swordfish, black fin tuna, grouper or mako shark when combined with Cuban-style beans, plantain, curried rice plates and garden fresh vegetables providing the hungry luxury hotel diner with a sumptuous treat. If you still have room, the Key West tradition of Key Lime pie is a tangy treat to tantalize your taste buds. There are a variety of other cuisines available such as French, Mexican, Italian and Chinese, just asks your Key West luxury hotel concierge for a recommendation according to your craving.
After a busy day of swimming with the dolphins or shopping on the ever so popular Key West’s Duval Street, it’s comforting to know you can return to the sophisticated and elegant comfort of your Key West luxury hotel, to rest, relax and awaken refreshed for the countless adventures that await you in beautiful Key West.
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