On a day filled with blue skies and a breeze as soft as silk, we threw off our jackets and opened our arms to balmy Key West, the southernmost tip of the continental US and the last key in the chain off Florida.
Key West’s raft of natural treasures surrounded us: the ever changing Atlantic Ocean, forever skies, entrancing sunsets. On this visit, we dedicated ourselves to finding all of Key West’s pleasures – both big and small – in just three days. It worked out beautifully.
Go ahead and make a pledge to yourself: Hop on a plane and plan to immerse yourself using all your senses. Take in the invigorating sea air while you nurse a cold drink on Sunset Pier. Tour the home of Ernest Hemingway with a local guide and get the real scoop on this important writer. Stroll Duval Street, the buzzy center of downtown, and notice the pastiche of people and the scent of food wafting from restaurants and bars.
All the while, revel in the unexpected. See chickens running free, hear the delightful rhythms of live music, catch the scent of sea air mixed with food being prepared.
One of Key West’s biggest draws is a welcoming attitude; this is a friendly village where many types of people congregate. As you chat with locals and fellow visitors (and you’re sure to) you’ll hear stories and laughter. You might even meet a proud member of the Conch Republic, a tiny “nation” established in 1982, when Key West’s then-mayor declared the key as independent from the US.
After experiencing as much as we could in one day, we wanted to recharge in a plush, quiet space where staff takes care of everything while we got rested and ready for another experience. We found the perfect place at the newly refurbished Ocean Key Resort & Spa, a stone’s throw from Sunset Pier, but a world of its own. Quiet elegance fills each space, from the lobby’s small bar to suites in muted palettes of colors. Every bit of the waterfront resort is thought out: beautiful furnishings, some with hand-wrought detailing; original paintings by local artists; high-end fabrics, and crisp linens.
Hot Tin Roof, the resort’s in-house restaurant (and open to the public) is a must-visit. Here, you’ll want to try the fresh seafood and the magnificent key lime pie. A wrap-around sheltered deck is a nice option.
The Ocean Key pool and its poolside bar, LIQUID, is a luxuriant escape. Lined with flourishing plants and palm trees (and with a spa attendant offering cold wet towels) the pool is a place for fun times or quiet solitude. Notice the bands of blue in the ocean just beyond, and, if you’re feeling especially lazy, take a languid dip and glimpse the mesmerizing shapes of water shadowed on the pool floor. This, in itself, is an escape.
To completely unwind, visit SpaTerre, a boutique spa with exquisite offerings (including the Coconut Crush Body Renewal and a traditional Japanese soaking tub). A SpaTerre appointment, such as the divine massage, is blissful medicine for the body and soul.
When you’re rejuvenated, discover Key West’s mix of nature, culture, and history. The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservancy is a haven of delights. Stroll through the large domed structure and see hundreds of butterflies, as well as exotic birds, including flamingos. There are also educational activities, a butterfly gallery, and a gift shop. The big takeaway: We must protect these special creatures before they disappear.
The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum is another must-do. The Spanish colonial-style house, built in 1851, is now a National Historic Landmark. The two-story home offers a fascinating glimpse into Hemingway’s life (and that of his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer Hemingway). The site is open every day, but a guided tour will give you more insight and details you never would pick up by yourself. Notice the six-toed cats; they are descendants of a cat given to Hemingway and Pauline by a ship’s captain.
We came full circle by making a last visit to the pool, a fresh revival that got us in a calm, relaxed mood for the flight home.