A few weeks ago, I went on a trip to Key West. It was on my travel list for quite some time and I am super happy I finally made it there.
Key West is a US island city, which is part of the Florida Keys archipelago. It is also Florida’s southernmost point, lying roughly 90 miles north of Cuba. Famed for its pastel-hued, conch-style houses, Key West is a famous tourist destination and a cruise-ship stop. It is also famed for its coral reefs – destinations for diving and snorkelling. So if you are a fan of diving, it certainly is a place to put on your travel list.
We drove from Miami and it took us about three and a half hours. The Florida Keys are accessible from the mainland via the Overseas Highway. It is an incredible journey, as there are miles long bridges that connect the islands and you drive in the ocean for hours. In fact, the way to Key West is often shown on various travel channels and documentaries, due to its scenic ocean views.
What I absolutely loved about Key West is that the atmosphere there is super relaxing and it is such a great holiday destination. Full of cute cafeterias, bars and restaurants.
We stayed at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa and I loved it, as it has one of the best locations in town. It is a boutique resort, with incredible ocean views and super cute design. Our room was overlooking the ocean and Mallory Square in Key West, where every day people gather to watch the incredible sunset and say goodbye to the sun. The pier bar, which is also part of the hotel, is the most famous sunset spot on the island.
The pool area is amazing too, and I loved the Hot Tin Roof restaurant. They have delicious fresh fish and seafood dishes and the same beautiful ocean view as from the pier. The breakfast is also served at this restaurant and it is all super delicious.
The resort has been awarded Top 10 Resorts in the Florida Keys twice by Condé Nast Traveler. It was also awarded Top 10 Resort Hotels in Florida Travel & Leisure by World’s Best Awards. I can totally see why it got so many awards, and if you are visiting Key West, you should certainly consider it for your stay.
What I also loved is that you can leave your car with the valet and forget about it until you leave the resort. It is right in the centre of Key West and you can walk everywhere.
Duval Street, perhaps one of the most popular destinations on the island, is just two minutes’ walk from the resort. Duval Street is the main drag of downtown, running north and south from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. Although it is not much more than a mile in length – this is where the heartbeat of the city comes to life with a diverse array of restaurants, shops, world famous pubs and attractions. It is a great place to go for a walk and some drinks/food at night.
The house of Ernest Hemingway is another great place to visit while in Key West, and its only about 15 minutes’ walk from the resort.
In terms of beaches, my favourite on the island is Smathers Beach. It is super beautiful and not very crowded.
We stayed 4 days at Key West, and if it is your first time there and want to relax and explore everything peacefully, I would suggest you to stay for at least 3-4nights. In addition, it is a good idea to book in advance, as the hotels get quite busy during the high season.
Love,
Tina J x
