My husband and I just got back from a wonderful holiday in Key West. I think it’s hard to know where to even begin when writing a post about a place so absolutely gorgeous – full of adventure and magic. We have always loved to travel, and have been known to spend more time away than at home in any given month. We love discovering local restaurants and taking in each city’s culture. Usually when we visit a new city, we agree that we loved it, but wouldn’t make another trip back again. We completely expected that to be the case with Key West – but it surprised us. We were actually looking at a hotel near Rosemary Beach, when we realized it was still going to be cold there in early December.
So, we headed as far south as we could – while staying in the US. We were actually searching hotels in Miami when Key West popped up. So, we did a bit of exploring online and booked our flights. It would be fun to give Key West a try! Now, we’re hooked and can’t wait to go back again.
Below, I’m sharing a few of my favorite spots in Key West. I highly recommend these for your next island getaway OR as a fun welcome bag recommendation list for you destination wedding in Key West. Because we all know that there is nothing better than vitamin D in the dead of winter and a curated must-try list in a new spot. Happy traveling!
Key West Accommodations:
We split our night between a hotel on Duvall St. in the heart of all the night life and one on the beach, on the quieter end of Duvall. I’m really glad we did both, to get a taste of all Key West has to offer within walking distance.
- The Saint – A Marriott property, this luxury hotel exceeds expectations and reviews online. Located in the heart of all the nightlife on Duvall, you’re only steps away from dozens of restaurants and a ten-minute walk to the pier + sunset. The rooms were spacious and extremely clean + modern. We had a poolside balcony, which meant we didn’t have to deal with street noise, which I highly recommend. And, we were huge fans of the complimentary bikes, which we rode to brunch + the state park and beach. We adored the staff here, which were super helpful when navigating the island and making reservations.
- The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel – Wow, this was a find. We were upgraded to Ocean View Suite upon arrival, which was super spacious and overlooked the pool and beach. Again, the staff here was super friendly and helpful. The beach here is small, but you also have access to Casa Marina, where there is a longer beach. You also have access to three pools, two beachside restaurants and a few hammocks between the two hotels. Their staff is extremely helpful, setting up chairs, umbrellas and bringing food + drinks beachside if requested. This is such a peaceful piece of Key West.
- Latitudes – At Sunset Key – This is the most important recommendation within this post. This restaurant was beyond incredible. Absolutely one of my favorite dining experiences to date. You’ll need to make a reservation a month in advance, ask for an outdoor table, and take a ferry to get to the restaurant, since it’s on a private island right off of Key West. It’s all worth it, every single minute. The atmosphere, the sunset, the staff, the food. I think the photos speak for themselves. This rivaled our honeymoon to Greece!
- La Crêperie French Café Key West & Banana Cafe – We actually had the opportunity to dine at both of these top-notch French crepe spots for brunch. You can’t go wrong with either one, especially if you love crepes!
- D.J.’s Clam Shack – This spot, on Duvall, is a given if you’re looking for a fresh, overflowing lobster roll, quick service and chance to dine at one of Triple D’s favorites.
- The Lobster Shack – Just minutes from The Southernmost Point, this lobster roll shack boats a cute atmosphere, and key lime lobster roll that’s delicious. This is a very low key, quick spot.
- Glazed Donuts – If you’re looking for donuts, and let’s be honest, who isn’t looking for donuts? This this is THE spot in Key West. We snagged a few of these + some of their coffee and headed back to our balcony at The Saint for breakfast. It was perfect. The Key Lime donut really was my favorite!
Key West Attractions:
- Sebago, Sunset Champagne Cruise – This was an absolute highlight of our trip to Key West. We paid a small bit more to take this, semi-private cruise, over a party cruise and it was worth every penny. We boarded our cruise with five other guests and two of Sebago’s staff. Our Captain, Captain Morgan (yes I know how hilarious that is) and his partner Sam were beyond incredible. They told us all about the island, and surrounding islands’ history. And they talked about Key West traditions, their favorite places to eat and overall just made you feel welcome to the island. I almost we had done this cruise our first night in town. They provided a host of beverages and spread of hearty appetizers. We were able to walk around the boat and even lounge in the nets up front. It was a dream.
- Lazy Dog Kayaking The Mangroves at Hurricane Hole – Let me be clear when I say that, I did this for Chris, my husband, because I love him dearly. It was exhausting and scary at times. But, I am glad we did it (and made it)! Ha! This was an especially unique experience for the two of us. If you’re an adventurer, I think you’d love it. But, I recommend joining a tour, as we were self-guided and a bit lost at one point. This, I think we would have relaxed and enjoyed the experience more if we knew where we were going, rather than following a map.
- The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory – A hidden gem on a rainy day, Chris and I had an absolutely lovely time exploring the butterfly conservatory on Duval Street the morning we were leaving. It was enchanting and we both noted how peaceful it was there. And, you can actually live stream it at home via their site!
Are you considering a destination wedding in Key West? Let our team guide you!
