Key West is at the southernmost tip of Florida and indeed the United States, tucked away on a series of small islands known as the Florida Keys archipelago.
It’s just over 250 kilometres from Miami and is an easy drive – you could get here in about four hours if you came straight through. But some of the keys are worth a stop along the way, as I’ve highlighted in my 4-day Miami to Key West road trip.
The Florida Keys are also home to some of the USA’s finest beaches, with turquoise seas lapping on white sand, a tropical climate and a range of accommodation from RV Parks on the beach to high-end luxury hotels and resorts.
So with the latter in mind, this post dives into the best hotels in Key West all in one easy place to help you decide which is right for you.
It’s no wonder that Key West is one of the country’s most popular holiday spots. There’s a local scene of shopping, galleries, bars and restaurants along historic Duval Street, wildlife at the Key West Nature Preserve and a range of fine dining options across the city.
In this post, we are going to focus on the best luxury accommodation options in Key West for when you just want to splash out and celebrate. Some have high end spas, some are intimate boutique hotels, but they are all beautiful luxury hotels and resorts in Key West.
This post contains affiliate links, That means if you make a booking, I may make a small commisison at no extra cost to you.
Gardens Hotel
The charming boutique Gardens Hotel is located in the historic district of the city, a lesser-known hidden gem. Formerly known as the Gardens Mansion, the building was constructed in the 1800s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This historic adult-only hotel is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and offers a peaceful and serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It features an outdoor heated pool, piano and wine bar and tastefully decorated rooms, all individually furnished.
Located just steps from Duval Street, this is a great base for those visiting Key West for the first time and looking to explore the vibrant local area.
H2O Suites
This 5-star adults’ only resort located in the heart of Old Town Key West, H2O Suites is my top pick for the best luxury hotel in Key West.
All rooms are suites, 11 with a private plunge pool. A year-round pool deck and rooftop bar are a magnificent way to watch the sun set after a day exploring all the great things to do in Key West. Tip for breakfast is to nip out to Banana Cafe for some amazing banana/chocolate crepes to fuel you up.
It’s located 200m from Duval Street, has beach access and concierge service to book excurions like a fishing trip or a helicopter sight-seeing flight, or a tour of the famous Ernest Hemingway home.
You can read my post on the best things do in Key West here.
Pier House Resort & Spa
Located at the northern tip of Key West, waterfront Pier House Resort & Spa sits on a pier over the water with fabulous views over the Sunset Keys. This luxury hotel is easily walkable to the centre of Key West.
Dating back to the 1960s, this is one of the original luxury hotels in the Key West area, and all rooms have custom furniture. Amenities include a large outdoor swimming pool, private beach and a full-service spa.
The onsite waterfront restaurant, One Duval, is one of the best spots in the city to enjoy fresh seafood. Mallory Square is less than five minutes from the hotel on foot and the Key West Aquarium is also nearby for those who would like to learn more about the rich marine biodiversity of the area.
Ocean Key Resort & Spa
This famed 4-star hotel is located right at the northern tip of historic Duval Street, offering sweeping vistas of the Gulf of Mexico.
The Ocean Key Resort & Spa is just steps from Mallory Square and features a glamorous oceanfront pool surrounded in cabanas, an award-winning spa and nautical themed tropical décor. Each room has a private balcony and views of either the Gulf, or Duval Street.
It has three onsite restaurants: Hot Tin Roof, LIQUID and Sunset Pier, which all guarantee the best of Floridian and Caribbean cuisine.
Opal Key Resort & Marina
Opal Key Resort & Marina is located on Front Street in Old Town Key West, just a few minutes’ walk from waterfront Mallory Square and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, which displays a collection of shipwreck treasures.
The hotel is located within the cruise ship port in an historic building, and provides direct access to the Key West marina. They also offer a shuttle service across the city.
There is an outdoor swimming pool, access to a nearby spa and three unique waterfront restaurants for dining. These include a casual bistro, Bistro 245, the poolside Castaways and Sunset Deck – a tranquil spot for enjoying fresh pressed margaritas as the sun goes down. This hotel is one of the most suitable family-friendly venues in Key West for those travelling to the area with children.
Marquesa Hotel
Painted a beautiful shade of turquoise, the boutique Marquesa Hotel is nestled in the historic centre of Key West, housed in a former grocery store.
This luxury property is almost as well known as the famous Café Marquesa restaurant, located onsite and often rated as the best restaurant in Key West. It’s open for breakfast and dinner, serving a delectable selection of island favorites.
The Marquesa Hotel features three swimming pools, lush tropical gardens and well-appointed rooms that tastefully blend the modern with the traditional. Duval Street and the Audubon House are within walking distance of this property.
Sunset Key Cottages
Get away from it all at an exclusive experience on a private island. Sunset Key is a 27-acre private island just off the north coast of Key West, accessible by ferry.
It is home to the fabulous adults-only Sunset Key Cottages, a series of luxury cottage rentals that take over the entire island. Nestled among bougainvillea and swaying palm trees, the collection of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom cottages all feature sweeping ocean views, private verandas, modern furnishings, and are designed in traditional Key West style.
Amenities include an onsite spa, outdoor swimming pool and tennis court. There is also plenty of beach access on this private island. This adult-only resort is perfect for couples seeking a romantic escape.
Fort Zachary Taylor on the western coast of Key West is easily accessed by boat and makes for a great day trip with fabulous snorkelling, and features on my list of the best beaches in the Florida Keys.
Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton
A Waldorf Astoria resort and a member of the Curio Collection by Hilton, the 5-star Casa Marina Key West is one of the best luxury hotels in Key West.
The resort is located along South Beach and housed in a beautiful 1920s building with well-preserved Mediterranean architecture. All 311 guest rooms and 63 suites were newly renovated in spring 2024, and the hotel offers an expansive palm-fringed outdoor pool area.
There is also a private beach, fitness centre and pet friendly accommodations. Guests can also enjoy access to the amenities of the nearby sister property: The Reach Key West.
Simonton Court Historic Inn & Cottages
Offering a tropical boutique experience in the heart of the Key West Old Town, Simonton Court is an adults-only retreat housed in a selection of former cigar-making cottages.
Today they represent a luxury accommodation option in Key West, surrounded by tropical gardens. Spread over two acres, the resort offers a range of different cottages to suit all budgets. Amenities include four swimming pools, open 24 hours per day.
An interesting feature about Simonton Court is that the cottages are adorned with local artwork, all of which are available for guests to purchase. Duval Street and the Audubon House are both within walking distance of the resort.
Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa
Located steps from the old part of Key West and Duval Street, the waterfront Hyatt Centric Key West Resort offers an unrivalled location in the city, with easy access to the beach and the city centre. They are also have a lot of accessibility features.
Rooms feature island-inspired décor and rainfall showers, and the hotel is also pet friendly. The onsite sea-to-table restaurant focuses on sustainability, serving a range of seasonal and fresh local ingredients. The resort also offers an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and the Jala Spa, where guests can enjoy a range of massages and therapeutic treatments.
The Mansion On The Sea
This adults-only boutique hotel, The Mansion on the Sea, formerly Southernmost House, is an historic beachfront property, built in 2897, and located at the far end of Duval Street, the Atlantic end, with fabulous views away from the tourists.
There are nine rooms in the main house, three bungalows and a full size apartment across Pocket Park, which would be ideal for a big group getaway or wedding guests. You can choose your room when you book, so know exactly what to expect. There is a beautiful pool and dining onsite at the Seaside Cafe, where lobster pizza and key lime pie is a must try.
Marrero’s Guest Mansion
Marrero’s Guest Mansion was originally private home. A massive Victorian house built in 1891 by prominent cigar maker, Francisco Marrero. It is now a gorgeous boutique hotel with modern renovations and wild pops of oranges and yellows, while keeping many of the historic architectural features.
Marrero’s is located about midway down Duval Street, so easy to walk to Mallory Square in one direction and Ernest Hemingway House in the other.
Each of the 12 guest rooms is individually designed with vibrant decor. Breakfast is included, there is a pool and daily happy hour at the onsite Tiki Bar.
Things to do in Key West
- Visit Eernest Hemingway’s House – and see the six-toed cats!
- Eat at Blue Heaven
- Stroll Duval Street
- Hit the golf course
- Visit the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
- Visit Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden
- Walk through Downtown Key West
- Visit Mallory Square and the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum
For more ideas for things to do in Key West, I wrote this post.