Gulf sunset views, seafood and tropical drinks, bicycle and scooter rentals, koi and turtle ponds—all this plus peace and quiet around a courtyard-garden pool—draw vacationers to this compact waterfront resort. It's located just 2 blocks from Mallory Square's famous daily Sunset Celebration and 1 block from Duval Street, with its "Duval Crawl" after-dark bar-hopping ritual.

Built by Florida developer Henry Flagler on Key West's south shore in 1920, Casa Marina Resort is marked by tropical gardens and sculpted hedges. The main building has a sand-colored exterior with a Mediterranean red-tile roof, and newer buildings echo the grand resort style. Arrayed along a 1,100-foot private beach, the resort is 1.5 miles from the shopping, dining, and nightclubs of Duval Street.

The nautical-theme lobby featuring polished wood and bold colors sets the casual ambience prevailing at the resort, which attracts adults eager to enjoy the sun and Key West's renowned nightlife.

With a water-activities center to its waterside open-air shopping promenade and a Sunset Festival, this resort embodies Key West's appeal—but with a slightly more refined gloss on the island's casual fun-making. Mallory Square's Sunset Celebration (next door over a short wooden bridge), for instance, offers food carts but no alcoholic beverages and no seating. The hotel offers temporary bars, tables, and open-air seating in front of and atop its restaurant.

This Key West hotel provides moderately priced accommodations for families just 3 miles from the downtown action and across the street from a promenade running beside the Gulf of Mexico—ideal for strolling, jogging, and bicycling. The lobby includes historical Key West photographs and a catalogue to explain them.

In the lobby of this two-story hotel, West Indies-style ceiling fans whirl, and floor-to-ceiling windows provide views of the Gulf of Mexico across the street. The hotel is located within three miles of island attractions, including historic Old Town, the Key West Aquarium, and the boutiques, restaurants, and bars of Duval Street.

Located on the quiet side of Key West, the hotel is popular with families and vacationers seeking a casual beach resort a bit removed from the noisy streets of Old Town. Whimsical lobby decorations such as ceramic lizards exemplify the pastel-colored resort's lighthearted, casual spirit. Family friendly features include a playground in a garden courtyard.