Sunset Key Cottages Review: Key West, FL

Located on a private 27-acre island, just off Key West, FL, The Sunset Key Cottages offer the perfect mix of luxury and tranquility, with 40 distinct one, two, three, and four-bedroom cottages.   The cottages and rooms feel like you have your own little island home designed in traditional Key West architecture with pastel-colored wood exteriors and tin roofs.

The Location:

Sunset Key is just 500 yards, across the Gulf of Mexico, from Key West, yet far removed from its busy (and sometimes crazy) streets.  You will have the option to take the private ferry back and forth to Key West if you choose, or stay away and enjoy all of the luxuries the island has to offer.

In addition to the resort, there is a private residential community on the island with narrow brick roads and Key West Victorian-style homes. Cars are not permitted on the island, your only transportation options are bike, foot, and the ferry service that will transfer you to and from the island.

The Rooms:

Depending on what room type you have (1,2,3 or 4 bedroom), there will be a big difference in the size and structure of the cottage, but the look and feel is the same in all of them.  We stayed in a 2-story 3 bedroom cottage, with a great view of the Gulf.  There were two bedrooms on the first floor and one on the second as well as a kitchen, sitting area, and balcony.

Every morning we awoke to find a nice little wicker basket of muffins, fruit, and orange juice waiting for us on the balcony.  The muffins were made fresh each morning and were the perfect way to start the day!

Amenities:

The hotel has a great restaurant, Latitudes, with beautiful oceanfront views, fine dining, and a bartender that poured the stiffest gin martini I have ever had (that’s a good thing…).

As far as commuting back and forth to Key West, there is an Island Ferry that runs from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. with two launches running every half-hour from both The Westin Marina, Key West, and from the Sunset Key Guest Dock.   From 2:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., a launch runs on demand.

The front desk will provide you with complimentary use of fishing poles and bait.  The kids went fishing off the dock and had some good luck. Within minutes of dropping in the lines, we were reeling in the catch of the day…  They weren’t the biggest fish we have ever caught but we had a ton of fun hanging out on the dock and reeling them in.

Random Thoughts and Recommendations:

Here are a couple of recommendations and thoughts based on my trip:

Go Deep Sea Fishing with Lethal Weapon Charters – Captain Ted is a pro who has been doing this for years.   Since we had kids with us, he knew we would like to get some sharks… and he knew just what to do.  We caught a Nurse Shark, an American Sharp nose Shark, and a Blacktip Shark.  What a great day!

As far as restaurants go, check out these two.

Blue Heaven – for the quintessential Key West experience, you can’t beat Blue Heaven – great local food and live chickens running around…

Louie’s Backyard – if you prefer fine dining with a great oceanfront view over chickens at your feet, then Louie’s Backyard is the place for you.