BY ROSALIND CUMMINGS-YEATES
AS THE SOUTHERNMOST POINT IN THE US , KEY WEST IS FAMED FOR TROPICAL BEAUTY AND HISTORIC SITES . FROM SNORKELING AND FISHING TO RUM TASTING AND SHOPPING , KEY WEST OFFERS A LAID-BACK ISLAND-STYLE ESCAPE WITHOUT NEEDING A PASSPORT .
WHERE TO STAY
Whether you prefer old-school elegance or a secluded stay near the beach , Key West has a plethora of accommodations . Consider the Marquesa Hotel for historic glamour and a prime location near nightlife hotspot Duval Street . Indulge in lush gardens , two pools and one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Key West , Café Marquesa . Situated a mile from the Atlantic Ocean , the property supplies legacy and charm with restored 19th-century cottages . For a dive into island life , try Parrot Key Hotel & Villas . Nestled on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico , the hotel offers a quiet respite with emerald palm groves and tropical gardens , a watersports arena , four swimming pools and a restaurant serving festive island dishes . The resort also provides a free shuttle to Duval Street or Smathers Beach ( the best beach on Key West ).
Marquesa Hotel , 600 Fleming St ., 305-292-1919 Parrot Key Hotel & Villas , 2801 N . Roosevelt Blvd ., 888-211-0348
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
Old Seven Mile Bridge
Credit : Laurence Norah
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 32 AUTUMN 2022