Planning a fall anniversary trip to Key West. We are interested in lazy pool/beach days and great food and nightlife as well. I am really stuck on accomodations. Luxury properties are our style...both hotels and B&Bs. Sunset Beach Cottages look almost too good to be true. I keep reading Key West isn't known for it's beaches, is this an exception? Does anyone know if it is as nice as it looks? Wondering how convenient it would be to spend days on the island and take the boat into "town" in the evenings. I'm also wondering if the Cottages are booked or out of our budget for our travel dates if it is worthwile to stay at the Hilton just to have the opportunity to go to Sunset Beach during the day? Also considering splitting our week between two places to get two different experiences. The Jr. Suites at Ocean Key look wonderful as does Marquesa, but I'm wondering if we will miss not having a beach option, or if Marquesa or Ocean Key are so great we won't even miss the beach?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The beach on Sunset Key is man-made, just like all beaches in the keys. I've only seen the section of beach around the restaurant (Latitudes), but frankly it didn't look that inviting to me. It's fairly narrow and if the water depth is the same as it is around Key West, it's shallow, too.

Unless you're going to Key West for rest, I don't think Sunset Key would be the best choice. There's really nothing to do there but sit at the pool (or beach). Sunset Key is primarily residential, and that part of the island is off-limits to people who are there for the restaurant...I'm not sure what the policy is for people who rent cottages.

I think you should reconsider the Marquesa Hotel, or if you particularly want a water view, the Ocean Key. I've stayed at the Ocean Key and think the Junior Suites are really nice. We love being on the water, so we've never tried the Marquesa, though it gets fabulous reviews. In my opinion you should not let a beach - particularly a man-made one - enter into your decision of where to stay.

I notice you mention luxury properties...have you checked out Little Palm Island? You might want to spend a night or two there and the rest of the time in Key West.

One other caveat: Fantasy Fest (Key West's version of Mardi Gras) is in late October, and it'll be really difficult - and expensive - to find accommodations then.

Personally I was not impressed with Key West...hardly romantic with 3 million cruise passengers running into you and long waits everywhere.Quite frankly it is one big tourist trap in my opinion.
If you are looking for an alternative you could stay on Islamorada there is a wonderful luxury property that my husband and I stayed at Casa Morada..they have a website www.casamorada.com It is owned and run by three women from NY with Luxury Hotel experience. The service was great. It is off the main highway so you don't have the noise. There are plenty of top restaurants in the area.
I am probobly in the minority for not liking Key West but I found Islamorada far more relaxing. Many of the locals I talked to when I asked for recommendations in Key West said that they avoid it.Most recommended that I make it a day trip there. Anyway I know my opinion is probobly in the minority but I thought I would contribute anyway. Whatever you decide I hope you have a wonderful trip.

The Marquesa Hotel is what really MADE my trip to Key West. The 2 small pools and landscaped courtyard area are incredibly relaxing. Large, fluffy white towels and chilled water and lemonade are available.

Key West is fun but it is not a beach vacation. You can rent a boat and snorkel. We stayd at the Marquesa in a cottage and it was wonderful. I loved this place. Ernest Hemingway's house was fun and there are some really good restaurants. I agree with the writer who suggested you split the vacation with Little Palm Island. I hear that is very nice and it has a beach.

Like Katherine, I did not find Key West any great shakes. I was so disappointed because it was somewhere I had dreamed about going for a very long time. The town is adorable, true, but the townspeople are a different story. Their main objective seems to be to make as much money as possible off of tourists. They were not especially warm. My husband and I got the sneaking suspicion that if we weren't careful we'd have been fleeced in a minute. We saw a bumper sticker on a local car that said something to the effect that Key West was a party town with a tourist problem. That was certainly the feeling that the natives communicated to us!

I'd vote for Miami South Beach instead--fun, lively, warm people with a zest for life that is infectious. There are plenty of beautiful hotels there, the food is heavenly, as is the beach. Or I'd use Katherine's suggestion. Islamorada is gorgeous!

One of the TOP places to stay in Key West is the Marquesa Inn...It is to die for!!! Has pool ---rooms are luxurious...and has GREAT restaurant.....

For a hotel, I would go with the HYATT...