I've just booked a cottage at Hilton's Sunset Key property. Has anyone stayed there who might comment? My alternatives are the Hyatt in Key West or the Cheeca Lodge. We are three couples, ranging from 30s to 60s, looking for a top notch, but fairly low key experience.

I think you've probably chosen very well, especially since there are 6 of you. Of the places in Key West, my favorite is the Galleon, a timeshare that rents nightly (or weekly). It's right next door to the Hyatt and has fully furnished condominiums and balconys that overlook a marina. The Ocean Key House also has a great reputation and has condominiums, but I understand it's in the process of undergoing some management changes, and may not be as reliable as in the past. I've stayed a couple of times at the Hyatt and although the pool and outside restaurant areas are nice, the rooms are a little small. We've also stayed at the Cheeca and think it's great, but Islamorada doesn't compare to Key West, which is one of my all-time favorite places. The drawback to Sunset Key is the ferry ride (which is only about 7 minutes) but which prevents your running back and forth to your room if you want. One of the things I like best about Key West is being able to sit on a balcony and read, then walk downstairs and be in the thick of activity. That's a luxury you're not afforded on Sunset Key, but since there are several of you, you can entertain each other! Have fun!

I agree with Susan on the Galleon. As a timeshare owner, I know that it is a VERY hard timeshare to trade into. We toured it when it first opened and it is beautiful. Sunset Key is newer and more exclusive--Oprah held a huge party there for Maya Angelou (sorry if I misspelled her name), so you know it had to meet high standards. I think both have websites or go to www.keywest.com to get more information on both.

The web site for the Galleon is galleonresort.com

I have stayed at the Galleon twice. I also agree it's a beautiful place, and the location couldn't be better.

Thanks all for the input. Has anyone actually stayed at the Hilton? One of our traveling partners is almost impossibly discriminating with respect to hotel standards. Can anyone comment on service, staff etc. there? The Hyatt usually has higher 'standards', but we love the private key/cottage aspect...

I haven't stayed there but have a friend who did and loved it. I have eaten at the restaurant - Latitudes - and had a wonderful meal with perfect service. Your comment about the "private key" concerns me, though. Sunset Key is by no means private to the Hilton Sunset Key cottages. It's simply a residential key that's more or less fully developed with homes and cottages and is not available to people who aren't living or staying there - sort of like a gated community. A few months ago someone on this board was under the impression that Sunset Key was like Little Palm Island and nothing could be farther from the truth. If you want to be wildly discriminating and money is absolutely no object (nor or newspapers, televisions, and perhaps telephones)you might look into Little Palm Island, which would probably please anyone.