Sunset Key Cottages

"Give us an overview. What are we getting into?Sunset Key is a private-island splurge just a skip away from the mainland. The pastel buildings are surrounded by nothing but lush gardens loaded with frangipani, sand, and turquoise blue waters, making the resort a secluded sanctuary from the moment you step off the boat. Tell us all about the accommodations.Rooms are perfectly beachy, but some cottages are more modern than others. Pastries and fruit are delivered each morning, and your kitchen can be stocked with drinks and snacks (for a fee). The bath amenity game is spot-on here, too, and water views are virtually unobstructed. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?Latitudes is one of Key West's best restaurants, so be sure to make reservations—non-hotel guests ferry over from the mainland just to dine here. Flipper’s Pool Bar is open all day next to the saltwater pool, but if you skipped lunch, there is always the afternoon visit from the ice cream man. And the service? Check-in takes place across the water at Opal Key Resort & Marina, but service is seamless: Your luggage is wrapped in plastic for the quick boat ride over, then it's all smooth sailing—literally and figuratively. What types of travelers will you find here?Loud kids would be frowned upon here. If you're a couple looking for seclusion and privacy, however, you're in the right place. What about the neighborhood? What else can we do around here?Given that you're on an island, you'll need to boat over from the mainland for all the action. Luckily, you can take the resort's private boat launch. Any other hotel features worth noting?Don't miss the spa, where private treatment rooms have individual outdoor terraces surrounded by orchids and other foliage. Bottom line: Why are we choosing the Sunset Key Cottages?It's spendy, sure, but it's about as close to paradise as you can get." - Laura Ratliff