Casa Marina Key West, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
An Old World Florida Keys escape
Casa Marina Key West, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is immense, with more than 300 guest rooms, 1,100 feet of private beach and two amazing oceanfront pools. The resort was built by railroad magnate Henry Flagler and opened with a grand party on New Year’s Eve in 1920.
Remnants of the past remain: You can still see down into the hotel's giant cistern, which continues to be used today for irrigation around the property. The lobby is magnificent, as are the ballrooms, the pool and beach. And, of course, so are the ocean-side massages available from the onsite spa.
The Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel exudes some of the old Key West grandeur, elegant and graceful, with all the contemporary amenities one would expect from a modern resort. Immerse yourself in the white sandy beach, or poolside with a good novel, indulge in a spa treatment or have dinner on the sand.
Remnants of the past remain: You can still see down into the hotel's giant cistern, which continues to be used today for irrigation around the property. The lobby is magnificent, as are the ballrooms, the pool and beach. And, of course, so are the ocean-side massages available from the onsite spa.
The Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel exudes some of the old Key West grandeur, elegant and graceful, with all the contemporary amenities one would expect from a modern resort. Immerse yourself in the white sandy beach, or poolside with a good novel, indulge in a spa treatment or have dinner on the sand.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Casa Marina is located on the southern edge of Key West, the side of the island that traditionally maintains peace and quiet.
- But if you want to get out and explore a little, it is a leisurely walk or quick bike ride to the heart of Old Town.
- “The Casa” (as it is known around town) is a convenient base from which to explore all that Key West has to offer, from the small lanes that you might drive past in a car, to the wine bars and cafés of Duval Street.
- Onsite, guests can swim in one of the oceanfront pools, lounge on the 1,100-foot private beach or detoxify with a seaweed wrap at the onsite Spa Al Mare.
- As you arrive at the grand portico entrance, you can tell it’s a place with history. The main entryway, accentuated by Dade County pines on the floor, harkens back to the 1920 hotel opening, and you can almost see the guests entering in their ball gowns and tuxedos.
Things to Know
- The design style always goes back to the scenery but the rooms don’t do island kitsch; they are elegant, with dark wood and shades of tan mimicking the sand just outside.
- Built by architects Thomas Hastings and John M. Carrere (who designed the Metropolitan Opera House and New York Public Library), it still maintains a Keys-like atmosphere with contemporary tropical furniture in each guest room.
- During the summer, the festive Fourth of July picnic hosts poolside fireworks (even better, humidity typically keeps the crowds at bay).
- The wintertime’s cooler weather is only “cooler” for Florida—the average January temperature is a balmy 74 during the day and 69 in the evening.
The Rooms
- Casa Marina Key West, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has 311 rooms and 69 suites, from the standard accommodations to the two-floor, two-bedroom suite.
- We recommend reserving one of the rooms with the furnished giant balconies overlooking the Forbes Travel Guide hotel’s two pools and private beach. They are one-of-a-kind and feature magnificent views.
- Any room you choose will have contemporary tropical furnishings with clean lines and sandy hues, a lovely all-white bathroom with wood accents, a flat-screen TV and a Nespresso machine, complete with regular and decaf coffee pods.
- The 1920 hotel was renovated in 2007, but there’s a seamless transition between the original wing and the newer add-on. And there’s a keen sense of relaxation throughout the Key West hotel.
- If you get one of the ground-floor units, don't be surprised if a few of the resident chickens — it's a Key West thing, don't worry — stop by your balcony for a short visit.
The Restaurant
- Dinner at Sun-Sun, Casa Marina’s restaurant, allows visitors to dine on fresh fish and seafood under burning tiki torches.
- Although a regular menu is available, your eating experience at Casa Marina would not be complete without taking part in Toes in the Sand, the private on-the-beach dinner. The event is casual yet elegant dining experience, with four courses, wonderful live music and a glass of prosecco while the sun sets.
- Try the blackened grouper with mango-jalapeño salsa, coconut-Key Lime jasmine rice, pomegranate gastrique and pumpkin seed oil or lobster salad with sweet chili noodles, mango salsa, miso-citrus dressing and toasted pistachios.
- If you're not in the mood for a sit-down meal, stop by Flagler's Café for a morning bagel or a quick smoothie.
Amenities
Bar
Beach
Gym
Meeting rooms
Outdoor pool
Pet friendly
Restaurants
Spa
Getting There
1500 Reynolds Street, Key West, Florida 33040
TEL305-296-3535
TEL305-296-3535
TEL888-303-5717
TEL888-303-5717
NEARBY AIRPORT(S)
EYW (10 min)
MIA
