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SUNSET KEY
I was fortunate enough to be staying on the secluded 27-acre Sunset Key Island at Mile Marker "0". It’s now run by Westin (though it used to be a Hilton) so you can use your Starwood points (12,000 to 16,000 for a free night). Guests check-in at the front desk of the Westin Key West Resort & Marina, which is directly across the street from the Mel Fisher Museum. Porters take your bags and wrap them so they won’t get wet on the boat ride over to Sunset Key Island and then deliver them to your room. Sunset Key has three boats stationed in the recently-built marina, where mega cruise ships dock. The free, eight-minute, 500-yard shuttle is available 24 hours and operates every 30 minutes except late at night when guests then need to call for pick-up (sort of like valet parking). You need your room key to board.

SUNSET KEY ISLAND ROOMS
The moment I stepped off the boat onto the island I felt like I was on vacation. No wonder it made Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List and Travel + Leisure’s 500. The island has 37 one, two, and three bedroom guest cottages and the other half is an exclusive residential community. I walked by a very famous sports owner - I can’t say who – but you get the point. The cottages are built in traditional Key West style and are cute. They all feature a fully-equipped kitchen, living and dining area, free high-speed internet (no wireless though) and CD and DVD players. The interiors are colorful with a Caribbean island feel and since it’s a Westin, they all have Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed which ensures a good night’s sleep. A few small details that make a big impact are the bathroom toiletries that are made by the Key West Aloe company and their coconut shampoo and banana conditioner smell good enough to eat. And who could forget the fresh baked hot muffins delivered to every door in a picnic basket each morning -- my Buddha belly certainly didn’t! To wash it down, they stock the fridge with drinks, including complimentary orange juice.

SUNSET KEY ACTIVITIES
The island has a soft, white sand beach with cabanas, lounge chairs, and beach attendants but I didn’t hang out there except to relax for a few minutes in a hammock. I didn’t even play tennis on one of their two courts or swim in the good looking pool or soak in one of the two oversized hot tubs. Why? Because I had never been to Key West and I really wanted to see all the sights. So I spent much of my time in town.

OVERALL
I did eat a few meals at Sunset Key, which was expensive and good -- but the wait service wasn’t great. This is the one area the hotel can improve upon but it wasn’t a major drawback. Overall, Sunset Key is a great escape especially if you don’t want to go far from home or travel internationally. It’s a perfect spot for families looking for a relaxing, safe, beach holiday with all of the must-see Key West attractions close by. Room rates start at $495 a night. Sunset Key Cottages, 245 Front Street, Key West, FL tel.: 305-292-5300.

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