Photo courtesy Casa Marina
Casa Marina Resort
1500 Reynolds St.
Key West, FL 33040
305-296-3535
www.casamarinaresort.com
What’s new: Five years ago, $85 million was spent to completely gut and renovate the hotel; two years ago, it became part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection. The Casa Marina shares facilities with its sister Waldorf Astoria property, the Reach Resort, about two blocks away. As of the first of the year, Casa Marina has a new general manager and is interviewing candidates for director of sales.
Kudos: AAA Four Diamond resort
Rooms: 311 guest rooms, including 70 suites
Meeting space: Casa Marina offers more than 11,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, including three ballrooms and two board rooms, and 11,000 square feet of outdoor meeting space. Wireless Internet access is offered as part of the resort fee throughout the resort.
Amenities: The resort has the largest private beach on Key West, a private pier, two oceanfront swimming pools, an oceanfront restaurant and bar, spa services on the beach as well as in two indoor treatment rooms, water sports, a sand beach volleyball court, a fitness center and a nearby golf course.
Getting there: Key West is the southernmost town in the United States, so it is remote but worth the effort. It is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive on U.S. 1 from Miami. Major air carriers and smaller airlines, such as Cape Air, serve Key West. For those on Florida’s West coast or in central Florida, a fun way to travel there is on Key West Express, a ferry that leaves from Fort Myers Beach daily and Marco Island seasonally. The three-and-a-half-hour trip from Fort Myers Beach is from $100 to $150 round trip, depending on discounts and promotions.
Location: Casa Marina is located on the south side of Key West. The resort overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and is within walking distance of Duval Street.
