Margaritaville Resort and Marina: Your Access to Sunset Key

A while back, my wife and I discovered a wonderful, isolated tropical location right here in the United States: Key West, FL.  The island which is just over a mile wide is great for walking/strolling.  On many evenings, we would make our way down to Mallory Square, a large public plaza along the waterfront facing west.  It is here that much of the island will come to watch the sunset each evening.  Just off the coastline is a very small Key known as Sunset Key.  This small twenty-seven acre Key is aptly named as it is generally behind this Key where the sun sets.

Sunset Key, the area with beach is Margaritaville's Sunset Key Cottages.

On this small Key are a handful of very upscale, expensive homes.  On seven acres of the Key, the Margaritaville Resort and Marina has a small number of cottages, some overlooking the water and others overlooking the pool.

The pool is set in among the palm trees and cottages right along the edge of the Key and was one of the most wonderful, relaxing pools that I have ever experienced.  Guests of the cottages have instant access to this pool simply by being guests there.  But what about the guests of the Margaritaville Resort over on Key West?  Can they take advantage of this wonderful place in this beautiful setting?   As it turns out they can!

Each day, the Margaritaville Resort allows travel by boat from the Margaritaville Marina to Sunset Key.  But, here is the catch.  Not everyone can go.  Only the first twenty guests of the Margaritaville Resort who sign up with the resort each morning are given an access pass to Sunset Key.  This pass gives you a boat ride to and from the Key and access to the pool, restaurant and small beach.  The water is beautifully clear!

REMEMBER:  The Resort begins to take names at 8AM.  It is smart to be there a little early to make sure you get your name on the list.  Most people staying at the resort know nothing about the ability to go to Sunset Key, so that is very much in your favor.

I highly recommend that if you stay at the Margaritaville Resort (formerly the Westin Key West Resort), then most certainly try to go to Sunset Key.  And, if you just happen to be staying in a cottage at the Sunset Key Cottages, then good for you!

IMPORTANT 2017 UPDATE:  As stated above, the Westin Key West Resort has been purchased by Margaritaville.  As would be expected, Westin points are not accepted by Margaritaville.  The Westin Sunset Key Resort is now Sunset Key Cottages and they operate with Margaritaville.

One other bit of advice related to Margaritaville: At 500 Duval Street, you will find Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Restaurant.  What initially appeared to me as another "gimmick" restaurant actually has a very good cheeseburger.  Just like the song, "Cheeseburger in Paradise". 

**I am an avid tourist of Key West, FL. The purpose of my blog, Southernmost Point, is to give an honest observation from a tourist perspective, not a "Chamber of Commerce" or merchant's perspective. I will give honest and helpful information.