Everyone with a taste for fresh seafood or a love for sun and sand has heard of the Florida Keys. This small chain of islands located south of the Florida coast draws thousands of tourists with plenty of things to do here each year for the trendy bars and nightclubs, the spectacular sunset views, and the amazing seafood. Although Key West is definitely the most popular of the Florida Keys because of its large population of people who are always ready for a party, Sunset Key is the place for discerning travelers. This 27 acre portion of the coral cay archipelago is only 500 yards off of the coast of Key West but a world away from the tourist atmosphere.
Early History
Sunset Key was originally inhabited by Tequesta and Calusa Native Americans who valued the area for its abundant tropical vegetation and superb fishing opportunities. The island was officially named Tank Island during the Cold War when the the United States Navy used the area as a fuel depot for submarines and large ships. The coastal waters were dredged in the 1960s to allow the passage of the big ships but the island never saw real military action. The fuel storage tanks were dismantled when the island was sold to a developer in the 1980s, and its final transfer of ownership came about in 1994 when Tom Walsh purchased the island and renamed it Sunset Key. Walsh built the island into a gorgeous residential community with a reputation for quality and added a single unique resort.
Sunset Tranquility
Key West has a reputation for being a party town but Sunset Key is something completely different. With its gorgeous sunset views and lush vegetation, this little section of the Keys offers peace and tranquility where Key West is wild and crazy. The largest portion of the island is filled with approximately 50 single family homes with values well into the millions of dollars while the commercial areas encompass a single resort. The Sunset Key Guest Cottages are a Westin Resort owned by Tom Walsh and designed to draw the most discerning of vacationers. These cottages are perfectly suited to tempt a traveler to lounge in the cool shade of the wrap-around verandas or while the hours away on a hammock in the trees.
Single story and two-story clapboard houses are painted in soft pastel pinks, greens, and oranges. The cottages create a small enclave with ocean view properties as well as less expensive rentals located just a minute or two from the beach. Designed to be all-inclusive, the Sunset Key Guest Cottages are within sight of the boarding areas for the cruise ships on Key West but are far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Duval Street to make the vacation experience a completely different type of adventure. Luxury spa services, a crystal clear central pool, and a five-star restaurant make it easy to forget that Sunset Key is such a small island.
Breakfast baskets and the morning paper are delivered to guests each day at the cottages while afternoon meals can be created in the private kitchens or eaten at the Latitudes Restaurant. The cottages are designed with one to four bedrooms and include full or limited kitchens. Sunset Key also offers several residential homes that are open during specific seasons for rental. These homes vary in rental pricing and location but are often perfect for large families or for sharing with friends. Most rentals offer plenty of beach access so that hours spent lounging in the sun are filled with the sight of frolicking dolphins and sparkling catamarans taking day trips to the lobster grounds. Sunset Key might not be the center of Key West but this luxurious island offers a piece of paradise that is absolutely unforgettable.