The Transformation of Key West's Parrot Key Hotel & Villas

Key West is famous for many things. Its colorful character and quirky charm, its legendary past residents (Ernest Hemingway anyone...) and its vibrant culture. But up until recently, being home to spacious beachfront resorts has not exactly been among the hallmarks of a destination where space is at a premium. It is, after all, an island four miles long and one mile wide. Parrot Key Hotel & Villas, however, aims to redefine what's expected among Key West accommodations. Located just a few minutes outside historic downtown Key West, highlights of the recently renovated property include waterfront villas, four pools and unforgettable beachfront views of Key West's legendary sunset. Yes, beachfront. Read on for the full rundown of this not-to-miss Key West resort.

Nestled among a lush thicket of palm trees, Parrot Key Hotel & Villas offers a quiet and unexpected sanctuary off of busy N. Roosevelt Boulevard, the main road leading into downtown Key West. Like many other properties throughout the Florida keys, the resort was damaged during the severe blow dealt by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The resulting renovations that took place provided an opportunity to reposition and elevate the hotel, upgrading it from 3.5-stars to its current status as a four-star (plus) getaway. "Interiors and exteriors were repainted. The furniture, fixtures, and mechanical equipment are all new. It's basically a new hotel, except for the shell of the buildings," said General Manager Steve Mungall.

Fanning out from the lobby, a handful of quiet, tree-lined paths lead to the property's villas, suites, and guest rooms, all of which are spread over its five acres and surround the resort's core - a series of four stunning, come-hither pools.

Each pool at Parrot Key Hotel & Villas was designed for a uniquely different purpose and offers its own programming. There's a group pool, which is aimed at families, followed by a gallery pool, which is surrounded by unique and intriguing works of art. Next up is the oasis pool, where the resort offers such activities as water aerobics, and finally, there's the sanctuary, an adults-only pool designed to be a peaceful slice of paradise where guests can quietly read a book or just spend some time soaking in the island vibes. "Each pool also has a different temperature," explained Mungall. "The family pool is warmer, and the more active pool for aerobics is cooler."

Begin and end your day with poolside dining at The Grove, noshing amid the palm trees, enjoying the tropical breeze. The restaurant serves three meals each day and is open from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. "It's a casual atmosphere with a fresh and local flair," said Mungall. "We have the catches of the area, which include pink shrimp by the half-pound, and locally caught fresh fish and we also have crafted specialty drinks at the bar, even fresh-squeezed margaritas." Let's all say it together....Yes, please.

The 148 rooms at Parrot Key Hotel & Villas are divided amongst various categories of accommodation including lush tropical garden, partial water, or expansive water views. There are also suites and waterfront villas. All room interiors were refreshed during the renovations by a design firm that specializes in upscale hotel properties. "The design of the guest rooms is now very updated coastal Florida," Mungall explained. Some of the enhanced highlights in the rooms include additional ceiling fans and flat-screen televisions that can stream from personal Netflix.

There's nothing quite like the glee in a child's eyes when realizing there's a giant beach literally right outside their hotel room door. And not just any beach, but one with hammocks to play in. During my recent visit to the property, my six-year-old couldn't get enough of this feature and ran from hammock to hammock diving and swinging like Spiderman before setting up shop with his sand toys. (Depending on the room category you choose, the hotel also throws in complimentary beach toys that you can even take home.) One of my personal favorite room choices is the Waterfront King, which is beach level and includes a private white sand terrace overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. And one more important note: these 375-square foot rooms are also located just steps away from the resort pools. You can thank me later.

Looking for extra space during your visit? Don't miss the waterfront villas at Parrot Key. I was overwhelmed by the amount of space we had in our room. It was like stepping into our own personal (and very stylish) townhouse. Spread amongst two floors we had a sunny, cheerful living room and kitchenette area, two generous bedrooms, two bathrooms, and the waterfront terrace, of course. The downside? We were so busy exploring Key West during our visit, there wasn't nearly enough time to simply enjoy this sleek, comfortable space.

Given its location, Parrot Key Hotel & Villas is also able to offer a variety of water sports on-site. "The largest jet ski tour operator in Key West operates out of our property and they also provide kayaks, paddleboards, and bicycles," said Mungall. Additional activity packages available include parasailing, boat rentals, cruises, dolphin watching, and snorkeling.

Ultimately, it's the property's beachfront setting that's one of its most alluring features. But given that Parrot Key is about two miles from Key West's famous historic center, the resort offers complimentary shuttle service to the downtown area. There's also shuttle service to Key West's popular Smathers Beach (and the resort throws in complimentary beach towels and beach chairs to complete the experience.) "You can have the fun of Duvall Street, but you don't have to live there, you can come home to your own personal resort," added Mungall. "We are one of the only true resort feeling properties in Key West."