VisitFloridaKeys.com; @TheFloridaKeys
According to Ed Simon, executive vice president and chief sales officer for Visit Florida Keys & Key West, his corner of the Sunshine State—the legendary chain of coral islands known as “The Keys”—is unmatched in its ability to make visitors feel removed from daily life while remaining accessible and productive. “Groups meeting and celebrating here can combine business with immersive, remarkable experiences,” he says. “They can host productive sessions in the morning, then shift effortlessly into snorkeling on living coral reefs, fishing excursions, eco-tours and activities, or visiting our historic
sites, and end the day with sunset sails and waterfront dinners.”
The Keys offers 19,000 guest rooms, with new properties opening across the island chain and many properties undergoing major renovations and rebrands. On Key West, the new Lunara Bay has 26 waterfront homes with private pools and concierge service. Lunara Bay’s Solaire, a collection of four uniquely designed homes, offers 30 private guest rooms and 8,340 square feet of “catering-ready” waterfront event space. The 114-room Islander Resort completed a property-wide transformation last year, which included renovations to bungalows and villas, the addition of new dining experiences, and updates to seaside sport amenities; it includes 19,000 square feet of indoor space with a capacity of 1,000 people. In 2023, the historic 311-room Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton completed an $80 million transformation, which included updates to guest rooms and the addition of a 5,000-square-foot oceanfront lawn for events; the hotel has 41,000 square feet of event space. In the historic downtown, the 160-room La Concha Key West, Autograph Collection recently restored its façade and lobby. In 2024, Islamorada’s former Post Card Inn and Pelican Cove became one resort destination, now known as the 214-room Three Waters Resort & Marina, a Tribute Portfolio property; it features 80,000 square feet of event space and a full-service marina. In Marathon, Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club became Faro Blanco Resort Marathon, Florida Keys, Curio by Hilton. The five Key West Historic Inns, previously branded by Kimpton, are now independent historic inns and guest houses managed by Davidson Hospitality.
Other options include Islamorada’s Cheeca Lodge & Spa, which features 254 luxury units and more than 82,000 square feet of venues, including The Keys’ largest ballroom. Ocean Reef Club on Key Largo has 247 guest rooms and more than 25,000 square feet of event space. Also on Key Largo, the 200-room Baker’s Cay Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton features 14,706 square feet of event space. On Duck Key, the 427-room Hawks Cay Resort boasts 20,000 square feet of space for up to 644 attendees seated theater style. The 293-room Southernmost Beach Resort on Key West features four indoor and outdoor meeting spaces with a capacity of 200 people, while the 186-room Margaritaville Beach House Key West offers 4,000 square feet of event space.
