After celebrating our seventh anniversary with an amazing trip to Santa Barbara and then having our eighth year celebration in quarantine we were looking to make our ninth wedding anniversary very special, while staying as safe as possible. We decided to revisit the place we spent our one year dating anniversary with a romantic weekend in Key West.
Where to Stay on a Romantic Getaway Weekend in Key West
One of our dreams is to stay in an over water bungalow in Bora Bora or the Maldives. Since we only had a weekend, of course this wasn’t an option but we found the next best thing, this luxury Tiki Suite, which was perfect for our weekend in Key West. I mean we were surrounded by water with gorgeous views thanks to three french doors, what more could we ask for. Nervous about Airbnb? Read my post on 8 tips to guarantee a great Airbnb experience.
The Tiki Suites provided the perfect base for our romantic getaway weekend in Key West. The host has thought of everything to make your stay perfect. We enjoyed the hammock he provided which allowed us to just relax and take in the fresh air.
We loved relaxing but we do like a little adventure so the two stand up paddle boards provided were also a great way for us to enjoy the water and get a little exercise.They’re just tied up to the front of the tiki already in the water so there is no hard labor involved to enjoy them. The paddles were in the storage closet in the kitchen.
After dark you can relax on the bed and watch TV. The TV pops out of the foot board in the bed, operated by an automatic switch. There is a DVD player so bring whatever movies you’d like to watch. Our service wasn’t the best so we while we tried to stream Netflix using the hot spot on our phones it was spotty.
If you do decide to leave the tiki and explore Key West like we did, be sure to always arrive back in time to catch the sunset, because it is perfect from here!
Here are some additional photos of the inside of the Tiki Suite. As you can see the bathroom is a one in all with the toilet, sink and shower having no separation. This was not a problem at all as the entire bathroom floor is tiled. Just know you won’t be able to enjoy a long hot shower here but you will have hot water. Since the water heats up via the generator the hot water flow is short but did last for 5 minutes.
Things to Do on a Romantic Getaway Weekend in Key West
Rent a Slingshot
There is nothing like driving around Key West with the top down enjoying the tropical breeze. We did a four hour rental from Key West Adventures for our weekend in Key West but you can rent them for a full day, days, or even a week. You can take the Slingshot all the way up the Keys to the other islands like Marathon and Islamorada or stay local like we did.
They have rentals in both automatic and manual but both rent quickly so be sure to make a reservation. We drove around the outer edge of Key West so we could enjoy the water views. There are a few beaches along the way you can stop and enjoy like Higgs Beach and Smathers Beach. We took the slingshot to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and enjoyed the beach and views from there.
Get an Outdoor Couples Massage
Nothing says romantic getaway like an outdoor couples massage so we had to book one for our weekend in Key West. We found two locations that offer outdoor massages, the Spa al Mare at the Casa Marina Waldorf-Astoria and Amri Key West.
The massages at the Spa al Mare at the Casa Marina Waldorf-Astoria are done at the beach under a cabana and cost $420 for 80 minutes plus a mandatory 20% gratuity. Even with a spa service you are not able to use the hotel amenities like the pool. We decided on Amri Key West where the 90 minute couples massage was $350 and done in this beautiful outdoor garden cabana.
Enjoy a Luxury Pedicure
Massages aren’t the only pampering we got on our romantic getaway in Key West. We also got luxury pedicures at Ocean Wellness Spa and Salon. What we learned on our weekend in Key West is that the spas are busy, especially during the winter which is Key West’s busy season.
This is why we got our pedicures and massage at different spas but I’m actually glad we got to try multiple places. What I loved most about getting our therapeutic pedicure is their nail room is private so you don’t have 10 other customers around you. This made for the most relaxing service and great for these social distancing times.
Book Sunset Jet Ski Tour
Unfortunately our sunset jet ski tour was cancelled on this due to extreme winds but on our anniversary trip 13 years ago we were able to go on one and it was amazing, which is why we booked another. On the sunset tour you’re led around the smaller keys near Key West, whisking through pristine waters, having the chance to stop at sand bars and watch the sunset from the water. If you’re lucky like we were on our first trip you might even see pods of dolphins.
Where to Eat on a Romantic Getaway in Key West
We indulged in lots of seafood, especially my favorite, conch fritters, on our weekend in Key West. Here are the places we dined for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast in Key West at Blue Heaven
When I asked people where to have breakfast in the Keys almost everyone said Blue Heaven so we had to try. They do not accept reservations so be sure to arrive early to get a table without a long wait time. Even though it’s breakfast be sure to grab a slice of their infamous Key Lime pie! They do offer outdoor seating for those like us wanting that option.
Brunch in Key West at Bagatelle
If you wake up a bit late or decide to enjoy the tiki suite in the morning and miss breakfast, Bagatelle is a great option for brunch. We ended up getting more traditional lunch food but I was really tempted to order the crispy fried french toast. They also offer outdoor seating.
Lunch in Key West at The Lobster Shack
I love lobster, especially lobster rolls so I was very excited to find The Lobster Shack. It’s not so much a shack but it is small with a few tables and while not exactly outside, the restaurant is open air so the air is flowing through. However, they were packed and we opted to take our food to go and eat one block away on the beach at Duval Street Pocket Park.
Lunch in Key West at Hogfish Bar and Grill
Not as fancy but who needs fancy when the food is good is Hogfish Bar and Grill. It’s another great option for lunch and we even saw dolphins in the harbor right off the restaurant. It’s an open air restaurant with a cover above but no windows so great for natural air flow.
Dinner in Key West at First Flight Island Restaurant
It’s now become customary for us to eat at First Flight Island Restaurant on every trip to the Keys. I just love their lobster tail risotto dish and yes I get it every time. The drinks are good, they have outdoor seating and they often have live music making it perfect for your romantic getaway weekend in Key West.
Needless to say we had an amazing anniversary trip in Key West. If you follow our family on Instagram you know we’ve done family trips to the Keys (read that itinerary here) but there is nothing like a romantic getaway weekend in Key West. However, if you’re compelled to come back with your kids there’s a whole other side of the keys and you can read our family friendly itinerary here. Did you find this article helpful? Please share it!
You guys are amazing. I have family in Key West, and love it each time we visit. The food & atmosphere is exhilarating. Thanks for sharing your experience in detail. Such an inspiration 🍹⛵🥰