
Casa Marina Key West
Best for beach-first stays, families and large events — Casa Marina offers the largest private beach in Key West and extensive meeting/wedding facilities.
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Casa Marina Key West is a historic 4-star oceanfront resort with a large private beach and multiple pools; this guide is for travelers wanting a classic beachfront Key West stay with family-friendly and event options. Ocean Key Resort & Spa is an iconic 4-star waterfront resort at the Mallory Square / Sunset Pier end of Key West; read on if you want to be in the action near the harbor, sunset crowds and waterfront dining.
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Best for beach-first stays, families and large events — Casa Marina offers the largest private beach in Key West and extensive meeting/wedding facilities.

Best for people who want to be in the Mallory Square/sunset-pier action with easy access to waterfront restaurants and harbor views.
When Casa Marina Key West wins: choose Casa Marina if you want a true beachfront resort with roomy oceanfront pools, a full spa with beachfront cabanas, and on-site venues for big weddings or meetings.
When Ocean Key Resort & Spa wins: pick Ocean Key to stay right at the Sunset Pier/Mallory Square end of Old Town, within immediate reach of harborfront restaurants, sunset crowds and downtown attractions.
Bottom line: both are upscale, 4-star waterfront properties; the decision comes down to whether you want broad private-beach space and a historic resort (Casa Marina) or a compact harborfront base steps from Mallory Square energy (Ocean Key).
| Category | Casa Marina Key West | Ocean Key Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic oceanfront resort with a roomy private beach and refurbished pools; family- and event-friendly. | Compact luxury waterfront hotel focused on the Sunset Pier/Mallory Square scene and harbor views. |
| Location — Key West | Beachside on Reynolds Street with roughly 1,100 ft of private shoreline; quieter beachside end of Old Town. | Zero Duval at Mallory Square / Sunset Pier — in the harborfront activity hub of Old Town. |
| Size (rooms) | 311 rooms and suites across four floors. | Not published |
| Ages / audience | All-ages resort that welcomes families; includes an adults-only pool area. | All-ages property (not adults-only per supplier listing). |
| Pools & beach | Two refurbished oceanfront pools (one adults-only, one family) plus private beach with chaises, umbrellas and watersports. | Outdoor (and indoor listed) pool(s); waterfront location but no large private beach listed. |
| Restaurants & bars | Dorada (oceanfront Baja‑Med), The Canary Room cocktail bar, Flagler's Restaurant, Morrison's Market and private-beach dining options. | Multiple on-site dining and bar outlets listed (poolside bar, restaurant breakfast, happy hour and room service); signature waterfront dining near Sunset Pier. |
| Spa & wellness | Spa al Maré with massages, facials, beachfront cabana treatments and beach yoga; large fitness center with Peloton bikes. | Spa and massage services listed among amenities plus fitness center and yoga room. |
| Known for | Largest private beach in Key West, historic 1920s property and wide event/wedding capacity. | Iconic harborfront spot at Mallory Square and Sunset Pier energy. |
| Accessibility & family features | Wheelchair-accessible rooms and paths; family-friendly activities and childcare services available (babysitting for a surcharge). | Wheelchair accessible, variety of accessible room types listed. |
| Check-in / check-out | Check-in from 4:00 PM; check-out 11:00 AM (standard). | |
Casa Marina sits on more than 1,100 feet of private shoreline at the quieter, beachside end of Old Town Key West.
Pick Casa Marina for a beach-focused stay away from the busiest harborfront crowds.
Ocean Key Resort & Spa sits at Zero Duval beside Sunset Pier and Mallory Square on Key West’s harborfront.
Choose Ocean Key to be in the center of Key West’s sunset-pier and harbor life.
Casa Marina has 311 rooms and suites with a variety of oceanfront, pool and garden views after a recent renovation.
Casa Marina’s room choices are geared toward guests who want beachfront views or family-size suites.
Ocean Key offers a range of room types (from Partial Ocean View Guestoom to Oceanfront Boutique Suite and one-bedroom harbor suites).
Ocean Key’s rooms suit travelers who want harbor or sunset views and close access to downtown attractions.
Casa Marina emphasizes oceanfront dining with Dorada, a lobby cocktail bar and additional casual outlets.
Casa Marina is for guests who want beachfront meals and a mix of casual and more formal oceanfront dining.
Ocean Key lists on-site restaurant and bar services alongside poolside bar and happy hour options, and sits amid Mallory Square’s dining scene.
Ocean Key is best if you want to eat and drink in the heart of Key West’s harborfront dining circuit.
Casa Marina’s headline amenity is its private beach plus two oceanfront pools — one adults-only and one family-friendly.
If beach space and multiple pool atmospheres matter, Casa Marina leads here.
Ocean Key is best known for its immediate harborfront position at Sunset Pier and hotel pool facilities.
Ocean Key’s signature draw is being on the harborfront at Mallory Square rather than a large private beach.
Casa Marina blends Spa al Maré, a large fitness center and scheduled beach yoga with quieter beachfront evenings.
For wellness and calmer evening experiences on the beach, Casa Marina has strong offerings.
Ocean Key lists spa, massage and fitness amenities and puts you steps from Mallory Square’s nightly sunset crowd and nearby bars.
Ocean Key works well for travelers who want an active, downtown Key West nightlife and quick access to sunset events.

Casa Marina — a large private sandy beach and two oceanfront pools put beach time first.

Ocean Key — right at Mallory Square/Sunset Pier for evening sunsets, waterfront dining and tours.

Casa Marina — extensive indoor and outdoor event space and large outdoor capacities for weddings.

Ocean Key — compact waterfront location makes galleries, restaurants and bars immediately reachable.
Casa Marina is more family-focused on property with a dedicated family pool, child-friendly pool depth, beach activities and babysitting services available for a surcharge.
Ocean Key is adjacent to Mallory Square and the Sunset Pier; Casa Marina sits on the beachier end of Old Town and is farther from Mallory Square.
Neither property is sold as an all-inclusive resort; meals are generally à la carte and breakfast is typically a separately charged option.
No large private sandy beach is listed for Ocean Key; Casa Marina advertises roughly 1,100 feet of private shoreline.
Explore how Casa Marina Key West stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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