Is Casa Marina Key West worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Casa Marina Key West is worth considering if you want an oceanfront, historic resort with a large private beach, multiple on-site dining options, and spa/pool facilities that suit families and couples. It’s not an all-inclusive property and comes with mandatory resort and parking fees, so factor those into your budget.
In this guide
Location & beach
Casa Marina Key West sits on more than 1,100 feet of private shoreline on Key West, offering direct beachfront access and beach amenities such as chaises, umbrellas, cabanas and daybeds. The hotel is less than a mile from Duval Street and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, making Old Town Key West attractions reachable without a car.
The resort’s private beach is regularly used for watersports launches (kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling departures, jet-ski tours and sunset cruises) and for on-site activities like beach volleyball. Public beaches and small parks are nearby on foot.
- Private beach (about 1,100 feet)
- On-site watersports and excursion booking
- Beach chaises, umbrellas, daybeds and cabana rentals
| Nearby on foot |
|---|
| Higgs Beach & Park (short walk) |
| Southernmost Point (about 15-minute walk) |
| Ernest Hemingway Home (about 20-minute walk) |
Rooms: layouts, highlights and practical notes
Casa Marina offers a wide range of rooms and suites (311 rooms total) after a recent renovation, from straightforward guest rooms to multi-bedroom suites and specialty Lilly Pulitzer suites. Many room types offer ocean, pool or Key West views; some have lanais or walkout patios.
Common in-room features and helpful options include in-room coffee stations, balconies or lanais in selected categories, and wheelchair-accessible rooms. Be aware that in-room Wi‑Fi may carry a surcharge depending on how your rate or package is set up (the resort fee includes some connectivity and public-area Wi‑Fi).
- Room types include Pool View with Walkout Lanai Room; Partial Oceanview Suite with Lanai; Oceanfront Suite with Balcony; Room (Key West View); Oceanfront Walkout Suite; Studio Suite, Ocean View; Lilly Pulitzer Suite 2 Queens with Balcony; and more.
- Accessible rooms and roll-in/accessible showers are available.
- 311 rooms across four floors; rooms were refreshed in the 2024 renovation.
| Recommended picks | Why consider |
|---|---|
| Oceanfront Suite with Balcony | Largest ocean views and balcony seating |
| Pool View with Walkout Lanai Room | Direct pool-level access; 1 King Bed |
| Lilly Pulitzer Suite 2 Queens with Balcony | Specialty suite with bold décor and balcony |
Pools, spa and fitness
The resort has two oceanfront pools — one family-friendly (max depth 4 ft 6 in) and one adults-only — both refurbished during the property update. Poolside cabanas and day-bed rentals are available with food and beverage service from resort outlets.
Spa al Maré operates as the on-site spa with treatments available indoors and at beachfront cabanas. The spa lists offerings such as massages, facials, aromatherapy and specialty treatments like the Ocean Breeze Massage. A sizable fitness center with Peloton bikes and weight/cardio equipment is included with the resort charge.
- Two oceanfront pools: family and adults-only
- Spa al Maré open daily (spa hours listed by the resort are 9 am–6 pm)
- Fitness center included in resort charge; free group classes plus fee-based premium classes
| Amenity | Note |
|---|---|
| Adults-only pool | Quiet pool area separate from family pool |
| Family pool | Max depth 4 ft 6 in |
| Spa al Maré | Indoor and beachfront-cabana treatments |
Dining and bars
Casa Marina’s main oceanfront restaurant is Dorada, which serves Baja‑Med cuisine for lunch and dinner and offers an exclusive 'Toes in the Sand' multi-course tasting experience on request. Flagler’s Restaurant serves breakfast and casual meals in a historic setting, and Morrison’s Market provides grab-and-go coffee and pastries.
The Canary Room is the lobby cocktail bar with a 2–4 pm Happy Hour and a menu of island-inspired cocktails and light bites. Additional casual and event dining options are available across the property and at the sister property The Reach, where guests may charge dining to their room.
- Dorada — Baja‑Med, lunch & dinner; reservations typically required 24 hours in advance via OpenTable
- The Canary Room — cocktails and light bites, open daily 2 pm–midnight; Happy Hour 2–4 pm
- Morrison’s Market — coffee, grab-and-go (hours approximately 6:30 am–8:00 pm)
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Dorada | Lunch & Dinner (oceanfront) |
| Flagler's Restaurant | Breakfast (7–11 am) and all-day menu |
| The Canary Room | Cocktails, Happy Hour |
Who it’s good for — families, couples and event groups
Casa Marina markets itself to families and couples. Families will appreciate the family pool, shallow maximum depth, and beach activities for children; couples may prefer rooms with adults-only pool access and spa treatments. The property also permits pets (small dogs up to 25 lbs, up to two per reservation for a fee).
For meetings and weddings, Casa Marina offers multiple ballrooms, patios and a new oceanfront event lawn. The property lists substantial capacities for indoor and outdoor events, from small meeting rooms to ballrooms that hold several hundred guests.
- Family options: family pool, watersports, kids-friendly beach space
- Pet policy: up to 2 pets, each up to 25 lbs, fee charged (service animals exempt)
- Event capacity: indoor ballrooms up to 530 guests; outdoor capacity up to 3,000
| Group type | Why Casa Marina |
|---|---|
| Weddings | Beach ceremonies, multiple ballrooms and oceanfront lawn |
| Corporate meetings | Large flexible ballrooms and AV services |
| Family stays | Family pool + kid-friendly beach activities |
Practical considerations: fees, access and value (pros & cons)
Pros: private and sizable beach, two distinct oceanfront pools (including adults-only), an on-site full-service spa (Spa al Maré), a range of room types including waterfront suites and specialty Lilly Pulitzer suites, and multiple dining options on property. The recent renovation modernized rooms and public areas while retaining historic character.
Cons: Casa Marina charges a mandatory daily resort fee that covers many amenities (beach/pool access, fitness, some internet access, pool concierge) and separate parking fees apply for self-parking and valet. In-room Wi‑Fi policies vary by listing, so check whether your rate includes in-room internet. Dining is not included in room rates; Dorada reservations are recommended in advance.
- Mandatory resort charge covers many amenities — factor it into total cost
- Parking fees apply for self-parking and valet (amounts listed on third-party booking sites)
- Not all rooms include in-room Wi‑Fi by default; double-check your booking
| Quick cost items | Notes |
|---|---|
| Daily resort fee | Mandatory; covers beach/fitness/pool concierge and more |
| Parking | Self-parking and valet available for additional fees |
| Dining | À la carte — breakfast and meals not included in standard rates |
