We live in paradise, truly, and when there is a fundraising event, like Relay for Life, everyone comes out to support the cause, including members of our own hotel team. This is the third year we have had our own Historic Key West Inns relay team and every year our proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society get bigger and bigger. We’re very proud of that because many of us have felt the sadness and loss that comes with the death of someone we love and have lost to cancer.

This year we had a new team captain, Denice Suriner, our hotel events coordinator at Key Lime Inn. Her artistic interests include drawing and jewelry box making, inspiring her to include a silent art auction this year at our tent. She got donated paintings from several local artists, including one larger piece by Garth Holtkamp, one of our maintenance techs, and another donated by his fiancé Katie Hobbs. Abby Leamard, our Albury Court and Merlin Guesthouse manager was ‘womaning’ our tent, watching over the auctions and talking with the walkers. We all signed up for a walking shift and were able to cover all 24 hours!  Thanks to everyone who sweated out there for a good cause!

When you are planning your Key West wedding, Denice will be be happy to help you organize all the details to make your Key West wedding elegant, yet carefree.  Whether your wedding is large or small, grand or simple, or if you just need accommodations for your guests, she can help you plan an unforgettable event at any of our five unique hotels. You can contact Denice here for further information: denicesuriner@historickeywestinns.com

Here is a testimonial from a recent bride and groom :

“My husband and I had stayed at Lighthouse Court on our first vacation together and had a great time. So when it came time to plan our destination wedding in Key West, we wanted to have our guest stay at Lighthouse Court also. The Group coordinator for the hotels, Denice, was amazing. She helped out with way more than rooms. I bet I called 30 times while planning rooms and she was always very pleasant and eager to help me. When we arrived at the hotel, they helped us get our gift bags to rooms before all the guests got there.  All of the employees asked if there was anything I needed help with.  And you couldn’t pass an employee without hearing a hello; they didn’t make us feel like tourists. More like neighbors. All of our guests loved their rooms and the property. It has a wonderful location, right near Duval St., but away from all the noise. “

Here is the pool we added. Are you ready for your afternoon swim!

Here’s a look into our Key Lime Inn fifty years ago today when it was called the Cactus Terrace Motel: you could actually pull your car right up to your room. Since then, we’ve added a pool, landscaping and much, much more.

The Old 'Cactus Terrace Motel', circa 1960

Our current 'Key Lime Inn' with added private cottages and lush landscaping

Love on the Beach

We agree! Grab your special someone and spend the Valentine’s Day weekend with us here in Key West February 12 -14th

Does anyone have any sweet, funny or silly Valentine’s Day stories they want to share?
One our faves was when Dave and Elena  got engaged at Lighthouse Court. Elena came with her friend Brittany and checked into a cute, private cottage. Brittany said she wanted to go see the pool and told Elena to meet her upstairs by the Hemingway Suite because she wanted to show her the view of the Lighthouse from the porch. Dave was hiding around the corner in the Suite on the front porch. When Elena got to the landing she saw that the door to the Suite was open, candles lit, flowers were arranged and the door was open across the room to the porch. She looked in and thought “it was really beautiful but why did someone leave the doors open?”  When her Navy man stepped through the porch door we could all hear her screams of joy!! Dave proposed and they spent the weekend in the Suite. Oh, she did say yes and they got married eight months later.

We still have some beautiful rooms left. It’s one of our busiest holidays of the year so book your reservations soon!

Also upcoming January 28th at Fort Zachary Taylor is Cuba’s World Renowned Dance Band Los Van Van.

Los Van Van appearing in Key West Janaury 28th

This band is HOT and will get you off your feet. Tickets are expected to sell out fast! Get them at www.keystix.com

Fall in Key West on the Beach

What’s Happening in Key West for November and December

Now is the best time to plan your next visit to Key West.  Here is a calendar for upcoming events.

Thanksgiving in Key West  -  November 26, 2009

A nice long weekend in Key West is really a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving 2009.  Most of the local restaurants will have a special Thanksgiving menu with traditional fixin’s in addition to their regular menu offerings.  So don’t worry about missing out on turkey and pumpkin pie, if that’s what your personal tradition includes. Bring your family and/or friends and start a new Thanksgiving tradition in Key West.

Pirates in Paradise 2009 – November 29 – December 06

This festival celebrates the rich maritime history of Key West complete with tall-ships, pirate attacks and sunset sails. It all takes place at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and on the waterfront. Bring your pirate costumes (or not) and revel in the buccaneer adventures. For more info on this event call 305-296-9694.

Key West Holiday Parade — December 5th

Our annual Holiday Parade is small-town charm at it’s best.  Come enjoy our high school marching band, civic and social clubs, local politicians, veterans, and community volunteers as they show off their Key West pride and holiday spirit.  The parade route follows Truman Avenue past  Key Lime Inn and  Chelsea House and then makes the turn down Duval Street.  The best viewing is from the sidewalk along Truman Avenue in front of our inns.  We will be serving spiced cider at Chelsea House during the parade.  The public is invited and it’s all free.

Decking the Hulls in Style

Key West Lighted Boat Parade – December 12th

Deck the hulls with festively decorated boats as they cruise through Key West Harbor and the Historic Seaport. This magical movement of color through the waters is a wonderful tribute to Key West’s maritime history, and its a lot of fun too.  There is good parade viewing all along the waterfront at the Seaport, Simonton Street beach, and Mallory Square.  You can walk to good viewing from all of the Historic Key West Inns.  This is a free event.

Last Days of 2009 Super Travel Values, thru December 23rd

At Historic Key West Inns, we responded to the 2009 recession with a five year rate roll-back.  The lowest rates of all, our “fall rates” have been extended through December 23.  This is the last great opportunity to visit Key West on a frugalista budget before winter season and holiday rates take effect, and 2009 becomes history.

Key Lime Inn at Christmastime

Christmas in Key West — December 24th to 26th

Key West is absolutely charming at Christmas time, with tropical holiday decorations, Christmas concerts, and special menus at local restaurants. All of our hotels will serve our special Chelsea’s eggnog with the breakfast on Christmas Day.  You can even ride your bicycle or walk to one of the many local churches and parishes for services. Our reduced holiday rates apply with no minimum stays over Christmas.

New Year's Eve on Duval Street

New Year’s Eve in Key West — December 31

New Year’s is a great celebration every year in Key West, but this year, saying a hearty goodbye to 2009 will be especially sweet.  There are several midnight countdowns on Duval Street as well as parties at restaurants and bars all around town.  Our favorite place to be at midnight is in the 800 block of Duval Street to watch Sushi, a famous local drag queen, descend in a giant version of Dorothy’s red slipper (think: Wizard of Oz) for the midnight countdown.

CNN is usually here to cover all the action with a live feed to their New Year’s Eve coverage at Times Square…..Hey, would you rather be freezing your booty off in Times Square, or be down in Key West in 72 degree tropical weather?

If you stay at any of the Historic Key West Inns for New Year’s you will be a short stroll from all the countdowns on Duval Street.

When it comes time to plan your next trip to Key West, Historic Key West Inns is here for you!  You can check availability and rates for all the inns 24/7 on our website, or call our reservations desk at 800-549-4430.

I hope to see you soon.

Julie

Solomon's Busy At Work...

Solomon is the newest addition to our Historic Key West Inns family, arriving today from All Animal Clinic.  He is a four week old puppy, a mix of  Labradoodle (mom) and Australian Shepherd (dad), which means those big paws are going to come in handy!  The mother died giving birth, leaving Solomon an orphan.  His new Dad is our Director of Operations,  Marlon Garnett, who received a call from the vet’s office requesting he provide a new home for the puppy.  Solomon is still being bottle fed, and is a bit woozy today from his first shot. Everyone here is excited about the new arrival.  We will all see  him most days as he accompanies Marlon to work.

It is time to change the name of Chelsea House?

Chelsea House Pool & Gardens, one of the five Historic Key West Inns, was named over 30 years ago for one of the owners cats, who was a British Shorthair named Chelsea.  Now that Chelsea is no longer with us…..is it time for an update of the name to our latest furry friend?  Well, we have many furry friends around here and they are all special to us……so I think we will stay with tradition and keep the Chelsea name.

If you have a beloved pet that you like to travel with,  Chelsea House is our pet friendly hotel in Key West.  We have designated  13 of the 34 guest rooms as pet friendly.  These rooms all open directly to the outside and have hardwood or tile flooring.  There is plenty of room around the Chelsea grounds for walking your pet, and we’ve placed doggie “convenience stations” with plastic bags and waste disposal around the property.  Chelsea accepts most varieties of pets, including cats, dogs, birds, and goldfish (does anyone travel with their goldfish?)…..  When planning a trip to Key West with your pet please call the hotel directly at 800-845-8859 to check availability of the pet friendly rooms, and to answer all your questions about house rules and accommodations.

Our Other Key Lime Inn Office Friend, Lucky Dog