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

Key West House and Garden Tours

March 12 – 13th

Tour five elegant and unique homes of Key West. Proceeds help benefit the Old Island Restoration Foundation. Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, this house and garden tour offers a rare opportunity to see inside some of Key West’s magnificent, charming and tropical residences.

Hot Havana Nights at the Botanical Garden

Celebrate Cuba Week finishes with the hottest event of the year, March 13. This annual event has returned to the Garden with the sounds of Havana Soul; enjoy mojitos, authentic Cuban food, original Cuban art, live auction and more. This HOT benefit always sells out so make your reservations early!

Fight Night in the Keys

March 20th

A Key West boxing tradition dating back to Ernest Hemingway’s days on our island with a series of evening bouts in a harborfront ring at Mallory Square. Fight Night in the Keys has seven matches slated, highlighted by a 12-round fight for the WBC international heavyweight title featuring defending champion Odlanier Solis.

Blue Angels Air Show

April 10 – 11th

Rock and rumble with the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration team and the Blue Angels, as well as aerial demonstrations by military and civilian performers, and static military and vintage aircraft. Free admission to Naval Air Station.

World Sailfish Championships

April 13th – 17th

With a guaranteed top prize of $100,000, the prestigious sailfish challenge draws top teams and benefits the Don Shula Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, Camp Boggy Creek for youngsters with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, and other national and local charities.

Conch Republic Independence Celebration

April 16th – 25th

It’s the 28th Anniversary of the celebration whose slogan is “We Seceded Where Others Failed.” With activities ranging from wacky bed race to a lighthearted sea battle featuring tall ships, the Conch Republic’s 10-day birthday party showcases the independent and eccentric spirit that characterizes the Florida Keys.

Key West Symphony Master Concert No.1

The final concert of the symphony’s twelfth season will feature pianist Christopher Taylor who is back by popular demand to perform the beautiful Prokofiev’s Concerto No 2 for Piano and Orchestra. The symphony will also play the haunting music of Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis and the jubilant Beethoven Symphony No 5.

Key West Songwriters’ Festival

April 28th – May 2nd

The 15th-annual showcase of musical magic features 100 of America’s foremost performing songwriters, with 30 concerts staged in intimate, audience-friendly island settings.

We’re planning on going kayaking these next months. Our favorite time is sunset when the night herons are wading at the shoreline for their catch and the color of the sky is shifting between the purples, oranges and reds of our Winter nights.   We have great rates now on our beautiful rooms and look forward to your visit with us soon. Come stay with us and head out for an adventure!

We also like to go snorkeling from a kayak. The waters are so shallow and clear that you will be able to see the fish and coral in brilliant color!

Flats fishing is also excellent from a kayak and they can be rigged easily. Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit are abundant in the flats and backcountry and the water is clear and shallow so that you will be able to see them swimming towards you.

Kayak Fishing in the Keys Backcountry Flats

Come join us this Sunday February  7, 2010 at the Lighthouse Court Pool Bar for our SUPERBOWL XLIV party where we’ll be watching it on our  52″ flat screen. The bar will be serving 2 for 1 margaritas until Half Time, and happy hour will be extended until 10:30. We’ll also have some free chips and dips for munching. It all kicks off at 6pm !