EASYROME

Key West is an island full of history, stories, and life. From the streets of Old Town that were traveled and chronicled by Earnest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams to the beaches that have long served as important ports of trade, it seems everywhere on the island tells a unique tale.

In the present day, these stories are on full display with tours, festivals, and attractions celebrating the island's rich cultural and historical heritage. Key West hotels and inns can be just as historic as the city's bars, neighborhoods, and piers. Built in the late 19th and early 20th century, many of these lodgings have been visited by the famous, curious, and important. This article explores three such hotels.

The Duval House

The Duval House property houses seven Victorian manors, most of which are two stories tall. Tropical gardens, Spanish lime trees, and a Banyan tree provide a picturesque setting for a Caribbean vacation. The fishpond and pool offer a place for more quiet aquatic activities like reading and taking a dip.

The Duval House is one of many hotels located in the historic Old Town neighborhood. This 28-room compound is mere steps away from some of the favorite haunts of Hemingway, Williams, and Robert Frost including the world renowned bar, Sloppy Joe's. The neighborhood is also home to fine antique shopping, restaurants, bars, and specialty boutiques.

The Wicker Guest House

Also located in Old Town, the Wicker Guest House is another of the many historic hotels on the island. The six-house complex offers many different sizes and styles of rooms to fit budgets and space needs. An interesting feature about the hotel is a lack of an in-room telephone. The reason behind this decision, according to the hotel, is help guests disconnect from their busy lives on vacation.

The hotel's location is one block away from the former home of writer Earnest Hemingway and right down the street from his favorite bar, Sloppy Joe's. Theaters, art galleries, boutiques, cafes, and bars are all also within easy walking or biking distance from this Victorian estate.

The Southernmost House

The signatures of every President from George Washington to George W. Bush are on display at the Southernmost House. It has also played host to five of those presidents. It is one of the most historic Key West hotels on the island, hosting not only a museum, but also one of the most expansive collections of Hemingway artifacts in the world within its walls. Also contained in the hotel is a letter from Queen Isabella of Spain dated 1486, six years before Christopher Columbus arriver in the New World. The hotel and its rooms are known throughout the island as a marvel of architecture with highlights including a wooden bar from Nevada and a Tiffany stained glass canopy.

Amenities at the hotel include a zero-entry pool, a tiki garden and bar, and large spacious rooms. The hotel is located just near the southernmost point in the United States and only 90 miles away from Cuba.

Christine O'Kelly writes for the experts at Key West Historic Inns. They offer information on booking Key West hotels.

Article Source: ArticleSpan