A little more than six months after Hurricane Irma ravaged much of the Florida Keys, the area is looking to a booming tourist season to aid its recovery. Since the storm, many improvements, both openings and renovations, have wrapped up along the 125-mile-long island chain. Here are some of the highlights:
• Key Largo's accommodations have been sparse at best, but the opening of Bungalows Key Largo in April will add to the area's upscale lodging. The "luxury inclusive" property is situated on 12 acres of swaying palms and sandy shores at mile marker 99. It will have 135 units, and rates include activities and food and premium beverages as well as hotel amenities such as use of common spa areas, beach loungers and water toys.
Dolphin Point Villas opened last December on Key Largo. The resort area includes six stand-alone villas; five of the villas have between one and three bedrooms, and the sixth can sleep up to 16 guests. Primarily, the resort is geared toward corporate events, retreats and weddings, but individual bookings are encouraged, as well. Dolphin Point Villas is located next to Dolphins Plus, where guests can swim with the graceful bottlenose dolphins that play in the waves off the Keys' beaches.
• On Duck Key, the Keys' largest family-style resort, Hawks Cay, has been closed for renovations but will reopen in phases starting on March 16. The grand reopening is currently scheduled for this summer. The four-diamond resort covers 60 acres and will now include ocean views in its meetings spaces and walkways under covered awnings. There are 177 guestrooms and 250 two- and three-bedroom villas, all of which will see updates and improvements.
• On Islamorada, Cheeca Lodge Resort & Spa will reopen on March 30 after renovating its meetings and event spaces. The resort also is opening an oceanfront tiki bar and pool as well as a new restaurant, Mia Cucina, a family-friendly Italian bistro.
• The sprawling 311-room Casa Marina on Key West
is now offering beach concierge service in true Waldorf Astoria
fashion. Lounging guests will be treated to eucalyptus towels chilled to
perfection as well as smoothies for a fruit-forward cooldown. If guests
aren't interested in getting sand in their suits, poolside cabana
service might be just the thing, with minifridges, TVs and fruit
platters for just $175 per cabana, per day. Each cabana fits four
adults.
The 178-room Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina has been refreshed since the storm. Now, the resort offers what it is calling Vitamin D Breaks, with fresh fruit juices and Evian hydration misters.
The Key West Airport is undergoing a $10 million, five-month reconstruction project to improve its single runway. Don DeGraw, director of airports, stated, "The timely completion of the project is critical to the airport being able to provide the community and visitors with continued reliable air carrier service." Additionally, American Airlines is expanding its service to operate once-weekly nonstop flights between Key West and Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. These seasonal flights will run from June 9 through Aug. 25. "The new service opens up the U.S. West Coast market for Key West," said DeGraw.
Also, on Key West, the new Duval Loop offers guests a free ride around the historical seaport area and down bustling Duval Street, the epicenter of the island, making 16 stops for hop-on/hop-off service. Stops include hotels as well as museums, restaurants and boutiques. The buses run every half-hour from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. and then every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. until midnight.