The Conch Connection

Choosing a Key West hotel is often less about the room and more about the kind of trip you want once you step outside it. Opal Key Resort & Marina sits on the harbor at the edge of Old Town, placing guests close to sunsets, sightseeing, dining, boating and the lively streets that make Key West memorable.

That location gives the resort a distinct personality. It is not a secluded beach retreat, and it is not removed from the action. It is a waterfront home base for travelers who want to walk out the door and start exploring. Here is what that means in practical terms—and what to consider before booking.

The Key West Garden Club is located at the West Martello Tower, a National Historic site.

 The site was originally built as a protector to Fort Taylor, also on Key West but was rendered obsolete before it was completed.

Photo Credit: Averette - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

The month of March brings some of the best weather of the year to South West Florida. While our northern friends are still shoveling snow, here in the Sunshine State we are slathering on the spf 30 and heading to the beach. In the midst of Spring Break and perfect weather falls St. Paddy’s Day, so put on some sunscreen, get your green on and watch a parade!

What does Thomas Edison, mid-February and a 2 week party all have in common? The Edison Festival of Light, of course. Each February the City of Ft Myers recognizes its most famous winter resident, Thomas Alva Edison. He built a sprawling home and laboratory along McGregor Boulevard in 1885. Over the years he also encouraged a number of his friends to make the move south. Henry Ford was his most famous friend who shared the property on McGregor Boulevard known as the Edison Ford Estate.

January 28 - February 1, 2026

The annual Key West Food and Wine Festival has been recognized by the Travel Channel as one of the top 5 food and wine events that you must attend.  This series of wine and food themed venues showcases a diverse range of wines and inventive cuisine, hosted by their passionate creators at iconic island locations. 

Celebrate your romance with Seashells, Sunshine & Sand.   Some people dream of this day forever and should be one of the most memorable moments of your life.  Whether your dream wedding includes
glistening tropical waters with sand between your toes, sophisticated sunset elegance at a five-star resort or anything in between, America's Caribbean Island Paradise offering year round weather, breathtaking water views and an abundant array of options will make your special day exactly as you imagine. Make memories at  Smather’s beach, Higg’s beach, Fort Zachary Taylor historic state park or the gazebo overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at West Martello Tower & Gardens. 

Photo Credit: HemingwayHomeEvents via Instagram by @irismoorephoto

You can even forgo the traditional wedding and broadcast your nuptials digitally, as some have taken to social media to live-stream their wedding, for those that are far and away and could not attend personally.  Not only can you invite and and everyone, you want, but you'll also have virtual remembrance as well.

Closer to Havana than Miami, Key West has a long history of trade with Cuba and the rest of the Caribbean.  Everything from sponges to seafood and ivory was brought into Key West.  Arguably the most famous import was tobacco.  Along with this tobacco came the elusive Cuban Cigar.