The Latin music that greets your arrival, together with the ice cream color 50’s cars out front and fedora and guayabera attired staff,  puts you in the mood for the resort experience to come at Havana Cabana Key West. Little was left out with this different, fun environment, and the guests —  from families and young couples to honeymooners, were all loving this 106 room waterfront hotel. Here’s the Havana Cabana Key West review.

From the lobby to the guest rooms, bar and pool area, find the same whimsical touches. And they make everything easy, which is the way it should be on holiday. Pull up to the hotel and there’s free parking right outside the front door. The lobby has fruit infused iced water, delicious brewed Cuban coffee, sweet mid afternoon snack in the lobby, and a small shop with clothes that will help you fit into the Key West fashion style . The hotel is about a 15 minute ride away from downtown, and there’s frequent shuttle bus service from morning  into the evening.

Center of the action is an oasis style, palm tree lined lagoon style swimming pool with music during the day and evening that said “tropics”. Want a mojito or beer? The adjacent colorful Mojitos pool bar serves up 18 versions of the rum based cocktail  along with games like jenga, foosball, corn hole and more. Continental breakfast is complimentary, served buffet style from the Floridita Food Truck, a renovated Airstream (2001). Enjoy Cuban inspired foods (no salads here) throughout the day.

Continuing the theme, one of my favorite touches was the table center piece with a shocking pink rubber bird sitting on a float and box of dominos to strike up a game any time.

Want to document your stay with an instagramable photo? They’ve set it all up — a location with a frame of colorful flip flops as a border. And everywhere are walls adorned with modern Cuban art by local artists.

Havana Cabana Key West Review, Special Services

Other services include branded bicycles and vintage vespas (an additional fee) and 24 hour fitness center. The property’s on-site historian escorts guests on a guided tour in a 1957 Chevy convertible throughout Key West.  The tours are free, and optional picnic baskets are offered.

On weekends there’s a DJ and pool parties. A note: if you don’t want to hear the poolside music in your room, ask for a room that doesn’t overlook the pool.

Everyone at the hotel was very friendly and helpful.

Rates in the fall season start at $199 per night plus the daily resort fee of $48 and government tax.

Havana Cabana Key West, 3420 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Key West, FL 33040.

Wondering what’s unique, different and fun to do for all ages in Key West plus where to eat? Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of my posts.