Sunset Key Cottages
This SpaRator score weighs 40+ data points across six equally weighted categories, drawn from hotel data, booking platforms and 2,128 guest reviews from TripAdvisor and Google, and calibrated against 15 Florida Keys spa hotels. How SpaRator works
James Sinclair is the founder and editor of Spa Hotel Finder, with more than 20 years at leading media and travel publications. Read more about James Sinclair
245 Front Street, Key West, FL 33040 (mailing and ferry address only: the cottages stand on private 27-acre Sunset Key, just off Key West)View on a mapPublished · Updated
Cheapest Oct, Jun, Aug from $1,210 a night all-in
Choose dates for live rates.
Per the hotel, the resort has 40 cottages, from one-bedroom at 700 square feet to four-bedroom at 2,500 square feet
SpaRator Expert Rating
SpaRator 6.8: ModestSpa core 5.3
An average of the Spa Treatments and Spa Facilities scores.
6.8 Modest overall · Spa: Treatment-Only · guests rate it 4.5 on TripAdvisor
3rd of 15 in Florida Keys, October 2026
Wet and thermal facilities are not stated, but guests rate the stay the Keys' best.
Opal Spa sells no 60-minute massage, and its wet and thermal facilities are not stated. What holds is the private island itself, the included ferry, and the Keys' strongest guest record. The $250 nightly resort fee does not cover spa services, which carry a 20% automatic service charge. Right for a private-island cottage stay with classes included; wrong for a thermal suite, a 60-minute massage, or anyone under 16 at the spa.
Pricing and Availability
- Peak
- Jan–Apr
- $1,970–$2,770
- Cheapest
- Oct, Jun, Aug
- $1,210–$1,410
a night all-in
Live rates for your dates load here. Compare Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Kayak and Agoda below.
Hotel's own website305-292-5300
We may earn a commission when you book through these links. It never affects a SpaRator score, and no hotel hosted or paid for this analysis. How we earn
Rate notes, fees and tax
Our 27 Feb 2027 check: from $1,999 a night. Our 21 Aug 2027 check: from $829 a night.
- 27 Feb 2027 check
- 27 Feb 2027 from $1,999 room, $2,530 all-in. That is the hotel's own rate for Saturday 27 February 2027, listed on Google and checked 6 October 2026, with tax modeled at 12.5%.
- 21 Aug 2027 check
- 21 Aug 2027 from $829 room, $1,214 all-in. That is the hotel's own rate for Saturday 21 August 2027, same source and date. Both are Saturdays. Google lists only the hotel's own rate, so no typical rate across booking sites exists, and the booking cart was not read. March Saturdays run above the February one, and September 2027 is not yet priced.
- Rate notes
Fee stack: $250 a night resort fee, spa not included; tax modeled at 12.5% on room plus fee; parking before the ferry $30 self or $40 valet a night; 20% automatic spa service charge.
Opal Spa sells no 60-minute massage.
The 50-minute Opal Signature Massage at $190 works out to $228 per 60 minutes by our arithmetic, not a menu price.
All-in figures include the $250 fee and tax estimated at 12.5%, not confirmed at checkout.
Rates correct as of October 2026; verify current availability via the booking links above.
The hotel states no renovation, and one September 2026 guest review reports two cottages being redone with new air conditioning.
Spa Treatments
Sunset Key's spa menu is standard, with nothing made for the island. It lists three 50-minute body treatments (Botanical Crush Scrub, The Quench and CBD Renew), facials up to 80 minutes, and HydraFacial. It ranks ninth of the twelve Keys hotels we have rated on treatments, against a median of 7.30 for the other eleven. Four guests reviewed the spa in two years, all positively. Massage runs 50 and 80 minutes only, and the 50-minute $190 reads $228 per 60 minutes by our arithmetic, not a menu price.
Spa Facilities
The spa at Sunset Key has treatment rooms and a relaxation room, with wet and thermal facilities not stated. A robe and sandals come with a visit, and room count is not stated. Hours run daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. That sits eighth of the twelve Keys hotels we have rated on facilities, against a median of 4.60 for the other eleven. None of the four spa reviews describes a wet or thermal area. Whirlpool access belongs to the resort's zero-entry pool, not the spa.
Wellness Programs
Wellness at Sunset Key runs on a 24-hour gym, included classes and open recreation, not a spa-led program. Classes run Yoga on the Beach Monday and Wednesday, Body Conditioning Tuesday and Mat Pilates Thursday. That lands third of the twelve Keys hotels we have rated on wellness, against a median of 6.20 for the other eleven. Guests attend the classes on consecutive days. Two lit tennis courts, basketball, beach volleyball, a heated zero-entry pool and a private beach fill out the rest.
Staff & Service
Staff at Sunset Key draw steady praise, and service is the main complaint in just 2.7% of written guest reviews. Guests praised staff 141 times against eight complaints across 188 written reviews. That is first of the twelve Keys hotels we have rated on service, ahead of a 7.50 median for the other eleven. The food-and-beverage service complaints (three, May 2026) and the ferry-access complaints (four reviews, 2.1%) are isolated, not a recurring problem. Management answers nearly every review, including twelve of thirteen critical ones.
Experience
Guests rate the stay at Sunset Key above every other Keys hotel we have rated. Guests average 4.79 across TripAdvisor and Google stays in the last two years, flat over the latest twelve months. That leads the twelve Keys hotels we have rated, against a median of 6.80 for the other eleven. Guests praise the included ferry far more than they fault it, though one reports it stopping at midnight. Air conditioning and dated cottages come up in about one review in seventeen.
Value for Money
Sunset Key's nightly resort fee is the Keys' highest, on top of the market's dearest rates, with spa services extra. Across nine other Keys hotels the median fee runs $62, and the spa adds 20%. Peak all-in premium runs 26.6% against 20.1% for the eleven others. Value is a complaint in 5 of 188 written reviews, while the stocked fridge and extras win praise in six. Opal Spa sells no 60-minute massage. Its 50-minute $190 reads $228 per 60 by our arithmetic, above the $225 median across rated spa hotels.
Spa Facilities
15 spa facilities: 6 available, 9 not confirmed
Available
6Couples Treatments Massages and body treatments for two
Fitness Center 24-hour
Fitness Classes Included Four included classes a week: Yoga on the Beach Monday and Wednesday, Body Conditioning Tuesday, Mat Pilates Thursday
Hot Tub and/or Jacuzzi Whirlpool in the resort's zero-entry pool, not a spa element
Pool Facilities Heated zero-entry saltwater pool with waterfall and cabanas
Wellness Programs Four classes a week; a fitness or family activity daily in the fee
Not confirmed: Beauty Services, Adults-Only Pool or Area, Cold Therapy, Full-Service Spa, Hammam, Himalayan Salt Room, In-Room Spa Treatments, Sauna, Steam Room.
Other Spa Facilities
A relaxation room with the spa's robe and sandals, and a menu of journeys, massage, body treatments, facials, HydraFacial and enhancements. Massages can be booked as couples treatments.
Spa Menu, Prices and Policies
- Journeys$275 · 80 min$350–$375 · 110 min
- Massage$190 · 50 min$240 · 80 min
- Body$175–$180 · 50 min
- Facials$180–$195 · 50 min$220 · 80 min
- HydraFacial$59 · 15 min$250 · 30 min$265 · 50 min$295 · 60 min$325 · 80 min
- Enhancements$25–$75 · per add-on$80 · 30 min
- Signature treatmentOpal Signature Massage50 min · $190
- Spa hoursDaily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- GratuityA 20% service charge is added automatically to the menu price. Further gratuity is welcome.
- AccessThe spa page states no rule on access for non-guests. A robe and sandals are provided, and there is a relaxation room.
- Day passA day pass is not stated by the hotel.
- AgesSpa facilities are limited to guests 16 and older.
- CancellationCancel or change at least 24 hours ahead, or the treatment is charged in full.
Hotel Facilities
11 hotel facilities: 9 available (2 restricted), 1 not available, 1 not confirmed
Available
9Beachfront Private white-sand beach with loungers, umbrellas and food-and-beverage service
Restaurants Latitudes for breakfast, lunch and dinner; in-cottage dining
Bar Flipper's Pool Bar
WiFi In the $250 resort fee
Concierge Services Concierge lounge with morning newspapers and cookies
Pet Friendly Dogs 50 lbs or less, $100 a night per dog, non-refundable, maximum two
Room Service In-cottage dining and room service
Valet ParkingRestricted At Opal Key Resort & Marina before the ferry, $40 a night
ShuttleRestricted The included private ferry, about 7 minutes
Not available: Free Parking.
Not confirmed: EV Charging Stations.
Other Hotel Facilities
40 cottages from one to four bedrooms, all with kitchens or kitchenettes. Four-bedroom cottages have private plunge pools. Latitudes is the signature restaurant, open to non-guests by reservation.
About This Hotel
Sunset Key Cottages is a private-island resort just off Key West: 40 cottages on a 27-acre key reached by ferry from near Mallory Square. Opal Spa at Sunset Key Cottages sits on the island. Wet and thermal facilities are not stated. Opal Spa sells no 60-minute massage. The island setting draws guests, who rate the stay the Keys’ best.
The Spa, Specifically: Opal Spa at Sunset Key Cottages
Sunset Key’s spa, Opal Spa at Sunset Key Cottages, sits on the island, with a priced menu of journeys, massage, body treatments, facials, HydraFacial and enhancements. The Opal Signature Massage anchors the menu at 50 minutes for $190 or 80 minutes for $240. No 60-minute massage is sold: the 50-minute $190 reads $228 per 60 minutes by our arithmetic, not a menu price. A relaxation room, a robe and sandals round out the facility, and every price carries a 20% automatic service charge. Changing rooms, the number of treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room and a cold plunge are not stated. Book two weeks ahead and arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. A late arrival may shorten the service. The spa takes guests 16 and over. Our guide to types of spa massage walks through the massages on a menu like this one. The spa facials guide covers the facials.
Who’s Right, Who’s Wrong
Right for guests who want a private-island cottage with a kitchen, an included ferry and a quiet beach, and who will treat the spa as a bonus rather than the point. Right too for families and couples who want a daily included activity, room service and service most guests praise. Wrong for anyone booking for a sauna, steam room, cold plunge or 60-minute massage, since none is stated. Also wrong for guests under 16 at the spa and for anyone who minds a $250 nightly resort fee that leaves the spa out.
Where It Sits in the Florida Keys Market
Sunset Key sits third overall at 6.8 among the twelve Keys hotels we have rated, behind Playa Largo Resort at 7.0 and Isla Bella Beach Resort at 6.9, and just above the median of 6.50. Guests rate the stay first in the Keys on staff and experience, and the spa lands ninth on treatments and eighth on facilities. The $250 resort fee is the Keys’ highest, against a median of $62. Little Palm Island, the Keys’ other boat-access private-island resort and its luxury benchmark, rates 6.6 overall with an 8.4 experience, so Sunset Key edges it on both the guest record and the overall score. Our Florida Keys hub lays out the full ranking.
| Hotel | SpaRator | Spa access for guests | Peak all-in per night | Off-season all-in per night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection | SpaRator 7.0: Solid | With a treatment or membership | $867 | $819 |
| Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa | SpaRator 6.9: Modest | Not published | $757 | $582 |
| Sunset Key Cottages | SpaRator 6.8: Modest | Not published | $2,530 | $1,214 |
| Cheeca Lodge & Spa | SpaRator 6.6: Modest | With a treatment or membership | $1,347 | $591 |
| Little Palm Island Resort & Spa | SpaRator 6.6: Modest | Not published | $3,942 | $1,914 |
| Hawks Cay Resort & Villas | SpaRator 6.5: Modest | Not published | $948 | $527 |
| Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa | SpaRator 6.5: Modest | Not published | $1,385 | $444 |
| Ocean Key Resort & Spa | SpaRator 6.5: Modest | Not published | $1,474 | $475 |
| Pier House Resort & Spa | SpaRator 6.5: Modest | Not published | $909 | $548 |
| Bungalows Key Largo | SpaRator 6.4: Modest | With a treatment or membership | $1,574 | $1,236 |
| Baker's Cay Resort Key Largo | SpaRator 6.0: Modest | With a treatment or membership | $891 | $406 |
| Southernmost Beach Resort | SpaRator 6.0: Modest | Not published | $892 | $334 |
| Tranquility Bay Beachfront Resort | SpaRator 6.0: Modest | No spa | $790 | $478 |
| Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton | SpaRator 5.6: Limited | Not published | $1,153 | $512 |
| The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton | SpaRator 5.3: Limited | Not published | $1,056 | $434 |
| Market median | 6.5 | $1,056 | $527 |
Scored on Guidelines v9.9
All-in = room, resort fee and taxes per night, from each hotel's dated rate capture.
Is the Sunset Key Spa Worth the Price?
Yes for a private-island cottage stay with an on-site spa and daily included activity: all-in nights run $1,290 to $2,300 in the priced months, and the $250 fee buys the beach and a daily class or activity. No for a thermal-suite or 60-minute-massage spa break, since neither is stated.
When to Book the Sunset Key
January to April run peak, with March the dearest month, while November, December, May and July sit in the shoulder and October, June and August run lowest. Friday and Saturday check-ins run about 28% above midweek across the year, less in the low months. Thanksgiving week and Christmas to New Year run about 1.6 times ordinary days. Dearest four weeks run about 2.5 times the cheapest. Opal Spa opens daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Book two weeks ahead.
- January: peak
- February: peak
- March: peak
- April: peak
- May: shoulder
- June: low
- July: shoulder
- August: low
- September: not yet priced
- October: low
- November: shoulder
- December: shoulder
- Peak
- Shoulder
- Low
- Not yet priced
Typical all-in per night: Peak $1,970–$2,770 · Shoulder $1,330–$1,630 · Low $1,210–$1,410
Typical room rate across the main booking sites and the hotel's own site, 13 Oct 2026 to 31 Aug 2027, converted to all-in with the hotel's fee and tax. Months not yet priced are shown hatched.
What Guests Are Saying
TripAdvisor4.5 / 51,178+ reviews
Google4.6 / 5950+ reviews
Romantic, serene, and exceptional service! Great views of the gulf, delicious food, and attentive spa team.
GoogleNovember 2024Stay rated 5 of 5By far our favorite place to stay in Key West. Having your own space, access to the private beach, on location dining and spa along with courteous and friendly staff. Short boat trip to the action and amenities along Duval St without all the late night noise when trying to wind down.
GoogleDecember 2025Stay rated 4 of 5We ate at their restaurant Lattitudes. This was the six time taking their private boat to the Island. Their food is gourmet. Their hotel excellent. DON'T FORGET TO MAKE RESERVATIONS. Your reservation time is the boat time. It is only about a 10 minute ride.
GoogleSeptember 2025Stay rated 5 of 5This is not a family resort in our opinion. For the price you can take your family somewhere else. They have a small pool. The little private beach they have has rocks and seaweed. Careful when closing the doors in the cottages. The door jams are positioned weird. You can easily jam your hand/fingers when closing the doors. The private beach doesn't look like the pictures on their website. Overall they only have the small pool and the small private beach.
GoogleSeptember 2025Stay rated 3 of 5Very nice hotel with great location. It’s on its own private island, which is awesome… you can take the ferry back-and-forth. The ferry does stop at 12 AM so if you’re looking to have a late night in Key West, I would reconsider booking something in the main area.
GoogleNovember 2024Stay rated 4 of 5I asked them to clean my room four times today. After lunch, in the afternoon and twice before going out for dinner. Insisti. I almost begged. And when I arrived from dinner I passed by the reception before going to the room to check if they had arranged. I got a rough reply from the receptionist saying I should come check in first. And of course, when I arrived in the room I noticed that they hadn't arranged.
TripAdvisorJuly 2025Stay rated 2 of 5
Location
Sunset Key Cottages
245 Front Street, Key West, FL 33040 (mailing and ferry address only: the cottages stand on private 27-acre Sunset Key, just off Key West)
Load mapOpens Google Maps
245 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040 (mailing and ferry address only: the cottages stand on private 27-acre Sunset Key, just off Key West)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is Sunset Key Cottages, and How Do Guests Get There?
Sunset Key Cottages sits on a private island just off Key West, reached only by an included private ferry from Opal Key Resort & Marina near Mallory Square. The crossing runs about 7 minutes, with ferries leaving the marina at :15 and :45 each hour from 6:45 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. and a boat by request after 11 p.m. Airport and Miami drive times are not stated. Parking before the ferry runs $30 self or $40 valet a night.
Does Opal Spa Sell a 60-Minute Massage?
No. Opal Spa sells massages at 50 and 80 minutes only. Its 50-minute Opal Signature Massage at $190 works out to $228 per 60 minutes by our arithmetic, not a menu price, before the 20% service charge.
Where Is the Spa, and How Do I Book?
Opal Spa at Sunset Key Cottages is on the island, open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Book online or by phone at 305-292-5370, ideally two weeks ahead for the most choice. Guests are asked to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early.
What Does the $250 Resort Fee Cover?
A $250 nightly resort fee covers daily housekeeping, the private beach with food-and-beverage service, chaises and towels, the 24-hour fitness center, a daily fitness or family activity, a stocked refrigerator, a breakfast basket, nightly turndown, two rum tastings at Latitudes, Wi-Fi and more. It does not include spa services.
What Is the 20% Service Charge?
An automatic 20% service charge is added to every spa menu price. Further gratuity is welcome. Menu prices are printed before the charge.
What Are the Cancellation Policy and Age Rules?
Cancel or change at least 24 hours ahead, or be charged in full. Spa access is limited to guests 16 and over, and check-in requires guests to be 21 or older.
Can Non-Guests Book Spa Treatments or a Day Pass?
Whether non-guests may book treatments or buy a day pass is not stated. Only registered guests may use the resort pool and beach, but that rule does not name the spa.
Is There a Sauna, Steam Room or Cold Plunge?
Not stated. The spa's pages name one relaxation room, and a robe and sandals. The whirlpool is part of the resort's zero-entry pool, not a spa element.
What Fitness Classes Are Included?
Four included morning classes a week run at 8 a.m. from the beach towel hut: Yoga on the Beach Monday and Wednesday, Body Conditioning Tuesday, Mat Pilates Thursday. Family activities run Friday to Sunday: game day, scavenger hunt and sandcastle building. Daily fitness or family activities come with the $250 fee.
What Are the Pool and Beach Like?
Loungers and umbrellas with food-and-beverage service line the private white-sand beach, and the heated zero-entry saltwater pool has a waterfall, whirlpool, lounge seating and cabanas. Both are for registered guests.
Is Sunset Key Pet-Friendly?
Yes. Dogs of 50 pounds or less are welcome, $100 per night per dog, non-refundable, maximum two.
What Is Opal Spa’s Signature Treatment?
Its Opal Signature Massage runs 50 minutes for $190 or 80 minutes for $240, before the 20% service charge. All massages can be done as couples treatments.
How This Analysis Works
Every SpaRator score is built the same way: six equally weighted categories, scored from more than 40 documented data points per property through independent spa and hotel facility research and analysis of thousands of guest reviews, then averaged, never hand-tuned. The result is a consistent, comparable rating across every property we cover. How SpaRator works
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- Platform ratings
TripAdvisor 4.5 of 5 from 1,178 reviews; Google 4.6 of 5 from 950 reviews.
The property has no bookable Booking listing.
- Sources
- Opalcollection.com and the Opal Spa menu and booking pages. About a quarter of recent TripAdvisor and Google reviews follow hotel-run activity sessions and count at half weight in our reading.
- Data gaps
- Treatment-room count, changing rooms, wet and thermal facilities, non-guest spa access, tax rate, the booking cart and September 2027 pricing are not stated or not read.
- Guidelines
- Reviewed under Guidelines Version 9.9
- Version history
- October 2026 Full re-review under Guidelines Version 9.9. A returning reader should now expect treatment rooms and a relaxation room, with wet and thermal facilities not stated. Opal Spa sells massages at 50 and 80 minutes only. A $250 nightly resort fee does not include the spa.
Commission from partner bookings never affects a SpaRator score.