Comfortable Luxury in Key West: Alexander's Guesthouse

Closer to Cuba than Miami, Key West is at the very end of an island chain and offers a journey that's as picturesque as the destination. Referred to as "the magic carpet," U.S. Route 1 traverses the Overseas Highway - 113 miles of roadway and 42 overseas bridges. On arrival? Paradise. Park your car, take off your watch and leave your phone behind. Walk or hop on a bike - and most important, forget having a schedule. You're on island time.

Historical charm joyfully collides with contemporary design at Alexander's Guesthouse, a lovely collection of three conch-style houses built between 1902 and 1904. Featuring original pine floors and bright windows to allow all that Florida sunshine to flow in, Alexander's is listed in the National Historic Register and located in Key West's Old Town. Co-owners Raul Diaz and Dr. Orlando Torres oversee this labor of love and were some of the first guests to appreciate the unique property more than 30 years ago. When it hit the market in 2003, they jumped at the chance to purchase and put their personal stamp on the historic landmark.

The LGBT, adult-only property has a particular aesthetic that you won't find anywhere else, and that's thanks to Diaz, an award-winning graduate from the Parsons School of Design. A recent renovation includes new air-conditioning units in all the rooms (no central A/C due to its historic preservation) as well as new decking in the public spaces, a new main kitchen and a refreshed lobby area, where guests are greeted with a complimentary cocktail or refreshing iced tea on arrival. On the rare occasion that rain rolls into Key West, the lobby also features an impressive 52-inch flat-screen television for film screenings.

Where Everyone's Welcome

General Manager Laura Zequeira has been with Alexander's for more than a decade and oversees a dedicated and friendly staff committed to creating memorable experiences for all. This includes complimentary breakfast each morning, featuring a freshly prepared entr�e as well as a selection of fruit, juice, and coffee. After a day exploring town or on the beach, guests return to a daily poolside happy hour boasting a wide range of wine selections of tropical cocktails befitting the environment.

For LGBT travelers and their friends, Alexander's provides an idyllic backdrop for an adult-only Key West getaway. "This is a place where everybody feels welcome - family and friends of our LGBT guests have been staying with us for years," says Zequeira. "We have guests of all ages, some who have been coming here since it opened in 1982! Guests mingle during the daily happy hour, and it has often led to lifelong friendships."

Celebrating the LGBT Community

Alexander's is also part of the tight-knit fabric of Key West's LGBT community. As members of the Key West Business Guild, the resort has been instrumental in supporting local LGBT community and fundraising events, including Key West Womenfest (September 2016), Tropical Heat Key West (August 11-14, 2016) and Pride. Hosted parties for these events help raise awareness and much-needed resources for organizations that include AIDS Help, a leading nonprofit in the Keys that has been raising funds for people living with HIV/AIDS since 1986.

Another longtime partner has been Womankind, a medical center dedicated to providing high-quality family planning and primary health care to people of all income levels, with an emphasis on educating women and their families within the full scope of health and wellness.

While many vacationers may consider Key West a winter destination to escape the brutal winters blanketing much of the country, one of its hidden secrets is an annual yoga retreat hosted each August by longtime guests Rob Dorgan and Steve Bolia. The three-night itinerary includes yoga, guided meditation, cooking workshops, featured speakers and plenty of time to relax on-site and enjoy the amenities.

Whether you're headed to Key West for an action-packed weekend of beach time and barhopping or would rather unplug with a good book and tropical cocktail, Alexander's Guesthouse is your home away from home . . . and one that you may not want to leave.

Alexander's Guesthouse
1111 Fleming Street
[email protected]

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