Sugar Loaf Lodge

Sugarloaf Lodge sits at 17001 Overseas Highway, mile marker 17 on Sugarloaf Key, about thirteen miles from Key West on nearly eleven bayside acres. All 31 rooms look out over Sugarloaf Sound and come with a private balcony or patio, so every room on the property gets the sunset. The lodge calls itself a haven of funky charm, which is the right expectation to set and most of the appeal.

The property runs a heated pool, tennis courts, a tiki bar, and a marina with a bait shop where dockage for lodge guests is complimentary. Kayak rentals and fishing charters go out from the same docks, and there are clear canals on the property for swimming and snorkeling. Flats anglers and paddlers are the natural fit, with the backcountry a short run away.

The trade is a simple one: you are half an hour from Duval Street instead of standing on it, and you pay less and share the water with fewer people. Call (305) 745-3211 or (800) 553-6097.