Most resorts only offer one type of experience for guests, especially when they’re located on the beach. Southernmost Beach Resort in the Florida Keys does things a little differently. Located in Key West, the property is at the very, well, southernmost point of the continental United States. The resort hosts two kinds of experiences for guests: The Guesthouses which provides a bed and breakfast-style experience in a renovated Victorian home (perfect for quiet romantic getaways or quaint visits with friends) and the luxurious resort-style spaces of the main Southernmost Beach Resort.

Rooms and cottages at The Guesthouses are for adults only, making the space the perfect getaway for some peach and quiet, while the resort space at Southernmost Beach Resort is ideal for families and guests who want to be in the center of all the action. The resort is located on Duval Street near plenty of restaurants and attractions (it’s also less than half a mile from the famous Hemingway Home of Ernest Hemingway).

Private Beach (Courtesy Southernmost Beach Resort)

A Look at Key West’s Southernmost Beach Resort

The stunning resort recently underwent a massive renovation that took roughly seven months to complete. We got an insider’s perspective of all the new changes guests can expect from Southernmost Beach Resort. We talked with Sarka Takovich, the General Manager of Southernmost Beach Resort to get a look at all the updates.

WG: How long did the renovations last?
Takovich: July 2021–February 2022.

WG: What is the biggest change to the resort that came with the renovations?
Takovich: Guests will notice the biggest changes in our fully renovated guest rooms. They have been refreshed from top to bottom, now offering new, contemporary furnishings, a beach-inspired color palette, luxurious linens and modern bathrooms—it’s a fresh take on all of the aspects guests love about this award-winning property.

In addition, the renovation was completed with a transformation of the exterior façade, bringing the colors inside out and blending the building with Key West’s stunning sky and the ocean.

Private Pier (Courtesy Southernmost Beach Resort)

WG: What design challenges did the team face during the renovations?
Takovich: Key West is such an iconic and memorable locale. Capturing the essence of the destination, and translating that into the new design, was perhaps the most fun, albeit challenging, part of this refresh. But with the insightful direction of BigTime Design, the end product looks effortless.

WG: What inspired the changes?
Takovich: We have a beautiful base structure, a perfect location and guests returning year after year.  What we needed was a refresh, to offer our guests the best Key West experience, since that is why they are visiting—and now we can continue to do so.

Beach View From the Spa (Courtesy Southernmost Beach Resort)

WG: Did Covid present any difficulties in carrying out the renovations to the property?
Takovich: The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the travel tourism sector hard, much like other industries as well as personal lives, but this time also presented the perfect opportunity to pivot and renovations went smoothly.

WG: What is your favorite new aspect of the reimagined space?
Takovich: I love our new color palette, especially the subtle and inspired shade of blue chosen to paint the exterior facade.

Ocean View Balcony Suite (Courtesy Southernmost Beach Resort)