Cynics may call Valentine’s Day a “Hallmark Holiday” (see: my husband), but many couples take advantage of incredible getaway vacation deals offered by Florida hotels for a romantic getaway weekend. It just so happens that this year, the big V-day falls on a Sunday (that’s February 14, 2010, just in case you forgot), so a romantic weekend away is the perfect way to celebrate your love and commitment.

Bungalow at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

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Hotel Front Desk

“Hi. We are looking for a brown ladies swimsuit and a pair of blue boxers with orange – uh, roosters on them. Orange roosters.”

I will continue that story later. We’ve all been next to the person at the hotel check-in counter who is asking for something very odd or out of the ordinary. I was staying at a Best Western in San Francisco once and the guy next to me was trying to insist that his room be cleaned again immediately because he “sensed something present in the room that needed to be banished…not evil, just unclean.” No joke.

What strange hotel requests have you made or heard recently? I’ve pulled a couple of good ones off the Internet from a site called HotelClub:

“My car dimensions are 4850mm x 4810mm x 1875mm and I would like to know the dimensions of the hotel’s car parking spaces to ensure that my car will fit and not get damaged.”

“I would like a fish tank in my room that is sized approximately 30cm and fully stocked before confirming this booking. ”

Fish tank in a hotel - Maybe the guest wanted something like this?

And then comes the story from my fiance, who was in another hotel in San Francisco about seven years ago (what is it about that city?). He was only in the city for 2 nights, so he had ONE pair of pants with him. Well, he had a big Friday night, and the cleaning lady decided to clean around him while he slept. When he woke up, his pants were gone. So, he called the front desk and said “Your cleaning lady came in, cleaned the room and took my pants. I’d like to have them back so I can go outside.” Turns out he was at fault, but I’m sure the poor room service people were flustered.

And lastly…during our stay at the Inn at Key West in Key West, Florida in August, my fiance and I went for a swim. He, of course, did not have swim trunks with him, so he put on a CLEAN pair of boxers and jumped in. We got back, showered and left, but we hadn’t realized that we had accidentally wrapped up his boxers and my swimsuit in a wet towel and left it on the floor. Needless to say, they were picked up by room service and laundered. Imagine calling the front desk and saying: “Hi. We are looking for a brown ladies swimsuit and a pair of blue boxers with orange – uh, roosters on them. Orange roosters.”

All items were returned to us safe and sound…with an amused smile.

Photo Credits: Alan Light, kamikarin

Duval Street in Key West, FL

Over the summer, I had written a post about the Sheraton Suites in Key West, Florida while doing research for my upcoming wedding. I thought I had it all figured out – until I came across the Doubletree Grand Key Resort in Key West. This place has a lot to offer, too, and they offered us an even better group rate. So, planner that I am, I had to come up with a list comparing to two to help make my decision – and hopefully it’ll help you decide between the two as well!

Doubletree Grand Key – The Good

THE SHUTTLE – it  holds about 40 people, and there is more than one, so there is no trouble getting to downtown Key West, which is about 3 miles away. The shuttle has four drop-off points, too – one at Smathers Beach, one at the Butterfly Conservatory and one at Conch Republic Seafood – and to the airport, too.

THE AQUARIUM – The hotel has an aquarium right on the premises!

THE POOL – the pool is a zero-entry pool, and the entire pool area is currently being renovated (come back in November to see how it looks!)

THE LOCATION – If you’re you’re looking for a quieter location that’s removed from crazy Duval Street, you’ve found it.

Doubletree Grand Key – The Bad

THE LOCATION – So, this is good and bad. It’s not right across the street from Smathers Beach, and it’s about three miles from downtown, so you either have to take the shuttle, cab or drive it.

RENOVATIONS – the hotel is nice, but is in need of some renovations and is not newly renovated like the Sheraton is. Rooms are on the smaller side, as well.

Sheraton Suites – THE GOOD

THE LOCATION – right across from Smathers Beach! It’s 2 miles outside of downtown, so it’s removed from all the craziness of Duval Street.

RENOVATIONS – they’re gorgeous! The hotel lobby looks very inviting and cool, and the rooms are beautifully redone.

ROOMS – they are HUGE. All are suits, and some can fit up to six people. Fridges, Starbucks coffee, couches that convert to beds, gigantic showers and granite countertops.

SHUTTLE – it drops off in one location downtown – the shuttle is small, but it’s nice to have so that you can avoid having to drive.

Sheraton Suites- THE BAD

THE SHUTTLE – yes, it’s nice to have, but it’s small and you have to reserve it really to make sure that you have space.

I couldn’t really think of anything else I didn’t care for at The Sheraton! Guess my decision is made.

Photo: Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar

Conceived and designed by railroad and oil magnate Henry Flagler as a testament to his life-long love of Florida, the Casa Marina Resort in Key West opened its doors on New Years Eve in 1920 to great acclaim. Artists, dignitaries, royalty, and the ultra-rich since frequented the resort until World War II, when it was converted to a military operational headquarters. After the war, Casa Marina briefly recaptured its glory as an exclusive vacation destination, but with its location at the southernmost point of Florida, the property was soon needed for military use once again – this time as a launch site during the Cuban missile crisis. The resort was reopened in the ‘70s and has been in continual operation ever since.

Historic Casa Marina Resort

During a recent $43 million renovation the lobby’s original wood floors were restored and all 311 guest rooms and suites were redecorated with Italian tile floors, earth-toned area rugs, painted wooden window shutters, custom artwork, sectional sleep sofas, and a dining/recreational table with teak captains’ chairs. The renovation stayed faithful to the Spanish hacienda style, incorporating the resort’s original 225-foot grand veranda, sweeping archways, and expansive lawn stretching to a private white sand beach.

Refurbished rooms at the Casa Marina

Stlll, what really sets the Casa Marina apart from other luxury accommodations on the island is its location. Nestled in a quiet, residential neighborhood on the the south side of the island, the resort is within walking distance of famous DuVal Street, yet far enough away to not be impacted by the noise and general debauchery that so defines Key West. In fact, everything a guest could possibly desire is available right on the premises. Water activities – jet ski rentals, scuba diving, snorkeling, boat charters, deep sea fishing expeditions, and a one-of-a-kind dolphin encounter experience – are can be booked at the private beach, and two oceanfront heated swimming pools are lined with plush chaise lounges and hammocks. Casa Marina also has three restaurants and an on-site massage studio that offers a full menu of beauty treatments ranging from Swedish massage to reflexology and aromatherapy.

Private 1,100 foot beach

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Casa Marina recently joined the Hilton family, which is dedicated to maintaining a level of service that would have made Henry Flagler proud.

Photo credits: Casa Marina Resort

Article by Barbara Webel at Hole In The Donut Travels