Here's how you can escape to another "country" without ever leaving US soil.

There are few places you can go in the United States where you feel like you’ve stepped into another country as soon as you land—without the hassle of passports and language barriers. Ernest Hemingway got that feeling in 1929 when he first came to Key West.

On a trip home from Paris he and his wife, Pauline, stopped at this out-of-the-way island at the very tip of Florida at the suggestion of their friend John Dos Passos, and it wasn’t long after they arrived that they decided to stay.

The Hemingways found that life in this remote place was like living abroad, and here, cut off from the mainland, Ernest did his best work inspired by the people, the lifestyle, the sport fishing, and the general freedom.

“It’s the best place I’ve ever been anytime, anywhere . . . flowers, tamarind trees, guava trees, coconut palms. . . . Got tight last night and did knife tricks,” he’s been noted to say.

Sunset Key

Minus the knife tricks Key West remains a place where you can get away from the norm, fish to your heart’s content, and drop out of the general population thanks to Sunset Key, an unassuming little island just offshore away from the foot and bike traffic of the popular tourist destination.

In 1994 Tom Walsh turned this quiet outpost, formerly owned by the US Navy, into a haven of guest cottages and private residences designed for the sole purpose of shutting out the rest of the world. As you stand on the beach at Sunset Key, you’ll have to occasionally look toward Key West to remind yourself that you haven’t shipwrecked in paradise.

As soon as you board the boat that takes you from Key West to Sunset Key, you feel your heart rate drop, and before long your brain begins to forget things that normally hinder your ability to relax. Crossing the water you start to get a sense of what it must have been like for the first mariners who came to Key West long before it grew in popularity and population.

When you step onto the dock at Sunset Key and are greeted by the Starwood staff, you realize that this paradise is well attended to, and even though the island offers 24-hour launch transportation to the mainland and you can participate in the lively lifestyle of Key West anytime you want, you will probably stay right here for the duration of your visit.

Sunset Key Guest Cottages, part of the Starwood group of hotels, features 37 elegantly appointed one, two, and three-bedroom cottages all with full kitchen, living, and dining areas in traditional Key West architecture.

The island also offers a secluded beach, spa services, a tropical pool, an amazing restaurant, tennis courts, grocery shopping service, personal chef service, and a personalized breakfast basket, which will be delivered to your cottage porch each morning. You will never feel like you’re at a hotel—instead you’re staying in an island village that just happens to have a AAA Four-Diamond rating. If you find that all of this is so inviting that you don’t ever want to leave, the sales staff can tell you more about the available lots and permanent resident cottages.

What Do You Do in Paradise?

So once you’ve settled in, what do you do? Although “nothing” weekend getaway is considered a highly acceptable endeavor, you do have options to consider. A great day might start with a morning swim, fresh breakfast on the beach, and fishing for tarpon or permit in the flats surrounding the island. You can even arrange for a guide to pick you up at the dock and take you to their favorite fishing spots.

Whether you go with the larger Saltwater Angler group or Captain Mark Schmidt and other independent guides, you will be in good hands with folks who know where to find the fish.

And if you happen to catch something you’d like to see on a plate, you can drop your catch with Chef Dominique and his talented kitchen staff when you return to the island. The next time you see your trophy, it will be well prepared and accompanied by a great bottle of wine ready for you to tell your Hemingway-like story about how hard it fought before you reeled it in. But be sure not to get too carried away with your hand motions as you regale your family and friends with your fish tale—the restaurant’s attentive wait staff is always close by with full trays.

If angling isn’t what you’re looking for, try kayaking around the shallow, clear waters of the Keys. Or you might choose to head farther offshore and spend a little time diving among the reefs and shipwrecks. Or maybe you’ll be content to simply spend the day in a hammock or comfortable chair on the beach with a good book and a regular delivery of cold drinks and light food.

Seclusion has lots to offer, but if you decide to venture into Key West, your day can fill up pretty quick too. The best way to learn about Key West and its rich history is to book a walking tour with Sharon Wells, a local historian, artist, and gallery owner who has lived in Key West since 1976 and knows every inch of the island like it were her backyard.

Whether you’re interested in the story behind the Museum of Art and History at the old Custom House or the best place to grab a mojito, Susan knows all the answers. If you decide to go solo, consider renting a bike to get around the island quickly so you’ll have lots of time to shop, have lunch or dinner at one of Key West’s excellent restaurants, and relax at one of the many great spots to just grab a drink, sit, and watch the characters pass by. Talk with one of Starwood staffers at Sunset Key about your plans, and they will make all the arrangements.

Whether your goal is to disappear for a long weekend or to spend a little time perfecting your saltwater fishing skills, Sunset Key is ready to add you to their reality escape program. And by the time you’re loading your gear back onto your plane at the Key West Airport, you’ll feel like you have enjoyed a refreshing vacation abroad.

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