Accolades and Press
January 2010, Conde Nast Traveler Magazine, The walls of this Greek Revival, "not your typical Key West hotel," "shield you from the noise of Duvall Street," a block away. Light-filled rooms face "wonderfully landscaped pools" and have Indonesian sleigh beds: "They have all the comforts."
And for Café Marquesa…”With its white tablecloths and hushed ambience, this is one of the poshest places on the island. The intimate, 50-seat restaurant adjoins the Marquesa Hotel, and the food is vaguely Floribbean or fusion. Dishes include a macadamia-crusted yellowtail snapper or conch and blue crab cakes. In addition to the extensive wine list, there's a fun, full martini menu, from Gibsons to dirty to blue cheese–olive versions. Come here if you're craving something a bit more serious than the anything-goes, no-worries-man vibe of most down-home joints nearby.”
Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Poll as #12 on the list of Top 40 Small Hotels in the United States with a score of 88.5!!!!
February 2009, Southern Living Magazine, "10 Things We Love About Florida"
Tip: The Marquesa Hotel, centered around a tropical pool, features the best 27 rooms in town and a fabulous restaurant. When you return, even months later, the staff will remember you by name.
January 2009, Conde Nast Traveler Magazine's "Gold List" 710 World's Best Places to Stay, Top Hotels, Resorts, Cruise Lines
One block from Duval Street, this former Catholic boardinghouse has Greek Revival architecture. Garden side accommodations are "light, airy, and not overdone," with pale aqua-blue and yellow color scheme and mahogany furniture. Café Marquesa serves "fine Caribbean-Continental" seafood, lamb, and seasonal vegetables. Staff are "exceptionally hospitable."
2009 Zagat Reader Review For Café Marquesa--Highest rating in Key West for Food (26), Décor (25), Service (26)
For a taste of sophistication Key West-style, this small but superb seafood-oriented New American offers a beautiful, creative blend of local and global flavors, relaxing ambiance and meticulous yet unfussy service
2009 Zagat's Reader Review for Marquesa Hotel
Enjoy total seclusion or a romantic getaway at this terrific boutique, where a quiet garden oasis sits surrounded by spacious and well-appointed accommodations in restored 1884 conch houses; meals at the innovative Cafe Marquesa are excellent and the amazing spaces — lush with tropical vegetation and wonderful pools — are impeccably maintained by an amazing staff that makes a stay feel like going home to visit special friends.
January 2008, Travel and Leisure Magazine, Your Guide to The World's Best Hotels,
Named #1 in Florida
Competitive edge...A tranquil oasis in the center of town, with a stellar staff.
June 22, 2008 The Palm Beach Post, Famous or not, guests agree: Marquesa rocks
...Marquesa is the perfect balance of location, history, modern updates and personal touches—just the sort of place to draw a celebrated crowd...
Zagat's Reader Review 2008 Offering a wonderful retreat, just one block from Duval Street, this gorgeous little hotel comprised of restored 1884 conch houses is top-shelf across the board, from the expertly landscaped courtyard to the beautiful rooms, many with balconies to the excellent gourmet meals at Café Marquesa...."
Fodor's Online Guide:
In a town that prides itself on its laid-back luxe, this complex of four restored 1884 houses stands out. Guests—typically shoeless in Marquesa robes—relax among richly landscaped pools and peaceful gardens (you're asked to turn off your cell phones in common areas) against a backdrop of steps rising to the villa-like suites.
...The chef presents 10 or so entrées each night, and although every dish is a sure bet, frequent guests call attention to the peppercorn-dusted seared yellowfin tuna, the ginger coconut almond-crusted hogfish, and the pan-roasted duck breast. End your meal on a sweet note with Key Lime Napoleon with tropical fruits and berries. There's also a fine selection of wines...
April 11, 2006, USA Today Zagat Survey-Café Marquesa named in the "Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America"
January 2006, Rated 9th Best Hotel for U.S. & Canada by Travel & Leisure Magazine
Guest survey: received score of 19.5 out of possible 20 by previous guests on rooms, services, public spaces and overall satisfaction
January 2005, Southern Living Magazine
6 p.m.- Giddy from the excitement of Mallory Square, we walk back to our hotel, The Marquesa, to unwind. The lights in the tall palm trees reflect against the crystal blue pool waters in the back of this 27-room hotel. We agree that this may be the prettiest place we've ever stayed.
7 p.m. Not ready to leave the hotel yet, we visit the on-site restaurant, Café Marquesa. Our server starts us with glasses of wine and brings a heaping basket of bread and a plate of homemade hummus to the table. After one bite of our perfectly prepared tuna steaks, we know that we made the right decision in dining there.
-Jennifer McKenzie Frazier
Frommer's South Florida Guide, 4th Edition
"The Marquesa offers the charm of a small historic hotel coupled with the amenities of a large resort. It encompasses four buildings, two swimming pools, and a three-stage waterfall that cascades into a lily pond...The decor is simple, elegant, and spotless. The hotel also boasts one of Key West's most elegant restaurants, Cafe Marquesa."
DiRona Award (Distinguished Restaurants of North America), 13 consecutive years
Among Top 50 Restaurants in Florida, Florida Travel Magazine
