WHAT'S NEW IN THE FLORIDA KEYS & KEY WEST

FLORIDA KEYS -- Key Largo's former Bayside Resort, located at mile marker (MM) 99.5 on Florida Bay, is under new ownership and has been renamed Bayside Inn.

Robert and Laura Welliver purchased the 56-unit, three-story hotel in August and have since repainted its exterior a warm, inviting yellow. Their goal is to give the inn a new, improved look while maintaining its secluded and relaxing atmosphere.

Rooms have been repainted and new landscaping is completed. New furnishings and 42-inch flat-screen televisions are planned for the rooms. Each is already equipped with a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker and wireless Internet access.

Poolside suites offer a view of the bay and neighboring marina.

A workout facility with low-impact machines and free weights is planned to round out the amenities.

For more information, contact Bayside Inn at (800) 242-5229 or visit www.baysidekeylargo.com.

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Located in Islamorada, known as the Sportfishing Capital of the World, the Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina has reopened after multifaceted renovation and refitting.

The marina offers 85 slips with pump-out facilities, 30/50/100-amp service, cable television and a fuel dock with gas and diesel. Plans call for providing wireless Internet access as well.

By sea, boaters can access the marina by the Intracoastal Waterway between markers 78 and 78A. Those approaching by land will find it at Islamorada's Founders Park, MM 87 bayside.

Amenities at the 42-acre park include tennis courts, ball fields, a swimming pool, sandy beach, playground and dog park. A new bathhouse pavilion equipped with laundry facilities and showers serves the marina as well as the park.

For more information, e-mail Marinainfo@islamorada.fl.us or call (305) 852-2381.

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Private motorboats again can be docked at historic Indian Key State Park, an 11-acre island located at MM 78.5 oceanside, less than a mile southeast of the north shore of Lower Matecumbe Key.

The island's dock, damaged in 2005's Hurricane Wilma, has been rebuilt to accommodate small private boats. There also are five mooring buoys off the island, enabling visitors to tie up their vessels and wade in to shore.

As well as motorboaters, the island is extremely popular with people taking their own eco-tours via kayak or canoe.

Once on Indian Key, visitors can take guided (Friday through Sunday only) or self-guided interpretive tours along well-defined paths complete with street signs and labels for native foliage. In addition, an observation tower offers a bird's eye view. Other popular activities include snorkeling, fishing, sightseeing, sunbathing and simply relaxing.

The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset. Boat and kayak rentals to the island are available at Robbie's Marina, a full-service marina at MM 78.5. To reach Robbie's, call (305) 664-9814.

For more information about Indian Key State Park, visit www.floridastateparks.org/indiankey/ or call the park at (305) 664-2540.

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The Middle Keys has a new year-round "home" for vacationers with recreational vehicles -- and pets. Grassy Key RV Park & Resort, located at MM 58.7 bayside, recently celebrated its grand opening.

On land formerly occupied by the Whispering Pines trailer park, the Grassy Key RV Park & Resort welcomes daily, weekly and monthly visitors and their pets.

The property's 34 sites include those with standard, premium, waterfront and deluxe waterfront views of the Gulf of Mexico -- each with water and 30- or 50-amp electric hookup. The resort also provides boat dockage and trailer storage.

A common meeting area with laundry facilities and television, and a social event clubhouse are in the final stages of completion.

For more information, visit www.grassykeyrvpark.com or call (305) 289-1606.

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Cape Air, a code-share carrier for Continental Airlines, is now operating regularly scheduled air service between Florida Keys Marathon Airport, located in Marathon in the Middle Keys, and Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Fla.

Passengers on the three daily round-trip flights travel in nine-passenger Cessna 402 aircraft.

Southwest Florida International Airport offers connecting flights to more than 25 cities and airports on major carriers and popular low-cost airlines.

Marathon is centrally located between Key West and Key Largo, providing an ideal base for exploration of the entire Florida Keys island chain. The Marathon area offers such attractions as luxury resorts, abundant fresh seafood, fishing and watersports.

For reservations, fares and schedules, visit www.continental.com.

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Deer Run Bed and Breakfast on Big Pine Key has been named to the "Islands Magazine" 2009 Blue List that celebrates leaders and innovators in sustainable travel. Of the 24 worldwide honorees on the prestigious list, Deer Run was the only one in the continental United States.

Located on a secluded Atlantic Ocean beach, close to two protected wildlife preserves in the pristine Lower Florida Keys, Deer Run is operated to reflect its innkeepers' earth-friendly mindset.

At breakfast, guests at the small Caribbean-style inn savor freshly prepared vegetarian offerings. Home-baked breads and fruits are predominantly organic and sourced locally, and the kitchen serves only organic fair trade coffee and tea.

Guestrooms feature organic cotton towels, cruelty-free eco-friendly products are used throughout the inn and water is collected in rain barrels for irrigation. In addition, all proceeds from the inn's honor bar are donated to Florida Keys animal charities.

Prior to the Blue List designation, Deer Run was the Lower Florida Keys' first certified member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, created to recognize the state's environmentally conscious lodging facilities.

For more information and reservations, visit www.deerrunfloridabb.com or call
(305) 872-2015.

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Southernmost Hotel Collection recently debuted a multimillion-dollar expansion of its Southernmost on the Beach, located on the Atlantic Ocean at 510 South St. in Key West.

Characterized by Key West architectural styling and lush landscaping, the expansion features 80 luxurious guestrooms each measuring more than 400 square feet. All rooms offer private balconies, ocean views, flat-screen televisions and blue-and-white nautically inspired décor with mahogany furnishings. Three custom-designed penthouse suites await guests seeking an extra touch of oceanfront luxury.

The new rooms and suites bring Southernmost on the Beach's total to 127. Guests also can enjoy a new oceanfront pool bar, fitness center and private tanning pier.

The landscaping features more than 40 palm trees, transferred to a nursery for safekeeping during construction, that were recently replanted at Southernmost on the Beach.

For reservations, call (800) 354-4455 or visit www.southernmostresorts.com.

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Five Key West properties recently became certified members of the Green Lodging Program, created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to recognize and reward the state's environmentally conscious lodging facilities.

The properties were awarded "one-palm" certification after meeting DEP guidelines for adopting cost-saving practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. To earn certification, properties are evaluated in categories including water and energy conservation, waste reduction, indoor air quality, communication of green practices to guests and goals for continued improvements.

The new "one-palm" properties are Cypress House, a 19th-century inn at 601 Caroline St.; Sheraton Suites Key West, a 180-suite resort at 2001 S. Roosevelt Blvd.; Pearl's Rainbow, a guesthouse for women at 525 United St.; Westin Key West Resort & Marina, a waterfront resort at 245 Front St, and Crowne Plaza La Concha, a historic hotel at 430 Duval St.

In addition, Key West's Banyan Resort became the first Florida Keys property to advance to "two-palm" certification for continued environmental initiatives. A 38-suite enclave at 323 Whitehead St., the Banyan earned its initial Green Lodging certification in August 2007 -- one of the first two Keys properties to embrace the state's program.

For more information and a listing of Florida Keys properties with Green Lodging certification, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging/.

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The Orchid Key Inn is now open at 1004 Duval St. on the site of Key West's former Key Lodge Motel. The property features 24 elegant rooms and suites set against lush landscaping that includes brick paths, waterfalls and other water features.

Guest rooms and suites offer either a queen or king bed, a bath with mosaic glass tile shower, tropical deco décor, mini-refrigerator, HD plasma television, iHome sound system and wireless and high-speed Internet access. Custom-built walnut furniture and artwork by local artist Alicia Renner round out the appeal. One-bedroom suites and junior spa suites also are available.

On-site amenities include a sun deck, large heated pool and spa, concierge services and low-cost off-street parking. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast poolside and complimentary sunset happy hour at the Orchid Bar.

For more information and reservations, call (800) 845-8384 or visit www.orchidkey.com.

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Natural wonders meet cutting-edge tech
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