One Stay, Two Opals: Your Guide to The Laureate’s Sister-Property Perks

From morning coffee and poolside cocktails to private cabanas and a sandy stretch of waterfront, here’s how to make the most of The Capitana’s hotel amenities when staying at The Laureate.

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There’s plenty to love about a stay at The Laureate. Spacious suites with full kitchens and private balconies? Check. A peaceful waterfront pool overlooking the bay? Check. And with all the comforts of home, it’s an especially appealing home base for extended stays and remote workers looking to mix business with a little island leisure.

But should you feel like switching up the scenery after a few days, there’s another Opal experience waiting just down the road. As a guest of The Laureate, you also enjoy access to the waterfront pool and tiki bar at sister property The Capitana. And with a private sandy beach, reservable cabanas, and a café serving everything from cold brew to açaí bowls, there’s plenty of reason to make a day of it.

Consider this your itinerary for a perfectly unhurried Key West resort day – courtesy of your sister Opal.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: BEFORE YOU LAND AT THE CAPITANA

First, a little housekeeping before the lounging begins. The Capitana is just one mile – or a quick three-minute drive – from The Laureate. Simply turn left out of The Laureate and head west on North Roosevelt Boulevard until you reach The Capitana at 2401 N. Roosevelt Boulevard.

There’s plenty of on-site parking, but be sure to display your Laureate parking pass on your dashboard. And don’t forget your Laureate room key wristband, which you’ll need to access The Capitana’s pool deck.

One more perk worth knowing? Laureate guests enjoy room-charging privileges, meaning those poolside cocktails and Beach Market bites can be charged directly to your suite back at The Laureate.

Now, on to the important business of doing very little.

9 A.M. | START WITH COFFEE AND SOMETHING HEALTHY AT BEACH MARKET CAFE

First order of business: caffeine. And perhaps something a little more substantial to fuel the day’s lounging. At The Capitana’s Beach Market Cafe, the morning menu runs from hot coffee and cold brew to breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, and colorful açaí bowls. Prefer to drink your breakfast? The café’s lineup of organic smoothies offers a refreshing alternative.

It’s a convenient first stop before staking out your favorite spot by the water. Grab something to go, or settle into one of the café’s cozy seats and ease into the morning.

10 A.M. | CLAIM YOUR SPOT AT THE WATERFRONT POOL

If there’s one amenity that makes The Capitana worth the short trip from The Laureate, it’s the pool.

Framed by towering palms and overlooking the bay, The Capitana’s heated saltwater pool is the kind of place where an hour can easily turn into an entire afternoon. Take a refreshing dip, stretch out on a lounger with a book, or simply enjoy the waterfront views.

And because the pool deck is set away from the busier streets of Old Town, the atmosphere feels distinctly removed from Key West’s more energetic side.

Insider Tip

Pool loungers are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving earlier in the day is a smart move if you have a particular spot in mind.

12 P.M. | ORDER LUNCH AND A LITTLE SOMETHING FROZEN AT MCKEE’S TIKI BAR

A proper pool day calls for a proper poolside lunch. Enter McKee’s Tiki Bar, conveniently positioned beside The Capitana’s pool. This laid-back waterfront watering hole serves the kind of casual island fare that pairs particularly well with a swimsuit and flip-flops: fish tacos, juicy burgers, fresh local catch, and other coastal favorites.

Then, of course, there are the drinks. Think tropical cocktails, frozen concoctions, and ice-cold beers best enjoyed with a bay breeze.

Our advice? Don’t rush lunch. There’s no better place to embrace the island’s famously relaxed pace than a tiki bar overlooking the water.

1:30 P.M. | TRADE THE POOL DECK FOR A PRIVATE STRETCH OF SAND

Here’s something worth knowing about Key West: While the island is famous for its turquoise waters, it’s not exactly overflowing with sandy beaches. Much of its shoreline is rocky, making a comfortable stretch of sand an especially welcome find.

That’s part of the appeal of The Capitana’s private beach, a secluded, sandy waterfront retreat overlooking the bay. Here, loungers and shaded hammocks invite you to trade the pool deck for an afternoon of reading, daydreaming, or doing absolutely nothing at all. The soundtrack? Palm fronds rustling overhead and water gently lapping against the shoreline.

Insider Tip

This is a beach made for lounging rather than swimming, as the coral-rock shoreline isn’t suitable for entering the water. For a proper ocean swim, Key West’s Smathers Beach and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park are better bets. But for a sandy siesta with a view? You’ve come to the right place.

2:30 P.M. | TAKE YOUR BEACH DAY UP A NOTCH WITH A PRIVATE CABANA

If you’re visiting with friends or family – or simply believe a beach day deserves a few extra comforts – consider upgrading your afternoon with one of The Capitana’s private beachside cabanas. Accommodating up to six people, these shaded retreats come outfitted with comfortable seating, a 43-inch television with a sports package, and a mini refrigerator stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks. Better yet, food and beverage service means you can order refreshments without abandoning your shady spot.

Cabanas are available for reservations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., making them an appealing option for everything from a few hours of afternoon relaxation to a full-day waterfront headquarters.

Insider Tip

Cabanas require advance reservations and an additional rental fee. Contact The Capitana’s front desk for current pricing and availability, and confirm reservation eligibility when staying at The Laureate.

4 P.M. | SQUEEZE IN ONE LAST DIP – OR A LITTLE FRIENDLY COMPETITION

Not quite ready to call it a day? We don’t blame you. Return to the pool for another dip, or dry off and challenge your travel companions to a little friendly competition on The Capitana’s waterfront lawn. The lineup includes cornhole, giant Connect 4, and giant chess – all with bay views as your backdrop. It’s an easy way to break up a day of lounging, especially for families with kids eager for a little action.

Or perhaps you’re more inclined to make one final stop at McKee’s for a refreshing afternoon drink.

Either way, there’s no need to overthink it. The beauty of a day like this is that the schedule is entirely yours to rewrite.

BACK AT THE LAUREATE | THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

After a full day of poolside lounging, waterfront dining, and sandy relaxation, head back to The Laureate and settle into your spacious suite. It’s here that the appeal of this two-property arrangement really comes into focus.

At The Laureate, accommodations feel more like a private island residence than a traditional hotel room, with separate living spaces, full kitchens, and furnished balconies. One- and three-bedroom suite options offer room for couples, families, and groups to spread out, while the property’s own waterfront pool provides another peaceful place to unwind.

And whenever the mood strikes for a more amenity-filled resort day? The Capitana is just down the road. Two distinct Opal experiences, one Key West getaway. We’d call that a pretty good arrangement.