Welcome to the Hyatt Windward Pointe, a Hyatt Residence Club. Set along the Atlantic Ocean, the Hyatt Windward Pointe blends the laid-back Key West style with a modern, upscale resort ambiance. Here is a retreat where you can slow down and forget the rush and stress of your day-to-day life. Bask beside the lushly landscaped ocean front pool or hot tub that gives you the illusion that you’re softly floating on the open sea or grab a snack at Abbey Road poolside sandwich and snack bar. Have I mentioned that this listing is for celebrating New Year’s Eve in sunny Key West, FL? You will be staying at the Hyatt Windward Pointe; 2 nights; fully furnished condo style residence; sleeps 6; 2 bedrooms; king bed in master bedroom; queen bed in guest bedroom; sofa bed in living room; 2 bathrooms; kitchen; dining area; balcony w/ Ocean, swimming pool, and courtyard views; Oceanfront hot tub and infinity end pool. Check-in Sunday, December 31, 2023; check-out next year Tuesday, January 2, 2024. I am an Elite member of the Hyatt Residence Club and I have a residence reserved at the Hyatt Windward Pointe for the time period shown in this listing. You can “Book (it) Now” with confidence. Note: Shorter or longer stays over New Years Eve may be available. Please contact me regarding availability. New Year’s Eve Celebration - Key West has become known nationally for its New Year’s Eve celebration with annual live TV coverage. The lowering of a drag queen on Duval Street from atop one of the island bars makes great television. It’s even better when seen in person. No doubt about it…Key West loves to party. And what’s a better excuse than New Year’s Eve? FOUR different gathering spots offer their own unique version of the time-honored tradition of lowering something special as the clock winds away the last seconds of the year. Typically, your choices are: o to see a big conch shell lowered from atop Sloppy Joe’s Bar…a crowded and boisterous affair, o to see a Pirate Wench lowered from the mast of a schooner docked at the Schooner Wharf Bar in the Historic Seaport, o to hear the free concert on the Sunset Pier at the Ocean Key House and watch as they lower a key lime wedge at midnight or, o to see Sushi, a local drag queen celeb, lowered from a Duval Street balcony, riding a huge high-heeled shoe. Whatever your choice, Key West will wish everyone a New Year filled with joy, coconuts, a nice tan, good health, laughter, and wonderment. Oh…and peace on Earth (come on World…make believe you just booked a vacation to Key West). Hyatt Windward Pointe - Perfectly situated on the eastern side of the island, this gracious retreat directly overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, offering magnificent water views and Key West sunrises! All residences at the Hyatt Windward Pointe are ocean front or ocean view (see the marked-up resort layout in the photos in this listing for the differentiation). All residences also have swimming pool, hot tub, and/ or lush courtyard views. Key West is a tropical paradise. Some water views may be partially obstructed by palm trees or other vegetation. Cherish the lavish plantation-style décor while taking advantage of the convenience offered by a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, living room, 3 flat screen TVs, DVD player, private furnished balcony, heated infinity edge pool, and hot tub, BBQ grills, pool bar/ grille, etc. Complimentary Wi-Fi access, in-room washer and dryer, and on-site parking are also included. All the 93 ultra-spacious, ultra-plush residences at Hyatt Windward Pointe feature two bedrooms - an oceanfront (or ocean view) master suite with a king bed and adjoining bathroom outfitted with a walk-in shower and spa tub, and a guest bedroom with a queen bed and full bath. All units also have a sleep sofa in the living room and sleep 6 adults. Hyatt typically offers complimentary, freshly brewed Starbucks coffee and an assortment of teas from 7:00 to 9:00 AM each morning in the lobby. The Hyatt Windward Pointe also features the Abby Road Pool Bar and Grill, shuffleboard courts, beach volleyball courts, a pool table, ping-pong and foosball tables, barbecue grills. Tesla and electric car charging stations may be available at the Hyatt Windward Pointe. Boat and trailer parking may also be available. I do not get involved with the charging stations or the boat and trailer parking. Please coordinate use of these facilities by calling the Hyatt Windward Pointe's front desk after making your reservation and after receiving your Hyatt Guest Certificate. Advance booking may be required. The Hyatt Windward Pointe's convenient location puts you just minutes from the free-spirited art, music and entertainment scene of Old Town. Or head over to nearby Smathers Beach, the biggest white sand beach in Key West to rent windsurfers or go parasailing. The Keys are also a haven for anglers - shallow flats, mangrove islands, inland channels and open blue waters offer world-class fishing opportunities. Hoping to test your skills on the green? You're in luck - Key West Golf Club is located nearby and is the only Caribbean inspired course in the U.S. Whether you choose to spend your days simply relaxing by the infinity pool or setting off on a dive adventure, Key West delivers a dream vacation of your own design. Your island home is just minutes away from celebrating the sunset each evening at Mallory Square and taking in the renowned dining, shopping and nightlife of Duval Street. The Hyatt Windward Pointe is located about 3 Miles from Key West's Historic Seaport District, Duval Street’s dining, shopping, and nightlife, Mallory Square sunsets, and the Sunset Pier. The photos in this listing are stock photos and do not show the actual room that Hyatt will assign to you. Hyatt will assign your room to you at check-in depending on availability. Hyatt Windward Pointe Exterior Building Maintenance - The Hyatt Windward Pointe’s Board of Directors announced in July 2023 that exterior building maintenance will take place at the Hyatt Windward Pointe throughout the remainder of 2023 and into 2024. The roof may be refurbished or replaced in 2024. Contractors will be on site during working hours during this time. There will be construction activities and construction noise. There has been no impact on reservations to date, other than the visible construction activities and noise. I have had guests stay at the Hyatt Windward Pointe during these construction activities and thus far have had no negative comments. Sights and Attractions Unique to Key West - (that you may not want to miss) Attractions: o Mile Marker 0 (US Hwy 1), o the Southernmost Point Buoy, o the Little Whitehouse, o Ernest Hemingway’s Home, o the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, o Mel Fisher’s Maritime Museum, o Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square and the Sunset Pier, o Sunset Sail or Day Sail Adventures (my favorite is Danger Charters), o Day Trip to the Dry Tortugas National Park & Fort Jefferson (70 miles West of Key West by Boat or Seaplane; Tour the Historic Fort, Swim, Snorkel, and/ or Dive), o Fort Zackary Taylor State Park (possibly the best beach on Key West), swim, snorkel, fish, nature trails, cookout, or bike), and o Mangrove Eco Tour, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, etc. at Lazy Dog adventures. Happy Hours at the Historic Seaport (from about 4:00 to 6:30 daily). My favorites are: o The Boathouse at Turtle Kraal (½ price appetizers and drinks) o Alonzo’s Oyster Bar (Special priced oysters, appetizers and drinks). Local’s Hangouts: o Captain Tony’s Bar (Yes, Captain Tony did not just exist in a Jimmy Buffett song. He was a real person, and I did meet him.), o Green Parrot Bar (Key West institution since 1890), and the o Schooner Wharf Bar (open air rustic Key West institution). Breakfast & Brunch Spots: o Pepe’s Café (the oldest eatery in the Keys, uses fresh squeezed juices), o Blue Heaven (open air restaurant, share your breakfast with the free-range chickens), o Harpoon Harry’s, and o The Breakfast Club, Too. Popular Watering Holes & Eateries: o Sloppy Joe’s Bar, o Hog’s Breath Saloon, o Margaritaville, and many, many more. More than 500k Votes Cast in the 2023 Bubba Awards - Key West’s 2023 People’s Choice Award Nominees were announced by “Keys Weekly” in June 2023. Over half a million (513,000) votes were cast in The Bubbas: 10th Annual Key West People’s Choice Awards, which are sponsored by “Keys Weekly” and occurred over a span of roughly four weeks. According to the data, over 30,000 individual voters were responsible for the cumulative total. And based on emails and other credentials, over half of the voters were new to the contest. Key West’s People’s Choice Awards Legacy Winners were announced. The Legacy Winners listed below have won the Bubba every year their category has existed. o Best Pizza: Roostica Wood Fire Pizzeria o Best Place to Take the Kids: Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory o Best Live Music Venue: Green Parrot o Beat Art Gallery or Studio: The Studios of Key West o Best Watersports Company: Fury Water Adventures o Best Jewelry Store: Jeff’s Gems & Nautical Designs o Best Ethnic Food: El Siboney o Best Steak: Prime Steakhouse o Best Dessert: Better than Sex o Best Martini: Virgilio’s o Best Local Retailer: Besame Mucho o Best Summer Camp: Reef Relief o Best Local Event/Festival: Key West Songwriters Festival o Best Bar/Restaurant Bathroom: Tavern & Town o Best Catering Company: Catered Affairs More info on Key West Bubbas can be found on-line.