Key West Food & Wine Festival

Top chefs and restaurateurs showcase their culinary creativity and the Keys' indigenous cuisine in a tasty schedule of events for food lovers. Attendees can participate in food-related adventures during the savory celebration.  The week long event opens Wednesday Jan 22 at the Hospitality Suites on South Street and features wine tastings, a 'Kick off Your Flip Flops' barefoot beach party, a "Wine Around Neighborhood Strolls", recipe contests, movies, and dinners.  The festival is about wine and food, wine and laughter, wine in a tropical setting and more wine.  To join in on the fun you can stop by the Hospitality Suites to register, and can purchase tickets for any of the events at http://www.keywestfoodandwinefestival.com.  The Website has the schedule of events, locations and more but if you need more information contact 800-474-4319; 305-292-1622 or e-mail info@keywestfoodandwinefestival.com.  Feel free to also talk to your concierge about the events so they can guide you into the fun.  See you there!

32nd Annual Key West Literary Seminar

Tennessee Williams himself found his creative spirit in the warm tropical breezes of Key West. In commemoration of writers, the spirit of creativity and story telling the island welcomes the 32nd Annual Key West Literary Seminar.  At the notorious annual Seminar, readers from all over the world join the best writers of our time for the readings, discussions, lectures, and parties that make up today’s smartest and most high-spirited literary gathering. The theme this year is "The Dark Side" and will explore the mystery, crime, and thriller genres.  The Seminar includes two independent sessions: Chapter One, January 9-12; and the Final Chapter, January 16-19, 2014. There are also two free sessions Jan 12 & 19 at the San Carlos Institute on Duval St. 2pm.  If interested in signing up for one or both of the Seminars and to see the Seminar schedules go to http://www.kwls.org/seminar32/.  If you are unable to sign up for the Seminars but our interested in the Free Sessions offered go to http://www.kwls.org/seminar32/free-sessions/. Make sure to show up early for the free sessions as it is first come first serve, doors open at 1:45pm. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from our family to yours.  As Key West rings in the New Year with lots of cheer and balmy breezes we look forward to a great 2014.  We feel very fortunate at the Mermaid & The Alligator to have interesting, unique, adventurous and dynamic guests every year.  We host visitors from all over and each one brings insight, experiences and knowledge from their part of the world. We learn a a lot, hear fabulous stories and make good friends.  Excited to greet returning guests and host new ones we are eager to meet new people and to show off our fair island city.  Our island is always growing, offering more shows, more art, more activities and always introducing new artists, scholars, workshops and experiences.  The Theaters have a spectacular season in store for us, the Literary community has shows, book signings and the like.  The island will feature multiple new boutiques, artist co-ops and eateries that even our regular guests will be anxious to try. We wish you a happy and healthy New Year and look forward to visiting with you in the upcoming year.  If you already know when you plan to visit us, call early to ensure your favorite room.  If you have not decided when to visit give us a call and we can inform you of events, weather and island news that can help guide you. Cheers from the Mermaid & Alligator!