The Reach Vs. Casa Marina (Formerly Waldorf Astoria) in Key West

Both The Reach Key West and Casa Marina Key West are located in the same location – the southern part of Key West, Florida. In fact, the two properties are beachfront and only within a 5 minutes walk from one another, or you can shuttle a complimentary golf cart from/to either resort because they are sister properties. 

Therefore if the beachfront location is important to you, you can’t go wrong with either one. 

While both The Reach Key West and Casa Marina Key West properties are due for renovations, The upkeep of The Reach Key West is much better than Casa Marina Key West. 

Walking around Casa Marina Key West, you’ll notice the buildings look old and need to be repainted badly. On the other hand, The Reach Key West is better, but you also find places that need improvements, such as painting, elevators, etc. So in this category, The Reach Key West wins. 

Casa Marina Key West used to be Hilton’s luxury Waldorf Astoria brand. However, the brand name didn’t fit the dated Casa Marina property; therefore, it was downgraded to the Curio Collection brand in 2022.

Many reviewers agree that The Reach Key West rooms are much bigger than the Casa Marina Key West rooms. 

I also prefer the look of the “old town charm” room architecture of The Reach Key West over Casa Marina Key West. So, choose The Reach Key West if the room space is important to you. 

Casa Marina Key West and The Reach Key West have swimming pools, but none are heated. 

The Reach Key West only has one pool, and Casa Marina Key West has two pools: family and adults-only. So if lying around the pool is what you are after, I’d go with Casa Marina Key West. However, keep in mind that all swimming pools at both properties are small and not heated. 

Casa Marina Key West and The Reach Key West are located in the same location and are true beachfront properties. Private sandy white beaches and ocean swimming are just steps away from each property. Therefore, you can’t go wrong with either one. 

Beach At The Reach Key West

If getting a spa service is important for your stay, choose Casa Marina Key West because The Reach Key West does not have a spa center. 

Given both properties are sister properties, you can walk to Casa Marina Key West to get spa services if you are staying at The Reach Key West and charge the bills to your room folio at The Reach. 

For those who want to charge everything from dining to spa services to the room for convenience, earn bonus Hilton Honors points, participate in any Hilton Promotions and Offers, etc., you can do a room charge at either property. In other words, if you stay at The Reach Key West and walk over to the Casa Marina Key West for a drink or two, you can charge that bill to your room folio at The Reach instead. 

Therefore, you can go with either property in this Room Charge category. 

Based on my experience, the standard reward room availability at Casa Marina Key West is better than at The Reach Key West. 

Both properties require the same Hilton Honors points per night:

• 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night for a standard reward room.
• The standard room at Casa Marina Key West is Standard Guest Room (see photos here).
• The standard room at The Reach Key West is Key West View Room (see photos here).

Casa Marina Key West:

• Swimming pools: family and adults-only
• Better standard reward room availability
• Available spa services

The Reach Key West:

• Bigger rooms
• Better upkeep and old-charm-looking property

Both properties:

• Same beachfront locations
• You can do a room charge at either property

I’m trying to figure out how to categorize Casa Marina Key West and The Reach Key West properties, whether or not each property is upscale to fit its $600-$800 starting room rate. 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night is also a lot of points, and I don’t know if each property is worth that much. 

Instead, I suggest you use the Hilton Free Night Reward certificate(s) earned from the American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card or Hilton Promotions and Offers to redeem. With a second player 2 in your party, you can redeem two Hilton Free Night Reward certificates on each property like we did at The Reach (Here’s the review).