November 12, 2021

Local Brands We Love

Papa’s Pilar, Key West Aloe, Key West Pottery

Papa’s Pilar

"In order to write about life, first you must live it." - Ernest Hemingway.”

Here’s a Key West travel experience that includes cocktails, tastings and classes inspired by Hemingway. Welcome to Papa's Pilar, Hemingway Rum Company, located within walking distance to our resort at the corner of Greene and Simonton Streets.

Our guests have enjoyed the best rum drinks with Papa’s Pilar Rum for some time now. A few of the favorites include the Hemingway Daiquiri and Papa’s Pilar Mojito.

In addition, our newly renovated suites feature a wet bar with a selection of Key West beers and spirits for purchase, including Papa's Pilar Rum. We’ve also got something special for our VIP’s.

We love this brand so much we’ve decided to create a special promotion!

The Marker Certified Rum Runner Package
Includes a tour of the Hemingway Rum Co - Papa’s Pilar Distillery, a commemorative flask, certificate of graduation as a Marker Rum Runner, and two drink tickets for Papa’s Pilar Rum Cocktails! This special Key West vacation package is available all year long! Book this special.

About Papa’s Pilar

Papa's Pilar® Rum – in both Dark, Blonde and Sherry-finished flagship expressions, is an ultra-premium, artisan-crafted rum inspired by Ernest ‘Papa’ Hemingway and celebrates his literary legacy and adventurous spirit.
Limited Release! “Papa’s Pilar Rum Legacy Edition 2021.” features a blend of hand-selected rums up to 24 years old, with a distinctive double solera finishing featuring rye whiskey barrels and Amontillado Sherry casks. Elegantly packaged, collectible and gift-worthy, it is the first in an annual series commemorating Hemingway’s legacy and is rolling out in select markets nationwide. Learn more.

The Tours | Have Fun with Rum
Learn more about the 45-minute Distillery Tours and Papa’s Pilar Cocktail Classes. Both are Interactive, Entertaining and Educational.
Hemingway Rum Company, Papa’s Pilar
201 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040

Key West Aloe

Happy 50th Anniversary to our favorite aloe-based luxury product! Born from the healing powers of aloe, this brand continues to blend luxurious formulas and the largest selection of Aloe Vera based products in the world.

Why We Love This Brand
Key Lime Shampoo | Key Lime Conditioner | Alothera Body Wash | Bath Bombs & Shower Gel, the list goes on and on.
Not only do we love Key West Aloe, but our guests are falling head over heels as well as they get to experience these products when staying with us.

Photo credit: @comeflywithlove

The decor and spa-like aromas immediately put us in a relaxed state of mind. We loved the bathrobes, balcony and bath bomb for the large bathtub in the room. The aroma-rich shampoos, soaps, and lotions were an added touch. ~ Melissa B. via TripAdvisor

About Key West Aloe
Our roots go back to a single moment when aloe vera was applied to a sunburn in 1971, long before the term SPF was invented. It worked so well on burned skin, we wondered what it could do continuously for healthy skin? And thus, Key West Aloe was born. From that point on, our mission has been to create a wide range of luxurious blends, all using nature's best ingredient as our primary ingredient.
Fun Fact: The founders of Key West Aloe, Joe Liszka and Frank Romano, were also two of the founding fathers of Fantasy Fest, one of the world’s best costume festivals.

Key West Aloe
Open 10 am - 5 pm
416 Greene St
Key West, FL 33040

Key West Pottery

Welcome to paradise! You know you’ve arrived at our resort when you are greeted by the colorful, vibrant outdoor sculpture “5 Watchers” by Key West Pottery's Adam Russell.

Photo credit: @the_local_life_kw
“5 Watchovers represents a guardian for each of the five aspects we determined appropriate for this place specifically.
In this grouping we included: The Watchover of the Navigator, The Watchover of the Feeling, The Watchover of the Conch Republic, The Watchover of the Red Sky, and the Watchover of the Surrounding Life. Each tower is stacked with imagery and meaning leading up to a quiet Pelican, who sits on top with a marshal but calm eye of protection for his surroundings. The inspiration is twofold; I am heavily referencing very traditional ideas from art history within this concept and at the same time, this is what one actually observes in the real world! These pelicans on patrol, perched up high. Smarter, quicker, and more comfortable than many of their avian counterparts, they seemed like the perfect local archetype.” ~ Adam Russell Read more.

About Key West Pottery

While taking a stroll on Duval Street, stop in Key West Pottery and look at the artwork and designs created by owners Adam Russel and Kelly Lever. They have created something unique and invite you to a soulful and sincere art experience that ties you to the local’s perspective of Key West. The gallery offers a diverse selection of bespoke items — from coffee mugs to award-winning outdoor sculptures. To find out more and see what Adam and Kelly are up to, follow Key West Pottery on Instagram.

Key West Pottery
1203 Duval Street Key West,
FL 33040

Now that we’ve introduced you to local brands we love, take time to visit them online and stop in and say hi when you’re in town. #lovethemarker