"Watched the stars and woke up to the calm sound of water gently hitting the hull." That is what guests say about Susquehanna, our Hunter 380 sailboat docked at Perry Hotel and Marina on Stock Island, 15 minutes from Old Town Key West. Mornings start with sunrise from the cockpit, evenings end with stargazing on deck. An on-the-water stay with the comforts of land. Susquehanna sleeps four across two cabins. The aft Captain's cabin has a full-to-queen berth and an ensuite head. The V-berth at the bow sleeps two more. Between them, the main saloon seats six and has a TV, sound system, and a drop-down dining table. The galley has a fridge-freezer, gas stove with oven, and microwave, and there is a second head and shower on board. Full air conditioning and WiFi throughout. The boat sits on a floating dock you can drive right up to, no long walk from a parking lot. The marina has two pools with poolside dining, a 24-hour gym, on-site restaurants and bars, bathhouse showers, and laundry. A free shuttle runs to Old Town Key West through the day, leaving hourly from the hotel entrance. The Salty Oyster Dockside Bar and Grill sits steps from the pool, serving fresh food and drinks daily from 11:30 AM, with happy hour 4 to 6 PM and live music most afternoons. Good to know: Susquehanna is a real working sailboat, and that is the appeal, but she lives differently from a house or hotel. You will feel a gentle rock, ropes may creak, and water pumps are louder than a household faucet. The bathroom has a marine toilet with a hand pump rather than a standard flush; our co-host walks you through it at check-in and full instructions are in your welcome guide. Getting aboard means a step onto the floating dock and down a few steps into the cabin, so she is not suited to guests with mobility limitations. Check-in 3 to 6 PM, checkout 10 AM. Sleeps 4. No pets, no smoking, no parties. Professional cleaning between every stay.

Susquehanna is docked on Stock Island, the quieter island just north of Key West and a 15-minute drive from Old Town. It has a more local, working-waterfront feel than the bustle of downtown, with marinas, fresh seafood, and a laid-back pace, while still putting all of Key West within easy reach. The marina itself is a self-contained base, with two pools, dining, a gym, and bars on site, so you can settle in without going far. When you want the energy of Key West, the free shuttle runs to Old Town through the day, dropping you near Duval Street, the historic seaport, and the sunset celebration at Mallory Square. Beaches, snorkeling trips, and fishing charters are all close by.