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Being There Key Colony Beach Focus on Florida beaches & keys

We found a piece of heaven on this quaint, frill-free island

Tina Langlotz

Special to the Sentinel

July 13, 2008

"Honestly now, what's your hurry? You're here," beckons a sign on the causeway to Key Colony Beach, 53 miles north of Key West. After fighting bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Keys' overseas highway, my husband and I are ready to relax.

Reme, the desk clerk, checks us into the Ocean Beach Club. Also an artist from the Apache tribe of New Mexico, he beams as we admire his colorful, hand-painted coconuts on display. This oceanfront hotel has no valet parking, no concierge, no turndown service. Instead of chi-chi luxury, the room is dated with mediocre décor consisting of beachy aqua and pinks.

No problem. The appeal is the sound of the Atlantic Ocean waves gently lapping the hotel's 200-foot private, white sandy beach. From our second-floor balcony, we sip Chardonnay and gaze at the aquamarine water as the breeze rustles through pineapple palms.

Key Colony Beach, dubbed the "Gem of the Florida Keys," evokes Florida nostalgia. This 286-acre man-made island was carved out of mangrove swamplands in 1954. There are 857 residents, but the population peaks to about 3,800 in midwinter, according to Vickie L. Bollinger, city clerk of Key Colony Beach.

Each morning, we arise to view remarkable shades of soft gray, pink and blue in the sky, soon augmented by the sun. Strolling to Sunset Park nearby, the only sounds are birds singing and drones of fishing boats heading out to the ocean.

Before returning to the hotel, we spot a sign on a vacant lot. It warns: "Owl's Nest -- Please Do Not Disturb." The mother owl shields the nest as the father owl stands guard.

As we leave Key Colony Beach, my husband and I agree that in this peaceful place, it is as if time stands still.

Tina Langlotz lives in Altamonte Springs.

Copyright © 2008, Orlando Sentinel

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Faces & Places

KEY COLONY BEACH, October 11, 2011 – The Ocean Beach Club Resort officially traded hands with a ribbon cutting ceremony and beachside reception at sunset with many friends, local businesses and city officials attending the festivities. Three generations of the Glunz Family have been enjoying the spectacular view at Ocean Beach Club for over 23 years as timeshare owners. The transition of management to the Glunz Family will be seamless as they are familiar with the staff and many local businesses. "We are thrilled to be an official part of the Key Colony community and look forward to carrying on the legacy that Sue Demaras has started", said Jack Glunz, Owner. "We are overwhelmed by the warm welcome from the Key Colony and Marathon communities. We look forward to partnering with local businesses to build on the current success and any future opportunities. The potential of this hotel is endless and we envision implementing many upgrades in the future to position our property as a boutique hotel with a "million dollar ocean view"", The family has had extensive experience running a successful beer distributorship in Chicago for over 123 years, Louis Glunz Beer, Inc.. The opportunity to apply their management, sales and marketing expertise to this property management venture as irresistible. Jack Glunz and his wife Judy with his seven children will be overseeing the management of the hotel. They include: Judi Sidney, John Glunz Jr., Janet Bischoff, Jim Glunz, Jerry Glunz, Jennifer Faulk, and Jane Delaney.

October 21, 2011